Silvia Castro Bennett

Silvia Castro Bennett is a respected leader in Utah’s business and economic development landscape, with over two decades of executive experience spanning the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. As President & CEO of the Suazo Business Center, she has led the organization’s expansion statewide—tripling the number of clients served annually, launching offices in Ogden and expanding the Center’s virtual presence—all while significantly increasing access to capital and business advising services.

Under Silvia’s leadership, Suazo achieved designation as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and has become a trusted partner for business owners across Utah. In the past year alone, Suazo supported over 1,500 businesses, helped launch hundreds of new enterprises, and contributed to the creation and retention of more than 1,000 jobs. These outcomes reflect not only strong execution, but a clear understanding of what it takes to move individuals from aspiration to ownership.

She has served and is currently on several influential boards and advisory councils, including the Federal Reserve’s Community Advisory Council, Keybank Utah Advisory Board, Envision Utah, Utah Foundation, and the Wasatch Front Regional Council Economic Development District. She also co-chaired the Economic Development team for Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s transition team in 2019.

Silvia has been widely recognized for her leadership and impact. Most recently she was honored by the YWCA with the 2026 Outstanding Achievement award, for advancing equity, opportunity and dignity across Utah. She has also received recognition as Utah Business’s “Women of the Year” in 2022 and selected as a “CEO of the Year” in 2025. The Salt Lake Chamber awarded her 2020 Pathfinder Award for her work building inclusive economic ecosystems. Most recently, she was selected as a fellow in the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) Executive Leadership Program, reflecting her national influence in community-based economic development.

A strategic thinker with a people-first mindset, Silvia brings deep insight into how leadership teams can stay aligned, evolve together, and pivot when the moment demands.