Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? Unity of purpose is critical, marching in lock step is critical, and having a passion for serving others is what should drive us as a team. Our employees and the community will notice this — and it will be positive. The reinvention of … [More]
Brandon Rafi
Founder Rafi Law Group
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? My approach to leadership has always been about service. I believe real leadership means putting people first and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. When I founded Rafi Law Group, my goal was to build a place … [More]
Denise Resnik
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer First Place AZ
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? My leadership style recognizes the value of constellations among stars and is fueled by building both. Stellar leaders are drawn to big ideas and even bigger visions — and I work to empower people who believe in each other and in what we're … [More]
Paul Rivers
Chief Innovation Officer Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? My leadership style starts with genuine care — care for the mission, care for the work and, most importantly, care for the people who make it all happen. When that foundation is real, everything else becomes possible. From there, leadership … [More]
Anthony Sharett
President Pathward Financial, Inc.
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? Fortunately, colleagues at Pathward have supported my leadership style, which, I hope, is a combination of being empowering and inclusive. Pathward has evolved from a series of separate businesses and channels into a connected enterprise over … [More]
Rick Smith
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Axon
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? When you’ve been part of something since the very beginning, you carry a deep sense of responsibility — not just to the company but to the mission that started it all. At Axon, that mission is protecting life. I spend most of my time focused … [More]
Mark Stebbings
Chief Executive Officer National Bank of Arizona
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? As a leader, I focus on establishing a clear strategic direction and aligning my team around our shared goals. I believe that when everyone understands not only what we are working toward but also why it matters, we can achieve remarkable … [More]
16 Top Leaders 2025: Our list of Valley leaders who are making a real difference!
At the close of each year, we spotlight top leaders who have demonstrated exceptional impact over the past year. This time, we’re profiling 16 leaders across key sectors of our business community. We asked them direct, forward-looking questions to understand what they see ahead for 2026. Each is deeply engaged in growing their organization and our regional economy — shaping … [More]
Crafting Today’s Dynamic Strategic Plan
Static, long-term planning is a thing of the past
Ten-year, five-year, three-year strategic plans … They work remarkably well under stable conditions. But with today’s governmental policy changes, political and economic swings, fundraising pressures and escalating community needs, these traditional “one and done” plans can leave nonprofits vulnerable. That’s not to say long-term planning isn’t critical. It is. Strategic … [More]
When the Roadblocks Become the Road
3 strategies to turn obstacles into opportunities
Every business leader, whether running a startup or managing a global enterprise, encounters moments when the path forward feels blocked. A product underperforms. A key employee leaves. A regulation changes overnight. And suddenly, what once seemed like a sure thing becomes a problem to solve — or, worse, a setback to survive. It’s easy to view these moments as … [More]
William Johnston: From Farm Rows to Vertical Mixed-Use
Epicenter visionary anchors decisions in first principles
When supply chains seized, inspections shifted without warning, and a few would-be tenants walked away during the pandemic, William Johnston didn’t flinch. He recalibrated. The CEO of Johnston & Co. tightened communication with equity partners and retailers, reworked timelines, and kept the bar high on design and fit. That resolve had already been tested in late 2017, when … [More]
Why Incorporate Skills-Based Volunteering into Corporate Social Responsibility
Businesses generate three-way benefit
Volunteering in today’s world looks very different from earlier times. It is more than just a one-off event. Both employees and communities expect companies to be involved in meaningful giving — whether through valued partnerships with aligned nonprofit partners or through volunteerism with tangible results. One of the strongest ways for businesses to position themselves as … [More]
Joe Stockunas Eyes Growth Opportunities for SEMICON West
The SEMI Americas president focuses on attendance, relevance and – in 2025 – on Phoenix
When Joe Stockunas talks about SEMI, he doesn’t sound like someone running a trade association. He sounds like an industry guy who’s spent decades in the trenches and knows how hard it is to get things done. That’s because he is. Before joining SEMI Americas, Stockunas spent more than 30 years leading businesses at Air Products and Nordson, working directly with customers and … [More]
Growth and Opportunity: Honoring Our 2025 Women of Achievement
“We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” —Oprah Winfrey Does growth engender opportunity, or is the inverse true? The two are intrinsically tied to each other, and, as Oprah suggests, taking or making opportunities to grow is necessary for success. This year’s Women of Achievement honorees exemplify this — not only in themselves but in their … [More]
Tina Marie Tentori
Director of Community Affairs, APS; Executive Director, APS Foundation
Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is more than celebrating success — it’s a powerful affirmation of values like perseverance, innovation and purpose-driven leadership. Recognition inspires others to aim higher, take bold risks and lead with heart. It also offers a moment to reflect — to pause; look back; and … [More]
Amy E. Patel
Arizona Office Tax Managing Partner, Deloitte Arizona
Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it recognizes effort, perseverance and resilience while reinforcing the values that drive success. When people’s accomplishments are acknowledged, it validates the hard work they have invested and builds confidence to keep striving toward greater goals. … [More]
Allison Otu, MBA
Executive Director of Marketing, Communications and Events; Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is essential as it celebrates the leaders whose hard work, time, talent and treasure make our community stronger every day. Recognition not only acknowledges their long hours and commitment to service but also creates a powerful ripple effect — inspiring mentees and young … [More]
Titina Pacheco
Chef, Titina’s Culinary Experiences
Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring those in our community is a special way of recognizing each person’s abilities, achievements and successes, no matter how small. We need to see the good in everyone and more people will follow their dreams. What is the single most important thing you have learned throughout your career … [More]
