In this annual Women of Achievement edition, In Business Magazine shines a special spotlight on women who are using their leadership positions in for- and nonprofit organizations to make a difference in our community. This year, the Women of Achievement Committee has sought women who demonstrate a powerful commitment to giving back to their communities.
The Grand Canyon State is home to countless women whose dynamism enriches the organizations they lead and the communities in which they live. With pluck, ingenuity and perseverance, they have contributed their unique perspectives and creative solutions to tackling Arizona’s biggest challenges — and opportunities. As such, the committee faced a daunting task in selecting this year’s honorees. The women celebrated within these pages have impacted numerous lives through their leadership. They have transformed the vision of their organizations, expanded the economic impact of their businesses and nurtured the talents of those around them. Looking ahead, they are also trailblazers for subsequent generations of women leaders.
This September edition’s cover story presents the 2024 In Business Magazine Women of Achievement: fourteen exceptional women who share their stories in biographical profiles. As this award celebrates some of the Valley’s most talented leaders, I consider it a high privilege to be this year’s Linda M. Herold Lifetime Achievement Honoree.
This edition also dips its toes ever so lightly into the political arena with a feature on the Arizona Corporation Commission, starting with explaining its responsibilities and how its decisions impact business. Emphasizing the Commission’s importance, Jennifer Cranston also provides brief, nonpartisan biographies of the six candidates running for the three Commission positions in November’s election.
In the Economy feature, Adam Nguyen addresses startup entrepreneurs with “Securing Your Funding Round: A Strategic Guide.” The Roundtable feature takes a different angle on economic decisions, as Sundip Patel discusses “How to Align Business Success with Sustainable Development Goals.”
Other articles range over a broad spectrum of topics, from healthcare to technology to guest columns on “Social Impact,” “Resilience” and “Nonprofit.”
I’m very pleased to have been asked to lead this September edition of In Business Magazine, and hope you find the stories inspiring.
Sincerely,
Barbara Barrett
25th Secretary of the U.S. Air Force
Former Ambassador to Finland
Interim President of Thunderbird School of Global Management
An ASU internship launched my career spanning business, academia and public service. I was an executive of two Fortune 500 companies and chairman of the Valley Bank of Arizona. Serving as U.S. 25th Secretary of the Air Force encompassed founding the U.S. Space Force.
A former president of the International Women’s Forum, I continue to advocate for women leaders. My current involvement spans the Smithsonian and Caltech, home of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation Board, which supports the Navy’s next-generation submarine reviving the Arizona’s venerable name.
