“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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [More]
Inga Rose: Scaling a Science-First Startup in Oncology
Marrying scientific rigor with on-demand solutions
The pace of innovation in oncology has never been faster. Researchers are developing new diagnostics, identifying novel biomarkers and advancing precision medicine at an unprecedented rate. But even as scientific discovery accelerates, one challenge remains constant: streamlined access to high-quality biospecimens. As the founder and CEO of Phoenix-based oncology specimen … [More]
The Workplace Safety Bubble That Backfires
Psychological safety is often weaponized against the very outcomes it was meant to create
Psychological safety has become corporations’ ultimate magic cure-all. Teams underperforming? Build psychological safety. People not speaking up? More psychological safety. Ask ChatGPT for help with any team problem? You guessed it — psychological safety. It’s the ultimate irony: We’ve created groupthink around a concept designed to prevent groupthink. Why did this happen? … [More]
Feedback: September 2026
Q: As a 2025 Women of Achievement honoree, you’ve been recognized for outstanding leadership. Different times seem to call for different strengths. So, what do you feel are the most important leadership qualities for the times we are in now?
Jessyca Leach Chief Executive Officer Prisma Community Care Sector: Healthcare We live in an uncertain climate, both literally and figuratively. Today’s leadership must be compassionate, proactive and focused on building resilience within our teams so people can continue to do meaningful work while maintaining their mental and physical health. For me, that also means … [More]
Four Strategies for Managing Long Sales Cycles
Most people haven’t ever run a marathon. But many salespeople run them every day — the long sales cycle. Salespeople love the quick win — that satisfying moment when a prospect becomes a customer in a matter of days or weeks. Sometimes, it’s even the fabled “one call close.” But what about those industries, or even those times, where the sales cycle stretches into months or … [More]
Mark Davis: Brewing Black Rock Coffee Bar’s Next Chapter
And protecting the people-first culture that rang the Nasdaq bell
When I took over as CEO of Black Rock Coffee Bar in the spring of 2023, I inherited a company with something most leaders only dream of: a culture so strong that guests could feel it the moment they walked in the door. Baristas knew regulars by name and drink, asked first-timers about their day before steering them toward a flavor, and treated the counter like the start of a … [More]
Remote Work Did Not Fail Young Workers – Management Did
Flexibility and development are not mutually exclusive
For months, artificial intelligence was cast as the villain behind rising youth unemployment. AI was supposedly eliminating entry-level jobs, replacing junior workers and making it harder for recent graduates to get their foot in the door. Then the Federal Reserve Bank of New York introduced a different explanation. According to a recent analysis, remote work, not AI, may … [More]
What Great Managers Do Before Problems Escalate
I have spent more than 25 years training managers at companies like Pfizer, Deloitte and Amway, and if I had to name the one skill that separates managers who grow from managers who stall, it would be this: the willingness to have the conversation they are dreading. Every manager has one. The team member who keeps missing deadlines. The high performer whose attitude is … [More]
Veteran Publisher Returns with Bold Vision for Expansion, Community Leadership and the Launch of a New Public Policy Institute
InMedia Company Welcomes Back Rick McCartney as CEO & President Following Congressional Campaign
InMedia Company announced the return of Rick McCartney as Chief Executive Officer and President following a year-long leave of absence during which he sought to represent Arizona's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. While his Primary campaign did not make it through to the General Election, McCartney's message of practical solutions, civic … [More]
