Q: What were the leadership traits you valued in your mentor? How do you incorporate these traits into your leadership? Or if you do not, why not?
Nick Mancusi
Founder & Creative Principal
Mancusi
Sector: Architecture
One of the most valuable lessons my mentor taught me was that you should begin your career where you ultimately want to end it. His philosophy was simple: Remain true to your ideals, pursue work that reflects your values, and never compromise your vision for immediate financial gain.
I’ve carried that philosophy throughout my career and into my approach to leadership. The work we choose today shapes the opportunities available to us tomorrow. If we continually pursue what is expedient rather than what is meaningful, we risk building careers and organizations that take us further from our aspirations.
I believe the greatest accomplishments, whether in architecture, business or service to our communities, emerge from an unwavering commitment to a larger vision. They require conviction, perseverance and the courage to make decisions that may not offer immediate rewards.
As a leader, I strive to instill that same sense of purpose in others. True leadership isn’t simply about achieving results; it’s about creating lasting value through the principles that guide us.
Nick Mancusi, AIA, is an award-winning architect, builder and developer with more than 25 years of experience in architecture, construction and organizational leadership. Founder and creative principal of Mancusi, he brings an integrated approach to design and construction. A graduate of Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, he has served on the AIA National Board of Directors and currently leads two nonprofit organizations.
David Moezidis
President & CEO
Benchmark Electronics
Sector: Engineering
One of my most influential mentors combined an extraordinary work ethic with a commitment to results and an ability to bring out the best in people. He recognized individual strengths; helped people overcome weaknesses; and knew when to challenge, support or step aside. His success was reflected in the success of those around him.
I try to carry that balance into my leadership by setting clear, ambitious goals, holding people accountable and giving them room to lead. When we developed Benchmark’s Path to 2030 vision, I challenged our leadership team to question longstanding assumptions and rethink what we could achieve together. The goal was to build confidence in our people and help them develop the capabilities to turn ambition into action.
The lesson I value most is to never underestimate your impact on someone’s career and life. Leaders who believed in me created opportunities that changed my trajectory. I feel a responsibility to do the same for others. Results matter, but so do the people we help grow and the opportunities we create for them.
David Moezidis is president and chief executive officer of Benchmark, leading global strategy, operations and growth. He brings more than 35 years of experience across engineering, operations, sales and marketing, with prior leadership roles at Flex, KLA and Kodak. Moezidis holds two bachelor’s degrees in engineering, an MBA from Pepperdine University and is a graduate of Stanford University’s Executive Management Program.
Matthew Owens
Partner & Owner
ON Advertising
Sector: Advertising
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have quite a few amazing mentors guide me along the way. There are a few things they all have had in common: They were all a master of their craft. They were all highly respected in their fields yet remained very humble.
None of them were working an angle for their own benefit. I had nothing to offer them, but they were still willing to help and guide me through my biggest career decisions. Each, in their own way, was a walking/talking example of how to find success. They led by doing and all of them put in the hard work with their teams.
Lastly, they were extremely kind and overly generous with their time. They molded me into who I am today. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward. I’m always happy to help others in their professional lives if I can, and I hope to continue doing so as long as I live.
Matthew Owens serves as partner and owner of ON Advertising, which holds the distinction of being the Southwest’s largest minority-owned full-service agency. As a core member of the executive leadership team referred to as the ADmigos, he brings more than three decades of expertise in shaping high-impact brand strategies and authentic marketing campaigns that foster genuine business expansion.
Jon Siegel
Founder & CEO
The Perfect Companion
Sector: Senior Care
My mentor, Patrick van den Bossche, president of Realty Executives International, taught me that the most valuable thing a leader can give is time. Patrick has always made himself available, whether the issue was a sensitive personnel matter or a major business decision. He is transparent, stays engaged and puts my interests ahead of his own.
What makes it work is that our relationship is authentic. There is no agenda. Patrick tells me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear, and I trust him because of it.
I try to lead the same way. At The Perfect Companion, our caregivers and the families we serve can reach me directly. When something is hard, I tell people the truth, early. And I measure my success by how well the people around me are doing, not by my title.
The lesson I took from Patrick is simple: Show up. Be honest. Make it about them.
Jon Siegel is founder and president of The Perfect Companion, an in-home senior care company in Phoenix, Columbus and Nashville. A former geriatric psychotherapist with 30 years of clinical experience, he holds a Master of Social Welfare specializing in clinical psychotherapy. He built the company to match caregivers and clients based on skill and personality. It has been named to the Inc. 5000 five consecutive years.
Michael D. White, MD, MBA
President & CEO
Valleywise Health
Sector: Healthcare
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of learning from exceptional leaders, each with a different style. The ones who influenced me most shared three qualities: They trusted people, embraced accountability and never stopped teaching or learning.
They understood that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about surrounding yourself with talented people, giving them the opportunity to lead and supporting them along the way. That’s something I strive to do every day.
They also taught me that accountability and trust go hand in hand. We must be willing to own our outcomes, learn from our mistakes and create an environment where people feel empowered to speak up. This is foundational to our journey toward high reliability at Valleywise Health.
Perhaps most importantly, they recognized that every interaction is an opportunity to learn. Whether with a colleague, a patient or someone just beginning their career, I believe leadership requires humility, curiosity and a commitment to helping others grow.
Ultimately, our greatest responsibility as leaders is to develop those who will lead after us.
Michael D. White, MD, MBA is president and CEO of Valleywise Health, Arizona’s public teaching and safety-net hospital system. He joined Valleywise in 2019 as executive vice president and chief clinical officer. With a specialty in cardiology, he earned his medical degree and completed residency and fellowship at Creighton University.
