What if businesses could do more than drive profits? What if they could transform lives, strengthen families and uplift entire communities? This visionary idea led to the creation of Utah Community Builders (UCB) in 2018.
An initiative of the Salt Lake Chamber, UCB was founded to address critical community challenges impacting Utah’s workforce. With a mission to create lasting, meaningful change, the organization empowers businesses to redefine success – not just by economic growth but by investing in workforce well-being and resilience. The result? Thriving employees, stronger businesses and a more sustainable future for all.
At the helm is Executive Director Kabi Catalano, a dedicated advocate with nearly two decades of experience in Utah’s nonprofit sector. Her career spans impactful roles at Make-A-Wish Utah, Girl Scouts of Utah and Western Governors University, all reflecting her deep-rooted passion for service. Inspired by her childhood volunteer work and a belief in the power of community, Catalano built her career around helping others. While serving as a regional director at WGU, she pursued and earned a master’s degree in management leadership, further strengthening her ability to lead with purpose.
Today, she channels her expertise and heartfelt commitment into tackling Utah’s most pressing workforce challenges. Whether forging partnerships, conducting research or designing innovative programs, her focus remains clear: helping Utah families thrive.
“The best part of my job is focusing on issues that matter to families,” she shares. “It’s inspiring to work with others who share a vision for what Utah’s workforce and communities can become.”
Utah Community Builder’s efforts focus on three core priorities:
- Workforce Mental Health: Destigmatizing mental health in the workplace starts with education and resources. UCB provides robust tools, expert-led management training and tailored support to help businesses build healthier, more resilient teams.
- Family-Friendly Workplaces: A thriving workplace culture includes workforce flexibility, dependent care benefits and empathetic leadership. UCB shares practical tools and strategies to make it easier for businesses to implement meaningful, family-friendly policies.
- Upward Economic Mobility: Breaking down barriers to career entry and advancement creates lasting opportunities. UCB equips businesses with financial literacy resources, career training and professional development programs to empower employees and strengthen Utah’s workforce.
As part of the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation, UCB leverages Utah’s private sector to drive innovation and create meaningful solutions. By putting people first, the organization proves that when businesses invest in their workforce, everyone wins — families, businesses and communities alike.
