Number of women in county leadership positions increased, report finds

SALT LAKE CITY — There are now more women in Utah’s county government leadership roles than there were four years ago.

A new report from Utah State University’s Women and Leadership Project found that women hold nearly 46% of all county leadership positions. That is up 3% since 2020.

Dr. Susan Madsen is the founding director of the Women and Leadership Project.

She said Emery, Tooele, Morgan and Salt Lake Counties led the way. In those counties, more than half of leadership positions are filled by women.

“Decades-long research has told us that when you have a more equal mix of men and women, you’re going to have more innovation, better decision-making and better service for your communities,” Madsen said.  

Madsen said that while the report does not pinpoint why, an inclusive culture can make all the difference.

“If there is really a supportive leadership culture, and if there is an early woman that becomes a leader, then other women see that that’s a good place for them to be employed and move up in leadership,” Madsen explained.

However, Madsen said progress can still be made.

The report makes the distinction that while 55% of front-line leadership roles, which are more supervisory positions, were held by women, the percentage was much lower when it came to executive leadership positions or elected offices.

This report specifically tallied leadership roles in county government.

Madsen said these numbers are a lot more promising than they have seen in other reports. The Women and Leadership Project focuses on local government and state government in other studies.

Heather Peterson is a reporter and producer for KSL NewsRadio. She also produces Utah’s Noon News.