The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) has honored Leisa Hardman Wallace of Vernal, Utah, Business Advisor and Instructor at the Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah), as the 2025 Business Advisor of the Year. Wallace received the award in Washington, D.C., at AWBC’s Annual Women’s Business Center Leadership Conference, where she was recognized as the nation’s top business advisor for her outstanding service to entrepreneurs.
Wallace, a seasoned author and entrepreneur herself, has become a driving force for business owners across Utah—particularly in rural communities. With a passion for empowering creatives to transform their talents into thriving enterprises, she is widely known as a fierce advocate and trusted accountability partner. Her clients have gone on to win pitch competitions, secure new opportunities, and achieve significant profitability with her guidance.
In addition to one-on-one advising, Wallace leads WBCUtah’s signature multi-week business classes. Her upbeat energy, DIY mindset, and hands-on approach give entrepreneurs the tools and confidence to build sustainable, scalable businesses. Her teaching style blends encouragement with practical strategy, inspiring women to push beyond their limits and embrace their potential.
“Leisa is truly exceptional,” said Ann Marie Wallace, State Director of WBCUtah. “Her positivity, dedication, and unwavering support make her a beloved mentor to every client and class participant she works with. She inspires confidence, ignites creativity, and consistently helps women achieve their entrepreneurial aspirations. This national recognition is a well-deserved celebration of the profound impact she has on women entrepreneurs across Utah.”
Wallace’s influence extends beyond individual success stories—she has helped transform the landscape of entrepreneurship in Utah by ensuring women across the state, from urban centers to rural towns, have access to the support they need to thrive.
The AWBC’s annual awards highlight the best of the best among business advisors nationwide, and Wallace’s recognition as Business Advisor of the Year shines a spotlight not only on her accomplishments, but also on Utah’s vibrant community of women entrepreneurs.
For more information, or to get assistance for your women-owned business, please visit wbcutah.org.
About Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah)
The Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entrepreneurial center with a mission to help Utah women build confidence, create opportunities, and experience business ownership success. By providing women-focused advising and training, the center assists business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs learn skills to run more sustainable and profitable businesses. Services are available to any adult in the State of Utah.
WBCUtah has offices in Salt Lake City and Cedar City, and powers online training for nearly twenty Online Women’s Business Centers hosted by Utah’s chambers of commerce. Entrepreneurs can book a complimentary advising session, register for a live training or sign up for a self-paced course at WBCUtah.org. WBCUtah is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement between the Salt Lake Chamber and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
