SheTech Interns Interview Margaret Busse
Margaret Busse, Executive Director of Utah’s Department of Commerce, brings global perspective, policy chops, and a grounded leadership style to one of the state’s most impactful roles.
People & Culture
From Harvard to Holladay: How Margaret Busse Is Shaping the Future of AI—and Women’s Leadership—in Utah
“How do we stay ahead of a technology like AI? We need a government that learns—actively, and in real time.”
That’s not your typical bureaucratic talking point. But Margaret Busse isn’t a typical government official.
As Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, Busse is shaping some of the state’s most consequential initiatives—guarding consumers from fraud, guiding responsible AI development, and building institutional trust in an age when that’s anything but guaranteed.
Speaking from her Salt Lake City office, Busse recently reflected on her unusual path into public service, her admiration for global figures like Margaret Thatcher, and how she’s balancing innovation, motherhood, and mission-driven work.
From Holladay to Harvard—with a Nod to the Iron Lady
Busse grew up in Holladay and graduated from Olympus High School. While she didn’t have a precise career in mind back then, one figure stood out to her—British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
“I remember being very aware and impressed by Margaret Thatcher,” she said. “She was a determined person, politically conservative, and I admired her leadership. It made me wonder—what can I do, like she did, to make the country better?”
Thatcher’s unapologetic strength in a male-dominated sphere left a lasting impression. That early inspiration helped shape Busse’s career-long interest in economics, governance, and public accountability.
She studied public policy and economics at Brigham Young University, then earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Her résumé spans high-impact roles at the U.S. Treasury, Harvard Business School’s Social Enterprise Initiative, The Bridgespan Group, and local government work in Massachusetts.
In 2021, Governor Spencer Cox appointed her to lead the Utah Department of Commerce—Utah’s main business regulatory agency. The department oversees business registration, real estate, licensing, and financial industries, with a mission to protect consumers and foster a fair, transparent marketplace.
Busse just wrapped up a trade mission to Montreal and Toronto with a Utah delegation, including Governor Spencer Cox, focused on strengthening ties with Canada in critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The group met with top AI institutions like MILA, IVADO, McGill University, and the University of Toronto, as well as biotech firm Recursion and officials including Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Utah shared its AI policy framework promoting innovation with safeguards, and praised Canadian advancements in AI safety. The visit emphasized mutual learning and future collaboration.
“Children Take Time—And They Should”
Between Harvard and state leadership, Busse took a detour many leaders would hesitate to admit: a 13-year career break to raise her five children.
“Children take time, and they should,” she says. “They’re human beings. We need to take time for them.”
During that period, she stayed engaged by volunteering in city government in Acton, Massachusetts, keeping her skills sharp while gaining community-level experience. She also developed a keener eye for leadership in everyday contexts—especially the undervalued leadership of parents, caregivers, and volunteers.
“People assume if you’ve stepped away, you’re less qualified. That’s just not true,” she said. “I think I grew as a leader during that time.”
Her takeaway? Don’t lose confidence. “Be honest about your weaknesses, but don’t ignore your strengths. Be kind, competent, and confident—and don’t get overly distracted by whether someone is prejudiced against you.”
On AI, Accountability, and Learning from the Past
Busse isn’t just regulating yesterday’s industries—she’s trying to anticipate tomorrow’s.
One of her top priorities as Executive Director is shaping the state’s approach to artificial intelligence. Under her leadership, the Department created Utah’s first Office of AI Policy, aiming to proactively address the technology’s risks and benefits.
“What happened with social media in the 2010s can’t happen again,” said Busse. “Governments weren’t paying attention. By the time they noticed the harm, it was already done.”
The AI office is designed to avoid that mistake—encouraging innovation while also protecting consumers, updating regulatory frameworks, and keeping Utah on the cutting edge.
“We want a government that doesn’t just respond,” noted Busse. “We want one that learns.”
Advice for the Next Generation: Know Who You Are
When asked what she’d tell young women aspiring to lead, Busse didn't sugarcoat it.
“Don’t be intimidated—but don’t pretend you never will be. It’s a natural emotion. Acknowledge it, then move forward. Know who you are.”
She also stresses the importance of “critical mass” in leadership: the need for enough women in any workplace to shift the dynamic.
“It’s not about exclusion. It’s about connection,” she explained. “Having a strong network of women—friends, peers, mentors—has been essential for me, not just personally, but professionally.”
Busse’s story combines high-level experience with deeply personal choices. She’s as comfortable discussing financial regulation as she is explaining a gap on her résumé. And in an era of skepticism toward both government and tech, her mix of competence, clarity, and human perspective might be exactly what’s needed.
As for following in Margaret Thatcher’s footsteps?
Busse stated, “I’m not trying to be anyone else,” she says. “But I do want to lead with the same kind of resolve—doing the work, protecting people, and making government better.”
Haylee Heiner and Shae Stephenson are serving as SheTech Media Interns for the 2024–2025 academic year. Both are seniors at Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah, where they’re enrolled in the school’s rigorous International Baccalaureate program. Active members of the National Honor Society at both the council and group levels, they’ve completed numerous STEM courses and are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities.
The SheTech Media Internship—offered through TechBuzz News—provides Haylee and Shae with valuable opportunities in networking and journalism. Their work is published on TechBuzz News, Silicon Slopes, and other media platforms. Through the internship, they also engage with finalists of the Women Tech Awards, reporting on their achievements and contributions to the tech industry.