YWCA Utah is thrilled to announce the recipients of this year's Outstanding Achievement Awards! These extraordinary women have demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication in their respective fields, inspiring others with their achievements and commitment to building a better Utah. We will be honoring these exceptional women at our 2025 LeaderLuncheon on September 5th from 11:00 am-2:00 pm.
Scroll below to learn more about this year’s recipients:
Outstanding Achievement Award in Public Service & Community Impact
Becky Edwards is a lifelong Utahn and an unabashed champion of women’s civic engagement and political involvement. She served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives for ten years, representing Davis County from 2008-2019. Her legislative work focused on issues related to strengthening Utah’s economy, air quality, education, and helping families achieve economic stability. Most recently Becky was a candidate for the U.S. Senate and House, representing Utah. In late 2023 Becky founded the Governing Group, a political action committee supporting solutions-oriented candidates with the financial and organizational resources they need to win and change Utah’s political dynamics. Becky is also currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Utah Debate Commission and is a board member of Utah Clean Energy, Utah Women Run, and Environmental Defense Fund Action.
Becky graduated with a MSW, and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from BYU and has worked as a Trauma Social Worker, Inpatient Substance Abuse Therapist, and as an Outpatient Family Therapist. From May 2019-January 2021 Becky served with her husband in Samoa as a humanitarian mental health missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Becky grew up in Provo and currently lives in North Salt Lake with her husband ,John Edwards. She has four children and a dozen grandchildren.
Outstanding Achievement Award in Social Justice & Race Equity
Jennifer Mayer-Glenn is a dedicated educator and community leader with over 20 years of experience in the pre-K to 12th-grade education system. For the past 6 years she has served as the Director of University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) and Special Assistant to the President for Campus-Community Partners at the University of Utah. Jenny’s leadership is characterized by her commitment to UNP’s mission to bring together University and west side people and resources in reciprocal learning, action and benefit — a community coming together. She believes that our communities have the solutions for systems and institutions to address social injustice, if they are willing to partner and share power.
Before joining UNP, Jenny was a teacher and administrator in the Salt Lake City School District. She has also served on several boards and commissions, including the SLC Human Rights Commission, the SL County Board of Health, the Utah Coalition of La Raza and the Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging.
Jenny holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in education from Westminster College. Her deep roots in Utah and her family’s legacy of community advocacy continue to inspire her work in building strong, equitable partnerships between institutions and the community.
Outstanding Achievement Award as Leader of Tomorrow
Michelle Mooney is a proud native of Waipahu, Hawaii who relocated to Utah in 2021. A trailblazer in communication, equity, and social justice, Michelle is known for her fearless advocacy and commitment to inclusive systems. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Applied Sociology and a Master’s in Professional Communication from The University of Tampa, bringing academic rigor and human-centered insight to every space she enters. As Impact Manager for the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, Michelle oversees the City’s Human Rights and Racial Equity in Policing Commissions. Her work shapes impactful policies, fosters cross-sector partnerships, and proves that equity is not just a goal, but a daily practice.
She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Utah, where she empowers students in media, public speaking, and interpersonal communication. From launching Utah State University Eastern’s first Center for Diversity and Inclusion to advancing DEI strategies with the National Diversity Council, her career is defined by innovation and purpose.
Michelle’s community impact extends further. She is a member of the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission, co-leads the Race and Ethnicity Impact Team with A Bolder Way Forward, and serves on the board of CurlyMe. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Michelle uplifts marginalized voices and advances justice in all she does. Michelle Mooney is a changemaker whose leadership exemplifies the mission of YWCA Utah.
Outstanding Achievement Award In Health & Wellness
Christena Huntsman Durham is the Director, Executive Vice President, and Vice Chair of the Huntsman Family Foundation. She also serves as the CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation (HMHF), which supports the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) at the University of Utah. She is deeply committed to advancing mental health and substance use disorder research, advocating for policy and healthcare reform, and supporting innovative, community-based solutions.
In addition to her leadership roles in mental health philanthropy, Christena is an active board member of several organizations including the National Ability Center, Catholic Community Services, The Road Home, the Moran Eye Center, and the Jon M. Huntsman Community Shelter Trust.
A lifelong athlete, Christena never misses a morning workout and is always up for a race. She’s also known for her expert baking skills, loves to travel and read. Christena and her husband, Rick Durham, her first childhood sweetheart at age 10, share seven children and sixteen beloved grandchildren.
Outstanding Achievement Award In Business & Social Innovation
The Women Tech Council (WTC) is focused on the economic impact of women in technology. Founded on the belief that a strong community can power innovation, WTC has spent nearly two decades building platforms that amplify the contributions of women in tech, accelerate their careers, and create pathways for future generations.
Through high-impact programs like the Women Tech Awards, SheTech, Innovation Summit, WTC BoardRoom and WTC Institute, WTC has engaged hundreds of thousands of women and men, students, and industry leaders. These programs drive systemic change by integrating women into every stage of the innovation and talent pipeline.
WTC’s unique partnerships, deep industry integration, and data-driven outcomes have made it a model for economic and workforce transformation. From building mentorship networks and expanding access to STEM education, to increasing representation in boardrooms and executive teams, WTC is shaping a competitive technology ecosystem.
WTC was co-founded by President Cydni Tetro and has an incredible team driven by Kristin Wright VP of Programs.
This recognition celebrates the Women Tech Council’s extraordinary achievement in advancing women in technology—honoring its relentless commitment, visionary leadership, and lasting impact on individuals, industries, and communities.
