The Pathfinder Awards

The Pathfinder Awards are presented annually during the American Express Women & Business Conference during the Athena Award Luncheon to a select number of worthy community leaders who have a history of support for women and women’s issues and who have worked to further the development and recognition of women. This award has been a traditional part of the conference for many years.

Silvia Norman, Wells Fargo
Silvia Norman is a remarkable and respected leader in both Utah’s business arena and in the community. A few years after moving from Argentina to Utah, Silvia started her professional career as a teller. Over the years, Silvia has excelled in her career. She now serves as vice president and Latino Banking manager for Wells Fargo in Utah. Under her direction and leadership, Wells Fargo was the first financial services company in the state to open a Latino-focused branch and the first financial institution in Utah to accept Utah’s Driving Privilege Card as a valid form of identification for opening new accounts. Silvia’s dedication to the community and to her profession allows her to bring community needs and business opportunities together to create positive solutions that benefit the goals of all involved.

Nancy Nowak, Intermountain Healthcare
As Vice President of Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing Officer for Intermountain Healthcare, Nancy Nowak provides strategic direction, leadership and operational support for clinical services at Intermountain Healthcare. She is responsible for Nursing Services, Quality, Patient Safety, Clinical Programs, Case Management, Imaging, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy and Laboratory Services. Nowak works closely with administration and Chief Nursing Officers across the system, the Chief Medical Officer, Intermountain Medical Group and Intermountain SelectHealth in implementing the full vision of system-wide, collaborative care.

Karen Suzuki-Okabe, Salt Lake County
In 2005, Karen Suzuki-Okabe was appointed by Peter M. Corroon, County Mayor to serve as his Deputy Mayor. Karen’s success did not come without hard work and dedication. She was a single mother of two during her career, working in high profile civil service positions requiring long work weeks, along the way Karen acquired a Masters in Public Administration and became certified in Conflict Resolution. She paved the way for women in government by being the first woman cabinet appointment by then Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis in 1987 and was appointed by two Governors to cabinet positions, Scott M. Matheson in 1984, and Mike Leavitt in 1993.

Lisa Vehrenkamp, American Express
Lisa Vehrenkamp was named Vice President-Global Prepaid Servicing for the American Express Travelers Cheque and Prepaid Services Group in early 2005. Active in the community, Lisa serves on the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors and its Executive Committee, as well as leading the Chamber’s Education initiatives. At American Express she is a leader of WIN (Women’s Interest Network) and often speaks on diversity and women’s issues throughout the company.

Andrea Wolcott, San Francisco Federal Reserve
Andrea P. Wolcott is Group Vice President and Branch Manager of the Salt Lake City Branch and has overall responsibility for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Community Bank and Community Outreach Programs. She has served on a number of Federal Reserve System Group and is an active member of the Salt Lake area business community. She currently serves on a number of boards including the Salt Lake Chamber, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, United Way, the Utah Women’s Forum, the International Women’s Forum, Salt Lake Rotary and is Chair of the Airport Board.

2008 Women & Business Conference & Athena Awards Luncheon
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.    
Little America Hotel
500 South Main Street, Salt Lake City

2008 Conference Fees:
Conference and Luncheon per individual $75.00
Table Sponsorship of 10 (includes conference, luncheon, and program listing) $1500
For more information on this event, please contact Jackie Sexton at (801) 328-5053 or email jsexton@saltlakechamber.org.  

Conference Website