Business Women's Forum Steering Committee

Jennifer graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. As Selection and Growth Partner at the SLC Downtown Northwestern Mutual Office, Jennifer utilizes her creativity and genuine desire to serve others to help grow the firm. She thrives off of helping others in the career discovery process by uncovering who they are, who they want to be and identifying their true goals and values. Jennifer is a fervent advocate of social responsibility and of women uplifting each other and strives daily to integrate these values into the workplace. She has a natural curiosity for life and a desire to do and know everything, which allows her to relish in many hobbies. Outside of work you can find Jennifer rocking out at a concert, in the audience of a Broadway Musical, fishing, reading, listening to true crime podcasts, playing her guitar, bowling, gardening or singing. 

Jennifer Seltzer Stitt is Director of Community Relations at Salt Lake Community College. She works to strengthen the College's role within our community and facilitates support for a variety of college initiatives. Throughout her career, she has worked with nonprofits, government, and community to create systems change and give people the platform and tools they need to succeed. Jennifer earned her bachelors from Miami University and her masters from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. When she isn’t working, you will find Jennifer at local festivals, farmers markets, and baseball games with her husband and two energetic boys.

Sherry grew up in Buffalo, NY and attended Genesee Community College pursuing a degree in Travel & Tourism. On a familiarization trip in December 1989 she discovered the beauty of Utah, moving to Park City the following April to work for a local travel agency. In September of 1992 she began working for Worldspan/Travelport, a global travel distribution company, and had a wonderful 17 year career managing a portfolio consisting of Travel Management Companies. In December 2009 she found her true passion, selling the mountain experience. At that time, she started with Canyons Resort working with the leisure market. In September 2011, she was offered and accepted an opportunity to work in group sales, focusing on helping clients create a meeting or conference that will leave their attendees with memories that last a lifetime. In her spare time, she enjoys alpine skiing, hiking, road & mountain biking, running and travel with her husband Tom and 2 children Sydney and TJ.

Cristine Salazar was born in California and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Utah. Besides owning 2 businesses of her own, she also has 13 years of experience in the financial industry. Cristine is currently a Market Branch Manager for America First Credit Union. She is highly involved in the community and volunteers for her church. She continually strives to leave a positive influence on those around her whether it is in her professional or personal surroundings. She enjoys spending time with her husband especially going outdoors, trying new foods, and traveling.

Tereza Bagdasarova is a proud Utah native who graduated from Westminster College. She spent two and a half years at the Salt Lake Chamber as the Northern Region Program Coordinator for the Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah). Working with inspiring female business owners gave her the entrepreneurial bug that led her to open Mosaic Bakery, a virtual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern baklava store, dedicated to celebrating the diverse community of Utah.She is currently the Community Director for Impact Hub Salt Lake. She is also the co-chair of the South Salt Lake Chamber Women in Business Committee.On her spare time, Tereza delves into her passions in architecture, small business, urban growth and design by volunteering on a number of small business committees and building out art programming for community youth in South Salt Lake.

Cidne Christensen is the Director of Community Development for American Cancer Society at the Utah Branch. She has been with American Cancer Society for 10 years and has a degree in Marketing and Economics from Southern Utah University. Originally she is from New Mexico, but she grew up in Clinton, Utah.  When she isn’t helping patients, caregivers, and communities in the fight against cancer, Cidne is an avid traveler and an enthusiastic Real Salt Lake Supporter. She studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, Galway, Ireland and did an internship in Washington D.C.

Nancy Pearce is responsible for and oversees all of the operations at her Zion’s Bank retail branch.  She is also responsible for the coaching, development of her team members and business lending.  Prior to Zion’s she worked for Wells Fargo Bank for 11 years.  She has an associate’s degree from LDS Business College and took additional classes in psychology at Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah.  In her free time she loves to spend time with her children, spend time outdoors, work in the yard, hike, boating, tubing, skiing etc.  She also loves to travel when she can.

Lori Williams, MPA, is an associate director of marketing for University of Utah Health. For the past 11 years, she has worked in marketing and communications in the health care and education industries. She has created and lead successful marketing and communications campaigns, which include the rebrand initiative for U of U Health, Breast Assured, Vas Madness and Here for Every Body.  Lori, a Cali girl, is a transplant to Utah; you can find her on the ski slopes in the winter and spending quality time with her husband and lively son, which is her pride and joy. She is fro-yo fanatic, adventure seeker and enjoys learning from others. Connect with her on Twitter @lorib_williams.

Diana brings over 25 years of Human Resource and Administrative experience to the company. Since joining the company more than 20 years ago, Diana has worked both as Director of Business Development and in her current role as Vice President of Perelson Temporary Staffing. Diana has been instrumental in bringing in and managing key clients and accounts over the years, in addition to building the Temporary Division to record earnings.With her outgoing nature and deep networks, Diana creates strong business relationships—many of which turn into long-term friendships, attesting to the loyalty she earns from her clients and candidates.Diana is active in many business associations, including the Business Women’s Forum Committee (past Chair), Salt Lake Chamber's President’s Ambassadors (past Chair), Mountain West Capital Network, and Economic Development Corporation of Utah.

Tara serves as the Programs and Events Manager for the Salt Lake Chamber. She plans and organizes 150 events with her team each year. She works with venues, sponsors, donors, and event attendees to make sure each event runs smoothly. In May of 2016, she graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication and a minor in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Her emphasis was in hospitality management. When Tara isn't putting on an event for the Chamber, you can find her hiking with her two dogs. She has a Miniature Australian Shepherd named Jupiter and a Great Pyrenees/Border Collie mix named Dakota. Tara also loves traveling, camping, and running, She runs with a volunteer group called The Launch Team, which is a program that helps kids ages 10-18 run a half marathon.

Lyndsy Blonquist  is an Assistant Vice President at Intermountain Healthcare, an integrated delivery network (IDN) based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her current portfolio includes responsibility for Business Relationship Management functions which serves to bridge the gap between the company’s technology division and clinical/business leaders. Lyndsy has worked in healthcare for the past 15 years in roles spanning both payer and provider. At Intermountain Healthcare, Lyndsy has had experience working in several venues, including Payer Contracting, Revenue Integrity, EMR implementation, and Revenue Cycle operations. Lyndsy serves as a Board Member for the Utah Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and a Steering Committee Member for the Business Women’s Forum with the Salt Lake Chamber.  

 

Julie Youle-Lenoch grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and attended the University of Iowa pursuing a career in Journalism and Political Science. After an opportunity in the hospitality industry opened up, she left her journalism career to pursue her 30 years in the hospitality world of Chicago. When her children went their own directions she took her own turn down a new path in hospitality in Taos, New Mexico, highlighting group sales and weddings at El Monte Sagrado. In April of 2015, she pursued new career options in Salt Lake City beginning at an airport location property, and in March of 2018 she became the Director of Sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown where she is in charge of sales, groups, corporate business and the continued success of the property which is the 5th year in a row winner of the Conrad Achievement Award. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and travel with her partner, Drew and she has two children Rachel and Justin.

Kimberly Flores is the Public Relations Manager at Waterford.org, an Utah-based early education nonprofit with the mission to achieve universal literacy through equity, access, and parent empowerment. In her role, she is responsible for developing and implementing communication and public relations strategies that promote the organization’s mission and enhance its recognition amongst education leaders, legislators, philanthropic donors and parents.  Prior to her work with Waterford.org, Flores was the Director of Public Relations and Communication at the Salt Lake Chamber where she oversaw the Chamber’s Housing Gap, Tax Modernization and Gender Wage Gap marketing campaigns. For nearly 15 years, Flores was a television news journalist who won multiple awards for her breaking news and environmentally focused investigative reports. 

Lorena was born in Lima, Peru before moving to Barcelona, Spain for a few years and then finally settling with her family in Utah. She is an Utah Valley University graduate and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Family Studies. She is now currently working on her MBA at Western Governors University. Lorena has been working in hospitality for the last 7 years and it is her passion. She is working at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center as a Sales Administrative Assistant. When Lorena is not working she enjoys spending time with her 5 kids, traveling, or coaching Jr. Jazz Basketball.

I am originally from Florida and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Events & Hospitality Management. I have 8 years of work experience in sales and event management within the hospitality industry mainly the restaurant and travel sectors. My newest role is as Program Coordinator at the Women's Business Center of Utah. I am very excited to be a part of such a great organization that supports women entrepreneurs and businesses. In my free time I am usually outdoors hiking or finding a new food joint in town. Traveling is a passion of mine and I love discovering new places that aren't frequently visited.