Utah thrives when women lead.
When women lead, Utah’s families, businesses, and communities are stronger for it. We exist to make sure more women get there, and that the organizations they work for are ready when they do.
In January 2015, Pat Jones was ready for retirement. After co-founding a marketing firm and serving fourteen years in the Utah Legislature, she had earned it. Then Zions Bank CEO Scott Anderson called with a simple but urgent observation: Utah was thriving economically but ranking near the bottom in how women were advanced in the workplace. Retirement was off the table.
A. Scott Anderson and Pat Jones at an annual luncheon.
Drawing on national research and models, Pat built the Women’s Leadership Institute and the ElevateHER Challenge - a framework inviting Utah companies to make specific, measurable commitments to advancing women. Over the next decade, she forged critical partnerships, built a portfolio of leadership programs, and graduated more than 1,400 women who went on to lead at every level.
In 2025, Pat passed the torch to Melanie Jones. Armed with fresh research about female leadership in Utah, WLI was reborn as Sego Leadership. With a new name, expanded programs, and a sharpened focus, Sego Leadership is built to ensure Utah thrives when women lead.
2015
Pat Jones founds the Women’s Leadership Institute.
2015
WLI launches first program, Political Development Series. The program found a new home with Utah Women Run in 2026
2016
ElevateHER Challenge launches (now Sego Certified)
2019
Career Development Series launches (now Sego Leading)
2023
Rising Leader Series launches (now Sego Rising)
2025
Next Chapter launches (now Sego Next)
2025
Melanie Jones becomes CEO. WLI is reborn as Sego Leadership.
2026
Sego Suite launches
Guided by Our Values
Abundance
Champion the belief that there is room for everyone to lead — and that anyone can lead from any role, level, or direction.
Progress
Provide tools, frameworks, experiences, and accountability that turn intention into action and sustain leadership growth over time.
Partnership
Advance women into leadership by partnering with employers to improve systems, behaviors, and outcomes together.
Presence
Strengthen women’s ability to speak with power, decide with confidence, and lead with influence.
The Team behind the Mission
The Executive Board
The Advisory Board
Our Founding Partners
Thank you to the organizations that support our mission.
Join us.
However you want to engage with this work, there’s a place for you.