The Salt Lake Chamber hosted its 50th annual Women & Business Conference and ATHENA Awards Luncheon on November 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. The event, themed "Momentum," was held to honor women who lead, build, and clear the way for others to follow.
Sandi Sumner Hendry, the founder and CEO of Minky Couture, received the 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award, which is the Salt Lake Chamber's highest recognition for women in business. The award is presented annually to an active member who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their profession, provides service to improve community quality of life, and supports women in achieving leadership potential. Hendry founded Minky Couture in 2009 after creating a single blanket for her daughter, and the company has since grown into a nationally recognized brand with multiple retail locations that employs hundreds of women.
Six women were also presented with the Pathfinder Award for their work in promoting the development and recognition of women in business. The recipients included: Jill Borst, Head of the Salt Lake City Office at Goldman Sachs; Carin Crowe, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area; Abby Osborne, Vice President of Impact, Engagement and Enterprise Operations for the Utah 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Organizing Committee; Victoria Petro, a Salt Lake City Council Member and former Executive Director of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Sally Steed, Vice President of Sales at Deseret News; Heidi Woodbury, Senior Vice President for University Advancement at the University of Utah; and Nicole Robison, founder of Swig.
The conference featured keynote addresses from Swig founder Nicole Robison and Col. Lisa Jaster, one of the first three women to graduate from the U.S. Army’s first integrated Ranger School. Robison participated in a fireside chat with Sarah Starkey, the chief legal officer of The Larry H. Miller Company. Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, stated that the conference has brought Utah’s business community together for 50 years to celebrate women who lead with purpose. Miller noted that the commitment of these leaders helps Utah prosper and carry success into stronger organizations and communities.
The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest and longest-serving business association. Established with roots dating back to 1887, the Chamber represents the interests of the Salt Lake metropolitan area, its employers, members, and employees.
