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 an inclusive, collaborative and purpose-driven leader, my approach centers on fostering a culture where every team member feels valued, heard and a sense of belonging. What notably stands out about my leadership style is my commitment … [More]
Michael D. Jones, MBA
President & CEO, Delta Dental 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? My leadership style is marked by decision-making delegation and empowerment. I don’t believe in placing people in a box but in encouraging them to leverage all their talents and skills to accomplish goals. I provide stretch assignments to get … [More]
W. Scott Jenkins Jr.
Office Chair, Dorsey + Whitney
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 is grounded in leading by example, transparency, maintaining open lines of communication and not taking myself too seriously. Our clients ask us to engage in finding solutions for their legal problems; this is a … [More]
Amy Hysell
President & CEO, Arizona Financial Credit Union
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? In every step of my 30-year career with Arizona Financial, I have tried to lead with integrity and transparency, and ensure all employees have access to the information and resources they need to be successful. I am deeply invested in the … [More]
Richard J. Gray, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Mayo Clinic in Arizona • Vice President, Mayo Clinic
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 is driven by a commitment to Mayo Clinic’s core value: the needs of the patient come first. This guiding principle ensures that we not only deeply care about our patients but also are committed to doing whatever it takes to … [More]
Matthew Fehling
President & CEO, Better Business Bureau, Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? It’s hard to really know what style of leadership I embody, as I believe it tends to be situational. I do my best to be a supportive, while decisive, leader who truly believes my biggest leadership obligation is to get my team members the … [More]
Michael M. Crow
President, Arizona State University
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? Every day presents a new opportunity — seize it. Drop yesterday’s baggage and focus forward. Leadership is about looking ahead while staying committed to your guiding principles. At ASU, we have developed a Charter that we rigorously follow, … [More]
Christopher Collins
Owner & Founder, Common Ground Culinary
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’s most notable about my leadership style is that I lead by example. It doesn’t matter what the task is, I am the first person willing to tackle it. I believe in never asking an employee to do something that I would not be willing to do … [More]
Chris Camacho
President & CEO, 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? At GPEC, we prioritize excellence in execution, striving to represent Greater Phoenix properly and leveraging all advantages the region offers to develop the economy and improve the lives of residents. Staff members are empowered to display … [More]
Michael Barnard
Producing Artistic Director, The Phoenix Theatre Company
Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? The first thing I would say is transparency. I never hold anything back unless I am requested to not speak on a matter that has not been strategically thought through. I am honest and expect honesty in return. It is important to stress … [More]
16 Top Leaders of 2024: Our List of Valley Leaders Who Are Making a Real Difference!
Each year, we select top leaders who have had great success over the preceding year. This year, we selected 19 leaders in varied established sectors within our business community. We asked hard-hitting questions of these leaders to get a sense of what they see for 2025. Each of them is truly entrenched in growing their companies and our economy, in developing policy, managing … [More]
Dave Brown, Valley Leadership
Lead the Way
Arizona continues to realize a strong economy and business growth (even leading the country in many strong sectors). This owes much to a collaborative business environment with agile and innovative leadership among business leaders. Increasingly, in fact, business sectors overlap and intertwine, requiring an ever-broader perspective from those at the helm of their … [More]
Dear Leaders: A Candid Note on Performative Empathy
And the value authentic commitment
In a recent Washington Post article, George F. Will wrote about the supposed downfall of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in corporate America. While I disagree with Will’s stance that ESG and DEI are bad for business, what struck me most was the lack of empathy in his message. It almost felt like he was celebrating this … [More]
Surviving Organizational Change in a Turbulent World
Turning challenges into opportunities for growth
“Once a year, go someplace you have never been before.” —Dalai Lama If there is one thing that remains constant, it’s change! In today’s volatile global environment, businesses face the pressure to evolve and adapt quickly to survive. Political and economic fluctuations, technological advances, social change and environmental challenges create a turbulent landscape in which … [More]
Brandon Maxwell: Building His Legacy through Shared Ownership
M Culinary Concepts’ Journey to an ESOP
Brandon Maxwell isn’t just the CEO of M Culinary Concepts; he’s a visionary leader who’s reshaping success by sharing it with those who helped build it. In 2023, M Culinary made a bold move, transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), making it 100% employee-owned. This decision wasn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet. For Maxwell, it was about legacy — … [More]
How Self-Nurturing Therapy Can Make You a Better Leader: 7 Steps to Practice Now
Navigating leadership brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. A young executive, Sarah, faced complaints from her team who described her as dismissive and devaluing. She was initially blindsided and defensive yet, as do excellent leaders, she focussed on improvement — learning that how leaders make people feel is essential to retention, culture and, ultimately, … [More]
Using Listening to Increase Presence and Evolve Your Leadership
Being present in today’s world is more difficult than it has ever been before. Everyone is constantly bombarded by emails, text messages, social media, news, advertisements, and all the other distractions of the modern world. A lack of presence, especially in leadership, can often lead to poor communication; a lack of rapport with those around you; and volatility, … [More]
Gearing Up for 2025? 10 Strategic Planning Pitfalls to Avoid
Common strategic planning traps—and how to sidestep them
As executives gear up for the 2025 strategic planning season, the process can feel like a balancing act. Developing a strategic plan that both drives meaningful change and satisfies stakeholders is a complex task, made even more challenging by the fast-evolving landscape of marketplace needs, industry trends, and technological advancements. However, many leaders unknowingly … [More]
