Join us in St. George for our 9th annual She Leads Conference.
Friday, November 14, 2025
8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Utah Tech University
Holland Building, Zion Room (5th Floor)
$30
The Women’s Leadership Institute and Utah Women Run present our annual one-day leadership conference, connecting, engaging, and empowering women throughout Southern Utah. Through inspiring speeches, small discussions, and lively panels, we showcase the many ways women are currently leading and how you can get involved.
Why Attend?
Leadership isn’t just about a title—it’s about using your talents to create impact. This training will empower you and equip you with the tools to become a strong leader in your life and community.
What You’ll Gain:
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Invaluable Insights: Learn from community partner organizations that specialize in leadership development and advocating for women.
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Practical Skills: Build confidence and learn how others have navigated their environments to lead and inspire.
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Community Network: Meet new people and connect with peers, leaders, and changemakers who share your passion.
Bring Your Circle:
Invite your friends, coworkers, and even your boss. It’s a conference focused on women leading, but men are welcome too!
“I left the conference last year excited by the amazing things women were doing in Southern Utah and with greater hope for our future. I built on the inspiration I found in the stories shared by the speakers to look for more opportunities to serve and lead in my community. I’ll return to the conference this year, having built stronger relationships and am ready to be inspired again. “
Organization Leads and Community Partners:
Opening Keynote Speaker
Syd Dickson, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction
During her tenure ending June 2025, Superintendent Dickson has championed transformative initiatives that have shaped education in Utah, including increased funding for early learning, expanded access to full-day kindergarten, and a prioritization of early literacy development. Under her leadership, professional learning and support for educators have been significantly enhanced, technology has been integrated to enrich classroom learning, and dual language immersion programs have flourished.
Dr. Dickson also played a pivotal role in the creation of Utah’s Portrait of a Graduate, a visionary framework that prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to succeed in life, work, and citizenship. Additionally, she championed personalized, competency-based learning, ensuring that education is tailored to meet the individual needs and pace of every student. Renowned for her collaborative leadership, she has engaged community partners, united diverse stakeholders, and remained steadfastly mission-driven in her commitment to excellence in education.
Morning Speaker
Dannielle Larkin
Dannielle Larkin was born in Mesa, Arizona, raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has been a proud resident of St. George for the past 32 years. She has a great love for the desert landscape and the people who reside in it. She and her husband Darrin own a commercial contracting business and raised four children on an acre in Little Valley. After loving the rural life for 25 years, they moved to downtown St. George.
Education Panel
Moderated by Mary Weaver Bennett
Panelists:
- Syd Dickson, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Mindy Benson, SUU
- Stacee McIff, Snow College
- Heidi Gunn, Washington County School Board
Closing Keynote Speaker
Sarah Sun
Bio coming soon…
HERstory Presenters
- Essie Gonzsen
- Daneka Souberbielle
- Jamie Shaw
- Annie Simpkins
- Lauren Bassett
- Tessa Douglas
