Salt Lake Chamber

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Speaking on Business: Ivanti May 27, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. In the last few years, the tech industry has seen advancements in AI and cybersecurity with Utah companies solving some of the most pressing challenges organizations face today. Ivanti’s General Counsel and SVP of HR and Security, Brooke Johnson, joins us with more. Brooke Johnson: Utah’s tech industry, or ‘Silicon Slopes’, is a prominent center for tech development and a rapidly growing hub for software, hardware and AI innovation. Ivanti is headquartered in South Jordan and is a pioneer in the Utah tech community, our origins began in 1985 as LANDESK which introduced the desktop management category. Today, Ivanti continues to innovate and lead by providing autonomous capabilities to reduce risk for organizations by managing and securing all their devices. IT and security teams are under pressure to ensure a secure and productive workforce and effectively manage risk across complex environments. Organizations need systems that not only detect issues but also can decide and act securely at scale. Ivanti’s Autonomous Endpoint Management capabilities bring together trusted data, intelligent automation and governed remediation to deliver real outcomes, and more importantly keep businesses safe. The Utah community remains an important part of our story. You can find out more at Ivanti.com. Derek Miller: Utah is one of the fastest-growing tech markets and a major driver of the state’s economy. That growth is fueled by a strong talent pipeline and companies like Ivanti. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/27/26

Speaking on Business: Utah System of Higher Education May 21, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah’s colleges and universities are strengthening workforce alignment and delivering real value for students and employers. Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner of Higher Education, joins us to discuss how these efforts are driving earnings, opportunity and long-term impact across the state. Geoffrey Landward: Utah’s public colleges are investing in partnerships with business and industry to better prepare students for today’s workforce. Together, we’re aligning degrees and certificates with the most in-demand skills, making sure programs stay relevant, responsive and driven by results. Through Talent Ready Utah, our system is connecting high school students to apprenticeships where they can earn and learn on the job. And, recently, Mountainland Technical College launched Utah’s first Civil Construction program in partnership with Clyde Companies, preparing students in just four months for infrastructure careers. These are just two examples of how hands-on experiences are helping Utah students gain practical skills and enter the workforce faster — leading to higher wages, stronger communities and continued innovation across industries. The Utah System of Higher Education is focused on delivering a strong return on investment for students and the state — building a system that’s aligned, accountable and focused on opportunity for every student. Learn more at ushe.edu. Derek Miller: Opportunity starts with education. Across Utah, public colleges and universities are preparing students for in-demand careers while strengthening our economy, supporting local industries and building stronger communities statewide. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/21/26

Speaking on Business: Bank of Utah May 20, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For nearly 75 years, Bank of Utah has served individuals, families and businesses across the state with a relationship-focused approach to banking. Bank of Utah President, Branden Hansen, joins us to share how the bank is supporting growth in Utah’s communities. Branden Hansen: At Bank of Utah, we believe strong communities are built on strong relationships. As a Utah-based community bank, our focus is on understanding the people and businesses we serve and delivering thoughtful financial solutions that help them grow and thrive. We work closely with local businesses, families and municipalities, providing everything from commercial lending and treasury services to personal banking and wealth management. At the same time, we’re investing in technology and innovation to make banking easier, more secure and more accessible — without losing the personal service that defines who we are. Our team members live and work in the same communities as our clients, which means decisions are made locally, with a deep understanding of what matters most. By combining local expertise, modern tools and a long-term perspective, we’re helping unlock potential and support purposeful growth and lasting prosperity across Utah. Learn more at BankofUtah.com. Derek Miller: Community banks like Bank of Utah play a critical role in local economies — supporting small businesses, financing homes and investing directly in the places they serve. With deep roots in Utah and a forward-looking approach, they continue to help communities grow stronger. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/20/26

Speaking on Business: The Center for Economic Opportunity & Belonging May 19, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Launched in 2021, The Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging is a Utah-based nonprofit with a goal for everyone in Utah to thrive and belong. By building partnerships and connecting people to resources, they expand opportunity statewide. President and CEO, Ze Min Xiao, joins us with more. Ze Min Xiao: At the Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging, we engage communities and build public, private and philanthropic partnerships to address opportunity gaps across the state. We convene and navigate the complex ecosystems needed to build economically strong, connected communities. This work brings people together across differences to co-create solutions that address shared challenges. A key strength of our work is the ability to engage stakeholders with diverse perspectives. We recognize that the most pressing challenges require collaboration across divides, and we are committed to bridging differences as a central focus of our work. We are currently partnering on a statewide campaign to ignite Utah’s greatest asset — bringing Utahns together around shared values and advancing a movement to develop solutions that answer a central question: How might we continue to lead by working collectively and acting compassionately? Together, we are building The Utah We Believe In. Derek Miller: By expanding opportunity, supporting communities, and building strong partnerships, the Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging is helping create a more connected and resilient Utah. Visit BelongInUtah.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/19/26

Speaking on Business: National Forest Foundation May 18, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The National Forest Foundation, or NFF, partners with the U.S. Forest Service working across 193 million acres to reduce wildfire risk, restore watersheds and expand outdoor access. Utah Program Coordinator, Matthew Podolinsky, joins us with more. Matthew Podolinsky: Utah is home to more than 8 million acres of National Forest land — public lands that help define the state. In partnership with the Forest Service, the NFF is leading a variety of projects on these landscapes. Utah’s outdoor recreation economy is a 10 billion dollar powerhouse supporting over 75,000 jobs. That economic development depends on well-maintained, accessible public lands. Alongside our partners, the NFF is modernizing aging infrastructure by restoring campgrounds and trails to improve access and elevate the outdoor experience across the state. But in Utah, this work goes beyond recreation. It’s also about water. From restoring streams and floodplains to revitalizing wetlands, these efforts help secure reliable water sources for communities while supporting wildlife and biodiversity. The NFF’s work turns a shared love of the outdoors into meaningful action, ensuring Utah’s national forests remain healthy, resilient and accessible for generations to come. Learn more at NationalForests.org. Derek Miller: Through restoration and conservation efforts, the National Forest Foundation helps keep Utah’s mountains healthy and accessible, making it easier for people to safely enjoy outdoor recreation and experience the state’s natural landscapes. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/18/26

Speaking on Business: Primary Children's Hospital May 15, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since its founding in 1922, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has provided world-class specialty care for children, supporting kids and families across the country and making a lasting impact. Hospital President, Dustin Lipson, joins us with more. Dustin Lipson: When we talk about the future of health of our community, we often think about hospitals or medical innovation. But one of the most powerful places to invest in health begins much earlier — during early childhood. Those first years build the foundation for a lifetime. Children grow quickly — and the environments they grow up in can help them flourish or make life much harder. Many children face Adverse Childhood Experiences, like chronic stress, instability or feeling unsafe. These don’t just affect behavior — they can impact brain development, the immune system and long-term health, increasing the risk of conditions like asthma, depression, heart disease and even dementia. But there’s real hope. Positive Childhood Experiences help build resilience. When a child has a caring adult, feels safe and has places to learn and play, they’re better able to manage stress and grow in healthy ways. Together, we can help every child reach their full potential. Derek Miller: By providing expert pediatric care and support, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital is improving children’s lives. Their work brings comfort and strengthens communities, creating impact that reaches far beyond the hospital. Get involved, volunteer or donate at Primary Children's Hospital dot org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/15/26

Speaking on Business: Utah Water Ways May 15, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. In 2023, Utah lawmakers created Utah Water Ways to unite conservation efforts and promote smarter water use through the Slow the Flow campaign, helping protect Utah’s water for the future. Director of Community Engagement, Cynthia Bee, joins us with more. Cynthia Bee: Water fuels Utah’s economy, communities and quality of life — and the future of this vital resource depends on what we do today. Government, businesses and nonprofits are stepping up, but the real power lies in aligning our efforts and speaking with one strong, unified voice for water conservation. In the coming decade, Utah must transform hundreds of millions of square feet of nonfunctional lawn to waterwise alternatives, and businesses are essential to making that change happen. Most commercial landscapes offer no recreational benefit, yet they consume enormous amounts of water. By partnering with the Slow the Flow campaign, companies can lead by example, showcase impactful results and inspire others to follow. We equip corporate green teams and employees with education, tools and mentoring to turn ideas into action. Businesses can also invest directly in the nonprofit Utah Water Ways, helping fund conservation projects in the communities they serve. Derek Miller: Utah stands at a pivotal moment, and through Utah Water Ways, businesses can lead on conservation and help protect the state’s water future. Learn more and access resources at UtahWaterWays.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/14/26

Speaking on Business: Utah Valley University's Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute May 12, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah Valley University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute serves as a living lab for AI, supporting AI literacy, developing workforce-aligned curricula and acting as a central resource for AI initiatives across campus and Utah’s higher education system. Senior Director of the Applied AI Institute, Tyler Small, joins us with more. Tyler Small: So we know that AI can be incredibly disruptive in business, education and in work in general. So, at UVU, we created an AI transformation strategy with specific measurements that will enable each faculty member, and each student and staff to transform themselves, and integrate AI into their learning and work. And a big part of this is that we’re building ways for faculty to be able to use AI to provide even more work experiences for their students. And it’s not always possible to find an industry partner and manage a working relationship for students in their class projects. But while AI is making those industry connections easier, it’s also providing ways to build simulations of relevant work scenarios — in seconds instead of hours. And so, in either case the students get to practice their skills on real-work problems. Derek Miller: UVU’s Applied AI Institute is making a difference in Utah by advancing AI education, preparing students with in-demand skills and supporting workforce needs. Learn more at UVU.edu. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/12/26

Speaking on Business: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute May 11, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah helps guide Utah’s growth with data and insights that help businesses, leaders and communities across the state make more informed decisions. Communications Director, Nick Thiriot, joins us with more. Nick Thiriot: For over 10 years, the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, has been a vital resource and gathering place for Utah’s thought leaders. We shed light on the most important issues impacting our state’s future prosperity. With Utah’s population projected to reach 5.6 million by 2065, trusted data becomes even more essential for state planners and policymakers. While long-term projections forecast a dynamic future with a growing, diverse and youthful population, challenges remain. These headwinds include important issues such as housing affordability, traffic congestion, 3rd grade reading proficiency and energy supply. By bridging the gap between data and action, the Gardner Institute helps businesses, government agencies, legislators and other key stakeholders address these important opportunities and challenges and help them make INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information about the Gardner Institute, visit gardner.utah.edu. Derek Miller: By providing clear, reliable data and insights, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute helps Utahns better understand what’s happening in their state. That leads to smarter decisions around jobs, housing, education and growth, helping communities plan ahead and improve quality of life across Utah. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/11/26

Speaking on Business: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah May 08, 2026

Show notes

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1978, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah has connected caring adult mentors with young people who need extra support, building one-to-one relationships that help kids grow in confidence, succeed in school and create brighter futures. President and CEO, Jill Sundstrom, joins us with more. Jill Sundstrom: Today’s youth face rising mental health challenges, widening economic gaps and ongoing absenteeism that has persisted since the pandemic. Yet research shows that mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters can help transform these trajectories. Mentored youth experience reduced depressive symptoms, stronger emotional regulation, improved school attendance and better academic performance. They are also 20% more likely to enroll in college and ultimately earn 15% more over their lifetimes, increasing economic mobility across Utah communities. For businesses, mentorship is a strategic investment. It helps strengthen the future workforce by building the soft skills employers need most – communication, reliability and emotional intelligence. Last Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah served 892 youth through one-to-one mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah isn’t just changing individual lives — it’s helping build a stronger, more resilient Utah economy and community. Derek Miller: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah continues to make a lasting impact, inspiring youth, strengthening communities and opening doors to opportunity. Learn more about their programs and get involved at BBBSU.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 5/8/26

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