Meet our Executive Board

Jonathan Hafen
Co-Chair | Attorney, Parr Brown Gee & Loveless
“WLI’s work is not just important to Utah’s businesses, it is important to the people, women and men who want to make Utah a better place to work and live. From a personal standpoint, I care deeply about these issues as the father of three daughters and four sons who are building their careers here. As WLI and Utah’s businesses collaborate to elevate women business leaders, Utah will indeed become a better place for my kids to work and live.”

Dr. Ruchi Watson
Co-Chair | Managing Director & CEO, Goff Strategic Leadership Institite
“I believe in the importance of strategic leadership at every level—and in the unique value women bring to that conversation. WLI plays a critical role in preparing and positioning women to lead in Utah’s business and civic communities. I’m honored to support that work and help shape the future of leadership in our state.”

Alex Adema
VP of Sales, Doppelmayr USA
“WLI’s programs are not just for women but also help men understand the context of gender equality. This approach opened up some really transparent, supportive conversations for me personally and in the organizations I have worked in. I’m here to learn and to help be part of a solution.”

Steve Carlile
Marketing and Communications Committee Chair | Founder & CEO, Carlile & Co.
“I believe in WLI for my daughter, and every daughter. I want a world where opportunity finds those who are ready. No shortcuts, no empty gestures. Just real preparation. WLI builds women who don’t just fill seats but lead with conviction. As a father and an executive, I’m proud to help champion that future.”

Daniel Gomez
Finance Committee Chair | President, Gomez Corp
“I joined the WLI board over 10 years ago, but I stayed because of what WLI does and what they stand for, the difference that they make. WLI is very good at bringing people together at several different levels for a common purpose and to make a difference. I believe in the community connections we’ve made, particularly in Southern Utah, and know our community impact will continue to grow.”

Kelly Mendenhall
Director of Regulatory and Pricing, Enbridge
“WLI’s programs are amazing. Each year we send one or two candidates from our company, and they come back thrilled with more confidence, ready to advocate for themselves and others. They take what WLI taught them, and use it — they are elevating others in the organization. WLI is doing great things, and I’m happy to support any way I can.”

Kerry Norman
Governance Committee Chair | Chief People Officer, CHG Healthcare Services
“WLI is something that matters a lot to me personally, and an organization CHG feels very strongly about. WLI programs have a big impact not only on the women that go through them, but then they take the learning back into their organizations, and it affects everyone, men included. I appreciate that the ElevateHER Challenge doesn’t come from a place of judgment; it helps companies set important goals moving forward without blame or shame.”

Bryan Scott
CEO, Loyal Perch Media
“I value the ElevateHER Challenge and consider it foundational and very market-driven. As a business owner, I know how the goals set in the Challenge can positively impact other business decisions, creating a better work culture. We have the ability and opportunity to foster future female leaders, and this is so important.”

Jennifer Smith
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Zions Bancorporation
“WLI is a mighty organization with a significant impact on our business community. The ElevateHER Challenge is the hallmark of WLI, and a lot of companies take pride in it. WLI also offers impactful leadership training, allowing organizations without career development tracks to participate and grow leaders in their organization. Zions is honored to support this.”

Heidi Walker
Strategic Planning Chair | COO, Salt Lake Chamber
“WLI keeps the focus of elevating women in the workplace front and center for business leaders. The opportunities WLI provides businesses to strengthen women on their teams through WLI’s programs and voice is recognized and appreciated.”

Sharlene Wells
SVP, PR and Organizational Communications, Mountain America Credit Union
“Throughout my career, mostly outside Utah, I saw women thriving in leadership across diverse industries. But as I returned to Utah, I was struck by the noticeable gap in female representation at the highest levels. WLI plays a pivotal role in addressing this disparity by inspiring and equipping women to pursue leadership—not through quotas, but by fostering confidence, ambition, and a willingness to push boundaries.”

Tiffeny Yen-Louie
Programs and Impact Committee Chair | Managing Partner, Henrie Group
“WLI brings credibility and connection to every conversation. Their programs don’t just check a box, they offer real perspective and tools for long-term growth. I joined as a participant and stayed because of the impact. I’ve seen women I work alongside grow in confidence, influence, and direction. I’m proud to help carry that forward on the board.“
Meet our Advisory Board

Angela E. Atkin
Attorney, Ray Quinney and Nebeker
Angela E. Atkin is a Shareholder and Chair of the Women Lawyers Group at Ray Quinney & Nebeker in Salt Lake City. She specializes in all aspects of estate, probate, and trust matters, and practiced as a certified public accountant prior to attending law school.
Ms. Atkin has been included on the list of…

Emily Bell McCormick
Founder, The Policy Project
Emily Bell McCormick is the founder of The Policy Project— a U.S. non-profit that creates movements in order to forward healthy, long-term policy at a state and national level with a focus on women, girls and other groups that have historically been overlooked or…

Ben Capell
Managing Director, Peterson Ventures
Ben Capell is the Managing Director at Peterson Ventures. He has been with Peterson Ventures since inception, raising over $90 million in capital, and investing in over 70 deals in his nearly 10 years of experience. Prior to joining Peterson Ventures, Ben was the first employee hired at an enterprise tech startup based in…

Sarah Comstock
VP, Global Communications, Merit Medical
Sarah Comstock joined Merit Medical in 2021, with more than 25 years of experience in corporate communications. She leads the global communications organization and is responsible for Merit’s public relations and employee communications programs. Sarah’s prior experience includes…

Gov. Spencer Cox
Governor, State of Utah
A sixth-generation Utahn, Gov. Spencer J. Cox was born and raised in Fairview, a town of 1,247 residents located about two hours south of Salt Lake City. He graduated from Snow College, Utah State University and Washington and Lee University School of Law…

Sheri Dew
Executive VP and Chief Content Officer, Deseret Management Corporation
Sheri Dew is a native of Ulysses, Kansas, and a graduate of Brigham Young University. She is a 40-year veteran of the publishing industry and has authored a number of best-selling books, including the biographies of two…

Sophia DiCaro
Senior Advisor and Executive Director, Governors Office of Planning and Budget

Margot Edwards
Managing Director - Wealth Advisor, J.P. Morgan Bank
Margot Edwards is a Managing Director and Wealth Advisor at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Margot practiced as a tax and estate planning attorney for over 14 years, and partners closely with highly successful individuals, entrepreneurs and multi-generational…

Dr. Jose Enriquez
Founder and CEO, Latinos In Action
Dr. Jose Enriquez is an immigrant who was born in El Salvador and grew up in East L.A. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the national Latinos In Action education program headquartered in Sandy, Utah. Latinos In Action was awarded the White House…

Kim Fischer
EVP of Marketing and Communications, Waterford.org
Kim Fischer is a communications and brand executive with deep expertise guiding messaging for mission-driven organizations. A former journalist and Gracie Award-winning investigative reporter, Kim now serves as the Executive Vice President of …

Kathryn Isom
Director of Marketing & Communications, Clyde Companies
Kathryn currently serves as the Director of Marketing & Communications at Clyde Companies. With previous leadership roles, including VP of Brand Marketing at Arbonne and Director of Product Marketing at Young Living, Kathryn has honed her passion for crafting impactful…

Kyle Bradford Jones
Associate (Clinical) Professor in Family and Preventive Medicine at the Spencer Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah
Kyle Bradford Jones, MD, FAAFP is an Associate (Clinical) Professor in Family and Preventive Medicine at the Spencer Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah…

Peggy Larsen
Retired, Workers Compensation Fund Insurance
Peggy is retired from her role as the Senior Vice President in charge of sales and marketing for the Workers Compensation Fund. Peggy was responsible for business retention, sales and development as well as the advertising and PR of WCF. Peggy was with WCF for…

Dustin Lipson
President, Primary Children's Hospital
Dustin Lipson is the President of Primary Children’s Hospital where he has spent more than ten years in senior leadership. In addition to his work in Children’s Health, Dustin served as the Director of Healthcare Transformation for Intermountain Health leading many aspects of Intermountain’s population health strategy from …

Becky Marquette
Co-Founder, STEMheads
Becky is currently leading university development initiatives at WGU with the belief that education provides individuals and families with one of the surest pathways to a better life because every individual has the capacity for learning and attainment. Most recently Becky was Director of Operations…

Vanessa "Ness" Perez
President, MakeUtah
Vanessa Machin Perez is a community builder—well-connected in the business, non-profit, entrepreneur, academic, government, municipality, military, and STEM space in Utah. She recently transitioned from her high-tech career with Texas Instruments and is diving head-first…

Dave Smith
Partner/CEO, Penna Powers
David L. Smith, A.P.R. has led the communication efforts for some of the most complicated and high-profile issues in Utah, from government work in healthcare and transportation to housing affordability and the workforce. He has specialized in strategic …

Keith Titus
President and CEO, MarketStar
Keith Titus, President and CEO, is responsible for leading MarketStar in long-term strategic planning, revenue growth strategies, business innovation, client success, and corporate operations. He was named CEO in January of 2019. Keith is committed to growing an organization…

Paul Walker
Chief Executive Officer, FranklinCovey
Paul Walker serves as FranklinCovey’s Chief Executive Officer. Paul’s career at FranklinCovey began in 2000 as a sales development associate. He was quickly promoted to client partner, then became an area director in the Chicago area. In 2007, Paul stepped into the role of …

Linda Wardell
Retired, City Creek Center
Linda Wardell is recently retired. She was the general manager of City Creek Center, the retail portion of City Creek, one of the largest mixed-use downtown redevelopment projects in the nation. With more than 25 years of experience managing and marketing shopping…

Don Willie
Director of Operations, The Point
Don Willie is a seasoned executive with extensive experience leading transformational change across both public and private sector organizations. He currently serves as the Director of Operations for The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, where he oversees internal operations…

Jacki Zehner
Founder, ShePlace and SheMoney
Jacki Zehner describes herself as a financial feminist. The latest Global Gender Gap Report states that at the current rate of change, it will take over 135 years to reach gender parity, and for Jacki, that’s completely unacceptable. As the founder of ShePlace and SheMoney, her plan is to bring all of her…