For nearly 80 years, The Phoenix Symphony has been more than an orchestra. It has been a cultural institution, an economic contributor and an important part of the identity of Greater Phoenix. But even the most beloved organizations must confront the financial realities of operating a sustainable business. On October 20, The Phoenix Symphony announced it would suspend its … [More]
Expect A Lot, Care A Lot: How 6 Critical Practices Create High-Performing Teams
Most leaders believe they have to choose between driving results and supporting their people. Expect a Lot, Care a Lot shows how the best leaders do both at the same time. Grounded in research across 60 countries and refined through thousands of real-world implementations, the authors introduce six critical practices that consistently move teams into the highest levels of … [More]
Built to Breathe: The Art of High-Performance Leadership Without Burnout
In a world that rewards speed, output and constant motion, most leaders know how to push. The harder question is whether success is sustainable once you’ve built it. In Built to Breathe, founder, CEO and leadership advisor Paige McPheely challenges the idea that efficiency, endurance and doing it all alone are the price of ambition for modern leaders. Drawing on more than a … [More]
Chris Benguhe Advances Business with People as the Bottom Line
The visionary behind Center for Social Capital proves for-profit business can be a force for good
Successful business leaders believe in people-centric practices and policies. Capitalism is not a winner-take-all construct. Well, for Chris Benguhe, meeting CEOs and founders in the for-profit world who quietly lived these principles created an epiphany as he turned from an ego-centric industry in Hollywood to a broader, national, business-related journalism when he returned … [More]
The Multiplier Effect: How Positive Leaders Transform Teams
A positive leader manages energy, not just tasks
The way a leader shows up each day shapes far more than outcomes on a spreadsheet — it shapes the people around them and the culture they carry forward. In organizations where teams consistently outperform expectations, researchers and observers tend to find the same variable at the center: a leader who practices what behavioral scientists call positive leadership. It is not … [More]
Inside an Arizona Venture Philanthropy Organization’s Alternative to the Single-CEO Model
Social Venture Partners Arizona recently announced the launch of a groundbreaking co-leadership venture philanthropy model, appointing three Managing Directors to collectively lead the organization in lieu of the single CEO model typically adopted. “This is an intentional strategic decision designed to support the long-term sustainability of our organization,” said Sentari … [More]
Axon Executive, UMB Arizona President Tapped to Lead 2027 WM Phoenix Open
The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, have appointed Chris Camacho the Tournament Chairman for the 2027 edition of “The People’s Open”, which is set to tee it up Feb. 8-14 at TPC Scottsdale. Additionally, The Thunderbirds announced that John Damiris has been named Assistant Tournament Chairman for the 2027 event, which will be the 92nd edition of the WM Phoenix Open. … [More]
The Leadership to Shape What Comes Next
This Women of Achievement edition of In Business Magazine celebrates women who are using their leadership positions in for- and nonprofit organizations to make a difference in our community. This year’s annual tribute shines a spotlight on women whose engagement extends well beyond their organizations through board service, mentoring, philanthropy and other powerful … [More]
The Origin of a Leader: Transforming Family Patterns into Leadership Power
What if the path to achieving our full leadership potential wasn’t in a business school classroom but in our childhood home? Veteran executive coach Pam Manfredo Curtis, Ph.D., brings the therapist’s couch to the corner office, revealing how our earliest experiences are the most significant predictor of our leadership style. The Origin of a Leader guides readers on a … [More]
The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery
Packed with actionable insights and modern examples, The Emergent Leader will boost professional development, drive organizational resilience, and empower a workforce that is committed to building a forever company. Don Gregori covers six key areas for necessary growth: brand building, exploiting gaps, fostering a culture of innovation, driving efficiency, career management … [More]
Show Up to Win: How to Land the Leadership Role You Want
Today, executive careers are more fluid than ever, and so is the executive job market. Ambitious leaders may have no problem closing a deal or hitting their numbers, but knowing how to take the next step, the big step, will prove more difficult. Landing a top job requires clarity about the distinct value aspiring leaders bring to the role they want. Yet the higher they rise, … [More]
Engagement in Our Business Community: Honoring Our 2026 Women of Achievement
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” —Coretta Scott King Ours is a great community, widely known as a welcoming and collaborative environment. A hint to the source of that greatness lies in these words from Coretta Scott King. And this is the common theme running through every profile on the following pages, … [More]
Sybil Francis, Ph.D.
Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Center for the Future of Arizona – Linda M. Herold Lifetime Achievement
“Inspirational leadership helps people see what is possible, brings them together around a shared purpose and empowers them to turn possibility into progress.” —Sybil Francis, Ph.D. Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Achievement is rarely an individual endeavor. It reflects the people who opened doors, offered ideas, took … [More]
Attorney General Kris Mayes
State of Arizona — Arizona Leader Award
“I’ve always believed that this job is about one thing: standing up for Arizona families and making sure they have someone in their corner.” —Attorney General Kris Mayes Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? I grew up in Prescott, in rural Arizona, watching my dad work tirelessly on his tree farm. I saw what it takes to work … [More]
Dayna Badhorn
President, Avnet Americas
“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 … [More]
