The Larry H . Miller Company has four women on its board , one woman platform president , and three female executive team members who serve on boards and as trustees for the Utah Board of Higher Education , Utah Women ’ s Leadership Institute , World Trade Center Utah , ShowUp Utah , Women in Sports & Events , Utah Aerospace & Defense Association , Girl Scouts of Utah , United Way , Salt Lake Chamber , Envision Utah , and more .
The Larry H . Miller Company has a guiding principle : “ Be a student , teacher , leader !” We partner with the Women ’ s Leadership Institute and participate in the ElevateHER Corporate Challenge . We sponsor 15 female employees across our portfolio of businesses yearly to participate in the WLI Career Development Series and Rising Leader Series to continue to develop their skills and connect with other female leaders in the state .
Our CEO , Steve Starks , said , “ Embracing diverse backgrounds and ideas and building a place of belonging fosters success , fuels innovation and creates a brighter future . Championing leaders in the workplace , including women , unlocks a company ’ s full potential .”
I recently participated in a panel discussion at the South Valley Chamber ’ s Women in Business with Courtney Palmer , CFO of Destination Homes , and Michelle Smith , president of Larry H . Miller Sports + Entertainment and chief people officer for the Larry H . Miller Company . We discussed lessons we ’ ve learned throughout our careers and tips for women in business .
Courtney shared how her career accelerated from taking risks and trusting herself . Michelle spoke about creating a space of belonging and taking time to pause . I emphasized the importance of working hard , finding time for service , having fun and making space for women around you .
We actively seek out opportunities to work with organizations to empower women through professional development , mentoring , and networking opportunities . Championing women in the workplace is not just a matter of social justice or equality ; it is essential to the company ’ s future success and innovation . The efforts of the Larry H . Miller Company in this regard serve as a crucial blueprint for how businesses can leverage the diverse strengths and perspectives that women bring to the table . We believe businesses thrive when they fully engage and utilize the talents of their entire workforce .
The emphasis on creating a culture of belonging and fostering an environment where women feel valued , respected , and empowered to take risks reflects a deep understanding of what it takes to nurture true leaders . This culture not only benefits women but enriches the entire organization by fostering a more inclusive , innovative , and dynamic workplace .
I ’ m grateful to work for a company that supports women in business .
Courtney Palmer , Michelle Smith and Sarah Starkey were featured panelists at the South Valley Chamber ’ s Women in Business luncheon .
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