Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community?
Honoring achievement is essential as it celebrates the leaders whose hard work, time, talent and treasure make our community stronger every day. Recognition not only acknowledges their long hours and commitment to service but also creates a powerful ripple effect — inspiring mentees and young professionals to envision what their own futures can be.
As a mother of three daughters, I see firsthand how impactful it is to introduce them to women who are role models in our community. These moments spark conversations about leadership, perseverance and the power of service, helping them appreciate how individuals come together to create opportunities and make lives better.
For the business community, celebrating achievement builds a culture of excellence, collaboration and innovation. By lifting up those who lead with purpose, we create a legacy of inspiration that strengthens connections and fuels the growth of future leaders.
What is the single most important thing you have learned throughout your career that would inspire others/other women?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that leadership is about taking action — not waiting for opportunities to be handed to you. My most successful initiatives weren’t assigned to me; they started by listening, identifying a need and imagining creative ways to address it. From there, I built a clear, strategic plan and inspired others to join in, creating momentum and shared ownership of the vision.
I’ve learned that when you act with intention and courage, you can transform ideas into reality and make a lasting impact. For women, especially, it’s about trusting your instincts, using your voice and recognizing that you don’t have to have every answer to take the first step. Leadership grows when we embrace action, bring people together and commit to building solutions — and that’s where true innovation and change happen..
What do you think we can do – now – to make a difference for young people/women in Arizona?
To make a real difference for young people and women in Arizona, we can start by supporting our educators. Teaching lays the foundation for academic success, personal growth and post-secondary opportunities. Yet I’ve seen too many passionate educators leave the profession because they lacked support and resources, which is heartbreaking for our students and communities.
In my own work, I’ve hired former teachers because I know the value they bring; their skills, dedication and ability to inspire and mentor others are unmatched. Supporting teachers benefits everyone, including the broader workforce and economy.
As members of the business community, we each have a role to play: Join a school board like I did, volunteer and back initiatives that help schools thrive. When we lift teachers, we lift students, families and our communities.
In A Few Words
- What was the last course, certification or training you took to improve yourself professionally? Completed the Flinn-Brown Fellowship in civic leadership in 2024; completed Arizona State University’s Leadership Academy in 2024; completed Executive MBA at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management in 2019
- What would you say is a single characteristic OTHERS might attribute to you that defines your success? Determination
- What is the one thing you feel you could work on professionally to be a greater success? Patience
- What is the one professional skill you have that has gotten you where you are today? Collaboration
- What is the single greatest issue facing Arizona today? Investing in educators and equitable education is critical to building a stronger future for Arizona.
About Me
Allison Otu, MBA, is an executive leader recognized for driving organizational success through branding, communications and community engagement as the executive director of Marketing, Communications, and Events at ASU Law. Otu has spearheaded award-winning programs, including the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s Connect2STEM youth outreach event, which reached more than 41,000 attendees and earned national recognition.
Deeply committed to community impact, Otu serves on boards, including the Arizona School for the Arts as the board chair; Children’s Museum of Phoenix as board secretary; and Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Inc.; and served on the Phoenix Women’s Commission for five years.
