The 15th Annual Women Empowered Conference, hosted by the Ogden-Weber Chamber Women in Business (WIB) Committee, sold out a month in advance. The event was held on Tuesday, September 25th at the Weber State University Davis Campus.
The WIB committee, which consists mainly of women, along with a few men from local businesses in the Ogden-Weber area, is the largest women’s group in the state of Utah. This year’s WIB Chair, Kimberli Green, chose the theme “Ignite” for the committee. Green wanted to help members of the committee “ignite themselves personally, professionally, and in the community.” Past WIB Chair, and Women Empowered Conference Chair, Amber Wykstra knew that they had the opportunity to “Ignite” a change within the conference lineup as well, and chose to extend the theme into the conference.
This was the first year in the history of the conference that three men were included as presenters, Matt Townsend, Rob Ferre and Matt Garner.
“Empowerment comes from many different sources,” Wykstra said. “It would be naïve and ignorant in today’s world to not recognize the need for men and women to work together and create equal success. My approach was to find the right presenters to deliver the message, regardless of gender. Matt Townsend was the opening keynote and delivered a message of how to create your own happiness. Matt Garner, as a break-out presenter, spoke on how to present yourself. Rob Ferre, finished up the day by telling everyone how to create a movement by being “the first one on the dance floor.”
“These messages need to be heard and as the event planner, I wanted the most compelling speakers to be on stage,” Wykstra said.
The conference also featured, Becky Andrews, a business owner and family therapist who lost her eyesight; Sydne Jacques, an engineer turned CEO with her own consulting firm; Michelle Feller, a WSU adjunct professor and business consultant; Debbie Williams, business owner of Timeless Medical Spa and Weight Loss Clinic; Brittney Chugg, owner of Jazzercise Harrisville Fitness Studio; and Dee-Dee Darby Duffin, as a musical guest.
“Empowerment comes through diversity and understanding what makes us similar, but also celebrating what makes us different,” Wykstra said. “The Women in Business committee itself is very diverse and that is the magic of our group. We have many different voices.” Janet Marroquin, a first-time attendee, said, “I have never attended anything quite like this. I sat with people I didn’t know and yet found that we all had similar things in common. It was so fun to be surrounded with women of all ages and different occupations.”
This year, Women in Business is celebrating its 35th Year with the Ogden-Weber Chamber. They also celebrated the 30th Annual ATHENA® Leadership Award with a ceremony and luncheon this past January.
The ATHENA® Leadership Award recipient is chosen annually by a panel of WIB committee and board members to recognize individuals within the community that are making a difference through education, service and leadership. The Women Empowered Conference is celebrating its 15th year, and is part of the local ATHENA International Leadership Program where earned funds are used to provide scholarships for the members of the WIB Committee.
Sponsors of this year’s event included Weber State University Goddard School of Business and Economics, America First Credit Union, Davis Hospital and Medical Center, Saunders Outdoor Advertising, Ogden-Weber Technical College, Weber State University Continuing Education, Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital and the Weber State University MBA program.
