30 Women to Watch

In Utah, women are natural and effective leaders. Utah women are creative entrepreneurs who start and grow successful businesses; they are seasoned executives who help their organizations exceed goals and achieve greater success; and they are a driving force that propels nonprofit and government organizations to more efficiently and effectively carry out their missions.

In Utah, 66,300 women-owned businesses contribute $11.4 billion to the state’s economy each year, according to the latest American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. Furthermore, a greater percentage of Utah women participate in the workforce than the national average.

Women and business go hand-in-hand in the Beehive State. And nothing makes that clearer than our annual 30 Women to Watch program, which shines the spotlight on women who are exceptional leaders, entrepreneurs, change-makers, mentors—and shining examples to the men and women who work in their industries.

Kristen Cox is very aware of how her job impacts Utahns. As executive director of the Department of Workforce Services, Cox knows she has a responsibility to help the people who need DWS, as well as a responsibility to do it efficiently and save taxpayer money. Utah Business