Wendy Cohen

Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers?

For me, leadership starts with vulnerability. It’s about understanding that you don’t have all the answers and being confident enough to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you in their areas of expertise. I’ve learned that vulnerability combined with curiosity is one of the most powerful leadership traits — staying open to what you don’t know and being committed to learning every day.

At Kitchell, this approach is shaping our culture. We’ve built an organization where transparency, collaboration and curiosity drive us forward. It’s a constant work in progress that takes a daily commitment to trying, failing and trying again — and admitting when you’re wrong.

One of the greatest successes I’ve seen from this philosophy is the trust it builds. When people feel safe to share ideas, challenge assumptions or admit mistakes, innovation happens. The best ideas come from teams that feel empowered to think differently and know their input matters.

Q: What impact have any disruptions of the past 18 months had on you as a leader?

If the last 18 months have taught me anything, it’s patience. Managing complex issues and organizational change takes time — often more time than we want to give. Sometimes the “easy button” simply isn’t an option. Some challenges have layers that require thoughtful consideration, and moving too quickly can create new ones or take you off course.

I’ve learned that lasting change doesn’t happen in bursts of activity; it happens through steady, deliberate progress. I call this grit — showing up every day, no matter how hard it is, and leaning into the work. As a leader, I’ve learned to balance speed with consistency — moving forward with purpose but allowing time for things to take root.

People also experience change differently, and leading through uncertainty means helping others stay grounded when the path isn’t clear. The most successful leaders are those who steady the ship — who provide clarity even when all the answers aren’t yet known. That steadiness, paired with optimism, keeps teams moving forward with confidence.

Q: What do you feel we can be doing as a business community to empower economic growth here?

Arizona has long been known as a business-friendly state, and we need to stay intentional about protecting and expanding that advantage. Continued smart growth depends on remaining competitive with other states that are aggressively attracting investment and talent.

That means doubling down on infrastructure — the foundation of our communities — and keeping our workforce development efforts aligned with the evolving needs of employers. It’s essential to create pathways for young people to pursue careers in construction, engineering, technology and other high-demand fields that fuel growth.

Economic success doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when the public and private sectors come together with a shared vision for how to grow responsibly and sustainably. Collaboration is key — between government, business and education. If we get that right, we not only attract businesses but create a stronger quality of life for everyone who calls Arizona home.

Q: What is new and notable for your company’s near future that will impact our economy?

Kitchell is celebrating its 75th anniversary — a milestone that’s both a reflection of where we’ve been and a bold step toward where we’re going. Earlier this year, we rolled out Forging the Future of the Built World — our 10-year vision to redefine how we lead and deliver in the built environment.

We’re deeply invested in Arizona’s future — in our people, our communities, and in developing the next generation of leaders who will shape what comes next. From expanding infrastructure and municipal projects to advancing healthcare and education facilities, our focus is on creating spaces that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.

We’re also evolving how we use technology and sustainability to drive innovation and reduce our environmental footprint. Our teams are finding smarter ways to build — using data, digital tools and collaboration to deliver projects that are more efficient and impactful.

Our commitment is simple: to keep building what’s next for Arizona — with leadership, innovation and collaboration at the core of everything we do. That’s how we honor our legacy and ensure the next 75 years are even more transformative than the last.