Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? What stands out most about my leadership style is that I lead from within the community. I believe leadership is about representation, advocacy and engagement — being present in spaces where voices need to be amplified. As president of the … [More]
John Fees
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer GradGuard – College Life Protected
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? Do the right thing. It is simple but guides any of my leadership functions and all our success at GradGuard. We do the right thing for each of our stakeholders, including the schools and students we serve, for our team members who help keep … [More]
Wendy Cohen
President and Chief Executive Officer Kitchell Corporation
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? For me, leadership starts with vulnerability. It’s about understanding that you don’t have all the answers and being confident enough to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you in their areas of expertise. I’ve learned that … [More]
Philip Kim
Managing Director and Co-Founder Signature Wealth Concepts
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? Leadership is a privilege, but I think it is also a calling. I take this very seriously because I know that an effective leader can have a profound impact on so many lives. I love the adage, “The speed of the leader determines the rate of the … [More]
James Goodnow
Chief Executive Officer Fennemore
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? At Fennemore, leadership is a team sport. The firm’s structure is built around collaboration, and I’ve always believed the best results come when smart, driven teams work toward a shared goal. A great example of this philosophy is our C-Suite … [More]
Christine Mackay
President and Chief Executive Officer Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? I work to lead with direction, perseverance and partnership. You build strong organizations when the team has a clear focus and the room to run. I set high expectations, but I lead by example and work alongside the team. I will never ask … [More]
Sheryl Palmer
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Taylor Morrison
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? For me, it always comes down to people first and building strong relationships with others. While I bring my own personal experiences and knowledge to the table as a leader, it’s even more important to surround myself with team members from a … [More]
Steve Purves
President and Chief Executive Officer Valleywise Health
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? Unity of purpose is critical, marching in lock step is critical, and having a passion for serving others is what should drive us as a team. Our employees and the community will notice this — and it will be positive. The reinvention of … [More]
Brandon Rafi
Founder Rafi Law Group
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? My approach to leadership has always been about service. I believe real leadership means putting people first and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. When I founded Rafi Law Group, my goal was to build a place … [More]
Denise Resnik
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer First Place AZ
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? My leadership style recognizes the value of constellations among stars and is fueled by building both. Stellar leaders are drawn to big ideas and even bigger visions — and I work to empower people who believe in each other and in what we're … [More]
Paul Rivers
Chief Innovation Officer Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? My leadership style starts with genuine care — care for the mission, care for the work and, most importantly, care for the people who make it all happen. When that foundation is real, everything else becomes possible. From there, leadership … [More]
Anthony Sharett
President Pathward Financial, Inc.
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? Fortunately, colleagues at Pathward have supported my leadership style, which, I hope, is a combination of being empowering and inclusive. Pathward has evolved from a series of separate businesses and channels into a connected enterprise over … [More]
Rick Smith
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Axon
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? When you’ve been part of something since the very beginning, you carry a deep sense of responsibility — not just to the company but to the mission that started it all. At Axon, that mission is protecting life. I spend most of my time focused … [More]
Mark Stebbings
Chief Executive Officer National Bank of Arizona
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? As a leader, I focus on establishing a clear strategic direction and aligning my team around our shared goals. I believe that when everyone understands not only what we are working toward but also why it matters, we can achieve remarkable … [More]
16 Top Leaders 2025: Our list of Valley leaders who are making a real difference!
At the close of each year, we spotlight top leaders who have demonstrated exceptional impact over the past year. This time, we’re profiling 16 leaders across key sectors of our business community. We asked them direct, forward-looking questions to understand what they see ahead for 2026. Each is deeply engaged in growing their organization and our regional economy — shaping … [More]
Crafting Today’s Dynamic Strategic Plan
Static, long-term planning is a thing of the past
Ten-year, five-year, three-year strategic plans … They work remarkably well under stable conditions. But with today’s governmental policy changes, political and economic swings, fundraising pressures and escalating community needs, these traditional “one and done” plans can leave nonprofits vulnerable. That’s not to say long-term planning isn’t critical. It is. Strategic … [More]
When the Roadblocks Become the Road
3 strategies to turn obstacles into opportunities
Every business leader, whether running a startup or managing a global enterprise, encounters moments when the path forward feels blocked. A product underperforms. A key employee leaves. A regulation changes overnight. And suddenly, what once seemed like a sure thing becomes a problem to solve — or, worse, a setback to survive. It’s easy to view these moments as … [More]
William Johnston: From Farm Rows to Vertical Mixed-Use
Epicenter visionary anchors decisions in first principles
When supply chains seized, inspections shifted without warning, and a few would-be tenants walked away during the pandemic, William Johnston didn’t flinch. He recalibrated. The CEO of Johnston & Co. tightened communication with equity partners and retailers, reworked timelines, and kept the bar high on design and fit. That resolve had already been tested in late 2017, when … [More]
