“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]
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]
Feedback: July 2026
Q: What do you have in place (as a pipeline or programs) that help develop or identify leadership potential for employees to advance within your company? Michael H. Bill Chief Executive Officer The MJ Companies Sector: Financial At MJ, we take an intentional and structured approach to identifying and developing future leaders as part of a unified HR & Talent strategy … [More]
Surfacing the Strengths Employees Don’t See
How to recognize and maximize untapped potential in high-pressure sectors
In demanding industries like healthcare, technology, trades and professional services, employees typically spend their days solving urgent problems, stretching resources thin and adapting to circumstances beyond their control. Eventually, that pressure can drive even the most high-performing people to mistake fatigue for failure. They notice the skills they lack more than … [More]
Change Leadership and Agility: The Defining Competency of the Modern Leader
Confidence includes acknowledging the human cost of transition
“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” —John C. Maxwell In an era defined by rapid technological disruption, shifting market conditions and organizational transformation, change leadership has emerged as one of the most critical competencies a leader can possess. Those who thrive are not simply managers who adapt … [More]
Collaboration over Competition in the C-Suite
How to disarm strained leadership culture before it turns toxic
Ambition is healthy. Executive teams should care deeply, challenge assumptions and actively seek smarter, sharper outcomes. But problems can arise when leaders start measuring their own success against one another instead of against the mission they share. The first signs of this siloed mindset: delayed decisions, inconsistent communication and burnout among those who spend … [More]
Tammy Stewart: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
Stewarding the future as president & CEO of Arizona Science Center
My path to recently becoming CEO of one of the Valley’s leading cultural institutions has taken a few unexpected turns, but my passion for community has always guided my work and sense of purpose. My interest in science and technology began in elementary school with a visit to the Exploratorium in San Francisco and continued with a fascination about computers. But it was the … [More]
Valley-Based HR Technology Firm Launches New Benefits Advisory Service
PrismHR, a Vensure Employer Solutions company and the leading HR technology software innovator for service providers across the U.S., announced the launch of PrismHR Insurance Advisory & Benefits Services, a new offering designed to help human resources outsourcing providers (HROs) and service providers deliver smarter, more strategic benefits programs through a unified, … [More]
Three Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask Before Selling
With tariffs, oil price volatility and ongoing geopolitical tensions dominating the news cycle, many business owners are asking the same question: Is now a good time to sell? According to Mark Herbick, founder and CEO of middle-market advisory firm Pursant LLC, the answer depends far less on headlines than most owners assume. “A lot of people think that because of the things … [More]
