In this episode, we discuss a recently released white paper titled “Women’s Safety & Security 2025: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, and Attitudes,” specifically focusing on poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence. 

Based on an 83-item survey conducted in October and November of 2025, this study collected data from more than 5,200 Utahns across both representative and convenience samples. This marks the third consecutive year of data collection, allowing us to examine how perceptions and experiences have shifted since the 2023 and 2024 surveys. In this episode, we walk through key findings to better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the lives of Utah women and girls today. 

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Elizabeth Garbe, Vice President of Public Policy at United Way of Salt Lake, an organization that mobilizes people and resources to improve basic needs and education outcomes for Utah children and families. Second, Erin Jemison, Director of Public Policy at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. Erin is deeply committed to using her opportunities to make systems work better for everyone. 

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In this episode, we discuss our white paper titled “Utah Women in the Workplace: Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development, STEM Fields, and Leadership Development,” specifically two elements of the report: STEM Fields and Leadership Development. 

Based on an 83-item survey conducted from October 1 through November 19, 2025, the study includes insights from more than 5,200 Utahns across both representative and convenience samples. This marks the third consecutive year of data collection, allowing us to examine how perceptions and experiences have shifted since the 2023 and 2024 surveys. We walk through key findings from the two sections mentioned to better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the lives of Utah women and girls today.

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two A Bolder Way Forward advisors. First, Cydni Tetro, Co-Founder and President of Women Tech Council, and A Bolder Way Forward’s STEM Spoke Advisor. Second, Shirlayne Quayle, CEO of PowerLane, Co-Founder of the Women’s Influence Network, and A Bolder Way Forward’s Leadership Development Spoke Advisor. 

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In this episode, we discuss our recently released snapshot titled “Homelessness Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update.” This snapshot examines national and Utah trends in homelessness over the past several years, including demographic characteristics of Utah women experiencing homelessness, contributing factors, and state spending. It also highlights current efforts and opportunities for Utahns to help decrease homelessness and better meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. We’ll unpack all of that and more in today’s episode.

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Dr. Robyn Blackburn, Research Fellow with the Utah Women & Leadership Project. 

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In this episode, we take a closer look at two key topics—child sexual abuse and sexual assault—from the newly released white paper “Women’s Safety & Security 2025: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, and Attitudes.”

Based on an 83-item survey conducted in October and November of 2025, this study collected data from more than 5,200 Utahns across both representative and convenience samples. This marks the third consecutive year of data collection, allowing us to examine how perceptions and experiences have shifted since the 2023 and 2024 surveys. We walk through key findings from the two sections mentioned to better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the lives of Utah women and girls today.

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two Bolder Way Forward advisors. First, Matthew Hartvigsen is the Executive Director of Saprea. He oversees initiatives that work to liberate individuals and societies from child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts. He serves as a spoke advisor in BWF for the Child Sexual Abuse spoke. Also joining is Dr. Julie L. Valentine who joined the University of Utah College of Nursing in October 2023 as a Professor and was at BYU for many years prior. She serves as a BWF advisor for the Sexual Assault Spoke. Her ultimate professional objective is to significantly reduce instances of sexual and gender-based violence in Utah and beyond. 

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In this episode, we discuss two elements of a recently released white paper titled “Women in the Workplace in 2025: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, and Attitudes.” The two we’ll be talking about today will be the gender pay gap and sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. 

Based on an 83-item survey conducted in October and November of 2025, this study collected data from more than 5,200 Utahns across both representative and convenience samples. This marks the third consecutive year of data collection, allowing us to examine how perceptions and experiences have shifted since the 2023 and 2024 surveys. In this episode, we’ll walk through key findings from the two sections mentioned to better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the lives of Utah women and girls today.

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two Bolder Way Forward leaders. First, Stacee Pedersen, President of Momentum Employer Group, and an advisor for the Gender Pay Gap spoke in A Bolder Way Forward. Second, Nancy Sylvester, Counsel for Ogletree Deakins law firm and an advisor for the Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Discrimination spoke in A Bolder Way Forward. 

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In this episode, we discuss two elements of a recently released white paper titled “Utah Women in the Workplace: Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development, STEM Fields, and Leadership Development.” The two we’ll be talking about today are entrepreneurship and workforce development. 

Based on an 83-item survey conducted from October 1 through November 19, 2025, the study includes insights from more than 5,200 Utahns across both representative and convenience samples. This marks the third consecutive year of data collection, allowing us to examine how perceptions and experiences have shifted since the 2023 and 2024 surveys. In this episode, we walk through key findings from the two sections to better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the lives of Utah women and girls today.

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two Bolder Way Forward leaders. First, Ann Marie Wallace, State Director of the Women's Business Center of Utah, and A Bolder Way Forward’s Entrepreneurship Spoke Advisor. Also joining us is Heather Nemelka, Founder and President of Elavare, and A Bolder Way Forward’s Workforce Development Spoke Advisor. 

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In this episode, we discuss two areas of focus within a recently released white paper titled “Women in the Workplace in 2025: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, and Attitudes.” This comprehensive report explores the realities facing Utah women and girls across four critical areas, but we’ll just focus on two of them: Childcare/Pre-K Programs and Organizational Strategies & Workplace Culture.

Based on an 83-item survey conducted from October 1 through November 19, 2025, the study includes insights from more than 5,200 Utahns across both representative and convenience samples. This marks the third consecutive year of data collection, allowing us to examine how perceptions and experiences have shifted since the 2023 and 2024 surveys. In this episode, we walk through some key findings to better understand the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the lives of Utah women and girls today. 

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two Bolder Way Forward leaders. First, Sheena Blauvelt, Executive Director of HR, USANA Health Services, and A Bolder Way Forward’s Organizational Strategies & Workplace Culture spoke advisor. Also joining us is Lynne Burton, who served as A Bolder Way Forward’s Childcare/Pre-K Programs Spoke Coordinator. 

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In this episode, we discuss a recently released research brief titled “100 Companies Championing Women in 2025: Best Practices for Utah Companies.” State leaders frequently emphasize Utah’s reputation as a hub of innovation and economic opportunity. Yet, for the 11th consecutive year, WalletHub ranked Utah as the worst state for women’s equality, placing it last in “workplace environment,” including income disparities and representation in leadership roles. Extensive research continues to confirm that many Utah women are not fully thriving in their workplaces. 

Recognizing this long-standing challenge, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP), and the Cox–Henderson administration launched 100 Companies Championing Women (100 CCW) in 2022. Originally part of the Inspire InUtah campaign, the initiative aimed to highlight Utah businesses that are implementing strategies to recruit better, hire, retain, and advance women at all levels, including entrepreneurs. Due to its success, the program expanded into a three-year effort. Today, we will be looking more into the new brief, which summarizes data from the third and final year of the campaign. 

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Deborah Lin, Local Outreach & Resource Manager for the UWLP at Utah State University, who has assisted with the 100 Companies Championing Women nominations all three years of the campaign. 

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In this episode, we discuss a recently released white paper titled “Belonging in Utah: Findings from Community Conversations with Women of Color.” The white paper draws from seven focus groups with Women of Color along the Wasatch Front to identify shared and community-specific themes related to their experiences. The findings reveal both interconnected challenges and those unique to specific racial and ethnic communities. The goal of this work is to elevate diverse perspectives and encourage leaders and community members to consider additional insights that foster greater inclusion and belonging throughout the state. Understanding what helps Utah women of color build a sense of belonging shows us not only where the state is progressing, but where meaningful work still needs to be done. In today’s episode, we’ll break down what belonging looks like, why it matters, and how these insights can guide efforts to make Utah a better place for everyone. 

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Kolene Anderson, former Associate Director at the Utah Women and Leadership Project. Second, Nadia Cates, former Multicultural Outreach Coordinator at the Utah Women and Leadership Project. 

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In this episode, we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled, “Substance Use Disorders Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update.” This snapshot examines how substance use disorders (SUDs) affect women in Utah and across the United States. Using state and national data, the report explores whether Utah’s patterns align with or diverge from national trends. The analysis highlights three key areas: prevalence and demographic differences in substance use among women; the intersection of women’s health, pregnancy, and trauma; and current efforts and programs aimed at reducing substance use disorders throughout Utah. What stories do the data tell about women’s experiences with substance use in Utah? We’ll explore all of that and more in today’s episode. 

Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Corinne Clarkson, co-author of the report and Research Associate for the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Second, Rachel Denton, co-author of the report and a licensed clinical social worker. 

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