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August 26, 2021 - The Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group welcomed Tami Steggell, Founder of RubySnap Fresh Cookies, for a unique in-person, live event and virtual discussion moderated by Gail Miller, owner and chair of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

Not only has she been my spur of inspiration…but she has also been my best friend since the day we met,” said Lindsey Willis, Compliance Specialist from Prestige Financial Services, Inc, in describing Tami Steggell, owner and founder of RubySnap cookies. Steggell, a former architectural designer, founded RubySnap Fresh Cookies in 2008, designing a brand focused on using clean, natural ingredients with the least amount of waste. Steggell is known for her innovative flavors, unyielding commitment to quality and a firm belief in pursuing one’s personal self. Steggell brought her genuine self and ideas for thriving to her conversation with Gail Miller, owner and immediate past chair of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

Insights from Tami Steggell

“It’s important to check in on your level of happiness and be honest with yourself. It’s ok to love a career for many years and still have a desire to migrate to a new career and learn in new ways. For me, it is important to feel challenged and refreshed. Why not feel happy in our careers, when we spend so much time in that place?”

“Stop! You are the sum of your thoughts; action follows thought in every form. Think about possibility, capability, success against odds, turn debilitating fear into healthy actionable fear. You are what you think, so start thinking about the good parts of you.”

When asked about overcoming challenges, Steggell provided this powerful analogy: “Think of a speed bump, as soon as you see one you immediately slow down. The first thing I do is – Slow down! Slow down! Slow down!” Where most of us are tempted to power through problems and get out of them as quickly as possible, Steggell advised slowing down to think and plan.

Always looking for the positive, Steggell says, “Whining about a circumstance does not make that circumstance better, action does. I prefer triumph and pressing forward. It’s a discipline of choice just like exercise and other healthy habits, put your mind in the practice of implementing positive thoughts and behaviors.”

Steggell shared a few personal thoughts on growing and expanding her business. For Steggell, success is not defined by money or expansion, but rather personal satisfaction and happiness. For Steggell, family, her employees and the community are primary drivers.

Learn more about the Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group by visiting www.GailMillerWLG.com. Be sure to like and follow us on social media!

#GMWLG #LHMValues #LHM 

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Thank you for joining us for a conversation with Meg Whitman, an American business executive, former political candidate, and philanthropist, as well as Gail Miller, owner and chair of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. Their conversation was a powerhouse of business insights and leadership strategies. Click the link in the image above to watch the recording of their conversation. After watching the video, please share your key takeaway on one of the GMWLG social media platforms.

Keep the conversation going with some discussion starters:

#LHM GMWLG LHMValues

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“Don’t take counsel from your fears.” 

The entire month of March is recognized as Women’s History Month and is dedicated to the celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society.

On March 18, 2021, in commemoration of such an empowering month, The Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group welcomed Deidre M. Henderson, Lieutenant Governor of Utah, for a unique virtual discussion moderated by Gail Miller, owner and chair of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. The conversation was insightful, encouraging, and incredibly inspiring as the Lieutenant Governor of Utah, Deidre M. Henderson, shared her personal experiences as a wife, mother, student, and politician.

If you were unable to attend the live discussion or would like to hear the stories and advice of the Lieutenant Governor once more, please use the link above.

#GMWLG LHMValues LHM

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2020 in Review

The Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group wants to thank each of you for participating in our 2020 speaker series and events. While 2020 may not have gone quite as planned, it brought unique development and connection opportunities. Due to the virtual transformation many of us experienced last year, the Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group connected with a broader audience than ever before - what an immense opportunity. We are starting to plan our 2021 events and are excited to host unique virtual and, hopefully, in-person events and networking opportunities this year.

2020 is a year we won’t soon forget, and we hope that each of you takes some time to celebrate your growth and accomplishments and to express gratitude for the learning opportunities last year provided. As you begin to work on your 2021 goals, we invite you to take some time to review the recordings and resources from our 2020 events. 

Here is a summary of some of our outstanding 2020 events.                                            

December 2020: Virtual Discussion with Gail Miller and Ashley Smith  

Gail Miller and Ashley Smith shared their life experiences and perspectives on owning and running businesses, raising a family, serving their communities, and maintaining a sense of optimism and hope for the new year.

October 2020: Inclusion and Diversity in a World filled with Human Differences by Dr. Steve L. Robbins

Dr. Robbins provided tangible examples of why belonging is so important and advice on how to increase the feeling of belonging of people in our lives and organizations. By practicing both open-mindedness through internal and external curiosity, along with being more mindful through recognition, reflection, and responding with positive intent, we can work to increase belonging.  

August 2020: Resilience by Dr. Astrid Tuminez

Dr. Astrid Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University, lead a meaningful discussion on the power of persistence: When the going gets tough...the tough get resilient.

July 2020: YWCA 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge  

You can review each challenge and resources at https://www.ywcautah.org/challenge/2020archive/

June 2020: Coping During Challenging Times

This virtual panel included incredible women leaders Amy Brooks, President, Team Marketing and Business Operations and Chief Innovation Officer for the NBA; Vanessa Bryant, author of “The Rib” and a registered nurse; Dr. Angela Dunn, State of Utah Lead Epidemiologist; and Mikelle Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Health Officer for Intermountain Healthcare. Pat Jones, CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, moderated the discussion.

March 2020: Conversation with Gail Miller and Steve Starks

An insightful and personal conversation with Gail Miller and Steve Starks. Gail shares life and business experiences, including what she learned while working at the telephone company, as a mother, and her journey with the LHM Group. Gail challenges us to “take the opportunity to use our voices to make a difference in the world.”

We look forwards to a year filled with opportunity and growth.

Sincerely,

Courtney Palmer and Heather Wybrow

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On October 20, the Gail Women’s Leadership Group hosted a virtual discussion on inclusion, diversity, and belonging with Dr. Steve L. Robbins. Based on his study of the field and using his signature insights and humor, Dr. Robbins explored unconscious bias in its many forms and how it can impact productivity and performance in the workplace.  

Dr. Robbins provided tangible examples of why belonging is so important and advice on how to increase the feeling of belonging of people in our lives and organizations. By practicing both open-mindedness through internal and external curiosity, along with being more mindful through recognition, reflection, and responding with positive intent, we can work to increase belonging.  

Gail Miller, chair and owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, concluded the discussion by sharing her main takeaway: “It is good to be an insider, so let’s all of us use our life and energy to be a caring person and bring all of those on the outside to the inside where we all belong.”  

We hope you enjoyed this latest installment of the Women’s Leadership Group speaker series.  

If you were unable to attend the live presentation or simply want to watch again, please use the link above.  

#GMWLG LHMValues LHM

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The GMWGL is proud to take the YWCA Utah 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge! Join us in learning more about racial equity and building more effective social justice habits.

#YWCAEquityChallenge

#YWCAEquityChallenge

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Coping During Challenging Times

On June 18, 2020, the Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group hosted a virtual panel discussion on Coping During Challenging Times. Panelists included incredible women leaders Amy Brooks, President, Team Marketing and Business Operations and Chief Innovation Officer for the NBA; Vanessa Bryant, author of “The Rib” and a registered nurse; Dr. Angela Dunn, State of Utah Lead Epidemiologist; and Mikelle Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Health Officer for Intermountain Healthcare. Pat Jones, CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, moderated the discussion.

If you were unable to attend the live presentation, or just want to recapture the “gems of wisdom” shared by our panelists during an hour that passed too quickly, please use the link below.

Gail Miller, chair and owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, concluded the session by saying, “We don’t have to wait for anybody to say, ‘It’s your time,’ because it’s your time every single day.” Miller also shared a poem by Leslie Dwight, “What if 2020 is the year that we’ve been waiting for? A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw, that it finally forces us to grow. A year that screams so loudly, finally awakening us from an ignorant slumber. A year we can finally accept the need for change. Declare change. Work for change. Become the change. A year that we can finally band together instead of pushing each other farther apart. Twenty-twenty isn’t canceled; it’s the most important year of all.”

We hope you enjoyed this latest installment of the Women’s Leadership Group speaker series.

#GMWLG Leadership LHMValues

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A Conversation with Gail Miller and Steve Starks

The Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group met on March 5, 2020, for a breakfast meet and greet followed by a conversation with LHM Group of Companies owner and chairman Gail Miller and CEO Steve Starks.

View the photo gallery here: https://lhm.canto.com/b/PU79S

“After attending the conversation with Gail and Steve on March 5th, I am filled with so much gratitude that we get to work for a company that is always looking for ways to improve other people's lives. Whether it is through employee development and training or putting people out in the community to represent our organization and give back to the communities in which we live. Because of these experiences, I am inspired to lean into every opportunity that is presented that will allow me to grow and develop my skills and then hopefully use the things I am learning to give back. I have never felt more supported in this personal goal of mine as an employee of the Larry Miller Organization.” 

-Robin Heath, Prestige 

#GMWLG

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Women on the Move

The mission of the National MS Society is the ensure that people affected by MS can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost, and end MS forever. 

“As a newer Megaplex employee, I was honored to have the opportunity to attend this event.  It was inspiring to see the effect that one person, one business, or one movement could create.  I was reminded of Larry’s quote, “Go out into the world and do good until there is too much good in the world.” I am humbled to work for a brand that represents and emulates so much positivity. I am grateful for these opportunities provided by the Women’s Leadership Group so that I may become the best version of myself, in all aspects of my life.” 

-   Ashley Blake, Guest Services, Megaplex 

“This was my first experience at the event, and I was so moved by everyone’s story. It was a powerful afternoon, and I am fortunate to have grown my awareness of what MS is and how many lives are affected by it the disease.” 

-Samantha Cordova, Account Manager, Prestige 

“The event was inspiring. Getting to be a part of this event and seeing the perseverance and spirit of the fashion show participants to overcome such a devastating diagnosis was amazing. I’m so glad that groups like ours get involved in supporting their foundation!”

- Daina Kofoed, Account Manager, Prestige

#GMWLG

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Go Red for Women Event

We were excited to participate in this year’s Go Red for Women event in Salt Lake City at the Grand America. Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women.

#GMWLG

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YWCA LeaderLuncheon

"I am very grateful for the Gail Miller Women's Leadership Group and the opportunity to attend the YWCA LeaderLuncheon. It was an amazing showcase of the great leaders we have in our community and a reminder of all the great things that happen when women work together. My favorite part was networking with other leaders from the LHM Group. The amount of talent and empowerment that comes from these events is such a valuable resource to our roles as leaders in the company and the community." - Paulina Andris, PFS

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Gail Miller Women's Leadership Group Speaker Series: Dr. Marilyn J. Bugenhagen

On November 18, 2019, the Gail Miller Women's Leadership Group held their fifth community-wide Speaker Series event with keynote speaker Dr. Marilyn J. Bugenhagen, who spoke about Adaptability and the Evolving Workforce. Nearly 300 business leaders from across the community attended.

You can view Dr. Bugenhagen’s presentation here: https://vimeo.com/374803233

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WLI Women’s Golf Tournament & Clinic

“I love having the opportunity to spend time with other women in business. At these events, there is always an underlying feeling of support and friendship that feels very empowering. I wouldn’t get to experience this without the Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group, and I love that my company invests in these experiences for me. It makes me feel valued as an employee.

As far as golf goes, I find myself getting invited to business-related golf outings frequently…always by men. Most of the time I feel too intimated to participate, and in turn, I feel like I’m missing out on the experience as well as any business that may be conducted on the course. I left this golf clinic feeling very confident in the new skills I learned and the instruction I received. I’m so excited to say "yes” to my next golf invite.“ - Carly Robbins, Utah Jazz

"I’m very grateful for the Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group and all who are involved to pull off the amazing things that they do! It was awesome to participate in the Golf Clinic with so many ladies that I can relate to. The golf pros were very helpful. I appreciate that there are people out there who care about the potential and advancement for women - especially how needed it is in Utah. Thank you all for your continued support!” - Maddie Hwang, Utah Jazz

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Enhance Women’s Leadership in Seven Easy Steps: The ElevateHER Challenge

In just one year, the Women’s Leadership Institute of Utah has been making great strides for women in business and politics. With the revolutionary launch of the ElevateHER Challenge, the Women’s Leadership Institute challenged organizations throughout the state of Utah to take the pledge to enhance women’s leadership in seven areas:

Increase the percentage of women in senior leadership positions.

Increase the retention rate of women at all levels of your organization.

Increase the number of women on your organizations board of directors, extend the influence of women in your industry and encourage women to serve on community and corporate boards.

Monitor pay by gender and close identified gaps.

Establish a leadership development and/or mentoring program for women.

Urge women to run for public office and give follow-up support.

Create innovative ways to elevate the stature of women’s leadership in your organization.

As of this year and the second annual ElevateHER Challenge, more than 115 CEOs of organizations have formally taken the challenge to elevate the status of women in their organization. These include some of the top business leaders in the state of Utah, who are setting an extraordinary example for the rest of the state and the country.

View the full article here.

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On May 16, 2016, the Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group was privileged to hear from Mary Lee Schneider, President and CEO of SG360°. The event, hosted by the Vivint Smart Home Arena, included members of the group and company executives. Mary Lee, who is also on the Larry H. Miller Board of Directors, shared lessons she has learned during her accomplished career. She specifically illustrated hard work, balancing work and family, always learning, and striving to accomplish your goals.

During the event, the Women’s Leadership Group website was revealed as well as the new LinkedIn page. Each attendee was also given a copy of Larry H. Miller’s autobiography “Driven” for each person to read, or pass on to someone whom they revere as a leader in their life.

www.linkedin.com/groups/7040762

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UTAH INITIATIVE INSPIRING WOMEN, PUSHING COMPANIES TO VALUE THEM

MAY 11, 2016 — Ivy Estabrooke has had a lot of role models she partly credits for helping her navigate a balance between a successful career and being a single mom.

Also at play is her women's intuition.

"It really comes down to balance and knowing where your priorities are. My children are my priority, and I feel I'm contributing to their future by the kind of work I do," said Estabrooke, executive director at the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative, an agency that turns university research into job- and revenue-producing companies in the state.

Attending a women's college and being inspired by great men and women throughout her life, personally and in the work place, has taught Estabrooke to be confident and take risks for opportunities to progress, she said.

A growing number of women are putting themselves out there, applying for promotions and running for political office. And more Utah businesses, corporations and organizations are stepping up to stand behind them, according to Utah's Women's Leadership Institute.

Read the full article here

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LINDA LUCHETTI: TEAM MOM AND CONCIERGE TO THE UTAH JAZZ

FEB. 28, 2016 — Linda Luchetti is one of only a handful of female executives in an NBA front office, but it isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. She describes herself as team mom and shares a tiny office with three other staffers. The office borders the team’s practice court, and its floor-to-ceiling window is sometimes tattooed with sweaty hand prints and even face prints.

“The players like to stretch against it,” she says, laughing. “Some of them like to make faces at me.”

She climbed on a chair to clean them off.

Luchetti’s official title is vice president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz, a title held by only one other woman in the league. The title connotes that she is evaluating and sorting through basketball talent. Not so.

Read the full article here