SVP | Universal Media
Founder | W Collective
Co-Founder | Utah’s 40 Over 40
Robyn Cohen’s career spans industries and continents. It all began in the beauty sector, where she perfected her skills as a makeup artist for prestigious brands such as M.A.C., Smashbox, Aveda and Molton Brown. She played a pivotal role in introducing a skincare brand to iconic retailers like Henri Bendel in New York City and Nordstrom. Transitioning from beauty to technology, she helped run her husband’s enterprise — a white-label social networking platform — which took her to São Paulo, Brazil. There, she launched a website dedicated to spotlighting women founders and executives. Settling in Salt Lake City 10 years ago, Robyn immersed herself in the local startup and tech community and engaged in women-focused initiatives. Today, her work involves contributing to notable companies in Utah’s thriving business sector and founding organizations that empower women in their careers.
What advice would you give to young women looking to succeed in your field?
The advice I would give is simple: You’re never too old, and it’s never too late to pursue your goals and dreams. Throughout their lives, girls and women face many challenges that affect both their personal and professional worlds. These obstacles, as varied and daunting as they may be, should neither stop our progress nor define us. It’s crucial to recognize our worth, harness our confidence and relentlessly pursue our aspirations. I celebrated my 50th birthday last year, marking a surreal yet incredibly empowering milestone. I feel like I’m just getting started. Success at any age is a remarkable feat, but there’s a distinct magic in realizing your dreams later in life — it’s a testament to endurance, wisdom and the undying spirit of ambition.
What’s the next big goal or project in your professional journey?
I recently joined Universal Media, my family’s advertising firm. Fun fact: my late father-in-law pioneered shopping mall and lifestyle center advertising over 40 years ago. After scaling the company to over 400 malls, he sold it to Clear Channel. He re-entered the business more than a decade ago with a curated portfolio of assets across key markets. Tragically, we lost him to cancer two years ago. Now, under my husband’s leadership and vision, we’re navigating the company’s next chapter. This includes transitioning from static displays to dynamic digital solutions and integrating innovative features like ad-supported EV charging units. I joined the team to contribute to and support the growth of this new phase, and it’s an exhilarating time to be part of the out-of-home advertising and media space. Working alongside my family to scale Universal Media into its next evolution is both exciting and deeply meaningful to me. To Main Page