Utah Women & Leadership Podcast

This past fall, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. For this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director of the UWLP), is joined by Sui Lang L. Panoke (Bolder Way Forward Champion) to talk about new research findings specifically related to finance and entrepreneurship.Overall, the survey focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. The 80-question survey provided baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward. Listen to this conversation related to where Utahns are at with regard to pressing questions!Support the Show.

This past fall, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. For this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director of the UWLP), is joined by Sui Lang L. Panoke (Bolder Way Forward Champion) to talk about new research findings specifically related to K-12 initiatives and higher education attainment.Overall, the survey focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. The 80-question survey provided baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward. Listen to this conversation related to where Utahns are at with regard to pressing questions! Support the Show.

This past fall, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. For this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director of the UWLP), is joined by Rachel Cottam (Director of Content for Delivery Solutions and a co-leader for A Bolder Way Forward’s Gender Pay Gap Spoke) to talk about new research findings specifically related to organizational strategies and workforce development.  Overall, the survey focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. The 80-question survey provided baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward. Listen to this conversation related to where Utahns are at with regard to pressing questions! Support the Show.

This past fall, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. For this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director of the UWLP), is joined by Erin Jemison  (Director of Public Policy for the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition) to talk about new research findings specifically related to domestic violence and sexual assault.Overall, the survey focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. The 80-question survey provided baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward. Listen to this conversation related to where Utahns are at with regard to pressing questions!Support the Show.

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 childcare and pre-K programs. 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  childcare and pre-K programs. First, Jill Koziol is Co-Founder and CEO of Motherly. Second, Keri Newman Allred is the Executive Director of Rural Utah Child Development. Third, Elizabeth Garbe is Vice President of Public Policy for the United Way of Salt Lake. Support the Show.

This past fall, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. For this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director of the UWLP), is joined by Peggy Green (Program Manager for the Homeless Systems Coordination Team) to talk about new research findings specifically related to poverty and homelessness and home and family.Overall, the survey focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. The 80-question survey provided baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward. Listen to this conversation related to where Utahns are at with regard to pressing questions!Support the Show.

This past fall, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. For this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director of the UWLP), is joined by Kolene Anderson (Associate Director of the UWLP) to talk about new research findings specifically related to child sexual abuse and sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.   Overall, the survey focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. The 80-question survey provided baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward. Listen to this conversation related to where Utahns are at with regard to pressing questions!Support the Show.

Although Utah has a rich heritage of women’s involvement in voting, advocacy, and various types of political participation, for decades Utah has lagged the nation in terms of women running for and serving in elected political roles. The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) began reporting on the status of women in Utah politics in 2014, with updates in 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, and now 2024. Although strides have been made to increase the number of women serving in political roles in the last decade, there is still work to do. This episode will focus on the status of women in Utah politics in 2024.Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by two guests: First, Tami Tran, Mayor of Kaysville. Her political career started by serving on the Planning Commission because of her interest in development lending. She has served on the Kaysville City Council, and in 2021 was elected as Mayor. Second, Morgan Lyon Cotti, the Associate Director of The Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. Her interest in politics began when she was 16 and served as a Page in the U.S. Senate.Support the Show.

This past fall, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. For this episode, Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director of the UWLP), is joined by Rachel Cottam (Director of Content for Delivery Solutions and a co-leader for A Bolder Way Forward’s Gender Pay Gap Spoke) to talk about new research findings specifically related to the gender pay gap and childcare.  Overall, the survey focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. The 80-question survey provided baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward. Listen to this conversation related to where Utahns are at with regard to pressing questions!Support the Show.

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 Health Across the Lifespan. 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 Health Across the Lifespan. First, Dr. Audrey Jiricko, an OB/GYN and Associate Medical Director of Women’s Health at Intermountain Health. Second, Erika Lindley, Administrative Director for University of Utah Healthcare, Women’s and Children’s, OB/GYN School of Medicine.Support the Show.

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP), in partnership with scholars from around the state, recently published a research synopsis about the status and experiences of women in Utah. Utah continues to be lauded for its numerous rankings for its economy, generosity, fiscal responsibility, and access to quality higher education, among others. At the same time, our research found there are vast differences in the way that some experience Utah’s economic success, leadership opportunities, and even safety and belonging. The research is focused on five areas -- community engagement, education, health and wellbeing, safety and security, and workplace – and provides data on Utah women’s lived experiences. The report is the topic of this episode. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by Kolene Anderson, the Associate Director of the UWLP, and co-author of the report.Support the Show.

Since 1950, women ages 16 and older in Utah have increased their labor force participation from 24.5% to 60.7%. This is slightly higher than the overall labor force participation rate of US women, which is 56.1%. Numerous factors influence Utah women’s participation in the labor force, such as accessing affordable, quality childcare, and occupational segregation in lower-paying industries.Recently, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) published an update on the status of Utah women in the labor force in 2023, which is the topic of this episode. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by Robbyn Scribner, a women’s labor force expert, consultant, and career coach. Support the Show.

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) first published a research snapshot about childcare five years ago. Since then, because of continued market failures and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the status of childcare in the US and Utah reached a crisis level.  These circumstances exacerbated the financial challenges of childcare business owners and their employees and heightened the obstacles of parents trying to work. Federal agencies provided funding support during the pandemic, helping many childcare businesses stay open. However, it is predicted that by June 2024, Utah will deplete approximately $573 million of COVID-era support that has helped keep the childcare sector afloat. This “funding cliff” may result in childcare program closures, higher costs of childcare for families, and a dramatic workforce turnover because of lowered wages in the childcare sector. Addressing the ongoing childcare crisis in Utah is critical. Utah has the highest percentage of children of any state population—at about 30.0%—and an estimated 64.1% of Utah families have all available parents working.Recently, the UWLP published an update on the status of childcare in Utah in 2023, which is the topic of this episode. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the UWLP, is joined by Robyn Blackburn, a UWLP Research Fellow and an author of our most recent childcare research. Second, Jill Koziol, Co-Founder and CEO of Motherly, the leading digital destination empowering mothers to thrive.Support the Show.

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 STEM Fields. 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 STEM Fields. First, Aimee Edwards, Executive Director of BioHive, and second, Cydni Tetro, Co-Founder and President of the Women Tech Council.Support the Show.

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 Entrepreneurship. 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 Entrepreneurship. First, Ann Marie Wallace is the State Director of the Women’s Business Center of Utah. Second, Tara Spalding, former CEO at Kinect Capital, a Utah-based non-profit organization that assists, coaches, and provides mentoring to entrepreneurs who are raising investment capital.Support the Show.

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.Support the Show.

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.Support the Show.

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.Support the Show.

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.Support the Show.

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.Support the Show.