Three decades ago, Aimee Winder Newton was one of the key movers and shakers leading the successful Taylorsville City incorporation effort. One decade ago, she began her journey representing her home city on the Salt Lake County Council. And now, this fall, Winder Newton was one of 24 people honored by Utah Business Magazine with their prestigious “2024 Most Influential Women of Utah” award.

“It felt a little funny to receive an award for public service work; I was a little embarrassed, but certainly very honored,” Winder Newton said. “It was so awesome hearing all the stories about the other honorees. They are all great role models. I had several family members with me at the event. It was very nice.”

The honorees’ brunch was held Sept. 24 at Salt Lake’s Grand America Hotel. You’ll find information about all of the honorees at utahbusiness.com.

“Aimee is so deserving of that award,” Taylorsville City Councilwoman Meredith Harker said. “She has singlehandedly brought so many women into politics. She personally recruited me. I attended (women in politics) classes at her home. Aimee is my go-to person whenever I have a political question. She’s smart and wise – but I believe her best quality is bringing people together to work on things.”

Mayor Kristie Overson agrees, saying Winder Newton has also been a key political advisor to her many times.

“I’ve known Aimee since we served together, years ago, on the Taylorsville Planning Commission,” Overson said. “She’s been a tireless champion for our city, as well as many others. Aimee was actually one of the first people to help me get interested in public service work. She is totally deserving of this award.” 

A graduate of Taylorsville High School, Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg) and the University of Utah, Winder Newton was Taylorsville City’s first communication director, from 2011 to 2013. It was at the end of that stint when she successfully ran for the Salt Lake County Council.

“Taylorsville City had no social media presence before I became communication director,” Winder Newton said. “I helped to create that presence. Then I ran in a special election to fill a vacant seat on the Salt Lake County Council. I earned 78% of the vote from among four candidates.”

Because that council seat had been vacated, Winder Newton immediately had to turn around and run for the same position again just one year later.

“I was elected to the Salt Lake County Council in 2014, 2018 and 2022,” she said. As for 2026? “That’s still two years away; I haven’t decided yet.”

The one election Winder Newton lost during her 11-year tenure on the county council came four years ago. In a crowded 2020 field of Utah gubernatorial candidates, she fell to then-Lieutenant Gov. Spencer Cox, who of course was just elected to his second term last month.

More recently – just two years ago, in fact – Cox appointed Winder Newton as Director of his newly-created Utah Office of Families.

“When I was first recruited to the position, I was a bit hesitant because I already had a fulltime job and my county council position,” she said. “But I was able to work out a 30-hours-per-week schedule to accept the appointment. Gov. Cox wants Utah to remain the top state in the country for families. The Utah Office of Families addresses prioritizing marriage, protecting children and supporting parents. In our first year, we focused on mental health challenges and holding social media companies accountable for the impact they have on children.” 

Winder Newton has been a female leader in Utah in several ways. She was the first female republican elected to the Salt Lake County Council and that body’s first female chair (2018). She was also only the third female in Utah history to file to run for governor.

“It is challenging being a female in Utah politics,” Winder Newton concluded. “When I ran for governor for instance, fundraising was a challenge. I am always grateful for male allies in our state who advocate for women. I am an optimist. Utah has been a great place to work and to serve.”

During the brunch honoring Winder Newton and the 23 other most influential women honorees, Utah Business Magazine Editor-in-Chief Melanie Jones said “We hope by hosting this event, the next generation of women watching will be inspired to take a seat at the table. For women, anything is possible. We can make an impact on this world, no matter the industry. There truly are incredible women living and working in Utah.”