Coming away from my interview with Jeanette Bennett, one word stuck in my mind: pollinator.
Though she is often hailed as Utah’s No. 1 cheerleader for her role as founder and editor of Bennett Communications, her work outside this position as the board chair of the United Way of Utah County, chief visionary officer at Thanksgiving Point, and board member at Zions Bank and Utah Valley University highlights her commitment to giving back and connecting her community. Bennett is a queen in Utah’s beloved beehive with a personal dedication to industry.
“About a decade ago, I started realizing that I was spending almost half my time in community service, and I was like, ‘Whoa, is that a good idea?’” Bennett says, prefacing that she was worried she was taking too much time away from her growing businesses. “I decided, yes! I get a lot of personal development and satisfaction from being part of these great causes.”
Her journey has shaped the landscape of Utah’s media and business communities while positioning her as an influential force and an inspiring role model. Over the past 24 years, Bennett has grown her company into one of the region’s largest publishing firms, encompassing Utah Valley Magazine, BusinessQ Magazine and Parade of Homes magazines.
Armed with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from Brigham Young University, Bennett’s academic prowess culminated in an honorary doctorate in business from Utah Valley University. Her extensive influence was recognized with her induction into the Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame in 2023. During her induction speech, she encapsulated her ethos: “What we choose to do with our time, money and words will be our legacy. Let’s all use our voices to be positive. Let’s be the solution. Let’s show the next generation that the greatest innovation is human kindness, positivity and love.”
Building upon her success in publishing, Bennett recently started as president and executive managing director of Colliers’ Intermountain offices, steering the region’s largest commercial real estate operator to new heights. Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox lauded the move: “Jeanette has been championing the state of Utah for more than 25 years. … Her skills and influence make her uniquely qualified to join Colliers.”
Her community engagement is driven by a personal philosophy of seeing and emphasizing the good in people. “I see the best in people, which is one of my leadership strategies. I see the good, and I emphasize the good. I really believe that what gets acknowledged gets repeated,” Bennett says.
Bennett’s career is a testament to the power of positive influence, hard work and genuine care for one’s community. Her legacy already serves as an inspiring blueprint for how one individual’s dedication and leadership can elevate an entire state, but Bennett says her greatest contributions are still to come.
“I love being a pollinator and connector. It lights me up. No matter what I’m talking about or what I’m connecting people for, it’s that same piece of me that gets excited.” To Main Page