Find your passion, and hard work is effortless. Surround yourself with others who also want to make an impact, and the ripple effect is immense!
Why is honoring achievement important? How does it impact our business community?
Recognizing and highlighting achievements builds a brand of success and accomplishments for the region and state. Celebrating economic development and education achievements such as ASU’s leading ranking in innovation has built a strong brand of excellence in technology skills in our state. We’re continuing to land more tech companies and their suppliers, as the largest recipient of CHIPS Act funding nationally with $77 billion for TSMC and Intel.
On a recent visit to Washington, D.C., during all my meetings, Arizona’s place on the national stage with tech companies was consistently lauded. It was the first time in the past few years that our economic development wins outweighed our political challenges in those discussions.
Recognizing achievement also builds a brand of strong leadership capital. Investors want to know they have strong, competent leaders who collaborate, remove barriers and get projects across the finish line.
What is the single most important thing you have learned throughout your career that would inspire others/other women?
Take the time to invest in YOU by assessing your skills and values. Identify your strengths and accept your challenges. Lead with your strengths.
Those positions, tasks and opportunities will come easy and lead to successes and recognitions. But also invest in training in other areas needing improvement. You won’t be perfect, but awareness is half the battle.
Know your values. Values guide decision-making and let us sleep at night. So, it’s important to know what your values are so you know when they are being tested and you can weigh the pros and cons of the decision or situation. Never compromise your values, because that action will limit your performance.
Once you’ve made the investment in YOU, never doubt or change who you are inside.
What do you think we can do – now – to make a difference for young people/women in Arizona?
Mentoring young people is the most important thing we can do for the future of Arizona. From youth sports and girls/boys Scouts to internships and workplace mentoring to engaging in young professional initiatives, it’s our role as seasoned women who have achieved career success to share our paths and lessons with future leaders.
I’ve been mentoring for most of my career and it’s rewarding to see young people progress in their lives and careers. It’s even more rewarding when I learn lessons from them!
The Center for the Future of Arizona reported that people leave the state at the age of 34. So, in 2022, WESTMARC launched the West Valley Emerging Leader Program to identify, highlight and promote young professions making a difference in our region. Our goal is to raise awareness of their contributions by elevating their profiles, which will lead to career growth and, hopefully, keep them in Arizona.
In A Few Words
- What was the last course, certification or training you took to improve yourself professionally? Emotional Intelligence training
- What would you say is a single characteristic OTHERS might attribute to you that defines your success? Energy
- What is the one thing you feel you could work on professionally to be a greater success? Balance
- What is the one professional skill you have that has gotten you where you are today? Adaptability
- What is the single greatest issue facing Arizona today? Growth
About Me
I am known as someone who gets things done, a true GSD! With more than 25 years in local, state and nonprofit leadership experience,
I am proud of several accomplishments that have enriched the West Valley. These include the transportation system, with my contribution to Loop 303, and the negotiation of the Prasada and Surprise Pointe retail developments in Surprise.
However, my biggest career win is transforming WESTMARC from financial and reputational ruin into a thriving organization serving as the hub and united voice for economic vitality, growth and rebranding of the West Valley, with a data-driven approach.
