CHAMBER INITIATIVES Utah Valley Women’s Business Network With a new vision and a new mission statement, the Utah Valley Women’s Business Network is working to support local women in all aspects of business through building relationships, funding scholarships and even distributing small business grants. “We’re not looking at just C-level employees. We’re looking at women in all industries and all levels of positions in their jobs,” said Katie Malbica, chair of the Utah Valley WBN and general manager of Home2 Suites by Hilton in Lehi. “I think it provides a lot of support, a lot of networking opportunities and assistance in picking each other’s brains or making connections that will further each other’s businesses or even each other’s personal lives.” WBN is a partner of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, and those interested in participating in its activities need not be a member of the Chamber. In fact, anyone in Utah Valley can join the WBN. In past years, the organization hosted more traditional events such as luncheons with speakers, but in recent years it has worked to revamp and refresh its approach. “There are so many networking groups and women’s groups and other chambers doing a lot of similar things, so we wanted to take a step back and kind of restructure ourselves,” Malbica said. The restructuring included drafting a new mission statement: “The WBN mission is to unify, build and support professional women by creating meaningful events, fostering connections and generously contributing to the local community.” “That mission statement really guides all of our current and future events and actions,” Malbica said. “So, instead of having a monthly luncheon, we now have larger quarterly events, always with the goal of fundraising in mind.” Donations made through WBN events are used to fund collegiate scholarships for women who attend Utah Valley University or Brigham Young University as well as small business grants for women-owned businesses based in Utah Valley. In 2019, the WBN gave out four $1,500 scholarships and three $5,000 small business grants. One WBN event had members playing cornhole, and for every successful toss, a sponsoring business donated money toward the cause. At another event, for a registration fee, a retired golf pro provided instruction for WBN members looking to become more familiar with playing that game in a business setting. During months when a larger event is not planned, the WBN hosts online meetings or short working-lunch-type trainings. It also encourages its members to support other women’s group and chamber of commerce events. This year, the Pleasant Grove-Lindon and Point of the Mountain chambers of commerce have become partners with the WBN and are encouraging their members to join it. The WBN’s biggest annual event is its holiday luncheon in December. At this event, the organization’s scholarship and small business grant winners are introduced and a silent auction held to raise money for WBN’s scholarships and grants. The 150 available seats sell out every year. “It’s always a really highly anticipated event and a really fun way to kick off the holiday season,” Malbica said. While geared toward women, the WBN appreciates the support of men in the Utah Valley Chamber and in women’s personal and professional lives. “It’s not uncommon at all to have men in attendance” at WBN events, Mal44 • Utah Valley Chamber • www.thechamber.org
“We welcome women in business, in business-related fields, and those who support that cause. It’s really open to everyone.” - Katie Malbica Chair of the Utah Valley Women’s Business Network
