The Wyoming Women of Influence award is an award given to exceptional women in the state of Wyoming. Mary Martin and Holly Krutka, who are both members of UW faculty, were honored this October.
Martin, who works with the University of Wyoming Extension services, says that she “was really humbled” to receive the award, and that “the people that were recognized are doing really lovely and amazing things for our state. I’m pleased that the work I have done in extension for the University of Wyoming is recognized as having meritorious value.”
Martin mentions later when talking about the personal significance of the award that she’s “not done yet” and is continuing to try and reach her goals and move forward.
“I’m working on a board governance class called Building Better Boards. Legislature in the last legislative session passed House Bill 60, which requires all elected officials in the state to be trained in fiduciary responsibilities. And that class meets those obligations or statutory obligations. We’re expanding that class to be available statewide rather than just in the Teton County area.”
Martin remains highly content with the work that she does with the University of Wyoming Extension service, noting that her “career with the University of Wyoming Extension Service really provides tremendous opportunities and gives me the opportunity to be proud of the work that I’ve been able to do with the people I work with.”
Krutka, who is the current Executive Director at University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, also feels gratitude in being honored.
“I think one of the most meaningful things isn’t necessarily the honor itself, but the fact that the team here at the School of energy resources nominated me for that award,” Krutka said.
Kurtka made it clear that she values her team and the people she is surrounded by to a high degree, and really credits them with the success that they have all accomplished.
“When you’re in that leadership position, you actually don’t accomplish that much yourself. All you can do is support the people that work for you. And it’s really them, they do all the work around here. And I think I get a lot of the recognition sometimes, which isn’t always fair. But that’s that’s the way the world is, so I really don’t feel like I did that much other than honor them and hopefully try to recognize what they’ve done,” Krutka said.
Krutka also talked about her love for what the School of Energy and Resources does. She loves that by being in Wyoming they get to make so much impact, or in other words, the work her team does goes very far.
Krutka did not start out in the academia position and she began working at the University of Wyoming during COVID. However, she had a lot of help and has been able to accomplish a lot as a leader since she’s been with the university.
“I’d say people inspire me.”
When asked about her mentors and inspiration, Krutka discloses that some of her mentors include the university deans, her peers and some of the people that work for her.
She clarifies that someone does not need to be your superior to inspire or mentor you, and that she finds inspiration among her team.
