Business Women's Forum 2026 | From Buzzword to Tool: How Women Business Leaders Are Actually Using AI

Marisa Bomis, Vice President, Marketing & Communication, Salt Lake Chamber | Moderator
Marisa Bomis is vice president of marketing and communication for the Utah Chamber and Salt Lake Chamber, the state's largest and longest-serving business association. She leads the organization's communications and marketing strategy, overseeing brand, media and public relations, advertising, digital communications and creative services.

In her role, Bomis helps shape how the Chamber communicates the priorities, ideas and initiatives impacting Utah's business community and economic future. She leads a team responsible for strengthening the Chamber's voice across its organizations, programs and major events and supports several statewide initiatives and portfolio organizations, including Utah Rising, Utah Community Builders and the Women's Business Center of Utah.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Bomis held roles in communication and retail management. She earned degrees in marketing and finance from the University of Utah. She is a longtime supporter of Utah's arts and cultural community and values opportunities to contribute her time and talents to organizations and causes throughout the community. 

Outside of work, Bomis is an avid concertgoer, runner, snowboarder, traveler and yogi.

Gail Coates, Director of Technology Engineering and Services, Zions Bancorporation
Gail Coates is a technology executive and AI leader with more than 25 years of experience in software engineering, cloud architecture, SaaS and enterprise technology transformation. At Zions Bancorporation, she serves as director of technology engineering and services, where she drives modernization, engineering excellence and automation. She also leads the adoption of AI in software development, including mainframe development and modernization efforts. 

Coates is the founder of Mentoring Fusion, an AI-powered SaaS platform for mentorship programs. She also chairs Women in Leadership, which offers lunch-and-learn sessions and a twice-yearly mentorship program. She was named to the 2025 AI Women Power List by AI Utah and the Women Tech Council. 


Jamie Issowits, Senior Vice President, HR Manager, Zions Bancorporation
Jamie Issowits is an enthusiastic HR leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to enhancing employee experience. In her current role as senior vice president, HR manager at Zions Bancorporation, she leads a team focused on strategic initiatives including communication, onboarding, recognition, employee listening and overall continuous improvement with a current focus on AI adoption in HR. Issowits is an actively engaged leader, current co-chair of the Zions Women's Business Forum and has a proven history of working to align organizational mission and values to ensure every employee feels that their contributions matter. 

As a native New Yorker, prior to her tenure at Zions, she began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Issowits holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fordham University and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional. Issowits's community involvement includes a current position as Vice Chair of the Board of United Way of Salt Lake, active member of Women United, support of Meals on Wheels and several other community initiatives in partnership with Zions.


Madison Keyser Williams, Vice President, Administration, Utah PaperBox
Madison Keyser Williams is Vice President of Administration at Utah PaperBox, a fifth-generation, family-owned packaging manufacturer that has been operating in Salt Lake City for more than 110 years. In her role, Keyser Williams oversees several areas of the business, including human resources, marketing, customer service, sales and ESG initiatives. 

Keyser Williams holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Utah and a Master of Project Management from Boston University. She is also SPHR certified and serves as Secretary of the Utah PaperBox Board of Directors. 

Outside of Utah PaperBox, Keyser Williams is passionate about supporting and connecting women in business. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Salt Lake Chamber's Business Women's Forum and on the Board of Directors for the Paperboard Packaging Council. She and her husband, Aidan, live in Salt Lake City with their daughter, Olivia and love to do anything that involves exploring the outdoors! 


NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT:  
Kourageous Vision invests in women to rediscover their identity, walk boldly in their purpose, and overcome the barriers that once held them back. Through mentorship, education, and faith-centered support, they cultivate transformation that impacts lives, families, and entire communities for generations.



CALL TO ACTION:
One of the Business Women's Forum's goals is to influence positive change in our community. Our Fundraising Partner, Nothing Bundt Cakes, will be at the event selling bundtlets and will donate 20% of the proceeds to our Non-Profit Spotlight. So be sure to check them out, get yourself something sweet, and help support our community!