Co-Founder & Owner | The Larry H. Miller Company
Gail Miller’s name—and her far-reaching legacy as an astute businesswoman and leading philanthropist—proceeds her. She is the former chair of Intermountain Health’s board of trustees and currently serves on the advisory boards of Zions Bank, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah Impact Partnership Fund, Shelter the Homeless and more. Her name graces the Gail Miller Resource Center and the Gail Miller School of Business. She presides over the Larry H. Miller Education Foundation and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, which support various charitable, educational and humanitarian causes.
“And all of that has come about since Larry passed away. Until that time, I was a housewife and a stay-at-home mom,” Miller says. “I’ve had a big adventure.”
After the passing of her husband in 2009, Gail assumed total ownership of The Larry H. Miller Company and led its corporate restructuring shortly after. Two multi-billion-dollar divestments and several acquisitions later, the expansive Larry H. Miller Company now employs over 5,000 people and spans diverse industries, including real estate, health care, finance, entertainment and sports.
Through it all, the values Miller learned in her youth—respect, service, self-confidence and faith in a higher power—have guided her path.
“There are a lot of conversations today about what makes a great leader, and in my opinion, women are coming into their own,” Miller says. “I think the reason for that is they lead in a different way. For me, it’s compassion, love and service. I don’t have to be heavy-handed; I can be understanding. I can listen and share and make myself available as a mentor. … Those are the [values] I lead with because they come naturally to me.”
Notably, Miller has embarked on a strategic path of growth and diversification for The Larry H. Miller Company. This journey saw divestments from dealerships and the Utah Jazz, balanced by strategic acquisitions like Advanced Health Care and a majority stake in Swig.
“Those were the things I decided to concentrate on: What will the future be like? How are we going to be different than we are today?” Miller says. “We wanted to stay the same in our culture, values, and ability to attract, grow and develop good people. But we wanted to see some changes on the horizon that would be challenging, fun and adventuresome. They have proven to be the right goals.”
Miller understands that knowledge enriches her ability to serve effectively. While building a thriving business empire, she has maintained an unwavering commitment to make the world a better place.
“I care about all of these areas, but they also teach me a lot,” Miller says. “I feel like I have something to give, and I also have a lot to learn. When I learn, I’m better able to serve.”