30 women to watch.

• Author: Lewis, Di
• Position: Company overview

In Utah, women are natural and effective leaders. Utah women are creative entrepreneurs who start and grow successful businesses; they are seasoned executives who helptheirorganizations exceed goals and achieve greater success; and they are a driving force that propels nonprofit and government organizations to more efficiently and effectively carry out their missions.

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In Utah, 66,300 women-owned businesses contribute $11.4 billion to the state's economy each year, according to the latest American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. Furthermore, a greater percentage of Utah women participate in the workforce than the national average.

Women and business go hand-in-hand in the Beehive State. And nothing makes that clearer than our annual 30 Women to Watch program, which shines the spotlight on women who are exceptional leaders, entrepreneurs, change-makers, mentors--and shining examples to the men and women who work in their industries.

Please join us in celebrating this year's 30 Women to Watch.

Shani Allsop

COO, MediConnect Global

During her eight-year tenure at MediConnect Global, Shani Allsop has helped the company grow from a small startup with 70 employees to a global powerhouse with more than 1,500 employees on multiple continents. Tve helped to create new systems, build infrastructure, ramp up our business at a very rapid pace, streamline operations and contribute to developing a company culture that I think is very hard to find these days," she says.

As COO, Allsop is responsible for the entire oversight of day-to-day operations for the company She is particularly adept at recruiting and promoting top talent for every department, and is a key player in the company's unique "speed interviewing" process.

"Nothing makes me happier at work than seeing my employees advance in their careers," says Allsop. "I know that I've done something right as a leader when I see my people move up in the company and take on more responsibility"

Christine M. Archibald

CEO, ManagementPlus

For the past 15 years, Christine Archibald has served as the CEO of ManagementPlus, a company that provides electronic health records and practice management software. The company was an early pioneer of Windows-based soft ware applications for medical practices.

"I truly believe that this technology will improve the quality of care for patients and reduce costs. Every day is a learning opportunity as we work alongside our clients to implement this major change in their practice," says Archibald.

ManagementPlus has experienced 25 percent growth in overall revenue in the past five years. And in 2011, the sales team--headed by Archibald--recorded its best-ever sales year.

Archibald is extremely involved in the community, from sponsoring the Himalayan Cataract Project through the Moran Eye Center or serving as a trustee for the Utah Technology Council. Recently, her company donated $140,000 worth of software to the Peoples Health Clinic in Park City, enabling it to provide more efficient care to the uninsured in Summit and Wasatch counties.

Karla Arroyo

Executive Director, South Valley Sanctuary

A native of Mexico, Karla Arroyo earned her bachelors of economics in Mexico City. She moved to Utah in 1999 with a career background in financial and operations management. While working in the engineering department of UPS, Arroyo found herself drawn to helping the states Latino community. She began volunteering with Centro de la Familia, and eventually earned a masters degree in social work from the University of Utah.

After working at the Rape Recovery Center and Holy Cross Ministries, Arroyo joined the South Valley Sanctuary in 2008. As head of the shelter, Arroyo spearheaded a complete remodel of the shelter, started an in-house therapy program and re-vamped the outreach program to create a statewide coalition, Against Domestic Violence, which now involves more than 30 organizations.

"I want to make a difference in this world," says Arroyo. "I want to show my daughter that the world (literally) is full with opportunities and that we can go after them."

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Joanna Barney

Executive Director and Director of Coaching.

Utah Avalanche; Admin Manager, Boise Cascade, LLC

Joanna Barney launched Utah Avalanche--a girls soccer club--with the goal to empower young women on and off the field. Since its 2001 founding, Utah Avalanche has placed 164 girls at the college level on just over $11 million in scholarships, and many players have been placed on national and international teams.

"I love helping to create powerful young women. I love watching sports empower them, build their confidence, and strengthen their belief that they can do anything they put their mind to in this life," says Barney.

Barney says she admires those who work diligently without needing the credit. "As a coach, 1 have come to really respect and appreciate my defense--those who work hard, day in and day out and never take or expect any credit. 1 have a number of those people in my life--people who have no expectation of credit or reward. Those are the people 1 admire most"

LaRene Bautner

Owner, Millcreek Gardens

LaRene Bautner exudes passion for her work at Millcreek Gardens. "I jump out of bed every day ready to go to work (my version of play) because I have a real passion for this industry," she says. Launched in 1955 by her parents, Bautner grew up with the family-owned company and has since helped the business blossom into one of Utahs premier destination gardens.

Bautner, who has been leading the organization since 1995, recently become sole owner. Today, her vision is to grow the gardens and continue brightening the Salt Lake Valley. aI feel that Millcreek Gardens has become a landmark in the community with a motto of'helping to beautify the community one yard at a time."1 she says.

During Bautners tenure, Millcreek Gardens has grown from several hundred thousand dollars to more than $3 million in sales. "LaRene is recognized over the country in retail garden centers as a true expert and excellent business woman," says Thom Sawyer, manager. "LaRene is successful because of her determination to never quit."

Bonnie K. Baxter, Ph.D.

Director, Great Salt Lake Institute; Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, Westminster College

Bonnie Baxter transformed the way Westminster College provides undergraduate science education by initiating a program in undergraduate research. "Now it has spread campus wide and influenced much of the way we teach," she says.

Much of the scientific research has focused on the Great Salt Lake, and in 2006 Baxter created Westminsters Great Salt Lake Institute, an interdisciplinary effort to promote appreciation and knowledge of the lake. The institute has educated thousands of residents with its web-based curriculum, engaged 200 students in undergraduate research and provided more than 1,000 school children with hands-on learning opportunities at the lake.

Another passion for Baxter is keeping young girls excited about math and science. "This is an area of study for me as well as a constant action item," she says. "I have been involved in numerous 'pipeline' camps and programs for middle school girls as this is the age where they drop out of science."

In 2007, Baxter was awarded the Utah Governors Medal for Science & Technology for her Great Salt Lake work.

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