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SALT LAKE CITY — Shante Schroeder, who grew up driving combines in a small farming community in Washington, could not have imagined she would end up as director of growth at 97th Floor, a digital marketing agency.
Despite her lack of exposure to women in the business field growing up, Schroeder said she always felt support from her parents in whatever she wanted to accomplish. She began her career in broadcast journalism and public relations, but leaned toward the corporate side and eventually started her own company as a business consultant, which later led her to her current position.
"Business is hard for even the best of people," Schroeder said. "You have to be able to go into it knowing that your successes are going to have to be self-made. And you're going to have to be resilient in the face of challenges, which are going to happen every single day."
Schroeder was one of "30 Women to Watch" honored Wednesday by Utah Business magazine as the state's most successful and influential women, as selected by their peers. Honorees, sponsors and aspiring businesswomen met for a luncheon and awards ceremony at the Grand America Hotel to celebrate the 17th annual Women to Watch program.
Utah Business publisher Sam Urie described the 30 honorees as "strong, confident, successful businesswomen" who are needed as role models for the next generation and for anyone in their spheres of influence.
The honored women are highly involved in entrepreneurship, innovation, company leadership, executive roles and changing the community with philanthropic initiatives, he said.
Short videos were shown to honor the 2016 honorees, and many discussed the importance of working hard to get where they are.
Monica Millard Collard, president and CEO of Allied Electric Sign and Awning Co., told women looking for a career in business to "work, work, work. Do whatever it takes to make sure that you stand out."
Katrina Archibald, chief product officer at Degreed, a San Francisco-based company devoted to recognizing education and expertise for individuals and enterprise, said she encourages women in the workforce to engage in problem-solving through assertiveness.
“Trust yourself and don’t be afraid to ask hard questions. Speak up," said Archibald, who grew up on a cattle ranch and began her career as an engineer.
Also honored Wednesday were: Dr. Evette L. Allen, director of student life for Utah State University Eastern; Allison Beddard, director at Cushman & Wakefield/Commerce; Kimberly Blakeney, president of Fluent Home; Dawn Cannon, executive vice president of Bank Operations at EnerBank USA;
Ann Dalton, founder and CEO of Perfectly Posh LLC; Nikki Davis, senior director of global philanthropy at Young Living Essential Oils; Kristin Dittmer, executive vice president and CFO at EnerBank USA; Jennifer L. Falk, director of Kruse Landa Maycock & Ricks; Sarah Farnsworth, vice president for scientific affairs at PEGUS Research Inc.; Karin Fife, sales consultant at CCG Howells; Alexandra Fuller, creative director of Struck;
Diane Fullerton, COO of GBS Benefits Inc.; Jennifer Godfrey, COO of social services at Salt Lake Community Action Program Head Start; Carrie A. Johnson, vice president of CompHealth; Inga Johnson, senior vice president of marketing at Experticity; Lindsey Kneuven, chief impact officer at Cotopaxi; Molly Leroy, owner of House of Hearing; Jami Marsh, vice president at JLL; Jessica Peterson McKinlay, shareholder at Durham Jones & Pinegar; Stephanie Meredith, director of human resources at EMC Corporation;
Aga Merx, vice president and manager of lending at Bank of American Fork; Renya Nelson, founder and owner of Brand Aid Inc.; Kellie Owens, founder of Innovative Telecom Solutions; Dr. Miriam Padilla, of Physicians Group of Utah Endocrinology of Utah Diabetic Clinic; Karin Palle, executive director of Women's Networking Group; Amanda Smith, attorney at Holland & Hart; and Kirsten Widdison, assurance manager at Mantyla McReynolds.
