ABOUT
Larry H. Miller Summit Philanthropy Session
The Larry H. Miller Summit Philanthropy Session brings together philanthropic leaders across Utah to celebrate shared impact and learn more about best practices in philanthropic giving, engaging the next generation of philanthropists, and how we can collaborate as a donor community to address some of the most pressing challenges of our state.
This year’s Summit will take place at the beautiful Black Desert Resort in St. George, Utah, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Together, we’ll convene, connect and collaborate to unlock greater impact for our communities.
SPEAKERS
Philanthropy Day Speakers and Presenters
Keynote Speaker
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Historian, Presidential Scholar & #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and one of America’s most celebrated presidential scholars. For more than five decades, her work has shaped public understanding of American leadership, democracy, and resilience — making her one of the most sought-after voices in times of change and uncertainty.
Goodwin is the author of nine critically acclaimed books. Her most recent, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s (2024), debuted as an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Blending biography, memoir, and history, it chronicles her personal encounters with figures including John and Jacqueline Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson. The book is currently being adapted into a feature film by Sony Pictures, with producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.
Her landmark work, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, served as the basis for Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award®-winning film Lincoln, earned 12 Oscar nominations, and has been widely cited as an inspiration by leaders including President Barack Obama. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in History for No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II, and received the Carnegie Medal for best nonfiction for The Bully Pulpit.
In 2016, Goodwin became the first historian awarded the Lincoln Leadership Prize from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation — one of many honors that also include the Gold Medal for Biography from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Her distinguished career began at age 24, when she was selected as a White House Fellow and worked directly for President Lyndon B. Johnson — an experience that launched a lifetime of studying how leaders rise to meet extraordinary challenges.
Goodwin earned her Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, where she also taught, and graduated magna cum laude from Colby College. She is a regular presence on major news networks and speaks widely for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and educational institutions.
Presenter
Amanda Covington
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, The Larry H. Miller Company
Executive Director, Miller Family Philanthropy
Amanda Covington is Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for the Larry H. Miller Company and Executive Director of Miller Family Philanthropy. She recently served as senior vice president of communications and government relations for Vista Outdoor Inc. 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.
Prior to Vista Outdoor, Amanda served as vice president of corporate communications for ATK, an aerospace, defense and commercial products company. Before joining ATK, she was the assistant commissioner for public affairs at the Utah System of Higher Education. While there, she 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. She has a background in broadcast journalism, working for Utah’s NBC and ABC affiliates.
Amanda serves as chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education, is on the advisory board for First Lady Abby Cox’s Show Up Utah Initiative and serves on the board of directors for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
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.”
She is a graduate of the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the Honors College and a Master of Public Administration. Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, grown children, and dogs.
Presenter
Alex Dunn
Managing Partner, The Larry H. Miller Company
CEO, Swig
Alex Dunn serves as Managing Partner for the Larry H. Miller Company (LHMCO) and CEO of Swig. As part of the executive management team, Alex provides leadership throughout LHMCO’s portfolio of businesses and helps lead the organization’s growth and investment strategy.
Dunn most recently formed and served as the CEO of Executive Network Partnering Corporation (NYSE: ENPC), a special purpose acquisition entity, which led to the acquisition of Granite Ridge (NYSE: GRNT), a $1.2 billion non-operating oil and gas platform in October 2022. Dunn has also held key roles as the president of Vivint SmartHome (NYSE: VVNT), co-founder of Vivint Solar, deputy chief of staff to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, entrepreneur in residence at General Catalyst Partners, and co-founder and CEO for Lavastorm.
Dunn earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. He and his wife, Debbie, reside in Provo, Utah, and have six children and two grandchildren.
Presenter
Brad Holmes
President
Larry H. Miller Real Estate
As president of Larry H. Miller Real Estate, Brad oversees acquisition, development, construction, and management of properties owned and operated by the Larry H. Miller Company. He is also leading the way to an expanded vision for LHM Real Estate as a highly diversified, fully integrated real estate development and management firm.
This new, larger vision for LHM Real Estate positions the company to deliver a greater return on behalf of all stakeholders, including the surrounding communities where LHM Real Estate operates. And with Brad’s oversight of the acquisition and strategic management of both the nationally renowned master-planned community of Daybreak located in South Jordan, Utah, and Utah-based homebuilder Destination Homes, LHM Real Estate has established a promising new trajectory for itself.
Brad’s career highlights also include management of the award-winning renovation of Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City as well as 115 properties throughout the western United States. An active member of the community, Brad serves on the boards of Ivory-Boyer Real Estate Center, the Utah chapter of the Urban Land Institute and PGA of Utah.
Presenter
Ian McDonald
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, The Larry H. Miller Company
President, Prestige Financial
Ian McDonald is the Chief Financial Officer for the Larry H. Miller Company. He recently served as the CFO and treasurer for Clyde Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries, a multi-generation, family-owned business. His roles prior to joining Clyde Companies include working as the senior vice president of finance for Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment and as a financial manager at Caterpillar Inc. Throughout his career, Ian has focused on innovative and strategic initiatives that create growth and drive results.
Ian graduated from the University of Utah with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting, is a member of the AICPA, and he serves on the Eccles Alumni Board at the David Eccles School of Business and the Board of Governors for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Ian is an avid sports fan and loves traveling with his family. He and his wife Elizabeth live in Provo, Utah, with their five children.
Presenter
Brilliant Miller
Trustee
The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
Brilliant Miller is a board member of the Larry H. Miller Company, a trustee of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, and the lead director of the Windsong Single Family Private Trust Company. He began his career at age sixteen with the Larry H. Miller Company, gaining hands-on experience across roles in sales, marketing, and operations, including at Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theaters and Miller Motorsports Park.
In 2013, Brilliant founded Miller Inspiration, a cultural steward, which later merged with the Larry H. Miller Company’s People and Culture team, to “Preserve and Perpetuate the Miller Spirit” by formalizing the company’s mission, vision, values, and guiding principles.
A graduate of the University of Utah with degrees in English and Asian Studies, Brilliant is also a speaker, author, trainer, and professional coach. His book, Behind the Drive: 99 Inspiring Stories from the Life of an American Entrepreneur, shares lessons from his father, Larry H. Miller.
Brilliant and his wife, Heather Dawn, enjoy learning, reading, motorcycling, adventuring, and are parents to six children.
Presenter
Bryce Miller
CEO
TaylorMed MRI
Bryce began working for the Larry H. Miller Company in September 2009 as a salesperson at LHM Toyota Murray. Since then, he has worked in various roles at Larry H. Miller Real Estate, including as Director of LHM Property Management.
Starting in 2020, Bryce worked for the Larry H. Miller Company as an analyst on the strategy team. Bryce graduated from the University of Utah in 2018 with a degree in business administration, and finished his MBA from Brigham Young University in 2023.
In January of 2024, Bryce again joined the Larry H. Miller Company on a quest to buy and run a business. By July, he acquired TaylorMED MRI and currently serves as its CEO. TaylorMed offers affordable, hassle-free, same-day MRI scans in Utah without the need for a doctor’s order or insurance.
Bryce has been on the Miller Family Council since 2020, and was elected president in 2024. He also serves on the Growth and Development Committee and the Giving and Service Committee.
In addition to his work with the family and TaylorMed, Bryce also serves on the board of Wasatch Adaptive Sports, an organization that empowers people with disabilities to realize their potential through outdoor recreation.
When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kylee, and four kids, Redd, Rosie, Georgi, and Penelope. He also loves building furniture, hunting, snowboarding, running, and spearfishing.
Presenter
Gail Miller
Co-founder, The Larry H. Miller Company
Char, The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
Gail Miller is the co-founder of the Larry H. Miller Company, established by Larry and Gail in May of 1979 with the purchase of their first automobile dealership in Murray, Utah. Today, the company has a diversified portfolio of businesses and investments across the United States. Their headquarters are in Sandy, Utah.
After Larry’s death in 2009, Gail took an active role in the business and continued to grow their legacy. She has focused on and directed the company’s culture and the growth and diversity of its operations. She served as chair of the LHM Board of Directors for five years before turning over that position to her son, Steve. She remains an active member of the board.
Gail is also chair of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and presides over the Larry H. Miller Education Foundation.
Gail has been recognized with many public and private honors. She is the recipient of six honorary doctorate degrees, the Congressional Award Foundation’s Horizon Award, the Salt Lake Chamber’s Giant in Our City Award, and the internationally recognized ATHENA Award.
Gail gives freely of her time and actively participates in many business, civic and educational endeavors. She serves on the Zions Bank Advisory Board, Shelter the Homeless Board and is co-chair of the Kem C. Gardner Institute. She was most recently named to the Intermountain Foundation Board of Trustees.
She is the author of the book, Courage to Be You, Inspiring Lessons from an Unexpected Journey.
Presenter
Greg Miller
Vice-chair Board of Directors, The Larry H. Miller Company
Trustee, The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
Greg Miller is Vice Chairman of the Larry H. Miller Company Board of Directors. He has served in various positions within the Miller organization since its 1979 inception, including as CEO from 2008 to 2015 and as a Trustee since 2012. Greg’s entrepreneurial spirit has generated success in diverse industries through the years, the most recent of which being his acquisition and merger of two packaging businesses into a regional leader now known as Snowline Packaging Solutions.
Greg serves on the Utah Water Ways Board, the Utah Highway Patrol’s Honorary Colonel Association, and the Sutherland Institute Board of Trustees. Past engagements include the Utah Office of Tourism Advisory Board, the Executive Partner Group of Solamere Capital, and the N.B.A. Board of Governors. He is also the founder and curator of the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum in Salt Lake City, which displays more than one hundred Toyota Land Cruisers.
Committed to enriching the lives of others, Greg and his wife, Heidi, have established several foundations including the Sherry Black Foundation, whose mission is to create safer communities by facilitating criminal justice investigations.
Time with family is a cherished priority for Greg and Heidi, proud parents of six children, with more than a dozen grandchildren expanding the family further. Close to home, they enjoy exploring the Wasatch Mountains or working on their ranch in southeastern Utah, and in 2020, Greg and several of the children summited the highest point in each of Utah’s 29 counties. Farther afield, in 2018, Greg led the first group to drive a single vehicle on all seven continents as well as the first successful traverse of the long axis of Greenland’s ice cap.
Presenter
Steve Miller
Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Larry H. Miller Company
Trustee, The Larry H. & Gail Miller Familly Foundation
In nearly 40 years of working for his family’s business, Steve has served in a variety of capacities, ranging from his early days as a lot technician to his current role as chairman of the Board of Directors.
Steve is actively engaged in civic and community affairs. He currently serves on the Salt Lake City – Utah Committee for the Games, which recently helped secure Salt Lake City, Utah, as the host of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Steve is the chair of the futures/strategic planning committee and secretary of the board for the Utah Sports Commission. He enjoys serving on the board of trustees of the Waterford School in Sandy, Utah, where his children attended school. Steve is deeply involved in the Miller family’s philanthropic efforts within the community and serves on the board of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation.
When not working, Steve loves to hike, read, travel, curate his LEGO collection and attend U2 concerts.
Steve earned a BA degree in consumer studies and family economics from the University of Utah and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School after completing the three-year Owner/President Management Program (OPM).
Steve and his wife, Jennifer, love being parents to three married children and their spouses and have a son serving an LDS mission in Morristown, New Jersey. Above all, they love being Mimi and Poppy to their three-year-old grandson.
Presenter
Dave Smith
Managing Partner
The Larry H. Miller Company
Dave Smith serves as Managing Partner for the Larry H. Miller Company. As part of the executive management team at the company, David provides overall strategic direction, capital allocation, and investment leadership. During his tenure with the company, he has overseen LHM Real Estate, Total Care Auto Powered by Landcar, and Saxton Horne Communications, and he did a six-month stint as interim CEO for the Larry H. Miller Company and served as the interim president of Prestige Financial Services.
Dave joined the Larry H. Miller Company in 2013 as director of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). He has held increasing roles of responsibility, including leading the Risk/Safety, IT, Human Resources and Communications functions, as well as Saxton Horne and Total Care Auto Powered by Landcar. As Managing Partner, he continues to oversee the company’s M&A and divestitures strategy.
Prior to joining the company, Dave was the head of M&A for Leucadia National Corporation, director of Business Development for Koch Industries, and a plant lead for the Divestitures Group of Ford Motor Company. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/Economics from the University of Utah and an MBA from Brigham Young University, where he was also a Hawes Scholar. Dave previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Salt Lake City Branch of the San Francisco Federal Reserve.
Dave and his wife, Karen, have five children and reside in Bountiful, Utah.
Presenter
Michelle Smith
Chief People Officer, The Larry H. Miller Company
President, Miller Sports + Entertainment
Michelle Smith is the Chief People Officer at the Larry H. Miller Company and President of Miller Sports + Entertainment.
Michelle strategically manages and oversees the operations of key sports and entertainment businesses, including the Salt Lake Bees, Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres, and Big League Utah. She is committed to elevating guest experiences, supporting business partnerships, creating family memories, and enriching lives.
As chief people officer, she is responsible for successful integration and onboarding practices of newly acquired businesses. The role supports the portfolio’s People & Culture vision and strategy with appropriate practices, policies and programming that are responsive to the changing dynamic of the workforce, supportive of the diverse needs of the businesses and ensure consistent commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Larry H. Miller Company.
Prior to her role with the company, Michelle cultivated more than 20 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry gaining business strategy expertise in marketing, sales, and human resources. Most recently, Michelle served as Chief People Officer for the National Basketball Association’s Utah Jazz franchise.
Michelle was most recently named as one of Utah Business Magazine’s 2020 “30 Women to Watch,” is a founding board member of Women in Sports & Events (WISE), and was a former co-chair of the Gail Miller Women’s Leadership Group.
Presenter
Sarah Starkey
Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, The Larry H. Miller Company
Executive Director, Miller Family Services
Sarah is the Chief Legal Officer for the Larry H. Miller Company and the portfolio companies at large. She also serves as the Executive Director for Miller Family Services and as secretary to the LHM Company’s Board of Directors.
Sarah joined the Larry H. Miller Company in 2010 as a staff attorney and has helped shape the organization through a range of legal, governance and executive leadership roles. Prior to her current positions, she served as general counsel for Larry H. Miller Dealerships. In 2020, she also served as interim chief human resources officer, helping lead the organization through the global pandemic while providing strategic leadership across people and culture, human resources, human capital management and employee benefits strategy.
Today, Sarah provides a broad range of legal counsel and strategic business insight to the Larry H. Miller Company and its platforms and businesses. Her work includes corporate structure, board governance, mergers and acquisitions, state and federal compliance across multiple sectors, contract negotiation and management, litigation strategy and risk management.
Sarah is known for her leadership in the legal profession and in the community. In 2018, Utah Governor Gary Herbert appointed her to the 3rd District Judicial Nominating Committee. She served on the Utah State Bar Commission and is a past president of Women Lawyers of Utah. Sarah also held board and leadership roles with The Road Home, Girl Scouts of Utah, and the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Science.
A native of Spokane, Washington, Sarah moved to Salt Lake City in 2002. She earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology, with a certificate in criminology and corrections, from the University of Utah and a Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.
Presenter
Steve Starks
Chief Executive Officer
The Larry H. Miller Company
Steve Starks is the Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors at the Larry H. Miller Company. In this capacity, Starks leads a multi-generational family business with a diverse portfolio of platforms that include real estate, senior health, sports and entertainment, and investments. Starks also serves as Alternate Governor for the Utah Royals FC.
Previously, Starks was the president of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, where he led the franchise through an organizational transformation that resulted in a dramatic increase of revenue, fan experience, and the team’s return to the NBA Playoffs, including achieving the top seed in the Western Conference. He also oversaw the award-winning renovation of the Delta Center in 2017 and the successful bid to host the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
Starks is active in the community. He currently serves as vice chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Starks serves as an alternate governor to the NWSL’s Utah Royals professional soccer franchise. He also leads Big League Utah, the coalition aimed at bringing an MLB expansion team to Salt Lake City. Starks is the past chair of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Directors, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, and served on the Weber State University Board of Trustees. Starks has two honorary doctorate degrees: one from his alma mater, Weber State University, and one from Snow College.
Starks’ background is in strategy, team building, branding, mergers and acquisitions, and helping organizations through strategic transformations. He was named CEO of the Year in 2021 by Utah Business and 40 under 40 by Sports Business Journal in 2017. He received the South Valley Chamber’s Titan Award and was named a CEO to Watch by Family Business Magazine.
Starks resides in South Jordan, Utah, with his wife and three daughters.
Presenter
BJ Vander Linden
Chief Information
The Larry H. Miller Company
BJ Vander Linden became Chief Information Officer of the Larry H. Miller Company in November 2019. BJ supports the company’s wide-ranging businesses and desired business outcomes within the various portfolio companies. This portfolio includes platforms and companies in Miller Sports + Entertainment, Larry H. Miller Senior Health, Larry H. Miller Real Estate, and the Larry H Miller Company, along with other investment and business organizations.
Before his current role, BJ spent 3.5 years as the CIO for Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment. He was responsible for the information technology for the sports and entertainment properties, including the Utah Jazz, Vivint Smart Arena, and NBA G-League Salt Lake City Stars affiliate, along with Megaplex Theatres, Jazz Gaming, The Zone radio, and the Tour of Utah.
Previously, BJ served as vice president of business systems for OC Tanner (2014-16), IT senior program manager at Western Governors University (2013-14), at ADP AdvancedMD as director of implementation services (2012-13), and at O’Currance, Inc. as vice president of support services.
He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor of science degree in economics and an MBA from Utah State University. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoys sports and learning about emerging technologies.
Presenter
Joe Walker
President
Larry H. Miller Senior Health
Joseph Walker is the president of Larry H. Miller Senior Health. Prior to joining LHM, Joe served as Chief Strategy Officer of Advanced Health Care, a skilled nursing facility, home health, and hospice operator based out of Farmington, Utah.
Joe holds a B.A. from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Joe and his wife, Jennifer, have six children and reside in Kaysville, Utah.
Register for the Summit
Join us for Philanthropy Day at Black Desert Resort on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.