Join us at Utah Business Forward, the premier conference designed exclusively for executives seeking practical insights and actionable strategies to propel their businesses forward. This dynamic event brings together Utah’s brightest business minds, curated specifically to address the challenges faced by today’s executives.
Where Utah’s brightest business minds address the challenges faced by today’s executives.
Presented By:
Presented By:
Where Utah’s brightest business minds address the challenges faced by today’s executives.
November 17, 2025. Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City.
With five distinct tracks covering entrepreneurship, leadership, people & culture, rapid exchange, and strategy, attendees will gain invaluable knowledge across a range of crucial areas. Our hand-picked session speakers are industry experts renowned for their expertise and success in Utah’s vibrant business landscape.
Time
Topic
Speaker
7:00 - 7:30 AM
CHECK IN FOR BREAKFAST WITH AN EXPERT (Pre-registration required)
N/A
7:30 - 8:30 AM
GENERAL REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
N/A
8:30 - 8:45 AM
WELCOME
Burke Olsen
publisher, utah business
8:45 - 9:15 AM
Opening Keynote
TBA
9:15 - 10:00 AM
TBA
TBA
10:00 - 10:20 AM
Break
N/A
10:20 - 11:00 AM
Breakout Session
See other tabs
11:00 - 11:10 AM
Break
N/A
11:10 - 11:50 AM
Breakout Session
See other tabs
11:50 - 12:00 PM
Break
N/A
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Lunch
N/A
12:45 - 1:15 PM
Mainstage Keynote: Selling Nonsense
Kent Richeson and Friends
1:15 - 1:55 PM
Breakout session
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1:55 - 2:05 PM
Break
N/A
2:05 - 2:45 PM
Breakout session
See other tabs
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Break
N/A
3:00 - 3:40 PM
Q&A Panels
N/A
3:40 - 3:50 PM
Break
N/A
3:50 - 4:20 PM
Closing Keynote
TBA
4:20 - 4:30 PM
Closing Remarks & Drawing
Burke Olsen
publisher, utah business
4:45 - 6:00 PM
VIP Afterparty
(Pre-registration required)
N/A
The Entrepreneurship track is designed to guide aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs in building successful ventures, covering ideation, validation, funding, scaling, and navigating the challenges of starting and growing a business in today’s competitive market.
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:20 - 11:00 AM
Operations Formulas for Emerging Brands
Shauna Smith
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Savory Fund
11:00 - 11:10 AM
Break
N/A
11:10 - 11:50 AM
Fake It 'Til You Make It
Kelly Dearth & Alix Lewis-Burrows
co-founders, LitJoy Crate
11:50 - 12:00 PM
Break
N/A
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 1:55 PM
Building Trust With Donors
Mohan Sudabattula
founder and CEO, Project Embrace
1:55 - 2:05 PM
Break
N/A
2:05 - 2:45 PM
TBA
Tiffany Vail
chief operating officer, Silicon Slopes
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Break
N/A
3:00 - 3:40 PM
Entrepreneurship Panel
Track Speakers
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:20 - 11:00 AM
Leading Through Crisis
Brock Blake
CEO and co-founder, Lendio
11:00 - 11:10 AM
Break
N/A
11:10 - 11:50 AM
Leading With Authentic Human Connection
Charmelle Green
Deputy Athletics Director, University of Utah Athletics
11:50 - 12:00 PM
Break
N/A
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 1:55 PM
Championing Women in the Workplace
Melanie Jones
Chief Executive Officer, Women's Leadership Institute
1:55 - 2:05 PM
Break
N/A
2:05 - 2:45 PM
Restoring Damaged Trust
Kurt Dirks
Dean of the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Break
N/A
3:00 - 3:40 PM
Leadership Panel
Track Speakers
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:20 - 11:00 AM
The New Talent Pipelines
Edson Barton
Chief Executive Office, YouScience
11:00 - 11:10 AM
Break
N/A
11:10 - 11:50 AM
Building A Strong, Core Values-Based Culture
Leslie Snavely
Chief Executive Officer, CHG Healthcare
11:50 - 12:00 PM
Break
N/A
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 1:55 PM
Benefits To Attract Multiple Generations of Workers
Latonya Howell
1:55 - 2:05 PM
Break
N/A
2:05 - 2:45 PM
Building A Team
Laurel Day
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Break
N/A
3:00 - 3:40 PM
People & Culture Panel
Track Speakers
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:20 - 11:00 AM
Rapid Connections
N/A
11:00 - 11:10 AM
Break
N/A
11:10 - 11:50 AM
Rapid Insights: The Pivot
Caroline Klein
chief communications officer, Smith Entertainment Group &
Tunisha Brown
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, IMPACT Magazine
11:50 - 12:00 PM
Break
N/A
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 1:55 PM
Rapid Advice
Alejandra Salomon, Chris Mann, Christian Ross, Erynn Kerrigan, Jenna White, John LeBaron, Jared Anderson, and Jenna Bowen
1:55 - 2:05 PM
Break
N/A
2:05 - 2:45 PM
Rapid Transformation, Part 1
Dr. Chelsea Shields
founder and chief executive officer, Brandthropologie Agency
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Break
N/A
3:00 - 3:40 PM
Rapid Transformation, Part 2
Dr. Chelsea Shields
founder and chief executive officer, Brandthropologie Agency
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:20 - 11:00 AM
Building Your Three-Year Roundmap
Ally Isom
11:00 - 11:10 AM
Break
N/A
11:10 - 11:50 AM
Breaking Growth Barriers: Strategies Behind Sustainable Scale
Matthew Bowman
11:50 - 12:00 PM
Break
N/A
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 1:55 PM
Strategic Innovation at the Crossroads of Web3, AI, and Digital Revenue Growth
Riley Demps
1:55 - 2:05 PM
Break
N/A
2:05 - 2:45 PM
Is Your BHAG Big Enough?
Julie Castle
Chief Executive Officer, Best Friends Animal Society
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Break
N/A
3:00 - 3:40 PM
Strategy Panel
Track speakers
Speakers
2025 speakers coming soon.
