The Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame Gala lit up the historic Capitol Theatre last week, celebrating Utahโs most innovative leaders and changemakers. Among the honorees, Amy Cook, CMO and co-founder at Fullcast, was awarded CMO of the Year, a recognition of her dynamic leadership, transformative approach to marketing, and lasting impact on Utahโs tech and business community.
As she took the stage, Cookโs heartfelt acceptance speech not only reflected gratitude for the Silicon Slopes community but also highlighted the people who shaped her journey.
โWhen I think about this community, I think about all of the people who have helped me so much.โ
Cook credited three pivotal figures who defined her career by instilling lessons that still guide her today:
โTwo of the three top business mentors in my life are here tonight,โ she told the audience. โFrom my dad, I learned how to work. From my husband, I learned business. And from Ryan [Westwood], I learned tech.โ
Her speech revealed not just a decorated marketing leader, but a professional whose foundation has been built by mentors, family, and community.
Lessons from the Stage
Amyโs story begins with her father, Wayne Osmond, who passed away earlier this year. From the time she was three years old, she was performing on stage at the Osmond Family Theater. By high school, she was working full time;ย twelve shows a week, two a day, six days straight.
โHe taught me how to work,โ she said. That relentless work ethic became the bedrock of everything she would go on to accomplish in marketing and leadership.
Building Business at Home
The second influence Cook credited was her husband, Jeff. For 15 years, the couple ran a business together, blurring the lines between personal and professional life in a way that Cook says made her stronger.
โIf you ever have the opportunity to go into business with your husband, you should totally do it. Itโs awesome,โ she told the crowd with a smile.
That partnership taught her not just the mechanics of business, but also the courage and trust required to sustain it.
A Crash Course in Tech
The third pillar of her career came through Ryan Westwood, co-founder and CEO at Fullcast. For Amy, technology wasnโt an innate starting point. Instead, it was something she grew into with guidance and support.
โRyan made tech accessible for me,โ she later shared. โHe gave me the confidence to dig in, ask questions, and not be intimidated by complexity.โ
A Conversation with Amy Cook
After the ceremony, we caught up with Amy to dive a little deeper into the night and the lessons behind her win.
Q: Standing on stage, what was running through your mind?
Amy Cook: I was nervous, happy, and just so grateful. Iโve learned that none of us get here alone, and thatโs why I wanted to share the people who made such a difference in my journey.
Q: Your fatherโs work ethic clearly shaped you. How do you carry that into your career today?
Cook: Discipline. Resilience. Those early years taught me that consistency is everything. Whether youโre on stage or in a boardroom, you show up and you give your best โ every single time.
Q: And from Jeff, what was the biggest takeaway about running a business?
Cook: That itโs all about trust. Trust in your team, trust in the process, and trust in each other. Running a business with my husband gave me a perspective I never could have gained otherwise.
Q: Ryan Westwood, a long-time partner, colleague, and friend, taught you all about tech. Whatโs one lesson from him that still guides you?
Cook: Donโt be afraid of what you donโt know. Tech moves fast, and if you wait to be an expert before diving in, youโll always be behind. Ryan taught me to jump in, learn, and adapt.
Q: What does winning Top CMO at the Hall of Fame Gala mean to you?
Cook: Itโs validation of the lessons Iโve been lucky enough to learn from the people around me. And itโs a reminder of how powerful this community is. Yes, this award is a reflection of what Iโve achieved, but it also allows me to acknowledge the people who have helped me along the way.
Results are important. However, at this yearโs Hall of Fame Gala, Cook reminded us all that leadership isnโt just about results; itโs about remembering the lessons that get you there. Amyโs story is a testament to the power of mentorship, community, and lifelong learning.ย
At the Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame Gala last week, the chandeliers of the Capitol Theatre reflected more than just light; they reflected Utahโs brightest minds in business and tech.ย
As Amy and the other leaders showcased during the Hall of Fame Gala continue to drive growth and innovation in Utahโs business and tech landscape, Amyโs journey reminds us that behind every title is a foundation built by the people who teach, challenge, and inspire us.
