Amanda Covington
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Larry H. Miller Company
Amanda has more than 20 years of experience leading corporate communications and government relations strategies impacting financial communications, crisis communications, domestic and international media/public relations, corporate branding and advertising, digital media, employee relations, public policy and legislation, industry associations, and community relations.
Amanda has served as senior Vice President for Vista Outdoor, and Vice President of corporate communications for ATK, an aerospace, defense and commercial products company. She has led communications and legislative relations strategies for the State Board of Regents. She also served as the Deputy for Communications and spokesperson for Utah Governor Olene S. Walker and the Director of Communications for the Utah Department of Transportation.
In 2023, the Salt Lake Chamber honored her as an Athena, and she was named as one of Utah Business Magazine’s “30 Women to Watch.”
Mayor Monica Zoltanski
Mayor, Sandy City
Monica Zoltanski leads Sandy City on a platform of economic development, public safety and community engagement. Now serving her 2nd term as Mayor, she is a strong and determined leader positioning the city to take full advantage of economic opportunity. Under her administration, the city was selected as the site of the new Utah Mammoth hockey practice facility and team headquarters and the purchase of America First Field as she works toward the creation of a sports and entertainment district in the community center.
Mayor Zoltanski is a leader on several influential statewide boards and committees including the Council of Mayors, Council of Governments, and Shelter the Homeless Advisory Board. In 2019 she was elected to the Sandy City Council where she served for two years before becoming mayor in 2021. She is the first woman to be elected mayor of Sandy City.
George Lantz
Session Moderator — Project Manager, Victus Advisors
At Victus Advisors George oversees the project analyst team and contributes to strategic advisory and data-driven decision-making.
Prior to Victus, George was an operations analyst at Goldman Sachs, specializing in data analysis and due diligence.
George also has a strong foundation in community development, having worked for the Broadway Mall Association in New York, and on community development projects at Global Premier Soccer. A graduate of Connecticut College, George earned a Bachelor's degree in Government & History.
John Kimball
President of Business Operations for Real Salt Lake/Royals
John Kimball is entering his fifth year as the Utah Soccer’s Chief Business Officer. Returning amid the pandemic in 2020 as interim President before accepting a permanent role in February 2022, the Utah native stabilized the franchise and its teams and facilities, working with Major League Soccer throughout ownership transition from late 2020 through early 2022.
With the year-old partnership between the soccer Clubs and Miller Sports and Entertainment, Kimball oversees all business operations for Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals FC.
Before his return to RSL, Kimball worked with KSL radio and television, ESPN 700 AM and various Utah Jazz properties, including the Tour of Utah, under the Larry H. Miller group of companies. He was also the President of Vivint Arena, now named the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz (NBA) and numerous sports and entertainment events.
Nick Rimando
US Soccer Hall of Fame Member, MLS Great, and RSL Legend
Nick is a former US Men’s National Team and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper who had a record setting career while playing 553 games across 20 MLS seasons, from 2000 to 2019, starring for the Miami Fusion, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake. By the time he retired Nick has earned the title as the greatest goalkeeper in MLS history. He holds the MLS league records for minutes played, games played, career wins, clean sheets, saves and penalty kick saves.
Rimando won 2 MLS Cup championships with D.C. United in 2004 and with Real Salt Lake in 2009, where he was named the MVP of the final. Additionally, he is a 6-time MLS All-Star and 2-time MLS Supporters Shield Winner. Nick made 22 appearances for the U.S. between 2002 and 2015, including the 1-0 victory over Panama in the final of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He also was a member of the U.S. squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Nick now serves as the goalkeeper coach for the Real Monarchs and is the on the board of the RISE Athletics Foundation where he looks to inspire and give back to the next generation of future soccer players.
Sarah Padove
Sr Director, Public Affairs; Athletes Unlimited Softball League
Sarah is a seasoned sports business professional, with nearly fifteen years in the industry. She is currently the Sr. Director, Public Affairs for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, leading external affairs and related initiatives for the league and the Utah Talons. Prior to joining AU, she served as Sr. Manager, Baseball & Softball Development at Major League Baseball where she led event logistics and strategy for MLB’s amateur programming, with a particular concentration on MLB’s female-focused initiatives and related innovative partnerships. Additionally, she began her career in MLB’s Legal Department, providing transactional legal services and support for a variety of domestic and international initiatives.
Sarah holds a J.D. from Marquette University and is the 2020 recipient of the Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumnus of the Year Award. She earned her B.S. in Business from Indiana University, where she also played NCAA Division I softball for the Hoosiers. In her free time, Sarah tries to catch her favorite sports teams as much as she can and otherwise enjoys cooking, exploring museums, and getting outdoors. She resides in Chicago, Illinois.
Anouk Patty
Chief of Sport, US Ski & Snowboard
Anouk Patty joined U.S. Ski & Snowboard as the Chief of Sport in 2022 to drive the organization's athletic performance. She leads USSS' 10 sports' elite National and Olympic Team programs as well as pipeline development across the country. Anouk has held leadership roles at blue-chip corporations throughout her career including Hewlett-Packard, Intuit, Bain & Company and J.P. Morgan.
Anouk competed on the U.S. Alpine Ski Team in the 1980s and raced for Dartmouth College, where she was a three-time All-American and won the NCAA Skiing Championship in 1988. She is on the board of POWDR, the parent company of U.S. Ski & Snowboard event venues including Copper Mountain and Woodward, and previously sat on the board of Green Mountain Valley School. She has her MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Dartmouth College.
Ashley Havili
VP of Marketing and Merchandising, Miller Sports + Entertainment
Ashley Havili is the vice president of marketing and merchandising for Miller Sports + Entertainment. With more than 20 years of experience, including early career roles with Ralph Lauren and Gap Inc., she leads brand and marketing efforts that connect fans, guests and communities across Utah. In her role, she has helped drive innovative campaigns and guest experiences for Megaplex, the Salt Lake Bees, Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC, strengthening audience engagement and elevating the reach of some of the state’s most recognizable entertainment and sports brands.
Known for her visionary leadership and commitment to mentoring others, Ashley is widely respected for creating a culture where team members feel valued, empowered and inspired to grow. She is equally passionate about community impact and believes deeply in the power of sports and entertainment to bring people together and create meaningful experiences.
Lisa Bennion Rasmussen
Session Moderator—Chief Revenue Officer, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
Oversees the UOLF's revenue-generating initiatives, including sponsorship, fundraising, and group events. She also leads marketing efforts for the organization and its three venues: Utah Olympic Park, Utah Olympic Oval, and Soldier Hollow Nordic Center. With more than two decades of experience in sports and entertainment, Lisa’s career includes leadership roles as Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders FC, and Director of Sales & Marketing for U.S. Ski & Snowboard during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Lisa's connection to the Olympic Movement began in 1998, when she volunteered with Utah's Olympic bid committee and supported creative development through an advertising agency. Since then, she has remained deeply committed to advancing the Olympic and Paralympic ideals and is a passionate advocate for bringing another Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to Utah. A proud graduate of the University of Utah, Lisa lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and their two dogs, Lucy Goose and Betty White. An avid fitness enthusiast, she’s a regular at Orangetheory Fitness and hot yoga studios. Outside of work, you’ll often find her golfing, skiing, playing tennis, fly fishing, or hosting a dinner party with friends and family.
Kaysha Love
World Champion Bobsled athlete, Two-time Olympian
As a proud native of Herriman, Utah, this former track standout graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in hospitality and business, bringing a unique blend of elite performance and people-centered leadership to everything she does. Currently, Kaysha is training for the 2030 Olympic cycle, continuing her pursuit of excellence on the world stage.
Off the track, Kaysha serves on the delegation team for the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and is deeply passionate about coaching and mentoring the next generation. Known for her resilience, energy, and authenticity, she uses her platform to inspire other to chase big goals, lead with purpose, and perform their best under pressure.
Casey Dawson
Two-time Olympic medalist, Multi National and World Record Holder
In the high-speed sport of speed skating, World Cup Gold titlist, 2x Olympic medalist, Multi National and world record holder Casey Dawson tells the story of precision and teamwork – and how it has brought him global success on the ice. Dawson grew up in the winter sport-rich community of Park City. Through the local Youth Sports Alliance’s Get Out & Play program, he sampled many sports but landed on ice in grade school, attracted by the sheer speed. Training at the Utah Olympic Oval, he quickly advanced in the sport. A medal at the 2020 Junior World Championships and a U.S. title in the 10,000 meters in 2021 set him on a path to the 2022 and Beijing Olympics and 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
Along the way, Dawson found the value of teamwork – partnering with teammates in the team pursuit. Together, they have found success by working together – winning five straight season-long World Cup titles, setting new world records, and bringing home an Olympic medal. Through it all, Dawson has learned the benefits of discipline, stamina, and exactitude – reaching speeds of 30-35 mph solely by human energy, holding a squat for 12 minutes while perched on 18-inch-long, millimeter-wide skate blades.
Jaelin Kauf
Olympic Medalist and U.S. mogul skier
Three-time Olympic silver medalist Jaelin Kauf of Alta is the most decorated U.S. mogul skier in Olympic history and one of the most accomplished mogul skiers in the world. Known for her speed, consistency, and powerful skiing, Kauf is a consistent podium threat and contender in every event she enters.
Outside of competition, Kauf is an advocate for women and girls in sports through her foundation, Deliver The Love, which she launched at the end of 2025. The foundation focuses on building confidence, self-love, healthy lifestyles, and expanding access to sports and outdoor opportunities for the next generation. She is also involved with Protect Our Winters as an athlete advocate for climate action.
Colin Hilton
President & CEO, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
Colin Hilton is the President & CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a “living legacy” of impactful sport programs and active community uses of Utah’s Olympic Legacy venues. He is actively involved with the Utah2034 Organizing Committee, serving as the Chair of the Sport & Venue Committee.
Colin has spent more than 30 years actively engaged in community planning efforts related to international sporting events, youth sports & recreation, and regional economic development efforts. Originally from Western New York, Colin and his family have lived in Utah since 1999.
Spencer P Eccles
Co-Founder & Managing Director, The Cynosure Group
Entrepreneur and civic leader working at the intersection of finance and international athletics. A former competitive Alpine skier and U of U athlete, Eccles competed internationally before moving into elite sports advocacy and management — including a leadership role for alpine speed events at the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. He remains involved today as a member of the 2034 Olympic & Paralympic Games Organizing Committee Board.
Since 2025, Eccles has led Cynosure's sports investing strategy through Checketts Sports Partners — a partnership with David Checketts and CC Capital's Chinh Chu — deploying capital across professional and collegiate teams, sports infrastructure, emerging technologies, and media rights. He has also served as head of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development and held board roles with institutions including the David Eccles School of Business, Salt Lake Chamber, and Utah Impact Partnership.
Luke Bodensteiner
Session Moderator—Chief of Sport Development for Utah Olympic Legacy, and GM of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic venue Soldier Hollow
Formerly Chief of Sport with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Luke led the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Teams, the national training and education Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah, its sport science and medical programs, coach education and club development, athlete identification and development, athlete career and education programming, and club-level competition and ranking systems. Luke led three U.S. Olympic ski and snowboard teams (2010, 2014 and 2018), overseeing athletes who won a record 53 Olympic medals.
Luke was a cross country racer for the U.S. Ski Team, competing in the Olympics in 1992 and 1994. He is the author of “Endless Winter” chronicling his experiences in the lead-up to, and during the 1994 Games.
The Sports Tourism Social was on May 14, 2025, where event organizers, venue managers, community partners, and hospitality partners came together to celebrate Sports Tourism in Salt Lake
2025 Sports Tourism Summit
October 9, 2025
The Tower at Rice Eccles Stadium
3 amazing sessions covering the state of tourism in Salt Lake where participants could enjoy networking, lunch, and awards.
Session Two featured Joseph Graziano, EVP, Strategy & New Business Ventures. And Session Three: Building Venues to Drive Tourism Spend: Insights from Mayors and Industry Experts explored the vital role that municipality-led venue development plays in boosting local tourism revenue, with insights from the mayors of Sandy City, South Jordan, and West Valley City.
2024 Sports Tourism Summit
October 29, 2024
Mountain America Expo Center
Keynote speech on Community Obsessed: How the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club embrace their role as stewards for Utah.
Our engaging panel discussion explored the current and upcoming sports facilities in Salt Lake County. Panelists shared insights on the community impact of these facilities, their roles in promoting sports participation and wellness, their contributions to local economic development, and the future of sports in Salt Lake.
