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 2024 LeaderLuncheon on April 26th from 11:30 am-2:00 pm.
Scroll below to learn more about this year’s recipients:
Dr. Jackie Thompson holds a BA in Elementary Education from Idaho State University, a Master of Education from Weber State University, and a Doctorate in Education from Utah State University. She's served in various educational roles, including Assistant Superintendent in Davis School District and Director of the Educational Equity Department.
Throughout her career, she has focused on promoting educational equity, multicultural education, civil rights, and gender equity. Notable achievements include founding the Hill AFB African American Community Outreach Program and receiving awards like the Spirit of the American Woman Award for Public Education and the Utah Women’s Achievement Award.
Dr. Thompson has held leadership positions in organizations such as the National Association for Multicultural Education and has received numerous accolades, including the Salt Lake Branch NAACP Martin Luther King Award and the Humanitarian Award from the Inclusion Center. She continues to be actively involved in promoting equity and inclusion, serving on committees and receiving honors such as the Charles E. Bennett - UEA Human and Civil Rights Award and the Living Color Award.
In recognition of her contributions, she was granted an honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Utah and received awards from various institutions, including the Daughters of the American Revolution and Weber State University.
Janida Emerson assumed the role of CEO at Fourth Street Clinic during the challenging times of the pandemic, demonstrating remarkable leadership in supporting first responders and the homeless community. Since the pandemic's onset, Fourth Street Clinic has continuously adapted, shifting internal intake processes, establishing tent and telemedicine services, securing additional PPE supplies, and more.
As CEO, Janida spearheaded programs designed to break down barriers to health care, including the clinic’s Integrated Behavioral Health program, which seamlessly combines primary and behavioral health clinicians. During her tenure as COO from 2017-2020, Janida launched programs focused on empowerment and healthcare access. Notably, she played a pivotal role in creating a clinical environment that emphasizes patient-centered, trauma- informed and holistic care, she developed the Fourth Street Clinic’s Mobile Medical Clinic, and implemented an electronic medical record system.
Janida received her Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. After graduating she moved to Washington D.C. to work for the US Government Accountability Office on their Health Care team. In 2011 she worked as the Government Affairs Manager with the Association for Utah Community Health. As an advocate for health centers, she worked on issues related to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, workforce loan repayments, and Medicaid. Through her work with AUCH, she developed a passion for working with individuals with substance abuse disorder and mental illness.
She served as the Criminal Justice Program Administrator for the State Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health and Associate Director of Salt Lake County Behavioral Health. She continues her work in health policy as a member of the Utah Behavioral Health Coalition.
Lavanya Mahate is the founder of Saffron Valley restaurant group and Biscotts Bakeries & Cafes. She blends her roles as Founder, Chief Visionary, and Spiritual Director with grace. Prior to venturing into the world of gastronomy, Lavanya served as the Director of Women’s Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber, helping clients realize their dreams of entrepreneurship. Lavanya is also the founder of RISE Culinary Institute, a 501c3 organization that provides free culinary training to refugees. Lavanya was named as one of the 30 Women to Watch by Utah Business Magazine in 2009, Rising Star Award 2011 by the National Associate of Women Business Owners, Outstanding Business Owner 2014 by the Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce, Path Finder Award 2017 by the Salt Lake Chamber and Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 by the Girl Scouts of Utah.
An award-winning chef and restaurateur, she champions women's empowerment and philanthropy, all while being a devoted mother and a yogi at heart. Lavanya's journey from the culinary traditions of Southern India to becoming a beacon of strength and community in the U.S. highlights her resilience and dedication. Overcoming the challenges of being a new immigrant and transcending an arranged marriage, she emerged as the 2024 Utah Businessperson of the Year. Despite her success, Lavanya faced personal trials, finding true fulfillment in guiding women towards authentic, soul-centered entrepreneurship. Her vision for Soul Spice Living is a testament to the power of self-discovery, merging meditation with business to create a movement that celebrates inner strength and mindful living. Join Lavanya in redefining success through workshops, mentorship, and speaking engagements, with www.soulspiceliving.com.
Rachel (she/her) is from the south side of Chicago and received her Bachelor of Science in sociology from Brigham Young University. During her senior year at BYU she, along with 4 other friends, founded The Black Menaces. In February of 2022, the group began asking BYU students on the street interview questions about issues surrounding the BIPOC and queer community & posting them on TikTok. The group hoped their videos would bring attention to the reality of marginalized students at a predominantly white institution. The TikTok account quickly gained attention and the reality BlPOC and LGBTQ+ students faced at BYU became a national conversation. The account has over 700,00 followers and over 25 million likes across all platforms. She also co-hosts a weekly podcast called The Black Menaces Podcast, where they share stories of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. The Black Menaces have spoken at a variety of colleges and universities including The University of Utah, Smith College, and The University of Michigan. Outside of community work, Rachel works as a diversity outreach & inclusion associate at Momentum Worldwide and was a 2022 fellow for the Multicultural Advertising Internship Program. She also serves as a commissioner for The Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, which focuses on public services within the Black community.
In 2022, Dr. Jennifer Plumb was elected to the Utah State Senate to represent District 9, and was elected to serve as the Senate Minority Assistant Whip. She has sponsored legislation to address a range of issues, including substance use and prevention; child welfare; criminal justice reform; and more
Professionally, Senator Plumb is as a pediatric emergency medicine physician and professor in the University of Utah’s Department of Pediatrics and at Primary Children’s Hospital. She is the Medical Director and co-founder of Utah Naloxone, an organization focused on decreasing the impact of the opioid epidemic.
Jen attended UCLA for her undergraduate training and the University of Utah to obtain her Master’s and MD degrees. Her medical training in pediatrics was completed at Riley Children’s Hospital, and her Pediatric Emergency Medicine training was completed at Primary Children’s Hospital. Currently she practices clinical medicine in the Emergency Department.
She is a member of multiple statewide and nationwide task forces; serves on the FDA pediatric advisory committee; and has been a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Substance Use and Prevention. Prior to being elected, Dr. Plumb was an advocate of decreasing Utah’s overdose death and infectious disease transmission. She has assisted other states’ legislators on similar legislation, and was the recipient of the University of Utah School of Medicine 2019 Distinguished Humanitarian Award.
On a personal level, Dr. Plumb lost her brother to a heroin overdose shortly before beginning medical school. She is a single mom to a daughter, and together, they travel, support the arts, go fishing and kayaking, and rescue dogs.