Women In Business: Breaking Barriers

Description

Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Strong Female Leaders & Their Path to Success

Join us for an inspiring and empowering event featuring four exceptional female leaders, who have shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for future generations of women in leadership.

These trailblazing women: Dr. Sidni Shorter (President, Utah Black Chamber), Vanessa Perez (President, MakeUtah), and Robyn Oguinye (Anchor, Fox 13), and moderated by Amanda Morton, (Vice President, Relationship Development, Cyprus Credit Union) will share their personal stories of resilience, determination, and success as they reflect on their journeys and the challenges they have overcome.
 
Don't miss the opportunity to hear firsthand about the strategies they followed to overcome challenges and create change, while encouraging others to do the same.

Dr. Sidni L. Shorter, PsyD
President, Utah Black Chamber
Dr. Sidni L. Shorter is a trailblazing leader whose career spans innovative economic development, organizational capacity building, and the revitalization of communities through equity-driven initiatives. Her relentless commitment to fostering sustainable growth and empowering underserved communities has positioned her as a nationally recognized authority in transformative leadership and community development.

Currently serving as President and CEO of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Shorter has propelled the Chamber into unprecedented growth and influence. Under her leadership, the Chamber has increased membership by 275% within a year, significantly expanding its advocacy and support for minority-owned businesses; achieved a 516% increase in contributions, funding critical programming and economic development initiatives; and launched impactful initiatives such as the Utah Black Wealth Conference and the Financial Capacity Program, which provide education, resources, and access to affordable capital for entrepreneurs and communities.

With a track record of revitalizing communities, empowering businesses, and securing transformational investments, Dr. Sidni L. Shorter is a visionary leader whose influence extends far beyond the organizations she serves. She has left a legacy of growth, equity, and innovation.


Vanessa Perez
President, MakeUtah

Vanessa Machin Perez is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a wealth of experience across diverse industries, bringing a unique blend of expertise to every endeavor. January 2025 kicked off her latest venture as the President of MakeUtah?an exciting new project to create a dynamic space that connects engineers, daydreamers and industry to collaborate and transform ideas into tangible products that make a significant economic impact.

She recently traded-in her corporate career to follow her passion for entrepreneurship. With six years of experience in senior leadership roles with semiconductor manufacturing giants such as IM Flash, Micron, and Texas Instruments, Vanessa excels in navigating hightech environments. This technical acumen is complemented by 23 years of distinguished service in the Australian Army, including 19 years in Special Operations Command during a high-tempo wartime environment, where strategic decision-making and decisive action was paramount.

Transitioning seamlessly across industries, Vanessa excelled in her 15-year career as an executive leader in Australia?s east coast, long-distance passenger rail service. She gained unparalleled expertise in railway operations, safety, transportation management, customer service and operational efficiency, managing a diverse team of 350 direct reports. This versatility extends to a decade-long engagement in the fast-paced Australian film and television industry, where creativity and innovation took center stage. 

Robyn Oguinye
Anchor, Fox 13

A Baton Rouge native and graduate of Louisiana State University, Robyn Oguinye has been an anchor and consumer investigative reporter at Fox 13 in Salt Lake City since December 2022. She started her news career at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa as a reporter, anchor and producer. After nearly two years there, she continued her journey as a reporter and weekend anchor at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Her most recent stop was at San Antonio's NBC-FOX affiliate, where she was a reporter and fill-in anchor.
Her past reporting has helped uncover housing discrimination, exposed the mishandling of misconduct complaints at a private university and revealed how city inspectors failed to follow through on vital repairs. 

As a champion of childhood literacy, one of Robyn?s favorite causes she?s taken up since moving to the Beehive state, is the ?If You Give a Child a Book? campaign, which raises money to provide free books and book fairs to students in underserved schools in our community.
When she's not doing news, the former ballerina enjoys dancing, reading, working out, baking, competing in pageants, watching reality T.V. or documentaries and spending time with friends, family and her adorable dog Livvy.


Moderator: Amanda Morton
Vice President, Relationship Development, Cyprus Credit Union

Amanda Morton is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience in the financial industry, holding a bachelor?s degree from the College of Business, Engineering, & Technology at National University in San Diego. As the Vice President of Relationship Development at Cyprus Credit Union, Amanda is responsible for overseeing community relationships, public relations, and financial education initiatives.

Before transitioning into finance, Amanda spent nine years in the salon industry in Arizona, where she became the general manager of an international salon brand at just 22. She later founded and launched two salon brands of her own, gaining invaluable entrepreneurial experience. This unique background fuels her passion for helping business owners navigate their financial options and scale their businesses.

A strong advocate for women in leadership, Amanda is proud to be part of a senior leadership team at Cyprus Credit Union that is 56% women, championing gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated industry.