Arizona’s Trailblazing Impact with Women in Leadership
This edition of In Business Magazine celebrates the 2025 Women of Achievement and is coordinated with its annual event that shines a spotlight on women using their positions of leadership to make a difference throughout our community.
Phoenix is a dynamic environment for women representing all for-profit and nonprofit business and public sectors defined by growth, opportunity — and a shift to leadership roles. With Arizona led by Governor Katie Hobbs and Phoenix by Mayor Kate Gallego, women are shaping the state’s political and business landscape in unprecedented ways. They are stepping into executive roles across industries, reflecting Arizona’s increasingly diverse economy that spans real estate, technology, bioscience, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
Equally important is the ongoing cultural shift of women leaders engaging in transparent conversations about what it means to lead as a whole person — balancing career with family, community and personal well-being. This authenticity is fueled by the rise of groups, organizations and gatherings where women share openly, model leadership, mentor peers and create supportive networks. Together, we are transforming the Greater Phoenix community and Arizona at large into a hub where women not only participate in growth — but define and lead it.
In this September edition’s cover story, In Business Magazine presents 2025’s Women of Achievement: fourteen exceptional women, who share their individual stories of growth and opportunity. I’m humbled to share these pages with them and honored to have been named the 2025 Linda M. Herold Lifetime Achievement honoree.
Mihaela Balseanu speaks up for women in the semiconductor industry in this month’s Semi Insights feature “Women Engineers Power Phoenix Semiconductor Rise.” She discusses the talent women bring to the industry — and also the opportunity the industry offers to women.
Kate Zabriskie focuses her talent development expertise on helping businesses communicate in feature article “The Power of Clarity at Work.” She explores clarity as the factor keeping teams aligned, enabling them to avoid confusion and its many negative consequences.
Communication is one of the elements Edward Segal addresses in Roundtable feature “5 Common Mistakes That Can Create a Crisis – and Make It Worse.” Communication is a foundation for rebuilding trust, but Segal also examines critical actions businesses should employ – in preparation as well as response.
Connection is the underlying theme in Troy Harrison’s feature “Selling to Younger Buyers – It’s a New World.” Key to sales now is what he calls a “style-match,” based on recognizing a change in societal norms from the standard practice of finding a personal connection to bond over in order to earn the right to talk business to taking care of business first and making the social connection optional afterward.
Among other articles, Legal explores the possibility that climate-related disclosure laws are on the horizon, Technology discusses cybersecurity issues of smart buildings and Economy examines key considerations for cash and debit strategies.
The variety goes on, filling the pages of this September edition of In Business Magazine with valuable and relevant information to help strengthen our connections and business community. I’m pleased to help bring it to you and hope you will find much to stimulate your efforts and share with others.
Sincerely,
Denise Resnik
Founder, President and CEO, First Place AZ
Co-Founder, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
Founder and CEO, DRA Collective
A native Phoenician, ASU Sun Devil and international leader in autism, Denise Resnik has raised community awareness and resources supporting individuals and their families throughout their lifetimes, leading PBS NewsHour to cite Phoenix as “the most autism-friendly city in the world.”
Resnik serves as a member of the ASU Foundation Board and Watts Dean Council, and as board vice chair for Home Matters® to Arizona. Her family and others living with autism and disabilities inspire her work.
