In the years since Pat Richards began her career in the banking industry, women have earned prominent positions as executives in the office and in the boardroom — becoming leaders in the Utah business community.

That achievement has given women today the opportunity to become whatever they choose to be, no matter what their chosen profession, she told the Deseret News.

Richards, who retired in July as senior vice president and senior regional manager for The Private Bank of Wells Fargo, was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the Salt Lake Chamber's Women and Business Conference and Athena Award Luncheon at the Little America Hotel.

"Being a good leader is important because it enables you to get things done through others," she said. "Being able to establish a vision and articulate it to people and enlist their support in achieving (business) goals is what leadership is all about."

She told the Deseret News that as she was moving along in her career, she sometimes met resistance from people who were uncomfortable with her gender.

"Years ago, it was harder to (get ahead) because we were very unlike the men surrounding us in business," she explained. "Over the years, people began to realize that we were 'all in this together.' "

Richards said great progress has been made for women in business, creating a much more accessible environment for young women considering careers in business.

Speaking about an experience she had recently as an adviser to women in the University of Utah's Master of Business Administration program, Richards said she was encouraged by their attitudes.

"Those young women didn't believe there were any barriers out there," she said. "That's the best news that I've heard — that it is easier for people (to progess in their careers).

"They (no longer) have to cross that barrier before they have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills."

e-mail: jlee@desnews.com

2009 Athena Award

Chris Redgrave, former vice president and general manager of Bonneville Radio Group

2009 Pathfinder Awards

Shauna Bona, founder and co-president of McKinnon-Mulherin Inc.

Diana Kirk, Zions Bank executive vice president

Judy Reese, communications director for Gastronomy Inc.

Lynne Ward, director of the Utah Educational Savings Plan