Join us on September 5th 2025!

LeaderLuncheon is one of Salt Lake City’s most powerful and inspiring annual events. It’s a vital fundraiser for YWCA Utah and a celebration of women’s strength, leadership, and the collective power we hold when we rise as one. The funds raised make our life-saving work possible—we truly can’t do it without you.

2025 Sponsorships

Empower Change & Inspire Progress

and make a lasting impact in our community by becoming a sponsor of YWCA Utah’s 36th Annual LeaderLuncheon

    • One (1) table of 10 seats  

    • Name recognition as a Leader Table in the event program  

    • Name recognition as a Leader Table on sponsor recognition slides  

    • One (1) table of 10 seats  

    • Logo/name recognition as a Bronze Sponsor in the event program  

    • Logo/name recognition as a Bronze Sponsor on sponsor recognition slides  

    • Verbal recognition as a Bronze Sponsor from event podium 

    • Name Recognition on table  

    • Two (2) tables of 10 seats  

    • Logo/name recognition as a Silver Sponsor in the event program  

    • Quarter page ad in event program  

    • Logo/name recognition as a Silver Sponsor on sponsor recognition slides  

    • Verbal recognition as a Silver Sponsor from event podium 

    • Logo/name recognition on table 

    • Preferred Seating  

    • Three (3) tables of 10 seats  

    • Logo/name recognition as a Gold Sponsor in the event program  

    • Half page ad in event program  

    • Logo/name recognition as a Gold Sponsor on sponsor recognition slides  

    • Verbal recognition as a Gold Sponsor from event podium 

    • Event webpage with COMPANY logo display 

    • Logo/name recognition on table 

    • Priority seating 

    • Logo/name recognition as Underwriter Sponsor in the event program  

    • Full page ad in event program  

    • Verbal recognition as Underwriter Sponsor from event podium  

    • Logo/name recognition on event donation page on website 

    • Four (4) tables of 10 seats  

    • Logo/name recognition as an Underwriter Sponsor in the event program  

    • Full page ad in event program  

    • Logo/name recognition as an Underwriter Sponsor on select event signage and media screens  

    • Verbal recognition as Underwriter Sponsor from event podium  

    • Logo/name recognition on materials located at each table  

    • VIP seating  

    • Logo/name recognition on Table 

    • 20 tickets to VIP after mingle following luncheon with speaker 

    • 20 tickets to the OAA pre reception & toast 

    • Valet Parking

    • All pre-event marketing pieces featuring “The 34th Annual YWCA LeaderLuncheon, Presented by COMPANY NAME”  

    • Recognition as Presenting Sponsor in public relations and media efforts pertaining to the 2023 YWCA LeaderLuncheon  

    • Invitation to participate in a pre-event press event/opportunity discussing COMPANY NAME’s support to the organization and their commitment to advancing equity  

    • Logo/name recognition as Presenting Sponsor featured on event promotional pieces, including but not limited to: Event Invitations, Event social media announcements (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Twitter), Event emails, Event webpage with prominent COMPANY logo display 

    • Five (5) tables of 10 seats  

    • Logo/name recognition as Presenting Sponsor in the event program  

    • Full page ad in event program  

    • Logo/name recognition as Presenting Sponsor on select event signage and media screens  

    • Verbal recognition as Presenting Sponsor from event podium  

    • Logo/name recognition on event donation page on website  

    • Logo/name recognition on materials located at each table (donation cards, menus, etc.) 

    • Front row seating- VIP Seating 

    • Logo/Name recognition on table 

    • 20 tickets to VIP after mingle following luncheon with speaker 

    • 20 tickets to the OAA pre reception & toast 

    • Valet Parking* 

     

2025 Keynote Speaker

April Hernandez Castillo's dream became a reality when she booked her first commercial as the “Yo girl” in the Visa Check Card spot starring Yao Ming and Yogi Berra. The commercial would air for the Super Bowl and become a sports classic. April then starred in television shows such as; Law & Order: SVU, The Following, Person of Interest, and Elementary. April garnered a recurring role on Showtime’s  Dexter which she was nominated for a SAG nomination for Best Ensemble cast. April is most noted for her powerful portrayal as “Eva Benitez” in the hit movie Freedom Writers starring Oscar winner Hilary Swank. She also has worked on NBC’s popular shows- New Amsterdam, Prodigal Son, and Gossip Girl.   

 

April has also graced a different stage as a public speaker. Her message of resilience, overcoming adversity, and the ability to move beyond trauma has taken April on a  journey across the United States and internationally. She is reaching an array of audiences ranging from high schools, universities, conferences, and corporate events. April has spoken on some of the most prestigious stages starting from Harvard University, Q Conference to her most significant stage to date, TEDx.  

 

April released her second book, a memoir titled “ Embracing Me”, a heartfelt, transparent, and witty memoir that explores April’s story of being a survivor of intimate partner violence with the understanding that; we all possess the power to rewrite our story. She takes the audience behind the scenes to some of the most intimate parts of her life. April uses her voice to ignite, empower, and educate her audiences with a dash of humor!

 

She currently lives in NYC with her husband and two beautiful daughters. They own a production company called LionChaser Media, Inc.

For over three decades, YWCA Utah has proudly celebrated extraordinary women through the Outstanding Achievement Awards at our annual LeaderLuncheon.

Learn more about the Outstanding Achievement Awards and how to submit a nomination by clicking below.

2024 LeaderLuncheon Recap

Thanks to you, LeaderLuncheon 2024 was a tremendous success, bringing together a diverse group of leaders from our community to celebrate and support the vital work of YWCA Utah and honor outstanding women in our state. We were awed by Reverend Tutu's keynote speech and by her work in lifting up women and marginalized groups around the world.

REV. TUTU BRINGS HOPE IN OUR SHARED HUMANITY

"The work of YWCA is not only the practical support that they give, but also the emotional support and the message that they are fully human." - Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu

Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu's keynote speech provided us an inspiring story of the importance of seeing each other's shared humanity, and fighting for what we believe in. Sharing the story of her family's experiences under apartheid, and working as a gender justice advocate, provided the crowd with a great deal of hope! The connections she drew with her work and the work of YWCA Utah, shows the importance of such connections being built internationally.

Thank you to our keynote sponsor:

YWCA UTAH'S IMPACT ON THE NEXT GENERATION

During this year's LeaderLuncheon, we heard powerful stories about YWCA Utah's impact. YWCA is changing the lives of women and their daughters, which will impact future generations. In case you missed it, please watch the videos below.

UTAH WOMEN UPLIFTING OUR COMMUNITY

Our 2024 Outstanding Achievement Awardees are women with immense impact in business, equity, community, health, and inspiring the youth of tomorrow. Dr. Jackie Thompson, Janida Emerson, Lavanya Mahate, Rachel Weaver, and Dr. Jen Plumb inspired the crowd with their stories of success, and the people who helped pave the way. A final congratulations to each of these outstanding women!

Past OAA Winners

Since 1989, 168 extraordinary women have been honored with Outstanding Achievement Awards. These women have exemplified YWCA Utah’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women for decades and have made tremendous strides towards better lives for all Utahns. 

2023 – Sen. Escamilla, Nubia Peña, Deborah Colimon, Jennifer Smith, Dr. Isabel Teresa Molina-Avella, Lori Teske Hudson (YWCA Heart and Soul Award) 

2021-2022 – Marian Dora Howe-Taylor, Candyce Fly Lee, Sarah McClellan, Lynne Nilson, Katie Kern, Margarita Satini 

2020 – Sandra Hollins, Neylan McBaine, Dr. Angela Dunn 

2019 – Deanna Kepka, Mara Rabin, Amy Rees Anderson, Rosie Rivera, Kendra Tomsic 

2018 – Sheryl Allen, Mary Beckerle, Patricia Christensen, Cristina Flores, 

Yasmen Simonian, Paula Green Johnson (YWCA Heart and Soul Award) 

2017 – Lisa Gentile, Carol Osborn, Lorena Riffo-Jenson, Joan Smith 

2016 – Jackie Biskupski, Sherrie Hayashi, Nedra Hotchkins, Susan Madsen, Gail Miller 

2015 – Rosemarie Hunter, Linda Leckman, Carolyn Goodwin Schubach, Peggy Tomsic, 

Olene Walker (Mary Schubach McCarthey Lifetime Achievement Award) 

2014 – Martha Bradley, Christina Gallop, Jacqueline Gomez-Arias, Peggy Fletcher Stack, 

Betty Sawyer, Yda Smith 

2013 – Betsy Burton, Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Harriet Hopf, Kathy Christine Howa, 

Pam Perlich, Deb Sawyer, Mary Schubach McCarthey (YWCA Heart and Soul Award) 

2012 – Brenda Burrell, Norma Carr, Natalie Gochnour, Libby Hunter, Leigh Neumayer, 

Boyer Jarvis (Honorary Outstanding Achievement Award) 

Pictures From LeaderLuncheon

CLICK HERE for photos from this year’s event

LeaderLuncheon 2024 Sponsors

Thank you to out 2024 sponsors for supporting YWCA Utah’s life-saving work and helping us celebrate the incredible impact of women in our state!

Thomas and Mary Schubach McCarthey