CXO OF THE YEAR.

• Author: Bicknell, Lindsay
• Position: AWARDS

The C-Suite does more than just manage a company, they lead through times of uncertainty and make the hard decisions that directly impact the company's future. Now more than ever we need strong leaders to guide our businesses forward and these are the leaders doing just that. Meet our 2021 CXO of the Year honorees.

ALICIA GARCIA

CHIEF CULTURE OFFICER I MASTERCONTROL, INC.

[tweeter] @aliciastopix

in linkedln.com/ln/alicici-garcia-2150928

What challenges have you overcome to get here today?

MasterControl was a small private company with 120 employees when I joined. Growing the team to 650 people in 10 years in a highly competitive technical environment will be one of the highlights of my career.

What does success look like to you?

Success is best when it's shared. The greatest feeling is when a team succeeds. A team that can utilize the talents of each member to support each other to reach a goal is the best experience you can ask for.

CLARK SWEAT

EVP & COO | CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS

(CMN HOSPITALS)

[tweeter] @Ckirk_CMN Hosp

in linkedin.com/in/clarksLueat

What's your life motto?

"Be curious, not judgmental." A quote originated by Walt Whitman but revived in a recent TV series, "Ted Lasso." Curiosity has fueled my approach to nonprofit partnerships and leadership. I have encouraged my team to adopt this mindset and know that more can be learned and experienced with open-mindedness.

What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?

At CMN Hospitals, we have the opportunity to see how our work impacts the lives of children and families. I am honored to play a role in supporting that work. As we say, together we are changing kids' health to change the future.

DALE R. GERARD

CFO IVIVINT SMART HOME

[tweeter] @dalergerard

in linkedin.com/in/dalergerard

What is the most rewarding thing about your job/industry? Why?

In my role within finance, I have seen the company grow in so many ways, from ~$100 million In revenue in 2009 to an acquisition by the largest private equity firm in the world in 2012, to going public via a SPAC merger In January 2020. Capital structure aside, our industry didn't really exist 10 years ago and has evolved with Vivint as a leader In smart home Innovation that many others are trying to copy today.

What does success look like to you?

The true measure of success is being able to build great teams while providing a challenging and rewarding work environment that enables employees to advance individually and as teams--whether within the company or in opportunities outside of it.

DANYA PASTUSZEK

COO | UNITED WAY OF WALT LAKE

[tweeter] @danyap

In linkedin.com/in/danyap

Did you always see yourself doing what you do now?

I "grew up" in refugee resettlement and workforce development, and I imagined in my 20s and early 30s that I'd support change via a career in social services. It wasn't until I had the chance to observe business leaders, service providers, teachers, parents, elected officials, and others working together to solve problems at scale that I realized my passion for a career built around these kinds of partnerships.

What does success look like to you?

To me, success looks like working with others toward a Utah where outcomes at a population level do not vary predictably based on race. Instead, it looks like more people in our amazing state making a decades-long, sustained commitment to equitable results. It looks like more people with lived experience of racism and poverty leading the work to transform systems. It looks like communities where everyone experiences feelings of belonging and joy.

DEVIN MATTSON

COO | ETHIK

in linkedin.com/in/deuinkylemattson

What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2021?

There's so much low-hanging fruit at Ethik right now that a big part of my job is helping the company prioritize and hire for the things we can immediately act on while still thinking two to three years down the road. For 2021, I'm most...