A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Political Representation, Boards and Commissions, & Civic Engagement/Advocacy. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Political Representation, Boards and Commissions, & Civic Engagement/Advocacy. First, Becki Wright, Founder & CEO of Proximity and a board member of Utah Women Run; Nina Barnes, a board member of Utah Women Run and The Policy Project; and Luna Banuri, founding board member and executive director of the Utah Muslim Civic League.

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Research shows that organizations will increasingly thrive when both men and women hold leadership roles. Gender inclusivity benefits not only businesses, but also entities such as churches, state legislatures, city councils, state governments, and state and local boards and commissions. Research demonstrates the need for the government—and democratic governance processes in general—to reflect gender diversity accurately within its constituency at all levels. Utah is no exception. In fact, in Utah (Code 67-1-11), since 1992, appointing authorities were supposed to “strongly consider nominating, appointing, or reappointing a qualified individual whose gender is in the minority” on state boards and commissions. Yet, not until recently has this become a priority. In 2016 and 2019, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) published research and policy briefs focused on analyzing the gender composition of Utah state boards and commissions. Recently, the UWLP published an update on the status of women on Utah state boards and commissions in 2023, which is the topic of this episode.

Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by Brooke Scheffler, Director of Boards and Commissions for Utah State Government; and Nina Barnes, a community champion and advocate for education, politics, and empowering underserved populations, and a board member of Utah Women Run.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Domestic Violence. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Domestic Violence. First, Sierra Holmes, Programs Director at Fight Against Domestic Violence; and Erin Jemison, Director of Public Policy at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Poverty & Homelessness. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Poverty & Homelessness. First, Karen McCandless, CEO of Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo, and Peggy Green, Program Manager for the Utah Office of Homeless Services.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Finance. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Finance. First, Melanie Jewkes, an Extension professor for Utah State University; Susan Speirs, CEO of the Utah Association of CPAs; and Brittany Griffin, Policy & Communications Deputy at the Utah Treasurer’s Office.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Sexual Assault. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Sexual Assault. First, Liliana Olvera-Arbon, the Executive Director of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Bethany Crisp, the Systems Director for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and Gary Scheller, the Director of the Utah Office for Victims of Crime.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Workforce Development. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Workforce Development. First, Robbyn Scribner, co-founder of Tech-Moms, and Kathryn Thomas, Executive Director of People Helping People.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Leadership Development. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Leadership Development. First, Shirlayne Quayle, co-founder of the Women’s Influence Network; and Jamie Shaw, Operations Director at Event Knowledge Services.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is the Gender Pay Gap. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the three leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of the Gender Pay Gap. First, Katie Witt, a Community Advocate; Rachel Cottam, Head of Content at Lexion; and Deneiva Knight, External Affairs Director for Comcast.

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A Bolder Way Forward is a statewide movement that is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals who are either already doing related work around women and girls or are ready to get engaged and lean into the work. If we are serious about ensuring that Utah women, girls, and their families better thrive, we need to create positive change much faster. A Bolder Way Forward leaders are working together to accomplish bold goals in 18 critical areas that require societal change, and one of these is Child Sexual Abuse. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by the three leaders who are heading up the area—called spokes in the Wheel of Change— of Child Sexual Abuse. First, Laurieann Thorpe, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Utah; Chris Yadon, Managing Director of Saprea; and Jake Neeley, Director of the Malouf Foundation.

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