Leslie Motter and Terry Goddard have been named the 76th Arizona Leaders of the Year, formerly known as Man & Woman of the Year. Honored for their dedication to tackling Arizona’s most pressing challenges, deep record of community engagement, and embodiment of Valley Leadership’s Principles of Doing, Motter and Goddard exemplify the spirit of servant leadership driving positive change across the state.
“Leslie and Terry represent the very best of what it means to lead in Arizona,” said Dave Brown, CEO of Valley Leadership. “Their unwavering commitment to helping others and tackling our state’s most complex challenges has left a lasting impact. In honoring them as Arizona Leaders of the Year, we celebrate their vision, courage, and the meaningful change they continue to drive for Arizona’s future.”
Leslie Motter is Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish America, a $500M+ nonprofit recognized by Morning Consult as one of the most trusted in the U.S. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in strategy, finance, operations, and human resources, spanning Fortune 100 companies and mission-driven organizations. Since joining Make-A-Wish, she has led digital modernization, strengthened governance and culture, and driven brand growth, building on her prior role as COO overseeing finance, technology, legal, and HR. Previously, she held senior leadership positions at American Express, Aetna, Prudential, and Vanguard. Forbes named her to its “50 Over 50” list in 2022, and she has also received the Heart for the Homeless Award and was an Athena Finalist.
Terry Goddard has dedicated his life to strengthening Arizona’s civic fabric through leadership that empowers communities. As a private citizen, he led the petition drive and election to amend the Phoenix charter and establish district representation, dramatically diversifying the city council. The following year, he was elected the city’s first mayor under the new system, where he also launched the Phoenix Futures Forum, engaging more than 10,000 residents in shaping Phoenix’s long-term vision. He co-founded Central Arizona Shelter Services, founded the Housing Opportunity Center, and has championed historic preservation through the restoration of the Monroe Street Abbey. Goddard also led the successful “Stop Dark Money” campaign for campaign finance transparency and now serves as President of the Central Arizona Project Board, guiding efforts to secure Arizona’s water future.
Motter and Goddard will be recognized at an Awards Reception hosted by John and Kathleen Graham on November 13, 2025 at the Paradise Valley Country Club.
We are grateful to this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Sprout’s Healthy Community Foundation, for their support of the event and Valley Leadership’s work overall in the community.
