2024 Element Awards Program

MARCH 27, 2024

Presenting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

Business Sponsors

EVENT SCHEDULE

11:30 12:00 12:20 12:40 1:10

REGISTRATION & LUNCH

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Shawn Christensen SGACC President & CEO EMPOWERING WOMEN

Congresswoman Celeste Maloy U.S. House of Representatives

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Kelly Shannon Katering Koncepts

Presented by: Jill Hunt Buddy Mail

Madonna Melton

The DOVE Center

Presented by: Jillian Penhale

The DOVE Center

Natalie Ashby Intermountain Health

Presented by: Terri Kane Intermountain Health CONCLUDE

Women’s Initiative Co-Chairs message

Wendi Bulkley and Brad Plothow cochair the Women's Initiative for the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce. Wendi is in her first year as a member of the SGACC Board of Directors, and Brad is in his third and final year of board service. They volunteered for this committee assignment due to a shared belief that women play an essential and underrated role in southern Utah's economy and business community. Wendi and Brad believe the Element Awards are a vital forum for recognizing some

of the region's most inspiring women and sharing their stories more broadly in the business community. The individuals being honored in the 2024 Element Awards are all people of tremendous integrity and profound accomplishment. Their impact goes well beyond the borders of Southern Utah and will be felt for generations to come. As co-chairs of the SGACC Women's Initiative, Wendi and Brad extend sincere admiration and congratulations to each of the 2024 Element Award honorees!

BRAD PLOTHOW

WENDI BULKLEY

Keynote Speaker

Congresswoman Celeste Maloy joined Congress in 2023. She represents Utah’s Second Congressional District. As a former soil conservationist and public lands attorney who spent decades living in small-town southern Utah, Celeste is dedicated to defending Utah’s wealth of

lands and resources from federal overreach. She also serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the House Committee on Small Business where she is focused on cutting red tape for Utahns, their businesses, and local governments.

CONGRESSWOMAN CELESTE MALOY

ABOUT This award

The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Element Awards honors women in Southern Utah who are changing the world where they stand. They are the movers and shakers, entrepreneurs and influencers. They are champions for change, mentors to future leaders,

political activists, and inventors. These women are in their element, doing what they do best, and breaking down barriers. They have exhibited significant leadership and have demonstrated courage in the face of adversity.

We are proud to introduce our 2024 St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Element Award Honorees

KELLY SHANNON

Katering Koncepts

MADONNA MELTON

The DOVE Center

NATALIE ASHBY

Intermountain Health

Kelly Shannon is the resilient and innovative leader behind Katering Koncepts’ success. For over 15 years, she has grown her family business into a Southern Utah staple, pivoting nimbly through challenges like the pandemic to keep her team employed. Kelly opened the area’s first commissary kitchen, providing opportunities for other local food entrepreneurs to thrive alongside her outstanding culinary guidance.

A true trailblazer, Kelly wows clients with mouthwatering dishes, seamless event execution, unparalleled service, and attention to detail. Her grit, grace,

Kelly Shannon

and family-first values have shepherded Katering Koncepts through ups and downs while making a profound community impact. Kelly’s vision, leadership, and integral role in building up St. George’s businesses make her a deserving Element Award recipient.

Madonna Melton

Madonna Melton has been a compassionate and tireless advocate for over 25 years at The DOVE Center. As Operations and Shelter Director, She has been instrumental in leading and expanding the center’s critical services, which provide safety, healing, and hope for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Her unwavering commitment to empowering vulnerable individuals and families to transition to independent, violence-free lives has made an immeasurable impact on the community.

Madonna’s steadfast championing has driven the continuous enhancement of The DOVE Center’s crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, and

support programs. She is the heart behind the agency’s mission of fostering resilience and well-being for all. Madonna’s decades devoted to this crucial work, uplifting survivors with compassion on their journey to stability, make her an exceptionally deserving recipient of the Element Award.

Natalie Ashby

Natalie Ashby is an exceptional healthcare leader who serves as President of St. George Regional Hospital and Intermountain Health’s Southwest Utah Market. With over 28 years of nursing experience, Natalie has been instrumental in driving the hospital to high standards of patient care, safety, and service.

Under Natalie’s direction, St. George Regional has expanded healthcare accessibility throughout the region, including opening new emergency facilities and adding 200 jobs. She has deftly led the hospital in providing over $42 million in charity care while employing over 3,000 caregivers.

Natalie demonstrated courageous leadership, steering the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic

with strategies that greatly benefited the community. Her commitment to quality, accessibility, and caregiver well-being makes Natalie a tremendously deserving recipient of the Element Award.

special Thanks

EVENT ORGANIZERS

WENDI BULKLEY

Women’s Initiative Co-Chair

BRAD PLOTHOW

Women’s Initiative Co-Chair

MARIE BOWCUT-COX

Events Co-Chair

CHRIS CONNORS

Events Co-Chair

ST. GEORGE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF

SHAWN CHRISTENSEN

President & CEO

NATE MARTINEZ

Director of Operations & Public Policy

JANA PREECE

Manager of Member Services

CHELSEA DAVIS

Administrative Coordinator

KEIRA MAUIA

Intern

ST. GEORGE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BRAD HARKER

Business & Growth Coach (Chair)

MATT HEATON

Elevated Networks (Vice Chair)

SHONIE CHRISTENSEN

The Shonie Insurance Group (Past Chair)

JON COLE

UV360 (Treasurer)

ASHLEY DOVE

Black Desert Resort

MACRAE HEPPLER

Eaglegate Title

BRAD PLOTHOW

Intergalactic

DANIELLE EDGREN

Cheesecake Culture

MATT RILEY

Stanza

ANTHONY WHITE

Hallows & Co

MARIE BOWCUT-COX

Dixie Technical College

CHRIS CONNORS

Farmstead

RITA VIGOR

Canyon Media

WENDI BULKLEY

Utah Tech University

HENRIE WALTON

Utah Tech University

ST. GEORGE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

STEVE BROUGH

Zions Bank (Chair)

COMMISSIONER ADAM SNOW

Washington County Commission

ANNIE HOWELL

Watts Construction

BRAD STUCKI

Bank of Utah

BRETT BROWN

Dominion Energy

BRITTANY MCMICHAEL

Greater Zion

BEN LINDQUIST

Canyon Media

BRETT NICHOLS

State Bank of Southern Utah

BRIAN GILES

Jones Paint & Glass

CHIP CHILDS

SkyWest

COURTNEY WHITE

Utah Tech University

EVAN THOMAS

Altabank

GENE MADSEN

Hughes General Contractors

ISAAC BARLOW

Tech Ridge

JORDAN RUSHTON

Dixie Technical College

KRISTY PIKE

Washington County Children’s Justice Center

LORI WRIGHT

Family Healthcare

NATALIE ASHBY

Intermountain Health

MAYOR MICHELE RANDALL

St. George City

JONATHAN FREEDMAN

World Trade Center Utah

PATRICK MANNING

Black Desert Resort

SHELLY HARRIS

Cache Valley Bank

TIMOTHY ANDERSON

Kirton McConkie

CINDY POWELL

TDS

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT Event Host

PATCHES OF IRIS & VIOLETS Floral Provider

BEN BRATEN Photographer

MARTHA LEBARON, WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN Videographer

ADRIANA HOWARD, ADRIMADE Printed & Digital Marketing Design

We are proud and honored to support the

ELEMENTS AWARDS

in recognizing outstanding women whose leadership is bringing positive change to our community.

Congratulations.

Natalie Ashby

Natalie Ashby

Madonna Melton

Madonna Melton

Kelly Shannon

Kelly Shannon

Chamber Investors

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