Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and associate dean at the David Eccles School of Business, was honored last week by the Salt Lake Chamber with the 2021 ATHENA Leadership Award.

The award is the Chamber’s highest recognition for women in business, and it is presented to a woman who is an active Chamber member who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in business. The recipient must devote their time and energy to improving the quality of life for those in the community and support other women on their leadership journey.

Gochnour has served in several other impactful roles, including as an advisor to three Utah governors: Gov. Norm Bangerter, Gov. Mike Leavitt, and Gov. Olene Walker. She also served as an associate administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency and counselor to the secretary of Health and Human Services when President George W. Bush was in office.

She has both an undergraduate and master’s degree in economics, and she specializes in teaching public finance.