Mentor in Motion Award

DSN COACHING ”Mentor in Motion” award is presented every three years at a luncheon to a recipient who has demonstrated a substantive and ongoing concern for the community in which they live.  Providing a well paved path for others to follow and a willingness to mentor, willingly sharing what they have learned.  If you are interested in nominating someone for the 2007 award please contact DSN at 801-662-8124.

Governor Olene Walker

DSN “Mentor in Motion” award was given to Utah Governor Olene S. Walker at a Luncheon paying tribute to the Governor, June 19, 2004.  Women from all over the State attended paying tribute to her as both an example and mentor. 

Senator Orrin Hatch introduced this years recipient, Utah Governor Olene S. Walker

Governor Olene Walker grew up west of Ogden, Utah on a farm.  Her father was the superintendent of schools and her mother was a school teacher.  She was raised knowing how to work hard and with strong ethics.

She received a bachelor’s degree in political science and also earned a teaching certificate from Brigham Young University.  She met her husband Myron at BYU and together moved to California, where She earned a master’s in political theory at Stanford.  The couple began a family which now includes seven children.
Governor Walker was very involved in the Parent Teacher Associations in her children’s schools and always active in my community. When her youngest child began school she began working part time. She started the Salt Lake Education Foundation and worked with special-needs and at-risk students.

After her children were grown up she ran for the legislature and served eight
years in the Utah House of Representatives and held leadership positions
including chairing the Appropriations Committee.

During her time in the legislature, She sponsored the Rainy Day Fund, which
has saved Utah from raising taxes during the last three years of economic
downturn. She also earned her doctorate degree in education administration from the University of Utah while she served as a legislator.

She served as the director for a state agency, the Division of
Community Development.  She also ran for the U.S. Congress.  She left the race when asked to serve as lieutenant governor in 1992.

She became Governor on November 5, 2003, She has implemented new ideas, including a Watershed Initiative, the “Read with a Child” initiative, a plan to make Utah taxes fair and just for all Utahans, the www.UtahCares.utah.gov Web site, and the Utah Wireless Integration Network which increases connectivity during emergencies between rural and urban Utah.

Recently, she signed an executive order ensuring all state agencies have a water conservation plan and is promoting energy conservation across  Utah.  She has inspired women and men throughout the state with her work ethics, her focus on Family first and her willingness to share what she has learned.  She has provided mentoring for many fledgling politicians and is an example to all women working through the time and seasons of their lives.  Congratulations Governor Walker.