Utah Law alumnae Charlotte Miller (JD ’83) and Hope Eccles (JD ’91) were recognized as Utah’s Most Influential Women of 2025 by Utah Business magazine. The list honors women leaders who are transforming Utah through innovation, advocacy and service. University of Utah Provost Mitzi Montoya was also included on the list, and Utah Law alumna Judge Shauna Graves-Robertson was part of the selection committee.
Charlotte Miller
Miller served as assistant director and human resources leader at the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association and as general counsel and executive HR leader for multiple Utah companies before her retirement in 2024.
“In various roles, I have worked to make sure women and people of color have access to opportunities. I have made a concerted, intentional effort to invite people to apply for positions, to join committees, and to participate in activities when I see that people may be holding back and are hesitant to participate,” Miller said. “When you host a party and you see someone alone in the corner or about to leave because they don’t know anyone, you reach out and talk with them and make them feel welcome. As an attorney, an executive and a leader, I have taken the approach that I am responsible for paying attention to and seeing who is not participating and may not feel welcome.”
Hope Eccles
Eccles currently serves as president of Goldener Hirsch Inn and is on the boards of the Marriner S. Eccles Foundation and the Spencer F. & Cleone P. Eccles Family Foundation. She is also on the advisory committee of the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation and previously served as Gov. Jon Huntsman’s deputy for higher education and on the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s Alumni Association board of directors.
“One of the greatest strengths in philanthropy is organizations that work with and listen to the communities. Having that community leadership makes so many projects so much better because you’re meeting their needs, not telling them what you think their needs are,” Eccles said. “At the end of the day, somebody has to make a decision because when you collaborate, you can have lots of good ideas, and somebody has to choose one eventually. I do think that an important part of leadership is the ability to make decisions and then be responsible for them.”
See all award recipients in this Utah Business article (photos courtesy Beka Price Photography).