Elevate: A Women's Leadership Institute Podcast

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Morgan Lyon Cotti and Allie Pierce join us for a powerful conversation about women's political empowerment through Utah Women Run. Inspired by her mother's legislative career, Morgan shares her lifelong commitment to increasing female representation in politics. Allie, who shifted her focus from vocal performance to gender studies, talks about how her upbringing in a politically engaged family fueled her passion for advocacy. Together, they reveal the transformative journey of Utah Women Run and its mission to break down barriers for women aspiring to political leadership.
We dive into the pivotal role of mentorship and community in fostering political engagement among women. Listen as we recount the success of the Day on the Hill event, where participants gained insights into the legislative process and formed valuable connections with lawmakers and lobbyists. This episode underscores the importance of equipping women with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in political environments. Our hosts introduce a new mentorship program designed to inspire and guide women towards impactful political careers, blending practical advice with motivational support.
As we explore the historical and present dynamics of women in political office, the conversation highlights the importance of bipartisan support and collaboration. Celebrate the achievements of trailblazing women recognized by the Martha Hughes Cannon Award and discover the significance of initiatives like the Dignity Index in promoting civility in political discourse. We call on our listeners to support and uplift the women around them, emphasizing the need for resources and encouragement to enhance female representation across the political spectrum.

www.wliut.com
@utwomenleaders

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Discover the intriguing journey of a man who’s navigated through giants like Microsoft, Novell, Omniture, and Adobe and now dedicates his expertise to helping founders craft compelling pitches and prepare for investor presentations. Join us as we sit down with James Kemp, Executive Director of Connect Capital, who shares his remarkable insights from Utah's Silicon Slopes. James shares invaluable lessons on recognizing viable business models and the art of "failing quickly" to sidestep long-term pitfalls.
This episode reveals the secrets of effective pitching strategies and investor relations. James draws from his experience to highlight the importance of capturing investor attention, primarily through emotional connections and personal stories. Reflecting on a recent pitch competition, he underscores the necessity of understanding your audience and the significance of building relationships over time. There's a golden nugget of wisdom: seeking advice can often lead to financial support while asking directly for money might just get you advice. These nuggets are essential for anyone looking to secure that next significant investment.
Finally, we delve into the critical issues of gender disparities in venture capital funding and the importance of supporting women in business. Through James's lens, we explore how organizations can foster diversity and inclusivity, breaking barriers for women founders. We also discuss the vital role of mentorship and sponsorship in professional growth and why financial literacy is a game-changer for entrepreneurs. Wrapping up, we highlight community support and collaboration in Utah's entrepreneurial ecosystem and how Connect Capital is spearheading this movement. Join us for an episode packed with insights, strategies, and inspiration!
www.kinnectcapital.com

www.wliut.com
@utwomenleaders

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Join us for an enlightening conversation with the dynamic Sara Jones, a chemical engineer turned patent lawyer, who now leads the charge in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consulting with her firm, Inclusion Pro. Sara's transformative journey, inspired in part by the musical Wicked, has led her to become a pivotal force in the DEI space. We explore her fascinating career transition and the influential role she played in founding the Women's Tech Council, where her knack for strategic partnerships and community building first came to light.
This episode unpacks the intricacies of embedding DEI into the core of business strategy, rather than sidelining it as an optional program. Sara shares her insights into the common pitfalls companies face when attempting to integrate DEI and the mindset shift necessary for true transformation. We delve into the legislative impacts on DEI initiatives and the emotional toll they take on the community. Sara's experiences underscore the importance of understanding company culture and how informed engagement and collaboration can navigate the complexities of these challenges.
We also tackle the importance of cultivating cultural and problem-solving skills within organizations, highlighting how a synergistic team environment can drive creativity and innovation. By leveraging DEI principles across all facets of a business, Sara shows how companies can break free from traditional narratives and unlock new opportunities. Through engaging storytelling and a focus on the value of flexibility, this episode is a guide to fostering inclusive environments and empowering leaders to embrace diversity as a transformative business strategy.

www.wliut.com
@utwomenleaders

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Jenny Groberg never intended to build a company. As a young mom with two small children and a husband in medical school, she simply needed income that allowed her to work from home. Nearly two decades later, she's the CEO of Booksmarts, a thriving fractional accounting firm with almost 30 remote employees—all women, many of them mothers.
What makes Jenny's leadership journey remarkable isn't just her business growth but how she's intentionally created flexible opportunities for women at every stage of motherhood. When clients tell her "this would go faster if you just did it," she turns those moments into hiring opportunities. When an employee with six children, including young twins, can only work a few hours, Jenny matches the work to her capacity. This people-first approach hasn't limited growth—it's accelerated it.
Perhaps most compelling is Jenny's comeback story after suffering a traumatic brain injury six years ago. Unable to read, process information, or even braid her daughter's hair, she temporarily stepped away from leadership. When she gradually returned, she navigated the leadership transition with transparency and partnership rather than competition.

Her advice for women entering or returning to the workforce? "Focus on what you can do. Don't overexplain, don't apologize." Every award and recognition—from being featured in Forbes to Inc's Female Founders list—comes from simply showing up, even imperfectly.
Ready to learn how numbers can transform your business decisions? Jenny explains how her "Final Five" financial reports help entrepreneurs make strategic choices based on data rather than emotion. Listen now and discover why women in leadership truly benefit the whole world.

https://booksmartspro.com

https://www.utahbusiness.com/awards-and-rankings/2024/03/19/jenny-groberg-2024-ceo-of-the-year/

www.wliut.com
@utwomenleaders

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The journey from voiceless child to powerful advocate isn't linear, but for Carin Crowe, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area, it began with a petition at age eight. When she received a response from President Jimmy Carter telling her children like her would change the world, she discovered her voice – and decades later, leads an organization with deep connections to Carter's legacy.
In this illuminating conversation on the Elevate podcast from Women's Leadership Institute, Crowe reveals how growing up in an unstable home environment ultimately shaped her leadership philosophy centered on empathy and intentional listening. With adventure-seeking in her personal life (skydiving and bungee jumping among her hobbies), she brings that same boldness to breaking barriers in Utah's leadership landscape, where women executives remain underrepresented.
Habitat's work extends far beyond building homes. Through zero-percent interest mortgages calculated at 30% of family income, critical home repairs affecting health and safety, and distribution programs serving unsheltered community members, they're addressing housing insecurity at multiple levels. Crowe explains how homeownership creates paths to intergenerational wealth that historically have been less accessible to marginalized communities, particularly single mothers and people of color who make up the majority of their program applicants.
What makes their approach unique is the requirement for families to complete 225 hours of "sweat equity," literally picking up hammers to help build their own homes. This partnership model, combined with foundational values of equity and inclusion dating back to Habitat's origins in the racially integrated Koinonia Farm of the 1940s, creates what they call their "beloved community" – a term borrowed from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with whom early Habitat founders collaborated.
For women aspiring to create change, especially in conservative environments, Crowe offers powerful advice: "Start where you are, use what you have, and don't ask for permission." Whether volunteering on a construction site, supporting their ReStore, or contributing financially, everyone can play a role in keeping "the nails and the hammers swinging" toward a more equitable housing future.

https://www.habitatsaltlake.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carin-crowe-459b6291/

www.wliut.com
@utwomenleaders