Outstanding Achievement Awards 2025
Celebrating Women Who Transform The World..
For over three decades, YWCA Utah has proudly celebrated extraordinary women through the Outstanding Achievement Awards (OAA) at our annual LeaderLuncheon. These awards honor visionary leaders, trailblazers, and changemakers whose impact transforms lives and uplifts communities.
Each year, we gather to shine a spotlight on these inspiring individuals, whose stories ignite hope and motivate all of us to dream bigger, act bolder, and stand together for a brighter, more equitable future.
When we honor a woman with an OAA, we’re not just celebrating her achievements; we’re recognizing the power of her legacy—proof that one person’s vision can leave an indelible mark on the world.
Past OAA Winners
2024 - Dr. Jen Plumb, Latanya Mahate, Dr. Jackie Thompson, Rachel Weaver, Janida Emerson
023 – 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
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.
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)
