Silicon Slopes
Community Awards
The Silicon Slopes Community Awards honor Utahns who have served others and made a significant impact on the Beehive State. Silicon Slopes is better because of the difference these individuals have made on the lives of so many. Join us for a special event to honor their contributions to our community. This will be an inspiring occasion that won’t be soon forgotten.
ALAN & KAREN ASHTON
The Ashton Foundation, Founders
Alan Ashton is the co-founder of WordPerfect Corporation. By 1993, WordPerfect Corporation had over
5,000 employees worldwide and more than $700 million in revenue. In 1994, WordPerfect was acquired by Novell, Inc.
In 1995, Alan and his wife, Karen, co-founded Thanksgiving Point as an expression of gratitude for all that they received in the years with WordPerfect. They were awarded the Utah Philanthropic Leadership Award for 2007 and the Friends for Sight People of Vision Award in 2008.
The Ashtons are the proud parents of 11 children and the proud grandparents of 60 grandchildren.
Lifetime
Achievement
Award
AMY WYLIE
Executive Director of Education, One Refugee
Amy Wylie has been assisting and advocating for refugees as a community volunteer and
professional for 15 years. She participated in former Governor Jon Huntsman's Refugee Working Group, worked for the State Refugee Services office, and is a founding board member of the Utah International Charter School. Currently Amy is the Executive Director of Education at One Refugee. Amy and her husband serve as refugee specialists for the LDS Inner City Mission in Salt Lake County.
Community
Hero
Award
MARY CRAFTS
Culinary Crafts,
President / Founder & CEO
Mary Crafts-Homer is the Founder and CEO of Culinary Crafts, Utah’s largest off-premise caterer.
Mary is a masterful caterer—equally adept at wowing 5,000 corporate dinner guests, and, assuring that your daughter’s wedding is a magical experience. She has served thousands of clients during her 35 years of catering, including A-list celebrities (Oprah and Diane Keaton for example), two presidents of the United States, and hundreds of Fortune 500 companies. Mary is known as a trendsetter in her industry and an ambassador for all things related to food and events.
Community
Hero
Award
AWARD
RECIPIENTS
MEET OUR 2018
STEPHENIE LARSEN
CEO & Founder,
Encircle
Stephenie is the CEO & founder of Encircle, a safe place for LGBTQ+ youth and their
families. Stephenie was recognized at the 2017 Human Rights Campaign Awards, the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and named one of 11 UpStanders by Starbucks Coffee. Encircle has hosted one of the largest LGBTQ youth summits in the US and also supported the creation of the LOVELOUD Festival.
Stephenie attended BYU, earning an undergrad degree (Family Sciences) and a law degree. While practicing law Stephenie represented abused/neglected children and worked on Capitol Hill. She and her husband, Mitch, have six children and live in Orem.
Community
Hero
Award
LORI KUN
Qualtrics,
Head of Social Impact
Lori Morency Kun is a catalyst for funding cancer research. She helped families and
corporations invest in researchers’ work through legacy gifts, endurance programs, and events for more than a decade at Huntsman Cancer Institute. At Qualtrics, she guides the company’s all-in spirit through 5 For The Fight, inviting everyone to give $5 for the fight against cancer. It was named the official cause of Silicon Slopes and a finalist for Fast Company’s World-Changing Ideas. 5 For The Fight has raised millions in its first 12 months through crowdfunding cancer research with a goal of $50 million.
Community
Hero
Award
