Q: As a 2024 Women of Achievement honoree, you’ve been recognized for outstanding leadership. Different times seem to call for different strengths. So, what do you feel are the most important leadership qualities for the times we are in now?
Noreen Bishop Hill
Managing Director
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Sector: Financial
In today’s rapidly changing and complex world, I believe the most important leadership qualities include being adaptable and providing mentorship and empowerment, as well as leading with integrity and authenticity.
Leaders must be adaptable to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape, embracing change and innovation to stay ahead, particularly with the rapidly evolving AI capabilities. By mentoring and empowering their team, leaders can build a high-performing group that delivers exceptional advice and service to clients. Motivating and cultivating a highly skilled team can enhance the client experience, leading to long-term, generational client relationships.
Being authentic and leading with integrity is a superpower to build trust and credibility with teams, clients and the community. It is an essential quality for a leader in our line of business in managing significant assets and making strategic financial decisions on behalf of clients. It is also a critical role for building trust within our Arizona community and guiding organizations through challenges.
Noreen Bishop Hill serves as market manager of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in the Desert Southwest Market encompassing Arizona and Nevada. With more than three decades of experience at JPM, she manages a team of professional advisors with experience in banking, investment management, credit, fiduciary management and wealth advisory. She serves on the board of Greater Phoenix Leadership, Arizona Community Foundation, Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates and Providence College board of Advisors.
Katherine Dei Cas
Executive Vice President
EMD Electronics
Sector: Technology
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the most important leadership qualities are resilience, authenticity and purpose. Change is taking place across all facets of life today — technologically, socially and economically — which requires leaders to remain steady in the face of uncertainty while also being flexible enough to adapt and grow. Resilience allows us to navigate challenges with clarity and determination, while authenticity ensures we stay grounded in who we are and lead in a way that is true to our values.
Purpose-driven leadership is especially critical now. People are looking for leaders who act in service of others and who foster environments of inclusion, trust and collaboration. Recognizing the achievements of others and lifting them up reinforces community bonds and inspires continued innovation.
For me, leadership also means knowing that fulfillment comes not from perfection but from aligning our actions with what truly matters — whether that’s driving business results, developing others or serving our communities. The more we lead with intention and humanity, the more powerful and lasting our impact becomes.
Katherine Dei Cas is executive vice president and global head of Delivery Systems & Services and Specialty Gases at EMD Electronics, the North America Electronics business of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany.
Alicia Nuñez
President and CEO
Chicanos Por La Causa
Sector: Community Development
Leadership is a trait that happens at all levels, no matter the title, position or years of experience that one holds. Think of the person who speaks up, offers a helping hand and sparks the team to see a different point of view. As we can find ourselves surrounded by similar opinions and routine, it is important for a leader to be someone who lights up a discussion and is adaptive against challenges. There will always be change, and leaders are a force that pushes us outside our comfort zone.
A great leader will empower their team to see themselves as leaders, too. They collaborate and nurture an environment where their team recognizes value within themselves. When I think of qualities of a leader, I think of my mentors. They did not just hand out the answers or delegate assignments; they encouraged me to learn and develop solutions. Their leadership helped me discover my own leadership qualities. That’s the type of leader that we need today to ensure we have great leaders ready for tomorrow.
Alicia Nuñez is president and chief executive officer at Chicanos Por La Causa, a community development organization empowering nearly 1,000,000 lives across the country through integrated health and human services, housing, education, economic development and advocacy programs. With more than 25 years of financial and operational management experience in both for-profit and non-profit businesses, Nuñez oversees CPLC’s growth and mission.
