What if the path to achieving our full leadership potential wasn’t in a business school classroom but in our childhood home? Veteran executive coach Pam Manfredo Curtis, Ph.D., brings the therapist’s couch to the corner office, revealing how our earliest experiences are the most significant predictor of our leadership style. The Origin of a Leader guides readers on a … [More]
The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery
Packed with actionable insights and modern examples, The Emergent Leader will boost professional development, drive organizational resilience, and empower a workforce that is committed to building a forever company. Don Gregori covers six key areas for necessary growth: brand building, exploiting gaps, fostering a culture of innovation, driving efficiency, career management … [More]
Show Up to Win: How to Land the Leadership Role You Want
Today, executive careers are more fluid than ever, and so is the executive job market. Ambitious leaders may have no problem closing a deal or hitting their numbers, but knowing how to take the next step, the big step, will prove more difficult. Landing a top job requires clarity about the distinct value aspiring leaders bring to the role they want. Yet the higher they rise, … [More]
Engagement in Our Business Community: Honoring Our 2026 Women of Achievement
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” —Coretta Scott King Ours is a great community, widely known as a welcoming and collaborative environment. A hint to the source of that greatness lies in these words from Coretta Scott King. And this is the common theme running through every profile on the following pages, … [More]
Sybil Francis, Ph.D.
Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Center for the Future of Arizona – Linda M. Herold Lifetime Achievement
“Inspirational leadership helps people see what is possible, brings them together around a shared purpose and empowers them to turn possibility into progress.” —Sybil Francis, Ph.D. Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Achievement is rarely an individual endeavor. It reflects the people who opened doors, offered ideas, took … [More]
Attorney General Kris Mayes
State of Arizona — Arizona Leader Award
“I’ve always believed that this job is about one thing: standing up for Arizona families and making sure they have someone in their corner.” —Attorney General Kris Mayes Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? I grew up in Prescott, in rural Arizona, watching my dad work tirelessly on his tree farm. I saw what it takes to work … [More]
Dayna Badhorn
President, Avnet Americas
“An inspirational leader provides purpose, serves as a role model, champions growth and empowers people to become the most successful version of themselves.” —Dayna Badhorn Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement reinforces the value of hard work, persistence and meaningful contribution. When people are … [More]
Tess Burleson, CPA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer, TGen; President, TGen Health Ventures
“To me, inspirational leadership means building the trust and the environment that enables people to do their best work — always in service of a mission bigger than any one of us.” —Tess Burleson Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? At its core, achievement isn’t reserved for the extraordinary. It’s ordinary people showing … [More]
Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington
City of Phoenix
“People say my courageous, authentic and empathetic leadership inspires others by setting high performance standards while offering unwavering support, care and encouragement to help them succeed.” —Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement matters because recognition tells people … [More]
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack
Vice President for Cultural Affairs, Arizona State University; Executive Director, ASU Gammage
“Building a foundation for the next generation of leaders.” —Colleen Jennings-Roggensack Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because success does not happen in a vacuum. When we recognize someone’s achievements, we are also recognizing the people, partnerships and communities that helped … [More]
Amy L. Hysell
President & Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Financial Credit Union
“An inspirational leader turns vision into possibility by empowering others, leading with empathy and creating an environment where people can do their best work.” —Amy Hysell Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it recognizes the time, dedication and positive impact individuals … [More]
Melinda Morrison Gulick
Chief Executive Officer, First Things First
“An inspirational leader doesn't just point the way; they awaken courage, purpose and possibility in others.” —Melinda Morrison Gulick Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement recognizes the hard work, dedication, innovation and perseverance that drive individuals and organizations forward. It celebrates success … [More]
Julie Friedly
Principal & Senior Vice President, Marsh McLennan Agency Arizona
“Having a clear vision, communicating in ways that build pride and energy, and helping people see opportunity, think differently and solve problems in new ways.” —Julie Friedly Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it makes performance and progress visible, reinforces the behaviors we want … [More]
Julie A. Johnson, CCIM
Executive Vice President, Colliers
“To provide someone their own motivating inner voice to inspire them to take action and guide them along the path of their personal success.” —Julie Johnson Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it recognizes the dedication, innovation and resilience that drive meaningful progress both … [More]
Heather Kane
Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealthcare of Arizona & New Mexico
“Being an inspirational leader means remaining authentic during challenging and turbulent times, listening closely to the team’s needs, owning mistakes and demonstrating integrity.” —Heather Kane Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement matters because recognition has the power to inspire. When we celebrate … [More]
Vanessa Kisicki
Associate General Manager & Chief Customer Executive, SRP
“An inspirational leader creates the conditions for others to thrive; challenges what's possible; and leaves people, organizations and communities stronger than they found them.” —Vanessa Kisicki Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because it shines a light on the people and ideas that move our … [More]
Barb Kozuh
Executive Director, Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation
“To me, an inspirational leader helps others recognize their strengths, believe in what is possible and understand that their contributions truly matter.” —Barb Kozuh Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community? Honoring achievement is important because recognition creates connections, strengthens communities and inspires others to … [More]
Olivia Lemorrocco
Vice President of Operations, Phillips Law Group
“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]
