“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 up, doing the work every day and staying committed to a result, even when obstacles arrive, that ultimately makes a difference in someone’s life. That’s the whole formula. Because it is built on consistency rather than exceptionalism, it means everyone — regardless of title, background or starting point — is capable of achieving meaningful outcomes. We must commit to making things happen by navigating or creating the path to get across the finish line.
The simple truth about honoring achievement: If you can see it, you can be it. Recognition makes visibility possible, and visibility shows others what is in reach. When our business community celebrates that, it is not just about honoring people. It communicates that the path is open — meaningful progress is available to anyone willing to do the work. The recognition isn’t the finish line. It serves as an invitation to explore what we are all capable of.
What is the single most important thing you have learned throughout your career that would inspire others/other women?
The most important thing I’ve learned in my career is this: How we choose to show up — especially in difficult situations — matters more than any technical skills we bring to the table.
Being committed to becoming the best version of yourself doesn’t mean disappointment disappears. It means that even when things don’t go your way, you still show up. You still deliver your best work, with the best attitude, reflective of the person you’ve worked every day to become.
It is not the absence of setbacks, but the consistency of character in the face of them. It’s a choice you make repeatedly, not a trait you possess.
For women especially, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about pretending things are fine. It’s about staying in who you are, even when the outcome isn’t what you hoped for.
What do you think we can do – now – to make a difference for young people/women in Arizona?
The most important thing we can do is to move beyond mentorship and into sponsorship — actively opening doors, not just offering advice. There are plenty of places to read about how “to do” just about anything, but to invest your time and experience into someone who is ready to do more takes a real commitment.
The world is a different place than it was when I was starting my career. However, some things stay the same: Giving someone an opportunity to learn, to grow, to take on a challenge beyond their current experience, to vouch for them when they are reaching — all that makes a difference in their growth and career path.
Finally, we need to normalize the real path, including the setbacks, so young people understand that success isn’t linear. It’s built through persistence, not perfection. Being ready when opportunity arises isn’t luck; it’s being prepared.
In Few Words
- What was the last course, certification or training you took to improve yourself professionally? I recently completed another year of professional education from Georgetown Law Center specific to estate planning, private foundations and taxation. I am currently in the Carol Emmott Fellowship, class of 2026, which has connected me to an amazing group of women leaders in healthcare with so much experience to learn from.
- What would you say is a single characteristic OTHERS might attribute to you that defines your success? Grit
- What is the one thing you feel you could work on professionally to be a greater success? Introversion
- What is the one professional skill you have that has gotten you where you are today? Discernment
- What is the single greatest issue facing Arizona today? Arizona’s greatest challenge is managing population growth without outpacing our infrastructure, housing and resources.
About Me
I currently serve as the chief operating officer for TGen, part of the City of Hope system, where I oversee the research operations; and as president of TGen Health Ventures, where I help translate discoveries into commercial products for patient benefit. I also serve as a subject matter expert for life sciences consulting/venture groups and have served on public and private biotech boards. Additionally, I serve on the board of the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, dedicated to supporting community development through innovative financing. I have also served as a subject matter expert for life sciences groups to enable the development of research programs, services, and products.
