Utah Valley University honored five awardees at the annual UVU Alumni Awards: Lindsey C. Lewis ’15 MBA ’17, Shauna L. Smith, Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU), Travis M. Hansen ’00, and Janis F. Lindley.
On February 20, Utah Valley University (UVU) honored five awardees at the annual UVU Alumni Awards: Lindsey C. Lewis ’15 MBA ’17, Shauna L. Smith, Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU), Travis M. Hansen ’00, and Janis F. Lindley. Each winner has had a massive impact on the University, the students, and alumni.
These awards honor alumni and community members who live the mission of the University and who have distinguished themselves through their efforts in supporting students and the University. Each was nominated by the UVU Alumni Association or the UVU community and were selected by a committee of UVU staff and alumni board members.
"To all of our awardees...I want to say thank you," UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez said. "Thank you for the lives that you've led. Thank you for your involvement with UVU. Thank you for the stories that are being told about you. The more these stories are told, the more others are inspired to launch their own journeys of education, careers, families, and service."
This event was held in the new Young Living Alumni Center on Orem Campus with food by Guru’s Café, owned by UVU alumnus Dean Judd ’20, and music from a string trio, all of whom are UVU alumni.
The UVU Alumni Impact Award is presented to a UVU alum in recognition of perseverance and dedication to a given area. The alum must demonstrate early success, innovation, impact, or leadership to their industry, community, the public, or humanity.
Lindsey Lewis ‘15 MBA ‘17 is a trailblazing force in the intersection of women and finance, guiding women to take charge of their financial futures. With esteemed titles including Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Professional, she not only offers expert guidance but also pioneers diversity within the financial services sector.
Currently serving as the Senior Director and Chair of the American College Center for Women in Financial Services, an acclaimed Center of Excellence at The American College of Financial Services, Lewis spearheads groundbreaking research and passionately advocates for the advancement of diverse women in the field. At the forefront of industry transformation, she co-chairs The College’s Next Gen Advisory Taskforce, attracting new talent and fostering inclusivity.
Possessing dual degrees in personal financial planning and an MBA from Utah Valley University, Lewis exemplifies excellence in academia and her professional endeavors. Starting with a full academic scholarship at UVU for her undergraduate program, she showcased her athleticism as a pole vaulter, earning silver medals in Great West Athletic Conference outdoor track and field competitions in 2012 and 2013. Lewis also served as the Western Athletic Conference Student Academic Athletic Committee Vice President, hosting a successful talent show that raised over $3,000 for Toys for Tots and participating in a study abroad program to France.
Embarking on her career journey, Lewis landed her first job at one of the largest wealth management firms in Utah after her undergrad, eventually returning to UVU for her MBA.
Since graduating, she has been actively involved in the UVU Personal Financial Planning Alumni Board, serving as president. Lewis initiated the "Polished: Women in Business" event, now in its sixth year, providing inspiration and mentorship for women and young women. She also orchestrated the PFP program’s first 4.01k race in 2023, promoting fundraising and awareness for the profession and financial literacy.
As a rising leader with experience at a large RIA and Vanguard, Lewis transcends traditional boundaries. Leveraging Women Working in Wealth® social media channels, podcasts, and exclusive events, she cultivates a community of empowerment. Her dedication and advocacy have earned her recognition, including spots on the 2023 Investment News Hot List and Aspionner’s 20 under 40 List, the 2022 Excell Represents Rising Star Woman in Wealth Management award, and the Investment News 40 Under 40 list in 2021.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lewis volunteers with $AVVY Ladies, a pro-bono financial planning nonprofit. In her leisure moments, she finds balance through yoga, workouts, and quality time with her family, embodying the roles of both a dedicated mother to two children and a thriving professional.
Honorary Alumni status is presented to a person who is not a graduate of UVU but who has earned this recognition and honor through deep loyalty, service, and support of the University.
As the chief executive officer and co-founder of Savory Fund, Shauna is an accomplished executive leader with more than 15 years of experience at the helm of food and beverage organizations. Shauna has been integral in developing, acquiring, and operating over 400 restaurants across a dozen states since 2008. Cumulatively, these establishments have raked in sales north of $2.5 billion, offering employment opportunities to over 40,000 individuals. Savory Fund has grown to oversee assets exceeding $750 million. The fund's track record boasts successful closures of Fund I and II at $100 million each in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Fund III was launched in January 2024 and is a $200M fund. Today, Savory Fund is proud of its eclectic portfolio comprising renowned brands like Swig, Mo’ Bettahs, R&R BBQ, Via 313, Hash Kitchen, PINCHO, and more — with recent ventures expanding into the technology sector with an investment in 86 Repairs. Shauna's primary focus is on elevating operational efficiencies and accelerating revenue growth across the various brands in the Savory portfolio. With an operational depth supported by a 70-person value-add team, she directly supervises the senior leaders of each portfolio company to ensure that both strategic and tactical objectives are met. This remarkable growth trajectory earned the firm multiple accolades, including back-to-back fast-growth awards from Restaurant Monitor, as well as eight appearances on Inc. Magazine's prestigious Inc. 500 list, a testament to its rapid expansion and success.
Beyond her organizational achievements, Shauna herself has been the recipient of several distinguished industry awards. She was featured on the cover of Franchise Times in November 2018 and was honored by Utah Business Magazine as one of the "30 Women to Watch" in 2019. Furthermore, she received the prestigious CXO of the Year award in 2020, and the CEO of the Year award in 2022 by Utah Business underlining her exceptional leadership abilities and her commitment to excellence.
Originally hailing from Dothan, Alabama, Shauna currently makes her home in Utah with her family: husband of 25 years, Andrew, and two sons and a daughter-in-law.
This award recognizes strategic planning, employee development, community involvement, customer service, and corporate integrity of a business whose pioneering initiatives have demonstrated success and contributions to the community and the mission of UVU.
Utah Community Credit Union is an organization built on traditional values of commitment to outstanding service, respect for others, and fiscal responsibility. They hold themselves to the highest standards of honesty, professionalism, and integrity and are committed to achieving excellence in operations, products, and member service.
They have created a home for themselves on UVU’s Orem Campus, starting back in 2010 when they purchased the naming rights to the UCCU Center, which hosts many sporting and other events both for UVU and the community. Their branch in the Student Life and Wellness Center also provides a place for students, faculty, and staff to do their banking without having to travel off campus.
UCCU continues to illustrate its dedication to UVU. In 2022, they pledged to give $28.5 million to the university, which is still the largest single gift in UVU’s history. The majority of this gift ($20 million) will go towards the upcoming UCCU Soccer Stadium.
UCCU was represented by Bret VanAusdal, Jordan Perry, and Richard Hirst. Bret VanAusdal is the chief executive officer and president of Utah Community Credit Union. Bret has more than 40 years of banking industry experience with multiple prominent financial institutions. Since joining UCCU in 1995, Bret has held a variety of positions including senior vice president of lending, chief operations officer, and executive vice president.
Jordan Perry has been with UCCU since 2016 and actively stewards the strategic relationship between UVU and UCCU since 2019 while also overseeing the credit union’s Performance Marketing division. Along with his wife, Vaylene, who is a graduate of UVU, they have raised three amazing Wolverines in-training. One of their favorite activities is attending UVU basketball games at the UCCU Center. Jordan has been instrumental in all the on-campus partnerships between UVU and UCCU, including the naming of the UCCU Soccer Stadium, UCCU Center, supporting Alumni events, the Money Success Center, and New Student Orientation. Whether working with the various on-campus departments, serving students, or cheering from the stands, Jordan truly is a Wolverine. He currently serves on the Wolverine Club Board supporting the initiative and vision of UVU Athletics.
Richard Hirst has been married to his wonderful wife, Michelle, for 33 years. He is the father of six children, five of whom spent at least part of their higher education career at UVU with two of them graduating from UVU. Richard has worked at UCCU for over 20 years and is currently the Vice President of Performance Marketing. His association with UVU began in 2008 when UCCU partnered with UVU to create the PlusCard Student ID. Since then, Richard has been instrumental in leading UCCU’s many partnership efforts with UVU, including the naming of the UCCU Center, UCCU Ballpark, and the UCCU Soccer Stadium as well as sponsorship agreements with UVU Athletics, the Money Success Center, Alumni, Summer University, the President's Scholarship Ball, and the Wolverine Invitational Golf Tournament.
The UVU Distinguished Alumni Award is given to a Utah Valley University alum in recognition of personal or professional accomplishments that have bettered their chosen field, industry, or community and enhanced the reputation of UVU.
Travis founded Tesani Companies in 2013, which has founded Lift Credit, Tech9, and EddyHR and acquired multiple businesses. He co-founded a nonprofit, Sunshine Heroes Foundation, with his wife, LaRee, in 2007. He played collegiate basketball for two schools: Utah Valley State College and Brigham Young University, where he earned the Defensive Player of the Year, All-District and All-Conference honors in basketball while at BYU.
Travis was drafted in 2003 with the 37th pick and played in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks in 2003-2004. He later played eight seasons in the Euroleague for Tau Ceramica (Victoria, Spain), Dynamo, Khimki (Moscow, Russia), and Real Madrid (Madrid, Spain). His career achievements in basketball are many and include All-Euro Team & All-Euro Defensive Team honors, 2006 Copa Del Rey Champion, four-time All-Russian Super League Team honors, and VTB United Champion in 2011. In September 2011, Travis retired from professional basketball. He is author of The Next Few Years Will Change Your Life, a book published by Deseret Book released in December of 2012.
Hansen’s business and civic achievements include recognition as BYU’s 2015 Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award, named one of the coolest entrepreneurs by Utah Valley Magazine, and Utah Business named Tesani Companies one of the best companies to work for in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Travis received an associate degree from UVU, then Utah Valley State College, in 2000, a B.S. in Health Science from Brigham Young University, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University.
After serving a mission in Chile, he married his wife LaRee (née Merrell). He is the father of five children. Travis and his family are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he has served as a full-time missionary, high councilor, elders quorum president, and bishop.
The Wilson W. Sorensen Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a UVU employee or volunteer (past or present) who has continually served throughout their life to further the purposes and mission of UVU. This award is given in honor of Wilson W. Sorensen who served as UVU's president for 36 years.
Janis graduated from the University of Utah in May 2018 after initially starting her university studies in 1982. She took a 30+ year leave of absence from university studies to raise eight children. She now holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. While finishing her bachelor’s degree, she took five credits of Chinese classes from Utah Valley University. Six of her children and/or their spouses have attended or are attending UVU, including several of them running on the UVU cross country and track teams.
Janis served on the Women’s Success Center Advisory Board at UVU as a mentor and was involved in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars of scholarship money supporting women students at UVU. As a result, she received the prestigious Rainmaker Award in March 2017. She continues to support the yearly fundraising efforts for women students at UVU.
Janis served on the Bridle Up Hope Advisory Board in Alpine and then recently opened a chapter of Bridle Up Hope in Mapleton, Utah, where she is the executive director. Bridle Up Hope Mapleton is a nonprofit which serves girls and women, helping them gain confidence, resilience, and hope through an equestrian program and Steven Covey’s 7 Habits. Weekly, Janis also co-leads a youth group ages 8-18 in Horse-4H.
Janis also founded the Interact Club of Orem City (an affiliate of Rotary for high school students), which includes four high schools in Orem, as an interact advisor and member of the Orem Rotary Club. She represented Rotary by presenting dictionaries to third graders at Orem Elementary School and the donation of winter coats to school age children in Orem.
In addition to her work with Rotary, Janis founded the nonprofit Hope4Orem, which is focused on suicide awareness and prevention, supporting Hope Squads in schools throughout the city of Orem. In addition, Janis currently overseas Orchard Charities, her family’s charitable organization, which donates to UVU and other universities in the state as well as various causes world-wide.
As a child, Janis lived in LaPaz, Bolivia, for four years and speaks Spanish. She served as a volunteer representative for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arequipa, Puno, and Tacna, Peru, from May 1985 to December 1986 and again as a mission leader with her husband in Melbourne, Australia, from 2007 to 2010. Janis and her husband, Corey, are the parents of eight children and grandparents of twenty-six grandchildren. Together Corey, Janis, and their children have lived in Australia, China (Hong Kong and Shanghai), and Japan, and have traveled for humanitarian trips throughout the world. Janis has a passion for helping others, particularly youth, live happy and fulfilled lives.
In her spare time, Janis loves participating in her hobbies with her husband and family. These hobbies include skiing, horseback riding, skijoring (which is skiing through a course while being pulled by a horse), golf, tennis, swimming, competing in triathlons, and is currently training for her first marathon.
