The Tempe Chamber of Commerce recently held the 2025 Women in Leadership Conference at the Embassy Suites in Tempe, emceed by veteran Valley reporter, Jody Jackson. The event, which featured the 2025 Business Woman of the Year Award, brought together over 250 of the Valley’s stakeholder business professionals. The annual event encourages participants to exchange ideas, learn best practices and collaborate on creating initiatives that foster professional growth and enhance leadership skills.
Bridgett McGowen, an award-winning international speaker and author had attendees on their feet, laughing, clapping and shouting as they learned how to, “Talk Like a Boss.” Her pearls of wisdom inspired and energized the attentive crowd.
The Fireside Chat brought Jody Jackson together with newly appointed Arizona Supreme Court Justice, Maria Elena Cruz. Cruz shared her professional journey and elaborated on her call to serve.
Robin Arredondo-Savage, President/CEO of the Tempe Chamber said of the event, “Our Leadership Conference was a powerful day of connection, inspiration and growth. Seeing professionals from all backgrounds come together to learn, lead and lift one another was incredible. The energy in the room reminds us why these opportunities matter—because when people rise – communities thrive.”
The Women in Business Council’s Mentor Program also acknowledged it’s graduating protégés and mentors with certificates and accolades.
The event culminated with the anticipated crowning of the 2025 Business Woman of the Year. The Tempe Chamber first established this award in 1996 to recognize an outstanding businesswoman in the community who demonstrates leadership, excellence and community involvement in the course of her business activities. The 2025 honor went to Sue Rigler, owner of Hundred Mile Brewing Co. in Tempe, a community-focused brewery recognized as one of USA Today’s Top 10 Best New Breweries in 2023 and Tempe’s Small Business of the Year in 2024. A passionate advocate for connection and women in brewing, Sue has raised over $750,000 through Pink Boots Society initiatives and created “Lap Around the Lake,” a thriving running community. With no prior experience in brewery ownership, she has built a successful business that fosters community, wellness and local economic growth.
The event was presented by BD, and sponsored in part by AV Concepts, the City of Tempe, Amazon, EMD Electronics, State Farm, SRP, UDA, Viasat and LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Southwest Airlines, TruWest Credit Union and SEA LIFE Arizona.
