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Hello!
I am so excited to be looking forward at another year of programming, education, and networking with Utah Women Leading Government (UTWLG). If you are new here, or even if you aren’t, you may not know that UTWLG is a subset of the SheLeadsGov initiative from the International City Managers Association. They have encouraged all states to create a women leading government group and they provide us some support and networking, but mainly we are on our own to decide on how to make this group as useful as possible to women working in government in Utah.
We have been somewhat of an organization since 2017 in Utah, but really formalized in 2023 when we became a 501c3 organization, formalized a board, and got a bank account! Since then we have been through different iterations of what our programing and offerings should be, and this year is no exception to us mixing things up and trying new things, in part because we have changed up our board.
I’m excited to work with this incredible group of women, and already they have shown up ready and excited to get to work. Our 2025 board includes:
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Mariah Hill – Board Chair - Midvale City – Director of Finance and Administrative Services
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Jolena Ashman – Vice Chair – High Valley Transit – Finance Director
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Brooke Smith – Treasurer – Murray City – City Recorder
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Janell Payne – Secretary – City of South Jordan – Director of Recreation
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Maresa Manzione – Board Member – Tooele City – Councilmember
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Jennica Jones – Board Member – City of Orem – Strategy & Innovation Manager
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Jamie Young – Board Member – West Valley City – Parks and Recreation Director
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Keri Rugg – Board Member – City of Orem – Deputy City Manager
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Kate Andrus – Board Member – Midvale City – Redevelopment Agency Program Manager
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Katie Atkinson – Board Member – Sandy City – Community Events Manager
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Jenna Ahern – Board Member – Vineyard City – Communications Manager
After some serious brainstorming and planning from the board about where the organization should focus and how we can provide the greatest benefit, here are things that you can look forward to from UTWLG this year:
- An updated mission statement, which is included at the beginning of this newsletter!
- Monthly newsletters with spotlights, polls, event information, book recommendations, job postings, and anything else fun and educational we can think of!
- A newly formed Facebook forum for a place for continual conversations and engagement with each other (see below for link)
- Updated website with event information and accessible resources
- Four in-person events throughout the year, see the calendar below for more information
- Learning modules based around supporting and growing women
- And we’re working on ways to form mentorships, returnships, and work on advocacy as well!
One of our biggest challenges is getting the word out to people that UTWLG even exists. We work hard to blast out our information as far and wide as we can, but we can use your help too - so please spread the word!
I am so excited to see this organization continue to grow and unfold as something that is meaningful and helpful to women in government and to continue to get to spend time learning and thriving with you all this year!
Cheers,
Mariah Hill
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