Live 2025: Salt Lake City

Justin Sibley is the Chief Executive Officer of POWDR, a Utah-based adventure lifestyle company that inspires every human being with cool experiences in awesome places. POWDR’s portfolio of businesses include seven ski resorts across the country, Woodward, a collection of camps and mountain resort experiences, Sun Country Tours rafting company in Oregon, Stovepipe lodging and concessions in Death Valley National Park, and Zion National Park concessions beginning January 2025. Prior to being named CEO in November 2021, Sibley served as co-president of POWDR as well as chief financial officer. 
 
Before joining POWDR in 2014, Sibley was with Backcountry.com, serving first as Director of Financial Planning & Analytics and then as Vice President, Finance. Earlier career highlights include Manager, Corporate Development at eBay and various other finance and accounting positions at eBay, Calpine Corp. and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
 
Sibley holds an MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a BS in Accounting from University of Oregon. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife and two sons.

Danielle McCaffrey is a highly accomplished Senior Talent Acquisition Executive with over 25 years of experience driving strategic talent initiatives across diverse industries. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Alorica, Danielle oversees a dynamic team of Recruiting professionals, managing the recruitment and onboarding of more than 20,000 hires annually. Her expertise spans verticals such as healthcare, banking and finance, telecommunications, technology, and retail.

Known for her innovative leadership, Danielle has consistently delivered results by aligning recruitment strategies with business objectives. She excels in building high-performing, inclusive teams, leveraging cutting-edge recruitment technology, and optimizing workflows to ensure efficiency and scalability. Throughout her career, she has held pivotal roles at industry-leading organizations like StarTek, Conduent (Xerox Corporation), Discover Financial Services, and ADP, where she has led initiatives that transformed recruitment practices and enhanced organizational effectiveness.

Danielle’s expertise includes global hiring, employee relations, organizational development, and strategic planning. She has successfully implemented data-driven solutions, streamlined talent acquisition processes, and fostered a culture of continuous improvement, earning recognition for her ability to meet and exceed ambitious goals in high-volume recruitment environments.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on the Utes, and pursues hobbies like calligraphy, hiking, and paddle boarding. Residing in Salt Lake City, Utah, Danielle embodies a commitment to both professional excellence and a balanced, fulfilling life.

Marcus Cazier is the director of learning and development for bioMérieux, a global leader of in vitro diagnostics. He has two decades of experience developing, implementing, and managing learning and development strategy for multiple organizations. Marcus is a leader who believes that helping employees upskill and reskill throughout their careers will benefit business outcomes. When not at work, he enjoys chasing his two teenagers around the mountains of Utah.

Whitney Harper, based is currently a Senior Vice President of People at Extra Space Storage, bringing experience from previous roles at Cornell University, Navalent, HVS and JetSet Sports.

Harper joined Extra Space Storage in January 2021 and has worked hard to help the company attract and retain outstanding talent. With staffing an issue throughout the United States, Harper and the People team worked to ensure that both new and seasoned employees thrived in the workplace.

Amanda Harper is the Global Head, growth learning experience & performance, at Square. She is a passionate HR leader with 15 years of experience in talent development and global people programs, dedicated to aligning HR strategies with organizational goals. A strong advocate for DEI and belonging, Amanda has worked across enterprise and partner sites to design and implement impactful cultural initiatives. Known for her creativity and strategic thinking, she focuses on creating memorable learning experiences that empower individuals and teams to achieve their best. Amanda is a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional and is experienced with talent assessment tools such as StrengthsFinder, Zenger 360, and MBTI. She received her master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Argosy University and bachelor’s in psychology from California State University-Sacramento.

Connie Washington is the VP, People and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Progressive Leasing. Previously, she served as an HR leader at companies including Helix Education, Alliance Health Network, ADP, and Smith Sport Optics. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in management and leadership, and an MBA from Western Governors University.

Michael Brandt is the Vice President, HR, at L3Harris Technologies. Michael is an experienced HR professional with a broad background spanning from plant-level Industrial Relations to organizational HR strategy. He has a proven track record in executing key HR and IR initiatives, including employee surveys, compensation management, performance management, supervisory training, and succession planning. Michael’s diverse expertise allows him to effectively drive HR processes that align with organizational goals and foster a positive work environment. He received his MA in economics from Trinity College-Hartford and BS in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.

Julie Cox serves as the Senior Director of talent acquisition and global mobility at Lamb Weston, a leading global food manufacturer. With over 15 years of expertise in talent acquisition and human resources leadership, Julie oversees a globally aligned team managing approximately 2,000 hires annually for a $8B enterprise. A visionary change agent, Julie specializes in implementing innovative strategies to deliver top-tier talent while fostering operational excellence and scalability in hiring processes. Notable accomplishments include designing and optimizing talent acquisition operating models, reducing time-to-fill metrics by 30%, and leading executive recruitment efforts for 25+ roles annually. A recognized expert in HR technology and process improvement, Julie has successfully spearheaded initiatives such as developing an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and enhancing recruitment technologies, including ATS, CRM and sourcing solutions. Currently pursuing an M.S. in organizational leadership, Julie combines academic rigor with extensive practical experience to deliver impactful, results-driven Talent Acquisition leadership.

Ryan Shatzer is the Vice President of People Services and Employee Experience for Intermountain Health, with responsibility for employee engagement and recognition, employee wellness, social well-being, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), occupational health, and the HR shared services function. Ryan’s previous roles at Intermountain have also included HRBP leadership, talent management, leadership development, and change management.

Prior to Intermountain, Ryan was with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in their management consulting practice. At PwC, has worked with large- and mid-sized organizations in the healthcare, pharma, and tech industries to implement large-scale business transformations and build leadership development programs. Ryan received a PhD from Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in Social Psychology, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Ryan lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and five children, where he enjoys coaching baseball, skiing, and an occasional triathlon with his family.

Nate has been in the learning and organizational development space for over 20 years and has been with Zions Bancorporation for seven. He has served in his role as SVP of Learning Experience and Design since 2021. In this role, Nate is responsible for leading the evolution of instructional design, learning experience, and learning technology.

Steve has spent the last ten years of his career building technology that helps people to learn, grow, and connect. Before starting Campfire, he spent 5 years at Instructure building a talent management platform focused on career development and human performance. He worked with product, marketing, sales, and strategy teams to grow the business from the ground up to $27 million in annual revenue. While with Instructure, he worked with teams at Disney, Tesla, Lululemon, Johnson and Johnson, and other global brands to strengthen their talent management practices.

Now, Steve is focused primarily on finding ways for people to learn and grow through connected learning experiences called Campfires. The business has strong investment and is responsible for training hundreds of managers in the key skills needed to effectively lead teams. Steve’s experience in technology, content, facilitation, and talent management provide a rich mix of skills for solving these challenges.

Campfire was founded in 2020 at the very beginning of the pandemic and has benefitted from the changes and shifts that allow for us to consider new ways of connecting and working with each other. Steve has three co-founders - Todd, Taylor, and Marinne - who are all passionate about the mission of providing universal access to connected learning experiences.

Dallen Allred is the CEO and co-founder of Tava Health, a company he launched after experiencing firsthand the challenges of finding a therapist who accepted his insurance. Driven by a mission to make mental health care more accessible, Tava Health connects clients with therapists through a seamless and efficient platform. By partnering with thousands of therapists across the United States, Tava simplifies the process of accessing high-quality, next-day mental health care while empowering therapists to manage their practices through Tava’s user-friendly ecosystem.

With over 15 years of executive strategy and sales experience in the health care industry and employee wellness, Bianca Carr is a recognized leader and speaker in member engagement and prepaid-card incentive solutions for preventive health outcomes and government programs and other business that are focused on employee health and wellness. Bianca is an industry expert, having worked at two large fintech payment companies and also representing MN in the employer SHRM space. Bianca’s core competencies include building business partnerships solving complex industry challenges and developing new product innovations within the health care and government sectors. She works with health plans, wellness companies, and government programs, especially Medicare and Medicaid, to improve HEDIS, CAHPS, and STAR ratings using prescriptive member  engagement and incentive strategies. She also consults on critical programs that affect states and federal programs within health
care, such as COVID relief, human aid, and accessibility to PPE. Bianca’s mission is to design and deliver easy-to-use, member-centric, and data-driven programs that create an increased awareness on healthy actions and social determinants of health.

Leigh is a senior vice president and market practice leader for health & benefits in Aon’s Denver office. Leigh is honored to lead a tremendous team of account executives, actuaries, underwriters and service delivery professionals. In addition, Leigh serves as an executive sponsor and human capital strategist for many employer clients.  

Leigh and her team are responsible for evaluation, design, implementation, and management of group health and welfare programs for self‑funded and fully insured programs. She has extensive experience with complex, multi‑state, and multi‑site employers. Leigh helps employers evaluate the financial and personnel impact of potential program changes, including the integration of mergers and acquisitions. Leigh thrives on finding creative solutions and unique approaches for problem‑solving.

Lauren became Executive Editor of The Salt Lake Tribune in December 2020. The Tribune is the first major metro news organization to become a nonprofit. It achieved sustainability in 2021 under Lauren’s leadership.  

In 2022, The Tribune became a founding member of the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a group of 23 organizations focused on elevating solutions to the lake’s challenges. It also shares its daily reporting with journalism partners throughout the state through the Utah News Collaborative. In 2023, The Moab Times-Independent donated itself to The Tribune, which oversees its operations.

Lauren previously worked as West Region Editor, overseeing 10 news organizations in Idaho, Washington and California, including the flagship Sacramento Bee, for McClatchy.

Lauren has also served as an editor in Colorado, where her work on transparency contributed to a new law that facilitated greater access to public records, and in Reno, where her team’s work on the housing crisis was recognized nationally. 

She is a coach in the Media Transformation Challenge at The Poynter Institute, supporting other news leaders as they look to make performance-driven change.

Utah is a homecoming for Lauren, who met her husband while working as a reporter at The Tribune in the early 2000s. They enjoy camping, skiing and (sometimes enjoy) coaching their sons' soccer teams. 

Erin Kap is the Talent Acquisition Director at Intermountain Health, overseeing recruiting and contingent workforce strategies for 34+ hospitals, over 400 clinics, a non-profit insurance plan, and other facilities across seven states. With nearly 15 years at Intermountain, Erin has progressed from an entry-level role in the Education Department to her current leadership position.

Erin has led multiple transformative initiatives, including automation and AI in recruiting, a major Workday rollout, a large-scale merger, and multiple acquisitions. Under Erin’s leadership, the Intermountain Talent Acquisition team achieved a 53% reduction and sustainment in “time to accept” in 2024, demonstrating a commitment to optimizing hiring outcomes. Erin is passionate about creating personalized, efficient, and inclusive hiring experiences, bringing a data-driven and people-first approach to talent acquisition.

Erin holds a master’s degree in Labor and Employment Law from Tulane University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in Professional Sales from Weber State University.

Breanna is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Zions Bancorporation. Breanna has over 18 years of talent acquisition, change management, human resources and business experience in Tech, Finance, Engineering & High Volume. She specializes in working with fast paced thought leaders working to scale businesses, implement change management strategies and focusing on employee retention and talent career pathing. Breanna earned her BASc in Psychology from Utah Valley University.

Savannah Beth Withers Taylor is the assistant editor of Utah Business and a graduate of the editing and publishing program at Brigham Young University. Beth has written about rural economies, niche travel destinations, and mental health best practices for Utah Business, Stowaway magazine, the BYU College of Humanities, and the United Way of Utah County. She enjoys creating community by finding and telling stories.

Lori Prichard is an Emmy award winning journalist voted Best TV News Reporter by the Utah Society of Professional Journalists. She has been with KSL TV for more than 17 years and has worked in TV news for more than twenty. Lori holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Baylor University. She has also received two master's degrees, journalism and public affairs, both from the University of Missouri. Lori spent a year studying abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

Robert Gehrke has spent more than 20 years primarily covering government and politics in Utah and the West, including seven years in Washington, D.C. Before joining the Salt Lake Tribune, he reported for the Associated Press. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science at the University of Utah.

Melanie is the editor-in-chief of Utah Business. She worked as a curator and speaking coach at TEDxSaltLakeCity for five seasons, collaborating with some of Utah's brightest minds. She also spent over 25 years in the medical device manufacturing industry and has specialized in various areas including international account management, product training, digital marketing and project management. Melanie is a frequent emcee, panelist and podcast guest, and produced her own dental products podcast starting in 2006, before podcasting was cool.

Jon Shimp brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, having held both producer and leadership roles at organizations including Rx Savings Solutions, Hinge Health, Cerebral, AON, Rally, and Kaiser. His expertise spans leading employer teams and Health Plan Sales teams, and his deep understanding of the healthcare landscape positions him to significantly enhance Calm’s presence in the digital health sector. Jon is dedicated to advancing Calm’s mission of transforming mental health care and scaling Calm Health.

Based in suburban Chicago, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife, three sons, and their bernedoodle. Outside of work, he is passionate about competition BBQ & cooking, fishing, and golfing.

Jared Senator is the VP of Sales for North America at Multiplier, a Global Human Platform. He is passionate about helping businesses of all sizes hire without borders, and allowing them to hire talent anywhere in the world. Previously, he served at Rippling helping them scale their Global EOR + Payroll products across the world, and prior to that, spent almost a decade at Paychex and Paylocity, learning the nuances of the Human Capital Management space. He lives in Berryville, Virginia, with his wife, two children, and three dogs, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Information Systems from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, in College Park, Maryland.