Thanks to you, LeaderLuncheon 2024 was a tremendous success, bringing together a diverse group of leaders from our community to celebrate and support the vital work of YWCA Utah and honor outstanding women in our state. We were awed by Reverend Tutu's keynote speech and by her work in lifting up women and marginalized groups around the world.
REV. TUTU BRINGS HOPE IN OUR SHARED HUMANITY
"The work of YWCA is not only the practical support that they give, but also the emotional support and the message that they are fully human." - Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu
Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu's keynote speech provided us an inspiring story of the importance of seeing each other's shared humanity, and fighting for what we believe in. Sharing the story of her family's experiences under apartheid, and working as a gender justice advocate, provided the crowd with a great deal of hope! The connections she drew with her work and the work of YWCA Utah, shows the importance of such connections being built internationally.
Thank you to our keynote sponsor:
YWCA UTAH'S IMPACT ON THE NEXT GENERATION
During this year's LeaderLuncheon, we heard powerful stories about YWCA Utah's impact. YWCA is changing the lives of women and their daughters, which will impact future generations. In case you missed it, please watch the videos below.
UTAH WOMEN UPLIFTING OUR COMMUNITY
Our 2024 Outstanding Achievement Awardees are women with immense impact in business, equity, community, health, and inspiring the youth of tomorrow. Dr. Jackie Thompson, Janida Emerson, Lavanya Mahate, Rachel Weaver, and Dr. Jen Plumb inspired the crowd with their stories of success, and the people who helped pave the way. A final congratulations to each of these outstanding women!
Past OAA Winners
Since 1989, 168 extraordinary women have been honored with Outstanding Achievement Awards. These women have exemplified YWCA Utah’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women for decades and have made tremendous strides towards better lives for all Utahns.
2023 – Sen. Escamilla, Nubia Peña, Deborah Colimon, Jennifer Smith, Dr. Isabel Teresa Molina-Avella, Lori Teske Hudson (YWCA Heart and Soul Award)
2021-2022 – Marian Dora Howe-Taylor, Candyce Fly Lee, Sarah McClellan, Lynne Nilson, Katie Kern, Margarita Satini
2020 – Sandra Hollins, Neylan McBaine, Dr. Angela Dunn
2019 – Deanna Kepka, Mara Rabin, Amy Rees Anderson, Rosie Rivera, Kendra Tomsic
2018 – Sheryl Allen, Mary Beckerle, Patricia Christensen, Cristina Flores,
Yasmen Simonian, Paula Green Johnson (YWCA Heart and Soul Award)
2017 – Lisa Gentile, Carol Osborn, Lorena Riffo-Jenson, Joan Smith
2016 – Jackie Biskupski, Sherrie Hayashi, Nedra Hotchkins, Susan Madsen, Gail Miller
2015 – Rosemarie Hunter, Linda Leckman, Carolyn Goodwin Schubach, Peggy Tomsic,
Olene Walker (Mary Schubach McCarthey Lifetime Achievement Award)
2014 – Martha Bradley, Christina Gallop, Jacqueline Gomez-Arias, Peggy Fletcher Stack,
Betty Sawyer, Yda Smith
2013 – Betsy Burton, Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Harriet Hopf, Kathy Christine Howa,
Pam Perlich, Deb Sawyer, Mary Schubach McCarthey (YWCA Heart and Soul Award)
2012 – Brenda Burrell, Norma Carr, Natalie Gochnour, Libby Hunter, Leigh Neumayer,
Boyer Jarvis (Honorary Outstanding Achievement Award)
LeaderLuncheon 2024 Sponsors
Thank you to out 2024 sponsors for supporting YWCA Utah’s life-saving work and helping us celebrate the incredible impact of women in our state!