About LeaderLuncheon

An Inspiring Celebration of Women and Community

LeaderLuncheon is one of Salt Lake City’s most powerful and inspiring annual events. It’s a vital fundraiser for YWCA Utah and a celebration of women’s strength, leadership, and the collective power we hold when we rise as one. The funds raised make our life-saving work possible—we truly can’t do it without you.

Our Mission and This Year's Keynote

At YWCA Utah, our mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. LeaderLuncheon will honor this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award winners and feature keynote speaker April Hernandez-Castillo—an actor, author, and survivor whose story embodies the resilience, empowerment, and advocacy at the heart of our work. Her books will be available for purchase at the event.

Support LeaderLuncheon in More Ways Than One

This year, all LeaderLuncheon event and auction registration will be managed through Handbid, our official event platform. Handbid makes it easy to purchase tickets or sponsorships, register for the silent auction, place bids, and make donations—all in one convenient place.

Register Now and Pay Later Options

For Sponsors who would like to pay for their registration after receipt of an invoice, you may register now and an invoice will be sent to you. For those who want to donate but do not want to donate online, you may select to pay later. Questions regarding these options may be sent to leaderluncheon@ywcautah.org.

Can't Attend But Still Want to Support?

No problem. Through Handbid you may participate in the silent auction and donate directly to YWCA Utah. Thank you for standing with us!

2025 Sponsorships

Empower Change & Inspire Progress

and make a lasting impact in our community by becoming a sponsor of YWCA Utah’s 36th Annual LeaderLuncheon

Purchase Sponsorships

- One (1) table of 10 seats
- Name recognition as a Leader Table in the event program
- Name recognition as a Leader Table on sponsor recognition slides
- One (1) table of 10 seats
- Logo/name recognition as a Bronze Sponsor in the event program
- Logo/name recognition as a Bronze Sponsor on sponsor recognition slides
- Verbal recognition as a Bronze Sponsor from event podium
- Name Recognition on table
- Two (2) tables of 10 seats
- Logo/name recognition as a Silver Sponsor in the event program
- Quarter page ad in event program
- Logo/name recognition as a Silver Sponsor on sponsor recognition slides
- Verbal recognition as a Silver Sponsor from event podium
- Logo/name recognition on table
- Preferred Seating
- Three (3) tables of 10 seats
- Logo/name recognition as a Gold Sponsor in the event program
- Half page ad in event program
- Logo/name recognition as a Gold Sponsor on sponsor recognition slides
- Verbal recognition as a Gold Sponsor from event podium
- Event webpage with COMPANY logo display
- Logo/name recognition on table
- Priority seating
- Logo/name recognition as Underwriter Sponsor in the event program
- Full page ad in event program
- Verbal recognition as Underwriter Sponsor from event podium
- Logo/name recognition on event donation page on website
- Four (4) tables of 10 seats
- Logo/name recognition as an Underwriter Sponsor in the event program
- Full page ad in event program
- Logo/name recognition as an Underwriter Sponsor on select event signage and media screens
- Verbal recognition as Underwriter Sponsor from event podium
- Logo/name recognition on materials located at each table
- VIP seating
- Logo/name recognition on Table
- 20 tickets to VIP after mingle following luncheon with speaker
- 20 tickets to the OAA pre reception & toast
- Valet Parking
- All pre-event marketing pieces featuring “The 34th Annual YWCA LeaderLuncheon, Presented by COMPANY NAME”
- Recognition as Presenting Sponsor in public relations and media efforts pertaining to the 2023 YWCA LeaderLuncheon
- Invitation to participate in a pre-event press event/opportunity discussing COMPANY NAME’s support to the organization and their commitment to advancing equity
- Logo/name recognition as Presenting Sponsor featured on event promotional pieces, including but not limited to: Event Invitations, Event social media announcements (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Twitter), Event emails, Event webpage with prominent COMPANY logo display
- Five (5) tables of 10 seats
- Logo/name recognition as Presenting Sponsor in the event program
- Full page ad in event program
- Logo/name recognition as Presenting Sponsor on select event signage and media screens
- Verbal recognition as Presenting Sponsor from event podium
- Logo/name recognition on event donation page on website
- Logo/name recognition on materials located at each table (donation cards, menus, etc.)
- Front row seating- VIP Seating
- Logo/Name recognition on table
- 20 tickets to VIP after mingle following luncheon with speaker
- 20 tickets to the OAA pre reception & toast
- Valet Parking*

2025 Keynote Speaker

At YWCA Utah, our mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. This year, we are honored to welcome April Hernandez Castillo—an actor, author, and survivor whose story embodies the resilience, empowerment, and advocacy at the heart of our work.

While many recognize April for her unforgettable performance as Eva Benitez in Freedom Writers and roles on hit television series like Law & Order: SVU, Dexter, and New Amsterdam, it is her journey off-screen that makes her a powerful voice for change. A survivor of intimate partner violence, April has transformed her pain into purpose, using her platform to speak out against abuse and uplift others on their paths to healing.

Through her memoir, Embracing Me, and acclaimed talks—including TEDx and Harvard University—April shares a raw, inspiring message: we all have the power to reclaim our stories. Her storytelling is not only brave—it is healing, honest, and deeply aligned with YWCA Utah’s commitment to centering survivors and amplifying the voices of women and girls of color.

April’s presence at LeaderLuncheon is more than a keynote—it is a call to action, a celebration of survival, and a reminder that empowerment is not just possible, but unstoppable. We are thrilled to share space with her and invite our community to witness her story, her strength, and her legacy.

Thank you to our Keynote Sponsors!

For over three decades, YWCA Utah has proudly celebrated extraordinary women through the Outstanding Achievement Awards at our annual LeaderLuncheon.

Nominations for this year’s awards are now CLOSED. Stay tuned for the amazing lineup of women chosen for this year’s Outstanding Achievement Awards. Announcement coming June 2025!