Leadership Development

Utah is a great place for women to lead, yet research shows women remain underrepresented in leadership across executive, business, education, and government sectors, as well as elected office. In some cases by margins as wide as nine to one. Contributing factors include Utahns’ perceptions of leadership, limited male allyship, individual bias, and women’s access to leadership development opportunities. When women and men lead together, organizations experience stronger innovation and collective intelligence, improved corporate citizenship and reputation, better talent development, healthier organizational climates with lower turnover and higher productivity, and ultimately stronger financial performance.

A Bolder Way Forward’s Leadership Development Spoke is working with partner organizations to increase the number and percentage of women leaders in all settings within Utah. Visit the resources below to learn how you can help create opportunties for every woman and girl to envision themselves as leaders, develop leadership skills, and lead in any setting. Individuals, organizations, and communities can also take specific actions to help. To get engaged, email the UWLP Community Connector (Amy Anderson).

Key Resources

Informational Video

Resource Kit

Research & Policy Brief

What Utahns Need to Know

Spoke Podcast

Bold Goals

Through collective impact and systems thinking, Utah can improve things by working towards the following goals:

Increase the percentage of Utah women leaders (see dashboard for specific position and sector goals). [Metric Dashboard]
Increase leadership development opportunities for youth in Utah. [Metric Forthcoming]
Increase awareness and access of leadership development programs and resources. [Metric Forthcoming]
Increase Utahns' awareness and understanding of unconscious bias. [Metric Dashboard]
Increase Utahn women's agreement (understanding and perceptions) in the following areas: [Metric Dashboard]
1. I aspire to be a leader.
2. Others consider me a leader.
3. I see myself as a leader.
4. There are opportunities and resources around me to help me develop leadership skills.

Spoke Advisors

Shirlayne Quayle (CEO, PowerLane)
Jamie Shaw (Board Chair, Women's Influence Network)
Kelleen Potter (Executive Director, Utah Ranked Choice Voting)

Young Leaders Subspoke
Steph Smith (Founder, The Path Made Possible)
Jen Werner (Owner, Jen Werner Coaching)

What You Can Do

Encourage women of all ages to participate in an interactive course titled “Exploring Your Purpose: Talents, Callings, and Influence.” Host a group of 3-5 women in a 4-part series of engaging discussions and activities.

Talk to girls and young women in your life about what they are doing to prepare to become leaders. Help them understand what leadership is and how they can lead in various settings from home and family to business, government, and beyond.

Encourage men of all ages to participate in an interactive course titled “Male Allyship: A New Conversation.” Host a group of 3-5 men in a 5-part series of engaging discussions and activities.

Community Partners

Women's Influence Network (WIN) is a nonprofit organization that connects agents of positive change to cultivate and amplify women’s influence. Located in St. George, Utah, they offer connection, resources and inspiring events to power change with heart.

WLI works to elevate the talents and status of women across Utah through research-based principles. They work with companies to commit to elevate women in their businesses and offer courses and resources for women to help them develop leadership skills.

Women Who Succeed is a program of the nonprofit Ken Garff for Good, providing opportunities for girls and young women to grow confidence and leadership skills. They offer mentoring, scholarships, internships, and networking opportunities.

Silicon Slopes Women in Leadership exists to advance the professional development of women in Utah, foster meaningful relationships and mentorship, and equip women with the skills and support needed to succeed in leadership roles across industries.

Women Tech Council (WTC) is a national organization focused on the economic impact of women in the technology sector through developing programs that propel the economic pipeline from K-12 to the C-suite. WTC offers mentoring, opportunities and networking.

The Utah Women in Higher Education Network – University of Utah Chapter (UWHEN UofU) aims to advance women’s leadership on higher education campuses. The group's focus is on advancing women's careers, community, and leadership.

PowerLane is a creative space where leadership, power, and lived experience meet. Services are designed to help executives, aspiring leaders, and organizations achieve success through exploring and practicing leadership as it is lived.

The Path Made Possible offers coaching to women seeking to discover and pursue their unique purpose. Programming aims to empower young women, helping them uncover their unique path with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Jen Werner Coaching helps leaders, teams, and individuals grow through purpose through Gallup-Certified Strengths-Based coaching. Services focus on uncovering talents, improving communication, and supporting personal and professional development.

Girl Scouts of Utah builds girls’ courage, confidence, and character through hands‑on programs, outdoor adventures, and community service. It provides a supportive environment where girls explore their strengths and grow as leaders.

Girls on the Run Utah offers evidence‑based programs that blend physical activity with life‑skills lessons to help girls build confidence and healthy habits. Team activities and a culminating 5K run increase girls’ emotional, social, and physical skills.

Junior Achievement aims to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. They give kids from all walks of life an opportunity to realize their potential through practical skills in financial literacy and workplace readiness.

The Junior League of Ogden is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

In partnership with USU Extension, Utah 4-H helps youth build skills for college, careers, and life through clubs, camps, and hands-on projects. As part of the nation’s largest youth development program, 4-H focuses on hands-on learning. kitchen.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is a Rotary International program for youth and sponsored by Utah Rotary District 5420. It is designed to build passion, resilience, determination, gratitude and the value of Service Above Self.

Born to Lead events help young adults build essential leadership and public speaking skills. Through expert-led content, supported coaching, and immersive learning experiences, participants gain real-world tools and confidence to lead and communicate effectively.

Ella Rises provides culturally rooted programs for young women to build confidence, creativity, and pathways to higher education.The organization offers events and educational experiences to empower girls through culture, community, and academics.

ROX is a national nonprofit that empowers girls through evidence‑based programs, research, and tools that build confidence and support strong decision‑making. It aims to help girls shape their own relationships, experiences, decisions, and futures.