Greater Phoenix In Business Magazine is proud to announce its 2026 Women of Achievement honorees, an extraordinary group of women whose leadership, professional accomplishments and commitment to community are helping shape Arizona’s future.
The 2026 Women of Achievement will be honored at the magazine’s signature Women of Achievement Luncheon on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Arizona Biltmore.
This year’s class brings together some of Arizona’s most influential leaders from business, government, healthcare, financial services, technology, education, arts and culture, law and the nonprofit sector. Each has demonstrated not only remarkable professional success but also a commitment to using leadership to strengthen organizations, industries and the broader community.
Leading this year’s distinguished class is Sybil Francis, Ph.D., Chair, President & CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona, who will be recognized as the 2026 Linda M. Herold Lifetime Honoree for her exceptional career of leadership, vision and service to Arizona. Kris Mayes, Attorney General for the State of Arizona, will receive the 2026 Arizona Leader Award, recognizing her leadership and impact on issues important to the people, businesses and future of the State.
2026 Women of Achievement Honorees
- Sybil Francis, Ph.D. Chair, President & CEO, Center for the Future of Arizona – Lifetime Honoree
- Kris Mayes, Attorney General, State of Arizona – Arizona Leader Award
- Dayna Badhorn, Regional President, Americas Electronic Components, Avnet
- Tess Burleson, M.B.A., C.P.A., President, TGen Health Ventures; Chief Operating Officer, TGen
- Julie Friedly, Principal & Senior Vice President, Marsh McLennan Agency Arizona
- Melinda Morrison Gulick, CEO, First Things First
- Kesha Hodge-Washington, Vice Mayor, District 8 Councilwoman, City of Phoenix
- Amy Hysell, President & CEO, Arizona Financial Credit Union
- Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Vice President of Cultural Affairs, Arizona State University; Executive Director, ASU Gammage
- Julie Johnson, Executive Vice President, Colliers International
- Heather Kane, CEO for Arizona and New Mexico, UnitedHealthcare
- Vanessa Kisicki, Associate General Manager & Chief Customer Executive, Salt River Project
- Barb Kozuh, Executive Director, Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation
- Olivia Lemorrocco, Vice President of Operations, Phillips Law Group
- Regina Nixon, Executive Director, Phoenix Conservatory of Music
- Torrie A. Taj, CEO, Child Crisis Arizona
“For more than a decade, Women of Achievement has been about far more than recognizing professional success,” said Rick McCartney, President & CEO of InMedia Company and Publisher of Greater Phoenix In Business Magazine. “It is about recognizing women who use their success, influence and leadership to make Arizona stronger. This year’s honorees represent an exceptional cross-section of leaders who are building businesses, strengthening communities, creating opportunity and helping define what Arizona can become.”
The Women of Achievement program has become one of In Business Magazine’s signature annual events, bringing together many of the Valley’s leading executives, entrepreneurs, community leaders and decision-makers to recognize women whose work is creating measurable and lasting impact. In addition to honoring these women, three will be selected as storytellers who will tell their story of achievement TED Talk-style center stage.
The October 23 luncheon will celebrate the accomplishments and stories of each honoree while providing an opportunity for Arizona’s business and community leadership to come together around the impact these women are making throughout the State. The 2026 Women of Achievement Luncheon will take place Friday, October 23, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Arizona Biltmore. Individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at inbusinessevent.com.
