“An inspirational leader provides purpose, serves as a role model, champions growth and empowers people to become the most successful version of themselves.” —Dayna Badhorn Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement reinforces the value of hard work, persistence and meaningful contribution. When people are … [More]
Tess Burleson, CPA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer, TGen; President, TGen Health Ventures
“To me, inspirational leadership means building the trust and the environment that enables people to do their best work — always in service of a mission bigger than any one of us.” —Tess Burleson Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? At its core, achievement isn’t reserved for the extraordinary. It’s ordinary people showing … [More]
Julie Friedly
Principal & Senior Vice President, Marsh McLennan Agency Arizona
“Having a clear vision, communicating in ways that build pride and energy, and helping people see opportunity, think differently and solve problems in new ways.” —Julie Friedly Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it makes performance and progress visible, reinforces the behaviors we want … [More]
Melinda Morrison Gulick
Chief Executive Officer, First Things First
“An inspirational leader doesn't just point the way; they awaken courage, purpose and possibility in others.” —Melinda Morrison Gulick Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement recognizes the hard work, dedication, innovation and perseverance that drive individuals and organizations forward. It celebrates success … [More]
Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington
City of Phoenix
“People say my courageous, authentic and empathetic leadership inspires others by setting high performance standards while offering unwavering support, care and encouragement to help them succeed.” —Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement matters because recognition tells people … [More]
Amy L. Hysell
President & Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Financial Credit Union
“An inspirational leader turns vision into possibility by empowering others, leading with empathy and creating an environment where people can do their best work.” —Amy Hysell Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it recognizes the time, dedication and positive impact individuals … [More]
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack
Vice President for Cultural Affairs, Arizona State University; Executive Director, ASU Gammage
“Building a foundation for the next generation of leaders.” —Colleen Jennings-Roggensack Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because success does not happen in a vacuum. When we recognize someone’s achievements, we are also recognizing the people, partnerships and communities that helped … [More]
Julie A. Johnson, CCIM
Executive Vice President, Colliers
“To provide someone their own motivating inner voice to inspire them to take action and guide them along the path of their personal success.” —Julie Johnson Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it recognizes the dedication, innovation and resilience that drive meaningful progress both … [More]
Heather Kane
Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealthcare of Arizona & New Mexico
“Being an inspirational leader means remaining authentic during challenging and turbulent times, listening closely to the team’s needs, owning mistakes and demonstrating integrity.” —Heather Kane Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement matters because recognition has the power to inspire. When we celebrate … [More]
Vanessa Kisicki
Associate General Manager & Chief Customer Executive, SRP
“An inspirational leader creates the conditions for others to thrive; challenges what's possible; and leaves people, organizations and communities stronger than they found them.” —Vanessa Kisicki Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it shines a light on the people and ideas that move our … [More]
Barb Kozuh
Executive Director, Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation
“To me, an inspirational leader helps others recognize their strengths, believe in what is possible and understand that their contributions truly matter.” —Barb Kozuh Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because recognition creates connections, strengthens communities and inspires others to … [More]
Olivia Lemorrocco
Vice President of Operations, Phillips Law Group
“Inspirational leadership means creating belief, opening doors for others, and turning vision into action that leaves people and communities stronger.” —Olivia Lemorrocco Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement matters because recognition does more than celebrate one person. It shows others what is … [More]
Regina Nixon
Executive Director, Phoenix Conservatory of Music
“Inspirational leadership is creating space for others to discover their potential, find their voice, create opportunities for them to thrive, and build something together that will last beyond them.” —Regina Nixon Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement reminds us that meaningful progress is rarely accomplished … [More]
Torrie A. Taj, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer, Child Crisis Arizona
“Inspirational leadership means helping people find their 'why,' then giving them the safety and support to boldly build their brightest future.” —Torrie A. Taj, CFRE Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement matters because recognition sets the standard for what our community believes is possible. When we celebrate … [More]
Jin Jia’s Korean Chinese Is Double the Pleasure
Elevated. Indeed, some — on entering Jin Jia’s dining room — might call it fine dining. But the owners “wanted to make the experience accessible,” according to Andrew Nam, director of operations for parent company HL Concepts. Simplicity of décor effects a striking elegance, with white and lustrous black set off by accents of red. Dim ambient lighting makes the room’s large … [More]
Is the ‘Big Stay’ Finally Coming to an End? What Arizona Employers Should Know
After several years of uncertainty, today's workforce may finally be regaining the confidence to make career moves. New Robert Half research finds that 46% of U.S. professionals plan to look for a new job during the second half of 2026 — up from 38% earlier this year and just 27% one year ago. The findings suggest that many workers who previously stayed put are beginning to … [More]
Employees Are Exploring AI Tools on Their Own
Half of small business workers use AI – most to boost productivity, not automate jobs
from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Half of all workers at small businesses already use AI at work — and the vast majority are using it to get more done, not to automate themselves out of a job. That is the central finding of the inaugural Main Street AI Monitor, released earlier this year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with Ipsos. The survey — … [More]
Phoenix’s Growth in Advanced Manufacturing Attracts New Tech Center
Mazak, a leader in the design and manufacture of productive machine tool solutions, selected Phoenix for its newest Technical Center because Arizona has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing advanced manufacturing regions. With hundreds of billions of dollars being invested across semiconductor, aerospace, defense, medical device and cybersecurity industries, the … [More]
