Bolder Way Forward for Utah

Salt Lake County Coalition                                                                               A Bolder Way Forward Logo 

Salt Lake County is a vibrant hub of activity and opportunity. Nestled between the majestic Oquirrh and Wasatch mountains, and stretching from the southern shores of the Great Salt Lake to the point of the mountain, this diverse county is home to over 1 million people, with 16 cities, six townships, and one town.

Salt Lake County offers a dynamic blend of beauty and cultural richness.  In addition to featuring four world-class ski resorts, the county is a cultural center for the visual and performing arts, including the Utah Symphony and Opera, Ballet West and more. It is also home to a broad range of sports and entertainment, including the Utah Jazz, Real Salt Lake, The Salt Lake Royals and a new NHL Hockey team. 

Education and commerce thrive here. There are over 15 colleges, universities and technical schools and more than 20,000 businesses. The county is a hub for industry, offering a diverse range of opportunities and contributing to the area's overall economic vitality. 

Because grassroots is key to long-term societal change in the Bolder Way Forward Framework, the Salt Lake County Coalition strives to bring the BWF message to every city, town, business, neighborhood, and family within the county. Since the “whole is greater than the sum of the parts,” the Coalition looks at who is currently doing the work in each spoke, or focus area, and what programs and efforts already support women and families in Salt Lake County. The co-leads, Executive Leadership Team and members facilitate communication, resource sharing, and new initiatives or programs as needed and connect Salt Lake County with statewide efforts. By lifting women and girls in our county, we lift all residents. To learn more about what you can do to strengthen the impact of girls and women in Salt Lake County, read the "What Can I Do?" report

Co-Leads

Sara Cody

Sara Cody 

Community Advocate
LinkedIn Profile

Sara helps with identity and community building as Program Coordinator at the Black Cultural Center. Outgoing Chair of the U of U’s UWHEN, she enjoys watercolor, has 63 house plants, mentors youth, and is a dog mom. 

Community Advocate

Laurie Stringham

Laurie Stringham

County Councilwoman, SL County
LinkedIn Profile

 A mother of five, Laurie received a BFA from the U of U in theater. She is a business owner, Utah educator, preserver of arts, supporter of youth sports and recreation, and an advocate for those who do not have a voice. 

Salt Lake County

Sandy Lisonbee

Sandy Lisonbee

Co-Founder, The Wolf & The Bee
LinkedIn Profile

Sandy merges corporate acumen with a commitment to workplace and social progress. At The Wolf and The Bee, she is dedicated to transforming workplace culture and addressing harassment and discrimination. 

The Wolf and The Bee

Paula McKinnon 

Paula McKinnon 

Community Advocate
LinkedIn Profile

Paula is an advocate for women in the technology industry. She champions inclusive practices and is a proponent of policies and practices that prioritize respect and safe work environments.

Community Advocate

Emily Heward

Emily Heward

Community Advocate

Busy keeping up with her three kids, Emily loves traveling and soaking up Utah's great outdoors. She earned a degree in biology from the University of Utah and is interested in continually learning new things and discovering new places.

Community Advocate

Nicole Davis portrait

Nicole Davis

VP of Marketing, XL PR
LinkedIn Profile

Nicole is committed to advancing gender equality and family thriving in Utah. She brings expertise in storytelling, strategy, and influence to BWF. She believes in using her voice to make a difference, driven to ensure Utah continues to evolve and improve.

XL PR logo

Sierra Benson Collett portrait

Sierra Benson Collett

Program Officer, Cultural Vistas
LinkedIn Profile

Raised on a farm in Idaho and a first-generation graduate from USU, Sierra is a certified Leadership and Conflict Coach and coordinates Virtual Leadership, a 6-month leadership development program for emerging social change leaders from the Global South.

Community Advocate

 




 



Partners

The Wolf and the Bee

Hire Integrated

Salt Lake Community College

SLCC UWHEN

Project Connection

Promise Partnership
United Way of Salt Lake
United Way of Salt Lake Women United
South Valley Services
Divorce Co-op
my529
Rape Recovery Center
Midvale City

Salt Lake County
Think Brilliantly
Utah Outdoor Therapies
The Profitability Project
Hit2Heal

Know Your Lemons

Momivate logo


XL PR logo


West Valley City logo
gemini wealth logo

South Salt Lake Chamber - Women in Business


Millcreek City

Wasatch Family Therapy

Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition (UPIHC)
 
 
 
 
Get Engaged: There are many ways to get involved with the Salt Lake County BWF Coalition and make a direct impact in our community.