Two SUU Employees Named in Utah Top 50 Female Leaders
Published: May 09, 2025 | Author: Kierstin Holloway | Read Time: 3 minutes
Two of Southern Utah University’s outstanding employees have been named among The Top 50 Women Leaders of Utah for 2025. Inclusion in this list is a notable achievement that recognizes all that these women have accomplished in their respective fields and the good that they have done in the broader community. Among those honored are Tessa Douglas, Title IX coordinator and director of the SUU Equal Opportunity Office, and Dr. Shalini Kesar, tenured professor and director of the Master of Science in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance program.
Kesar is a repeat honoree who has worked over the past 16 years to spearhead an outreach program that caters to high school students in rural Utah, to create a unique pipeline for students to pursue IT and Cybersecurity education. Kesar is also one of the co-founders and president of the Women in Cybersecurity Utah chapter, a platform to provide leadership opportunities for aspiring women leaders and male allies in cybersecurity in the community.
“I am truly humbled and honored to be recognized both this year and last year,” said Kesar. “It is a privilege to share a platform and be acknowledged with women leaders in various fields, aiming to inspire and empower others.”
Douglas has volunteered on multiple boards in Iron County and Utah, including as the Cedar City Rotary Club President and on the board of directors for Canyon Creek Services, Women's Business Center of Southern Utah, Utah Board of International Educators, Iron County Republican Women, and SUU's 125th Celebration Community Subcommittee. She has also built up a number of significant programs, including SUU's Learning Abroad program, the Dual Enrollment partnership between SUU and Southwest Technical College, and the Cedar City Business and Innovation Center.
“As I have moved through my career at the University, I have been given opportunities to serve, to travel, to present, to gain additional education, and to stretch my mind and abilities many times,” said Douglas. “I owe so much of who I have become to SUU!”
Douglas and Kesar both encourage female students at SUU who aspire to become leaders to seek out mentors who can help them on their way. They also encourage students to stay dedicated and face their challenges head-on.
“I would tell aspiring leaders not to fear change or challenges. Leadership muscles flex and develop when we are willing to stretch beyond our comfort zones,” said Douglas. “Change and challenges are inevitable, and leaders must be comfortable navigating themselves and others through them.”
Both women are themselves great examples of what it means to soar, despite challenges or obstacles.
“Some of the biggest challenges are being underestimated in a male-dominated field, and a lack of support,” said Kesar. “One of the ways to aspire to be a leader is to not give up on your passions, develop resilience, and find mentors or allies who will support, provide both guidance and networking opportunities.”
Douglas believes her challenges have been two-pronged, both internal and external. Internally, she has to battle self-doubt.
“I still get impostor syndrome all the time, which is something I think a lot of women leaders have to overcome,” said Dougals. “I'm keenly aware of my shortcomings and insecurities, and I don't know that the feelings of inadequacy ever completely go away. When I'm feeling like an impostor, I adopt a "fake it 'til you make it' mantra, and so far it has gotten me through those challenges.”
“I plan to continue to develop projects where aspiring leaders have a platform to network, collaborate, and improve their skill sets for professional growth,” said Kesar.
SUU is proud to have these women as leaders on campus. Their examples of dedication and drive help the University to foster an educational community that helps students realize their potential academically and supports them on their journey to becoming community leaders.Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu