Business Elevated

Latest Episodes:

166. Madeline Miller — Opportunities for Diverse Youth in Corporate America Mar 28, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 9: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Madeline Miller, the program manager for INROADS College Links in Salt Lake City.

Miller shares her journey of fostering opportunities for diverse youth. She discusses her passion for public health, which led her to advocate for marginalized communities and promote diversity and inclusion in corporate settings.

Miller shares insights into the INROADS program, a nonprofit focused on advancing diverse youth in corporate America. She highlights the program's success in guiding students from high school to college and eventually into meaningful careers and the importance of experiential learning and mentorship. Miller shares inspiring success stories of students who excelled in the program, its emphasis on life skills, mental health support, entrepreneurship, and much more.

165. Rob Gardner — Navigating the Future of Dining Mar 15, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 8: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Rob Gardner, principal of Savory Fund.

Gardner shares his journey from his Utah roots to his diverse professional experiences, including his time in public accounting and private equity. He reflects on various aspects of the restaurant industry, its evolution, and the challenges aspiring restaurateurs face to the impact of technology on dining trends.

The duo discusses Savory Fund's mission to help restaurants scale effectively by investing in people first. Gardner highlights the importance of perseverance and focusing on key factors like good food, service, and value. He delves into the intersection of technology and traditional dining experiences, articulates a vision for the industry's future, and much more.

164. Ryan Westwood — Fullcast The Go-to-Market Cloud™ Mar 07, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 7: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Ryan Westwood, chairman and CEO of Fullcast. Westwood shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the unique aspects of doing business in Utah. He reflects on his international experiences that led him to embrace opportunities for growth and innovation. Westwood delves into the founding of Fullcast and its recent move to Salt Lake City, highlighting its mission to create jobs and contribute to Utah's economy. He provides valuable insights into the company's fundraising process and emphasizes the support from local investors and the significance of female investors in the company's success. Westwood praises the state's thriving university entrepreneurship programs and collaborative ecosystem of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. He also discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in guiding decision-making processes, shares strategic insights into navigating challenges and staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, and much more.

163. Jason Hewlett — One Utah Summit Speaker, Leadership Expert, and Author Feb 29, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 6: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jason Hewlett, Hall of Fame keynote speaker and keynote speaker at the 2024 spring One Utah Summit.

Hewlett shares his ties to Utah, from being born and raised in Park City to his extensive career in entertainment and speaking engagements across the state. He shares his professional journey, from his early days as an entertainer in Las Vegas to his transition into keynote speaking and consulting. The duo discusses the significance of Hewlett's induction into the Speaker Hall of Fame and his unique approach to blending entertainment with leadership principles in his presentations.

They explore the significance of the One Utah Summit, an event that provides unique opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from leading Utah organizations. Hewlett expresses his excitement about entertaining and inspiring attendees with his unique blend of music, comedy, and motivational insights, making the summit a must-attend event for those seeking inspiration and networking opportunities in Utah's thriving business community.

162. Dan Lambert — Preserving and Extending Patients' Lives Feb 23, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 5: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Dan Lambert, CEO of PathologyWatch. Lambert shares his entrepreneurial journey and the transformative impact of digital pathology and AI on healthcare. He discusses his move from Manhattan to Utah, citing the primary factors of lower operational costs and the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lambert reflects on the company's role in processing skin biopsies digitally, leveraging AI for diagnosis and prognosis. According to Lambert, digital pathology enhances accuracy, facilitates physician collaboration, and streamlines workflows. He emphasizes the significance of AI in pattern recognition, particularly in early cancer detection, citing personal experience with melanoma diagnosis. He touts Utah's supportive environment for startups, attributing its success to a blend of local talent, accessible venture capital, and a hunger for problem-solving. Lambert envisions PathologyWatch's continued growth, emphasizing the importance of tackling significant challenges with innovative solutions in the evolving healthcare landscape.

161. Building Utah's Future — A Conversation with Tech Innovators Feb 15, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 4: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Hunter Manz, CEO of Eden Technologies, and Gabi Tellez, managing director of the Utah Innovation Fund. In December 2023, the Utah Innovation Fund invested $250K in Eden Technologies for their reverse osmosis centrifuge (ROC) technology. Manz shares his journey from Las Vegas to Utah, detailing his experiences as a Utah Tech University student entrepreneur and Eden Technologies inception. They explore the revolutionary technology behind the company, focusing on its potential to enhance water desalination efficiency and provide clean water solutions globally. Manz highlights the crucial role of persistence and community support in entrepreneurial success, emphasizing Utah's vibrant innovation and business growth ecosystem. Tellez shares her journey from Southern California to Utah, highlighting the state's allure with its stunning landscapes and career opportunities. She delves into the genesis of the Utah Innovation Fund, a $15 million venture capital initiative that supports early-stage companies based in Utah rooted in higher education. With a focus on sectors like aerospace, defense, biotech, and healthcare, Tellez emphasizes the fund's role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, catalyzing innovation, and retaining talent within the state.

160. Annalisa Holcombe — Creating Pathways to Opportunities Feb 01, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 3: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Annalisa Holcombe, senior vice president of advancement at Western Governors University (WGU).

Holcombe shares her unique career journey, transitioning from law to higher education and eventually leading WGU's fundraising efforts. She discusses the university's unique approach to online education, focusing on competency-based learning and providing each student with a personalized, mentor-driven experience. Holcombe sheds light on WGU's mission to bridge the workforce development gap and its commitment to affordability and equity in education. She speaks on WGU's impact, providing flexibility for working learners and creating opportunities for adults with some college experience but no degree.

She also provides insights into WGU's efforts to address the changing education landscape, including developing skills-based transcripts and partnerships with organizations like the Open Skills Network. Holcombe shares her thoughts on work-life balance, the significance of creating meaningful experiences in the workplace, and much more.

159. Global Horizons – Jonathan Freedman from Entrepreneur to Leading WTC Utah Jan 25, 2024

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Season 6 Episode 2: In this podcast, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah.

Freedman shares his journey from founding Downeast Outfitters in the early 90s to leading World Trade Center Utah. Born and raised in New York, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a successful business venture in Utah, a state he grew to love for its outdoor activities and business opportunities. Freedman details his experiences in the retail industry, international business, and his role as the honorary consul for Ukraine in Utah.

He highlights World Trade Center Utah's mission to make Utah the crossroads of the world, emphasizing its role in fostering global connections for Utah-based businesses. Freedman discusses upcoming initiatives, trade missions, and partnerships to expand international opportunities for Utah companies. He discusses the state's supportive business environment, recognition as the best state to start a business, and the significance of Utah's global engagement.

158. Scott Cuthbertson on Utah — Where Companies Come To Thrive Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Season 6 Episode 1: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Cuthbertson, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah).

Cuthbertson reflects on his first year as president and CEO, emphasizing the importance of getting to know stakeholders, maintaining the organization's positive trajectory, and implementing changes outlined in its five-year strategic plan. He delves into the role of EDCUtah in corporate recruitment and emphasizes the organization's focus on both recruitment and retention of companies.

The duo discuss Utah's economic evolution and the need for a recalibrated approach to corporate recruitment, considering factors such as quality of life, workforce development, and social responsibility. Cuthbertson provides insights into the challenges of Utah's growth, highlights the state's diverse and young workforce, its growing economic sectors that make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs, and much more.

157. Scott Evanson — Innovating and Investing in Utah Dec 18, 2023

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Season 5 Episode 39: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Evanson, venture partner at Philo Ventures. They discuss Evanson's entrepreneurial journey and the entrepreneurial spirit that emerged during his early career, inspired by the autonomy and financial opportunities he witnessed while working for a startup. He also mentions Utah's startup ecosystem and emphasizes the state's significance as a hub for outdoor activities. Evanson shares insights into the company and outlines its diverse divisions, including real estate development, a venture studio for startup creation, and a venture fund for early-stage investments. He discusses its collaboration with investors, highlights the importance of fostering a community of passionate individuals eager to create value, and much more.

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