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 2024. Each of them is truly entrenched in growing their companies and our economy, in developing policy, managing … [More]
Ryan Abbott
Executive VP, Southeast Region, Clayco
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 live for those moments when someone accomplishes something that they never thought possible. In our line of work, creating something that has never existed before requires individuals who are unbelievably adaptive, hard-working and … [More]
Susan Anable
Phoenix Market VP, Cox Communications
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 have a reputation of being a leader who encourages my team to try new things and to celebrate the wins and learn from the failures. Failures and mistakes are part of business and of life, and how people respond to failures or mistakes is a … [More]
Josh Bartelstein
CEO, 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? I lead with a people-first mentality; our team members are what define our organization. I believe communication and collaboration are essential in order to be successful. We have to come together to accomplish our goals and to become the … [More]
Latasha Causey
President, Phoenix Raceway
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 am all about relationships; I always take the time to get to know my team. As a leader, it is important to know you can’t lead everyone the same way. I must know what motivates each individual and lead them in a way that will help them … [More]
William M. Fischbach
Shareholder, Tiffany & Bosco
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 shaped by my eight years as an active-duty U.S. Army officer. In Iraq and Afghanistan, I witnessed great leadership and, at times, poor leadership. I’ve distilled my leadership philosophies into Five Pillars of … [More]
John Graham
Chairman & CEO, Sunbelt Holdings
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 consider myself a servant leader. I try to put the community at the center of all my leadership decisions while also doing well for our company. I also lead by example and expect no more from our employees than what I am willing to do … [More]
Molly Greene
Senior Director, Salt River Project
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 love my work and am inspired by my team. In looking at how to characterize my leadership style, I think it reflects traits of a strategic leader. Our department’s mission is devoted to equipping internal and external leaders with … [More]
Xavier Gutierrez
President, CEO & Alternate Governor, Arizona Coyotes
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’ve learned a great deal throughout the course of my career from many talented mentors and “door openers” who invited (challenged) me to be in places I knew nothing about, but ending up exactly where I should be. Although I’ve absorbed … [More]
Peter Kjome
President & CEO, The Phoenix Symphony
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 is my goal to be a collaborative leader who engages key stakeholders to achieve artistic and economic success. Many people — including current and past board members, musicians, staff, patrons and other community leaders — have expressed … [More]
Paul Komadina
Managing Director, CBRE
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 fundamental belief is that people do business with people they know and trust. This is especially important when people choose who they trust to lead them. I pride myself on being an open, honest and vulnerable leader who leads with care … [More]
Eric Miller
Co-Owner and Principal, PADT, 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? Over time, I’ve adopted a consultative leadership style where I gather input from any team I’m leading and then make decisions based on that input and my knowledge and experience. This was especially helpful for our company when we … [More]
Tammy McLeod
President & CEO, Flinn Foundation
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 fundamental belief is that the individuals doing the work know best what they need and how to do it. I am here to support them. I don’t want to change who people are but, rather, I want to work with them and their individuality to create … [More]
Martijn Pierik
Founder and Chairman, Kiterocket
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 centers on mentorship and propelling our collective vision. We balance expertise with burgeoning talent, emphasizing accessibility and growth opportunities. Leadership transcends daily tasks and focuses on broader goals like … [More]
Michael Pollack
CEO, Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments
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 the dynamic landscape of my extensive 50-year leadership journey, where the only constant is change, I’ve steadfastly championed a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground approach that transcends the realm of mere management. My perspective on … [More]
Matt Ritchie
President & Managing Director, DSV Inventory Management Solutions
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 consistently emphasize the forward vision of our organization, DSV IMS (Inventory Management Solutions). It is important that our team is unified when short-term distractions present themselves in order to avoid impacting long-term goals … [More]
Kim Ryder
President, Thrive Real Estate 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? As a leader, my philosophy is “create something bigger than yourself.” I am a visionary who aims to think outside the box and provide my team with the support they need to be successful. My responsibility as a leader is to motivate … [More]
Scott Vanderpool
President, Bank of America Phoenix, Bank of America
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 am a huge believer in collaboration and purposeful leadership. There are few things in life more impactful than when someone who has a clear vision for the future is met with a collaborative environment where that vision can become a … [More]
