Women in business.

• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

In Utah, women have a way of blazing their own trails. The state's corporations are full of smart, capable women in leadership roles, and scrappy female entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses at impressive rates. In fact, Utah ranks among the top 10 states for growth in number and economic clout of women-owned businesses, according to the 2016 American Express Open State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. The report estimates there are nearly 84,000 women-owned firms in Utah, representing annual sales of $14 billion.

Whether leading teams and major divisions in national corporations or launching new businesses from their homes, Utah women are a force to be reckoned with. Read on to learn about some of the incredible women who are impacting their businesses and industries, all while redefining strength and leadership in the Beehive State.

COTTONWOOD RESIDENTIAL

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A few years ago, Susan Hallenberg, Chief Financial Officer of Cottonwood Residential, received a phone call from an external consultant asking her (almost in desperation) to fill an unexpected opening on their Ragnar relay team ... just a few days before the race. Susan, who had run the Boston Marathon several times in her earlier college years, "rolled off the couch" into her running shoes. It is that kind of attitude that has helped Cottonwood Residential become one of the leading real estate companies in Utah.

Susan was raised in Massachusetts and began her career with an international accounting firm. She found her way to Salt Lake City working in real estate and her love of the mountains kept her here. In 2004, she met Daniel Shaeffer and Chad Christensen over lunch to discuss the need for a chief financial officer of a newly formed company--now Cottonwood Residential. Susan agreed to join the team and has played a vital role helping Cottonwood Residential navigate through the great recession and evolve into a fully-integrated real estate investment company. Today, Cottonwood Residential employs over 550 people (93 here in Utah), has ownership interests in $1.3 billion of real estate and manages approximately 21,000 multifamily units across the nation including Utah. Susan is a key part of the company's success as she oversees all aspects of financial reporting, accounting, treasury, risk management and investor relations.

Daniel Shaeffer, CEO of Cottonwood Residential, said "Susan has been an integral part of building this company from the ground up and has demonstrated real creativity and flexibility in adapting to the rapid pace of growth and development of the firm."

Her team members describe her as a strong leader and someone who is honest, professional and personable. She knows how to work and play hard and that combination has contributed greatly to Cottonwood's culture of responsibility, empowerment and flexibility. She gives each team member a sense of ownership and the resources to...