"I am passionate about the work, I push for perfection, and I value every team member I am privileged to work with."Lisa Dancsok was named the chief brand and impact officer for the Arizona Community Foundation in May 2017. She moved from Michigan to Arizona for her dream job. This position enables her to work for a statewide community foundation where she leads ACF’s strategic … [More]
Frances J. Ducar, FNP-C
"Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives. I strive to be a mentor for all HCS team members and provide exceptional healthcare for my patients to assist them to live a life of optimal health — building relationships with trust, honesty and integrity!"Frances Ducar is the founder and president of Healthcare Solutions … [More]
Sybil Francis, Ph.D.
"Leave the world better than you found it, don’t accept the status quo, open your mind to new thinking and new ways of doing what you once thought impossible or too bold to imagine."Sybil Francis, Ph.D., was part of the founding team of the Center for the Future of Arizona and was appointed president and CEO in 2018. Dr. Francis brings her passion for creating positive change, … [More]
Rachel Frazier Johnson
"I believe my passion, courage and tenacity coupled with my desire to help those in our community who have been marginalized have been an inspiration for others. "Rachel Frazier Johnson is an accomplished attorney, a formidable pro tem judge and a successful business owner. Her private law practice, Rachel Frazier Johnson Law, was established in 2013 is still serving the … [More]
Angela Hughey
"I have a clear vision that is inviting and engaging and starts with meeting people where they are at and valuing each individual’s contributions to our collective goal. "Angela Hughey is the co-founder and president of ONE Community and ONE Community Foundation. Founded in 2008, ONE Community is the coalition of socially responsible businesses and organizations moving … [More]
Chevy Humphrey
"I work for others to make things a little better every day for my community, for the organizations I serve and for the people I come in contact with."Chevy Humphrey is the first Black American to lead a science center in the United States. Since 2005, Humphrey has been president and CEO of Arizona Science Center. While there, Humphrey has created a strong, well-run nonprofit … [More]
Christine Mackay
“I want to encourage others to grow by their reaching further and achieving the exceptional.”“Every day I have the privilege of helping to build our city of the future for businesses and residents,” says Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay.Mackay has served the people of Phoenix since August 2014. She is responsible for leading and fostering an … [More]
Jenny Poon
"I am a born and bred Asian-American generating substantial economic impact while positively contributing to the greater society, and I wouldn’t be here without my hard-working parents who were refugee immigrants."Jenny Poon is a serial entrepreneur and founder of CO+HOOTS. Ranked the No. 4 co-working space in the U.S. by Inc.com, CO+HOOTS currently houses more than 280 scaling … [More]
Eileen Rogers
"Creating adventure and community impact, all while leading my business, I’ve blended travel, family, mentorship and feminist advocacy into a life of joy and meaning. "I’ve loved my life and career as an entrepreneur and community leader in Arizona. The original plan in college was to become a more traditional corporate executive working globally in a large organization. Life … [More]
Lisa Urias
"As a fourth generation Arizona Latina, my life’s mission is to bridge the divide between multicultural markets and corporations/governments to build mutual benefit and respect."After more than 15 years in international marketing and communications, Lisa Urias founded her advertising and public relations agency, Urias Communications, in 2006. The agency provides strategic … [More]
Jeri Williams
"As a professional woman in a historically male-dominated field, I believe many look to me as an example of progress they desire for career success."Jeri L. Williams was appointed police chief of the Phoenix Police Department in October 2016. She leads the largest police agency in the State of Arizona, which is responsible for providing law enforcement services to the fifth … [More]
Sharon Harper, Plaza Companies
Leadership and diversity are in the news, but they have likely been important aspects of success in achievements of any kind — certainly in business. With this fifth annual Women of Achievement celebration, In Business Magazine is helping to shine a light on the tremendous contributions of women who exemplify leadership within our business community. Arizona has always been … [More]
To Thrive, You Must Dare to Risk
The world needs braver and more courageous leaders — successful and inspiring leaders who will remove the barriers to good work and healthy workplaces. In this series of articles, I’ve covered the four skillsets of courage-building as identified by Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, in her academic research and in her book Dare to Lead. The skills she describes are observable, … [More]
Intuition Is Your Superpower
Several years ago, I participated in a women’s leadership program focused on embracing what power was in all senses of the word. Intuition wasn’t one of the topics listed on the agenda. However, it was an incredible component of our leadership work together. On Friday night, the 26 of us were given an assignment: We were to transform a nursing home facility to have a … [More]
Unapologetically Ambitious
Full of empowering wisdom from one of Silicon Valley’s first female African American CEOs, this inspiring leadership book offers a blueprint for how to achieve one’s personal and professional goals. Shellye Archambeau recounts how she overcame the challenges she faced as a young Black woman, wife and mother, managing her personal and professional responsibilities while climbing … [More]
Belonging
This book is a groundbreaking investigation into diversity and equality in the workplace, and a clarion call to the people in power who need to rethink their place in the boardroom and become part of the solution. One in four U.S. workers feels they do not belong at work. Structural racism, the patriarchy of the boardroom and pay disparities are just a few of the obstacles in … [More]
Launching While Female
Launching While Female is an exposé of the gender gap in entrepreneurship and a road map for a more inclusive and economically successful future for us all. Journalist and professor Susanne Althoff investigates the obstacles women and nonbinary entrepreneurs — especially those of color — face when launching, funding and growing their companies, obstacles that persist because … [More]
Feedback: October 2020
Question: As a former Women of Achievement honoree, you’ve been recognized for outstanding leadership. What do you feel are the most important leadership qualities for the times we are in now? Lauren Bailey CEO and Co-Founder Upward Projects Sector: Restaurants Right now, it is more important than ever to have positivity, creativity and flexibility, but also grit. … [More]
