Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Arizona for 2023. The state's economic growth has been fueled by factors such as a favorable business climate, a skilled workforce, and a strategic geographic location, all of which attract companies from various industries to establish their operations in the state. It’s no surprise that the area has a robust workforce with countless notable women leaders. This year’s awardees have been instrumental in driving positive changes and contributing to their organizations’ development. They lead within organizations, both large and small, including Banner Health, Massage Envy, MEB Management Services, and more. We celebrate each for their achievements within the workplace and for their commitments to their respective communities.
Among this year’s awardees is Yvonne Bilshausen, Vice President of Aviation at Hill International, an aviation leader with nearly 25 years of experience in managing airport programs, delivering aviation infrastructure projects worth over $10 billion. Her dedication has led award-winning project teams at major airports worldwide, including Chicago O'Hare International and London Heathrow. Awardee Melissa Wright, the Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at American Pacific Mortgage, is a highly accomplished executive leader who has propelled organizations to the top of their industry, and significantly increased sales from $4 billion to $24 billion over her 20-year career in C-suite leadership. Also awarded is Ann Boomsma, the Senior Vice President of Operations at MEB Management Services, who leverages her extensive real estate and client management expertise to manage a portfolio of assets worth $2.5 billion across Arizona and Texas.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Arizona for 2023.
1. Beth Stiller
Chief Executive Officer, Massage Envy
Beth Stiller is the Chief Executive Officer of Massage Envy. She is the first female leader of the brand, the largest provider of therapeutic massage and skin care services in the US collectively across its nearly 1,000 franchise locations in 49 states. She has more than 20 years of global and domestic experience in retail, branding, merchandising, and management. She is a driver of retail and product innovation with a proven track record of achieving results through motivating teams and influencing positive change. She joined Massage Envy in 2016 as chief commercial officer.
Prior to relocating to Arizona to join Massage Envy, Beth spent 6 years at Walgreens where she most recently held the role of group VP responsible for global sourcing and retailer brands. Born and raised in Canada, Beth moved to New York to join the team at Duane Reade to help with the reinvention of the brand and store experience before its sale to Walgreens.
Beth started her career in Canada where she held various merchandising and private brand positions at two of the country’s largest and most respected retail brands, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Loblaws. She graduated with a business administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
2. Victoria Alesi
Senior Vice President of Sales, NetJets
Victoria Alesi is the Senior Vice President of Sales at NetJets. Beginning as the first private jet charter and management company, NetJets has led the industry for 55+ years. In 1986, they debuted the revolutionary concept of shared ownership. This allows individuals and companies to buy a share of a private business jet at a fraction of the cost, and without the responsibility that comes with whole aircraft ownership. Victoria works to help individuals and companies utilize private aviation to enhance their lives, one exceptional travel experience at a time.
A YWCA Columbus Woman on the Rise, Victoria regularly volunteers her time to advocate for many causes she is passionate about including arts education, youth homelessness, and financial literacy. She graduated from The Ohio State University with undergraduate degrees in dance and world economics & business.
3. Yvonne Bilshausen
Vice President of Aviation, Hill International
As an international aviation leader, Yvonne Bilshausen brings nearly 25 years of experience leading airport program management, master planning, and the design and delivery of terminals and other aviation infrastructure projects cumulatively valued at over $10 BB. Through her passionate fusion of high design, business acumen, and remarkable communication, she has successfully led award-winning project teams, supporting airport and airline clients, at some of the world’s busiest airports including the O’Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan, World Gateway Program, and Capital Improvement Program at Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) and the new Terminal 2B, holistic renovation and expansion of Terminal 3, and the temporary 2012 Olympic Terminal at London Heathrow (LHR).
Yvonne’s fusion of high design and business acumen yields success for major airlines, international airports, and notable business partners through the pursuit of value-for-money, sustainable solutions that answer the questions, “What does ‘good’ look like now and in the future?” as well as “How can we simultaneously & sustainably improve the passenger experience, operational efficiencies, and non-aeronautical revenue?”
Yvonne earned both her master's and undergraduate degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and attended the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Versailles, France.
4. Ann Boomsma
Senior Vice President of Operations, MEB Management Services
Ann Boomsma possesses more than 30 years of real estate and client management experience within the multi-family industry. This experience has provided a unique ground-level understanding of operations. As Senior Vice President of Operations, Boomsma supports strategic initiatives for sales and client acquisitions and works closely with principals and other industry professionals to manage a portfolio of assets throughout Arizona and Texas. She is responsible for more than 40 Assets, valued at $2.5 billion. Boomsma manages the New Development team with over 8,000 lease-up units in the pipeline for 2023-2025. As well, Boomsma oversees the management of the MEB New Business Development team which grew revenues over 20% in the year 2021 and 25% in 2022.
Boomsma joined MEB in 2000 as an asset director. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2006 and Regional Supervisor of the Year in 2012 by the Arizona Multifamily Association (AMA). In 2020, Boomsma was awarded the Soaring Eagle Award through MEB, the highest award given. In 2021, Boomsma was awarded CPM of the Year, a prestigious award offered through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
Boomsma serves on the board of the National Multifamily Housing Council, NMHC, Arizona Multifamily Association, AMA, and the Institute of Real Estate Management, IREM. She has an undergraduate degree in advertising/marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Boomsma is a licensed real estate agent in Arizona.
5. Melissa Wright
Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, American Pacific Mortgage
Melissa Wright is a nationally ranked executive leader, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of American Pacific Mortgage, and a true expert in strategic design. With more than 20 years in C-suite leadership, Melissa has built companies from the ground up to multi-million-dollar acquisitions, led organizations from last place to #1 in their industry, and grown sales from $4 billion to $24 billion.
Melissa has been ranked as a Top Marketing Leader, awarded Top 30 Women in Business, a 7-time winner of Best in State, and nationally recognized as one of the Elite Women in Mortgage. Throughout her career, as a highly regarded practitioner and speaker, Melissa has presented to thousands of audiences on sales and marketing innovation, easy-to-implement customer experience strategies, and how to create alignment in your personal and professional life to do work that matters.
As a self-proclaimed entrepredoer, she currently leads the areas of sales technology, marketing, communication, sales innovation & support, training, and business development. She sits on 3 advisory boards for advancing tech companies and works with and speaks to executives, leaders, and emerging leaders on how to transform their leadership style through radical generosity, purpose-driven work, and living to make a difference.
6. Christine Whitney Sanchez
Chief Culture Officer, Arizona State University
Christine Whitney Sanchez is a social entrepreneur, consultant, coach, and architect of large-scale transformation. She has worked across five continents to build the capacity for mindful leadership, strategic collaboration, and thriving organizations and communities. As the Chief Culture Officer for the University Technology Office, she collaboratively designs and advances an integrated approach to the development of UTO’s values-led organizational culture. To enhance ASU’s local impact and social embeddedness, she actively works within and beyond ASU to co-develop solutions to the critical social, cultural, and environmental issues facing 21st-century Arizona.
Integrating her experience as a psychotherapist, Christine focuses on leadership from the inside out. Taking a holistic approach to change, she engages the whole system to build on strengths and create the conditions for success. She has guided tens of thousands of stakeholders to resolve thorny issues and generate new opportunities. She has trained thousands of change leaders around the globe in strength-based approaches to leadership and organization development. She has facilitated some of the largest intergenerational conversations in the world. And that is what brings her joy.
Christine graduated from Arizona State University with a master of counseling in counseling psychology, and from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with an undergraduate degree in sociology.
7. Chelsea Hood
Chief Operations Officer, Engineering Wireless Services
Chelsea Hood is the Chief Operating Officer at EWS. Chelsea has been with the company since September 2012, starting as the general manager. In her current role, Hood is responsible for overseeing the company's day-to-day operations, including managing the company's budget, developing strategic plans, and ensuring that all departments are running smoothly. She is a highly skilled and experienced leader who has a proven track record of success in their previous roles.
Before her time at EWS, Chelsea worked as the purchasing manager at Falco Plumbing from January 2005 to May 2007. In this role, she was responsible for reviewing and purchasing material from multiple vendors and managing inventory. Hood studied organizational leadership at Rio Salado College.
8. Jennifer Talerico
Vice President of Strategy & Operations, Tokyo Electron US
Jennifer Talerico began her professional career 28 years ago. Today, she is the Vice President of Strategy and Operations of Tokyo Electron US. Since its founding in 1963, TEL has grown to encompass many offices around the world that engineer, manufacture, sell, and service wafer-processing or semiconductor production equipment, as well as flat panel display and thin-film silicon photovoltaic equipment. As the world market share leader in several product lines, TEL plays a key role in the evolving global semiconductor industry.
Talerico first got her start in 1995 as a supply chain manager at Intel Corporation. She graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with an MSM, and MBA in international business and strategic planning, and from the University of Pittsburgh with an undergraduate degree in business and political science.
9. Carol Hobson
Chief Operational and Technology Risk Officer, Sallie Mae
Carol Hobson is the Chief Operational and Technology Risk Officer of Sallie Mae. She first joined the company in 2022. Sallie Mae’s mission is to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. It believes college should be affordable, equitable, and accessible for all students. As the leader in private student lending, it provides financing and expertise to support college access and completion. It offers products and resources to help students and families start smart in planning for higher education, ensuring opportunities to learn and dream big. As America's leading provider of education loans, Sallie Mae owns or manages approximately $100 billion in student loans for more than seven million borrowers.
Previously, Hobson was a head of business risk & controls - Enterprise Operations Support (EOS) at USAA, and before that, an SVP and head of technology operations risk management at Wells Fargo. Earlier in her career she worked with K/B Financial Advisors as a senior systems manager.
10. Ashley Bowers
President, HomeSmart International
With a deep-rooted upbringing in Arizona's family-owned businesses, Ashley Bowers possesses a profound understanding of the dedication required to invest one's entire life into a venture, eventually entrusting it to others. She embarked on her professional journey in the organizational development and assessment industry, where she swiftly discovered her innate passion for diagnostics and strategic engagement. Over the span of 25 years, she has amassed extensive expertise in talent management, operational excellence, and organizational growth. Notably, Ashley pioneered a game-changing bottom-up strategic planning process that harmonizes the entire organization's efforts toward achieving unparalleled results.
Presently, Ashley holds the position of President at HomeSmart Holdings, assuming this role in 2013. Under her guidance, the company has experienced extraordinary internal growth and expanded its network to unprecedented levels. Built upon a proprietary technological foundation, HomeSmart Holdings is poised to revolutionize the real estate industry, capitalizing on service excellence, scalability, and cutting-edge technology.
Beyond her role at HomeSmart Holdings, Ashley generously devotes her time to assisting organizations with strategic planning and operational development and facilitating smooth transitions for owners and CEOs.
11. Kate Morris
President and General Manager, TEGNA
Kate Morris is President and General Manager for KPNX Phoenix, KNAZ Flagstaff, and KMSB/KTTU Tucson. Previously she served as President and General Manager for KTVB Boise and KTFT Twin Falls. Morris previously served as executive news director responsible for leading an audience-focused content strategy.
As news director, Morris grew audiences, expanded the local news product across platforms, and helped increase station profit margins. Under her leadership, KTVB has expanded its digital presence across platforms leading to increases in page views, unique visitors, and time spent on the station’s website. KTVB’s Facebook page has also grown into the state’s most popular in any category. Morris holds an undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University and graduated from the 2016-2017 TEGNA Executive Leadership program.
12. Adaliz Gimenez
VP & Commercial Banker, Bell Bank
Adaliz Gimenez is Vice President and Commercial Banker of Bell Bank, a privately-owned community bank in Phoenix, Arizona. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Adaliz earned her undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of Puerto Rico before relocating with her family to Arizona in 2004.
Adaliz has over 20 years of banking experience since starting her career in 2000 as a manager trainee. She specializes in lending and banking for professionals in healthcare, law, and other private practice. Before joining Bell Bank in 2019, she spent 15 years with the Professional Banking Group at Wells Fargo Bank. In 2020, she was named one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona by the Arizona Business Magazine.
Adaliz is an active member of both, the American and the Arizona Bankers Association, serving on the ABA Emerging Leaders Council. She also serves on the Board of New Pathways for Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving at-risk youth through 1:1 mentoring and action planning. When she is not at work or volunteering, you will find her enjoying the outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.
13. Michelle Acosta
Managing Principal, HDR
Michelle Acosta is the Managing Principal of HDR’s architecture practice in Phoenix, AZ. She leads the strategy and success of the Phoenix office by collaborating with other principals, business development groups, and designers to provide the highest level of quality and service to clients, cultivating relationships and strengthening connections in Arizona and surrounding Southwestern states.
Michelle graduated with a BSD in architectural studies from Arizona State University and immediately embarked on a career in healthcare design. At age 25 she became a registered architect and went on to serve as a project architect and medical planner on large acute care and outpatient projects in the western United States and the Middle East. She was elected 2016 chapter president of AIA Pasadena & Foothill and represented the chapter on AIA California’s board of directors. The theme of her presidency was “Building Bridges”, focusing on the mentorship and development of emerging professionals to help fill the void that was left in the industry due to the economic downturn of 2008.
Michelle was the recipient of the 2018 AIA Young Architects Award. Her national AIA involvement has continued since then, helping to pilot the ‘Align’ mentoring program with the College of Fellows and serving as a juror for the 2020 Architecture Awards and the prestigious 25-Year Award. Most recently, Michelle was honored by Encyclopedia Britannica in 2021 as one of 20 Young Shapers of the Future Under 40 in the architecture and engineering category. She is board certified in healthcare architecture by the American College of Healthcare Architects and is also an Evidence Based Design Accredited Professional.
14. Debra Mickey Larson
Global Client Partner, FranklinCovey
As a Global Client Partner with FranklinCovey, the world’s most trusted leadership development company with a presence in 160 countries, Debra Larson brings a team of resources to major corporations that create positive work cultures where people feel valued and achieve results through behavior change. Many of her clients feel she is a member of their organization positively impacting employee engagement, customer satisfaction, strategy execution, and leadership development at all levels. She is highly sought after by clients for her incredible ability to immediately understand their business and to evaluate their organization’s culture. As a designated “culture sniffer” she helps CEOs determine if they have the right talent on their leadership teams to execute their strategy. During her tenure at FranklinCovey, she has held various management positions leading teams in the US & Canada. A member of the prestigious $40M Club, she counts her success based on lives changed.
Debra collects and connects people. Since early childhood, her personal mission statement has been to “help others succeed.” She has retained clients for more than 30 years, not only helping them chart the path to business success but also personal success.
Debra is a recognized leader in the nonprofit arena maximizing her network to help individuals find a community board activity that fuels their passion and will strengthen each organization. Her personal community involvement as former board chair for the Phoenix Boys Choir and the Herberger Theater Center allowed her to guide these organizations to build their reach to greater and more diverse audiences. She serves on the City of Phoenix Arts & Culture Commission, the Phoenix Dress for Success Board, as a mentor for Arizona Foundation for Women SHE Leads program, as a member of the Arizona Community Foundation Asian Women’s Giving Circle, and as President of the University Club of Phoenix Foundation.
Larson graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in public administration and MS with honors, in marketing. Before joining FranklinCovey, Debra spent several years in the public sector. She was CEO of a marketing research company that helped cable companies convince their buyers that cable services were as necessary as a utility when cable was first launched.
15. Michelle Rico
Head of Public Relations - Americas, HCL
Michelle Rico is the Head of Public Relations - Americas of HCLTech, a global technology company, home to 223,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering, and cloud, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. They work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for financial services, manufacturing, life sciences and healthcare, technology and services, telecom and media, retail and CPG, and public services. Rico has 8 years of experience. She began her career in 2015.
Before joining HCLTech, Rico was a global public relations manager at TD SYNNEX, and before that, a senior DEI and crisis communication specialist at Nordstrom. Earlier in her career she worked with Allstate as a senior communication consultant II. Rico graduated from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management with an MBA in organizational leadership, and from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in journalism and mass communication.
16. Corey Basha
Commercial Banking Leader & Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo
Corey Saba Basha is a Commercial Banking Leader and Senior Vice President for the Arizona Middle Market Banking Team. Corey previously held the group lead for the Southwest Division Innovation Technology & Life Sciences Initiative. She is responsible for relationship development, and driving the Wells Fargo Technology & Life Sciences business expansion across Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. In this role, Corey serves as the primary resource to the Southwest for technology and life sciences companies, and liaison for the Wells Fargo Technology, Media, and Telecom Specialty Teams.
Corey manages a team of commercial relationship managers and business bankers of local middle market and corporate companies. She has 24 years of experience in the banking industry in Arizona in the functions of commercial lending, business banking, and SBA Lending. Corey joined Wells Fargo in 1997 and completed the company’s Credit Management Training Program in 2004.
As a member of the Arizona Leadership Team, Corey established the Women's Networking Luncheon to empower and promote women leaders. She graduated from the U of A with an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance. She also studied the Spanish Language in Madrid, Spain. Corey earned her MBA from ASU in 2002. Corey currently serves on the board of trustees for Summit School of Ahwatukee and previously served as board chair. She has also served on Cardon’s Children’s Stars of the Season Event. Corey has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and other nonprofit organizations.
17. Stefanie Gorres
Executive Director & Branch Manager, Morgan Stanley
As a Branch Manager, Stefanie Gorres is responsible for driving growth in three Arizona offices, Phoenix, Peoria, and Prescott, and helping every financial advisor in her branches realize his or her full potential. She is committed to cultivating a positive atmosphere that promotes peer-to-peer idea exchange, team building, and the strategic connections required to satisfy the sophisticated needs of clients. She is also a passionate advocate for women in business and financial services. In 2021, Stefanie was one of eighteen individuals across Morgan Stanley Wealth Management to be named a Morgan Stanley MAKER.
Stefanie joined Morgan Stanley in 2006 and has held positions as a complex manager assistant, branch service manager, complex business service officer, and associate complex manager before taking on her current role. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Stefanie worked at AIG where she managed a team that was responsible for writing compliance policies and procedures for all broker-dealers under the AIG Advisor Group umbrella.
Stefanie earned her undergraduate degree in business finance from Minnesota State University at Mankato. She began her financial services career at Ameriprise Financial where she started on the service and trading queue before transitioning to institutional compliance. There, she and two others developed a patented personal trading monitoring system. She then moved to the retail side of the business where she performed high-profile fraud investigations and branch exams as a senior compliance examiner. Her background in risk, compliance, and operations gives her a well-rounded vision of all the different components of the financial services industry.
Originally from Minnesota, Stefanie moved to Arizona in July 2005.
18. Amy Heydon
Vice President of Consumer Lending Technology, American Express
Heydon is the Vice President of Global Consumer Lending Technology at American Express (AXP) with global responsibility for end-to-end digital lending products & payment capabilities. Consumer Lending powers product management for both traditional card products, loan products, and a suite of lending payment vehicles offering best a best-in-class customer experience. She leads a multidisciplinary team of professionals responsible for collaborating with business owners, product owners, engineering, legal, compliance, and finance to create and promote new products and capabilities that enrich the customer experience.
Heydon is well-known for leadership in delivery execution and has a track record for building robust and innovative solutions. She is the recipient of several excellence awards in both technology and risk management recognizing her achievements in delivery and process execution.
Heydon is a committed advocate for the advancement and success of women in technology and leadership and was a member of the start-up of the American Express Phoenix chapter of the Executive Women’s Interest Network where she remains an active member. She is an advocate for elementary education and is a member of Junior Achievement bringing forward exposure and interest in business to the next generation. Graduating from Florida Atlantic University with an undergraduate degree, she currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.
19. Nadya Bliss
Executive Director of the Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University
Dr. Nadya T. Bliss is the Executive Director of the Global Security Initiative (GSI) at Arizona State University (ASU). In this capacity, she leads a pan-university organization advancing research, education, and other programming in support of national and global security. Bliss is an experienced leader of science and technology organizations with over two decades in the defense, security, and higher education sectors. She has expertise in leading and growing mission-focused research organizations.
With in-depth knowledge of the technology transition pipeline, Bliss has significant experience identifying advanced research capabilities to address mission and application needs. She has more than 80 publications to her credit, holds two patents, and is a sought-after speaker around topics related to technology development and national security. She has appeared on PBS and NPR, and in the Christian Science Monitor, Phoenix Business Journal, and CIO Review.
Actively involved in service boards and national committees, Bliss currently serves as chair of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Information Science and Technology study group (DARPA ISAT) and vice chair of the Computing Community Consortium. She also serves on the National Academies Climate Security Roundtable and the National Academies Forum on Cyber Resilience.
Prior to leading GSI, Bliss was assistant VP of research strategy at ASU and spent a decade in various positions at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, most recently as the founding group leader of the Computing and Analytics Group. In that role, she oversaw all of the laboratory’s high-performance computing, along with a portfolio of programs focused on advanced analytics and computer architectures for DoD and IC mission needs. Bliss holds a Professor of Practice appointment (and is a member of the Graduate Faculty) in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence and is a Senior Global Futures Scientist in the Julie Ann Wrigley Global
Futures Laboratory. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from Cornell University and earned her doctorate in applied mathematics for life and social sciences from Arizona State University.
20. Maria McCulley
Chief Public Development and Strategic Resources Officer, Food for the Hungry
Maria is the Chief Public Development and Strategic Resources Officer at Food for the Hungry (FH). She first began working at FH in Bolivia while finishing college. After spending five years in the US in the corporate world, Maria returned to Bolivia where she assumed the role of deputy director of FH Bolivia, leading the areas of Ministry Support Services (finance, administration, IT), HR, and USG grants and commodities acquisition and management, including monetization. Maria returned to the US where she transitioned to launch and lead the area of US government grants and commodities. She led many trainings in Africa and Latin America.
Maria was a key stakeholder in the development of the first Monetization Guidance for INGOs. She contributed to many forums organized by the US Department of Agriculture as well as Inside NGO. Maria was a key leader in the development and negotiation of several multimillion USG grant proposals and an expert in USG rules and regulations. She also led the strategy and negotiations of NICRA for FHUS with USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance. Maria firmly believes in being agile and the importance of learning and adapting to the work we do. Maria is the sponsor of the Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council, as she fervently believes that every person is beautifully and wonderfully made and needs to be treated with dignity and respect. She is a member and mentor of Women in Leadership Development at her church and provides training/counsel in financial stewardship at various Spanish-speaking churches as time permits. Maria graduated from Universidad Mayor de San Andres in La Paz, Bolivia, where she studied accounting, economics, and finance.
21. Felicia Lorraine Ganther
President, Bucks County Community College
Felicia Lorraine Ganther hails from Los Angeles, California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Norfolk State University in Virginia. She holds a JD from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. She also holds a PhD in community resources and development from Arizona State University. Felicia has previously served in various capacities at both the university and community college levels; currently serving as the associate vice chancellor for student affairs for the Maricopa County Community College District where more than 200,000 students enroll annually. In addition to her work in student affairs, Felicia is an adjunct instructor for Speech, Interpersonal/ Group communication, and Higher Educational law courses.
Felicia has extensive experience in student life, crisis management, retention initiatives, strategic planning, academic quality improvement, and first-year student programs. She has received the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience’s National Outstanding First-Year Advocate Award, a proclamation from the Illinois State Senate for her work with the retention of first-year students. In 2017, she was selected as an Aspen Institute Presidential Fellow and nominated to receive the John Rouche League of Innovation Excellence in Community Colleges Award.
In her more than 25 years of experience in higher education, she consistently infuses her passion into helping students reach their intended goals through crafting meaningful and intentional programs, services, and initiatives.
22. Suzanne Hartin
Chief Risk Officer, Early Warning®
As Chief Risk Officer for Early Warning Services, the network operator of Zelle, Suzanne Hartin leads the company’s risk functions including Information Security, Enterprise and Operational Risk Management, Business Continuity and Crisis Management, Third Party Risk Management, Compliance, Privacy, and Physical Security. Hartin has over 20 years of risk management experience developed at a variety of the nation’s largest financial institutions.
Before joining Early Warning, she was VP of operational risk management at Capital One where she managed the Enterprise Business Continuity and Crisis Management teams as well as the Corporate Third Party Risk Management and Corporate Insurance Risk Management programs. She has also held several executive risk, compliance, and information security positions at American Express and Bank of America. While performing in these roles, she obtained extensive experience being examined by the OCC, the CFPB, and other regulatory agencies.
Hartin graduated from Davidson College with a degree in economics and is a Certified Information Security Manager and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Controls. She serves on the Board of Directors for Sytek Electric, the world leader in the design and manufacture of high-powered sub-sea motors used on remotely operated vehicles and other sub-sea applications, and is a member of the Executive Women’s Forum.
23. Nika Gueci
Executive Director, University Engagement at Center: Mindfulness, Compassion and Resilience, Arizona State University
Dr. Nika Gueci is a born and bred New Yorker who moved to the desert to advance Arizona State University’s Charter of Inclusion and Belonging. She is the inaugural Executive Director of ASU's Center for Mindfulness, Compassion, and Resilience, created as an institutional-priority initiative to build human capacity through an innovative whole-person approach. Here, she furthers individual and community resilience through translational research, customized curriculum, and leadership training. Nika has presented over a thousand speeches, workshops, and events; and has been invited to speak on media sources such as AZ3TV, NPR, and ASU News, and keynote at national conferences. She serves as co-chair of the Mental Well-Being Committee, Arizona Department of Health Services, and leads a state-wide strategy to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
She is a senior fellow at ASU's Learning Enterprise as lead on personal development offerings for lifelong learners, where she designs concepts for a scalable and equitable approach to flourishing. She creates systems where education propels individuals, families, and communities to have the sovereignty, resources, and capital to lead a life free from structural (e.g., language, financial, or knowledge barriers) and societal obstacles (e.g., stigma, learned ignorance or unconscious bias) to realize and develop their full potential as thriving human beings.
Nika is a registered yoga teacher and ardent advocate for animal rights. She serves on the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association Wellness Task Force and fosters dogs. She holds an EdD in leadership and innovation from Arizona State University, MA in communication from New Mexico State University, and an undergraduate degree in Russian from Columbia University in the City of New York.
24. Tiffany Johnson
Chief Product Officer, NMI
Tiffany Johnson is an experienced, innovative product executive and award-winning leader passionate about financial technology and inclusion. She has been published, quoted, and consulted by many top players and publications in the payments industry. Her reputation for excellence in planning and executing large-scale, complex products at strategic and tactical levels has allowed her to stand out among her peers. Tiffany has also won several awards, with American Banker recognizing her as one of the Most Influential Women in Payments in 2022 for being a Change Agent in the space.
Earlier this year, Tiffany joined NMI, global payments enablement platform, as its Chief Product Officer (CPO). NMI brought on Tiffany as CPO for her leadership experience and diverse product portfolio, including some of the world's top embedded finance and consumer-facing payment programs. In response to Tiffany’s enlistment with the company, Vijay Sondhi, CEO of NMI, shared, “As we continue to drive more product innovation and solutions for our partners, Tiffany's deep payments experience makes her the perfect leader for our product team."
Before joining NMI, she served as SVP of product at Green Dot and head of product for North America at U.K.-based Railsr (formerly Railsbank). In these roles, Tiffany led new product development and drove innovation across each company’s banking, payments, debit, and credit "as-a-service" offerings. Tiffany has her MBA, BS in economics, and BS in management from WP Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
25. Beth Brady
Chief Brand & Development Officer, Solari
Beth Brady oversees Solari's marketing, communications, development, community engagement, education, and culture programs. She is a dynamic leader with clinical mental health, suicide prevention, communications, and employee engagement expertise. Beth was a Phoenix Business Journal Health Care Hero Finalist and ranked as one of the two top Mental Health First Aid instructors in the state of Arizona.
Beth has been in the mental health field for more than 15 years. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), International Council for Helplines crisis center examiner, and is trained in performing psychological autopsy investigations. Beth earned her Bachelor of Psychology and her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degrees from Argosy University. She currently serves on the board of directors for Mental Health America of Arizona. Her clinical background fuels her passion for effective communications, marketing, and design to reduce the stigma of mental illness, promote well-being, and reduce mental health disparities.
26. Patricia Chiodo
Chief Financial Officer, Verra Mobility
Patricia Chiodo is the Chief Financial Officer of Verra Mobility, a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions that make transportation safer, smarter, and more connected. The company sits at the center of the mobility ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, hardware, software, data, and people to enable safe, efficient solutions for customers globally. Verra Mobility’s transportation safety systems and parking management solutions protect lives, improve urban and motorway mobility and support healthier communities. The company also solves complex payment, utilization, and compliance challenges for fleet owners and rental car companies. Headquartered in Arizona, Verra Mobility operates in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Chiodo has 36 years of experience. She began her career in 1987.
Before joining Verra Mobility, Chiodo was a CFO at Origami Owl Custom Jewelry, and before that, a director at Acme Lift Company. Earlier in her career she worked with PwC as a staff accountant. Chiodo graduated from the University of Arizona with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
27. Marlys Rodgers
Chief Information Security Officer, Circle
Marlys Rodgers is the Chief Information Security Officer at Circle. Circle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce, and financial applications worldwide. Circle is also the principal operator of USD Coin (USDC), which has become the fastest-growing, regulated, and fully reserved dollar digital currency. USDC now stands at more than 45 billion and has supported about $1.4 trillion in transactions over the past year.
Most recently, Marlys held the same position at CSAA Insurance Group and was also responsible for Technology Oversight. Her path to leading security organizations came via stints leading technology development, compliance, enterprise operational risk, and IT/security risk oversight teams at global fintech and financial services firms including PayPal and American Express.
In 2021, she was awarded Security Executive of the Year by the Cyber Security Excellence Awards. She was recently presented the 2022 Gold for Women in Cyber and Info Security by the Globee Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards. She is currently an advisory member of the Informed Defenders Council for AttackIQ. Marlys is a passionate champion for diversity in the technology and security fields and is vice president for the Alliance of Women and Technology, Southwest. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with an MBA in information technology and an undergraduate in business administration and management.
28. Delores Ferguson
Chief Customer Officer, CCMC
Delores Ferguson began her professional career 2006 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Customer Officer of CCMC, a business transforming the way people experience life in community associations. With an emphasis on human connectivity and neighborhood engagement, it builds community by bringing people together in the neighborhoods where they live and in the offices where the teams work.
Delores leads CCMC’s community operations, resident experience, and business development teams. She oversees all sides of their customer-facing operations, working with customers, team members, and business leaders to deliver best-in-class large-scale community management services. Delores’ CCMC story began in 2006. The honest, authentic nature of the company's leadership drew her to the team. The experience of purposeful work and strong human connectivity has inspired her to stay here and grow there. Now, it is her privilege to continue this legacy and create this unique workplace experience for others, as it provides exceptional service and long-lasting partnerships with its clients.
29. Robin Milne
Chief Marketing Officer, SnapNurse
Robin Milne combines her executive management experience with her background in sales, marketing, and community building to achieve proven success as a marketing change agent. She currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer of SnapNurse.
Before joining SnapNurse, Robin was the former GM and chief brand officer at Promontory Club, a luxury second-home community in Park City, UT. Robin then helped the Phoenix Suns activate their charitable brand as the executive director of Phoenix Suns Charities. Her early career was spent in sales management for healthcare technology firm, HBO & Company. Robin graduated with a business degree in marketing and advertising from Arizona State University where she continues to give back through her work with ASU’s Women and Philanthropy.
30. Ami Mendez
Vice President of Operations, CNHA, ALM, Avista Senior Living
Ami Mendez is a distinguished, Certified, and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and is Assisted Living Manager in AZ & Utah. She is the recipient of the American College of Healthcare Administrators' "Eli Pick leadership award" given for consistency in exceptional outcomes and has been in Arizona Skilled Nursing and senior care services since 1991. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and has enjoyed her past role as an adjunct faculty member at Ottawa University where she educated master’s level students on the dynamic of organizational theory and behavior.
Having served in multiple healthcare settings over the past 25 plus years, she has invaluable experience which includes multiple deficiency-free surveys, multisite/state supervision, home health, skilled nursing, assisted living, for-profit, not-for-profit, memory care, and CCRC environments, all with consistent award-winning outcomes. Her specialty is turning struggling networks/communities into premier providers by creating self-managed, high-performing teams. She is and has been, a true champion of transformational leadership.
31. Joanne Mizell
Chief Operating Officer, Banner|Aetna
Joanne Mizell is the Chief Operating Officer at Banner|Aetna. She has over 30 years of experience as a healthcare industry executive and is highly regarded for her ability to cultivate strong teams and develop creative strategies. Joanne is passionate about improving the member experience and has championed innovative initiatives like Banner|Aetna’s diabetes reversal and telehealth programs.
As an engaged community leader and advocate, Joanne also serves on the board of Family Promise of Greater Phoenix and as a state and global council member for multiple animal welfare nonprofits.
32. Liz Martin-Malikian
Executive Director & CEO, The Cosanti Foundation
As CEO & Executive Director, Liz Martin-Malikian oversees operations, facilities, programming, and philanthropic initiatives for The Cosanti Foundation at both Arcosanti and Cosanti, as well as for the artisan bell-making business, Cosanti Originals. Liz’s unique background encompasses art, architecture, and academics, a rare combination that aligns fully with the unique mission of The Cosanti Foundation.
Originally from New York, Liz holds degrees as a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Tulane University. She has more than 30 cumulative years of experience as a practicing and principal architectural designer and more than 15 years of experience as an academic practitioner teaching domestically and internationally as a professor of architecture and urban design.
Liz has curated, presented, lectured, and published extensively. Her lifelong commitment to her profession and her community is evident in her service as part of dozens of commissions, committees, and councils, including the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Women’s Leadership Initiative, Metropolitan Public Art Coalition (MPAC), and AIACC Monterey Design Conference committee. She has also received a variety of honors and accolades for her dynamic work, such as the AIA/ACSA Practice and Leadership Award, AIAS Educator of the Year Award, and most recently, recognition as part of the ULI Atlanta The Leader 2021 cohort. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Liz is a musician, having graduated from the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division with a major in violin and composition.
33. Christine Gilo
Founder & Chief Operating Officer, MOGEL
Christine Gilo, Founder of MOGEL RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) is a highly respected leader and innovator in the human capital and talent acquisition industry. With over 20 years of experience in the field and a deep understanding of workforce solutions and human capital management, she has developed unique and effective approaches to recruitment.
Throughout her career, Christine has held executive positions in Fortune 500 recruitment firms and Top 25 law firms, solidifying her expertise and shaping her industry perspective. Drawing from her extensive experience, she has become a trailblazer in the field, constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional recruitment practices.
Christine's visionary mindset led her to establish MOGEL, a Global Recruitment Process Outsourcing firm headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. At MOGEL, she built the company on an innovative business model that prioritizes connecting companies with the right individuals for the right positions, resulting in an average of 58% cost savings to her clientele. This approach reflects her belief in the power of meaningful connections and the positive impact they can have on businesses and individuals. Under her leadership, MOGEL has become a trusted partner for organizations seeking exceptional talent solutions. Her commitment to personalized and strategic recruitment has propelled the company to new heights, earning recognition and admiration in the industry.
Christine’s unwavering passion for human capital and talent acquisition, combined with her
extensive experience and innovative mindset, have positioned her as a driving force in the industry. She continues to shape the future of recruitment by challenging conventional norms and fostering connections that create lasting success for both companies and individuals. Christine's expertise and dedication make MOGEL an ideal partner to help navigate the complex landscape of talent acquisition and workforce solutions.
34. Saffron Carew
Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Terros Health
As Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Saffron Carew is a member of the Terros Health Leadership Team, providing information systems strategic planning, implementation of technology initiatives, and innovation. Her responsibilities span the oversight of information technology, security, business intelligence, report and application development, EHR support and development, health information management, and facilities management. She has served as CIO for Terros Health since 2009.
Saffron holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Valparaiso University and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the Society of Information Management. Saffron has also earned certifications in CHCIO and CPHIMS and is a Professional Certified Coach.
Saffron was honored as the 2020 Arizona CIO of the Year ORBIE Award Winner | Nonprofit/Public Sector, received recognition in November 2019 from the Phoenix Business Journal as a 2019 Chief Innovation Officer finalist, and was celebrated as “The Disruptor” in the HIMSS19 Champion of Health global campaign from 2018-2019. She has served on the Arizona Chapter of HIMSS Board since 2015 having served as President-Elect, President, and Past President from 2017-2020.
35. Jamie Ciocchetti
Vice President of Operations & Education, DeLex Realty
Jamie Ciocchetti is recognized as a highly accomplished professional who has made a significant impact as the VP of Operations and Education at DeLex Realty. With an unwavering passion for excellence, Jamie has revolutionized the company's operations and education strategies, contributing to its outstanding success in the real estate industry. Jamie has optimized efficiency throughout the organization, resulting in improved productivity and increased profitability. Her keen understanding of marketing trends and industry dynamics has allowed DeLex Realty to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.
One of Jamie's most notable achievements is her dedication to enhancing the educational programs at DeLex Realty. She has equipped DeLex Realty's agents with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the industry. She has actively contributed to the real estate and small business community by sharing her expertise and insights with other professionals. Her passion for helping small business owners achieve success is the driving force for her hands-on training and coaching. Her ability to build strong relationships and foster collaboration has earned her a reputation as a respected thought leader amongst business owners.
With a track record of accomplishments as the VP of Operations and Education at DeLex Realty, Jamie continues to drive the company's success through her unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her ability to navigate challenges, inspire her team, and achieve remarkable results sets her apart as a dynamic leader in the real estate industry.
36. Stephanie Waldrop
Principal, Employee Benefits International
Stephanie Waldrop is a highly accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. She brings extensive expertise in employee benefit consultative and brokerage services for mid and large employers. Stephanie has held executive-level positions with renowned insurance companies such as Humana, PacifiCare/United Healthcare, and Aetna, focusing on all aspects of employee benefits for varied size employer groups.
Stephanie's knowledge and skills encompass program design, market review, renewal negotiation, financial budget projections, claims utilization analysis, wellness programs, and compliance. She excels in strategic planning, working closely with employers to develop long-term employee benefit solutions tailored to their specific needs. Stephanie is dedicated to controlling healthcare costs, engaging employees to be healthier consumers, and delivering creative solutions that meet the challenges of the insurance industry.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Stephanie is actively involved in the business community and serves on the board of directors for the Arizona Business Council and the Entrepreneurs Organization, Arizona Chapter. Her commitment to supporting local businesses reflects her dedication to fostering economic growth and success in the region. Stephanie's passion for making a positive impact extends beyond her professional endeavors. She is actively involved in initiatives aimed at helping women and children escape trafficking and abuse. Stephanie's commitment to this cause demonstrates her empathy and her desire to contribute to the well-being of others.
37. Felecia Rotellini
Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor, Ginnie Mae
Felecia Rotellini serves as Chief of Staff to the President. Her responsibilities include advancing the mission of Ginnie Mae through communications and broader public and stakeholder engagement and partnerships. Rotellini brings to Ginnie Mae more than 35 years of private and public sector experience in law, policy, corporate governance, and bank and non-bank financial services supervision
Before joining Ginnie Mae, Rotellini was director of regulatory compliance for a nationwide automotive sales and financial services company under the supervision of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In that role, she stood up a compliance department and led the development of a compliance management system. She has more than 16 years of regulatory and consumer protection enforcement experience. From 1992 to 2005, as an assistant attorney general in the civil and criminal divisions of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, she investigated and prosecuted cases involving accounting, real estate, and mortgage fraud and violations of consumer protection laws.
As superintendent of the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions, she oversaw the supervision of financial services including state-chartered banks and credit unions and non-depository financial enterprises. She led an initiative to license loan originators and raise professionalism ahead of the mortgage industry reforms included in the Dodd-Frank Act. In 2006, she created the Arizona Mortgage Fraud Task Force, bringing together state and federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies to share expertise to tackle complex mortgage fraud more effectively, resulting in civil and criminal prosecutions. In 2009, the US Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, recognized her department with its “Excellence in Cooperative Law Enforcement Award” for the Task Force’s instrumental participation in the U.S. Attorney’s “Operation Cash Back” prosecutions. During her time as Superintendent, she was a member of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors Board of Directors and Regulatory Restructuring Task Force. Rotellini has a JD from the University of Notre Dame College of Law and an undergraduate degree in history and political science from Rocky Mountain College.
38. Lisa Rehurek
Founder & CEO, The RFP Success® Company
Lisa Rehurek is the Founder and CEO of The RFP Success® Company where she leads her team of skilled RFP consultants to help clients win state government contracts. Using a simple yet proven winning framework, they achieve dramatically higher-than-average win rates in State and Local RFPs (Requests for Proposal), with over $500 million secured for their clients. The RFP Success® Company has been disrupting the RFP consulting industry since its inception. Lisa maintains the first and longest-running podcast dedicated solely to RFP response topics. She’s written one book dedicated to the subject, with a second being published in late 2023. In total, Lisa has published eight books on leadership and is a celebrated expert and highly esteemed best-selling author.
Lisa also loves to bring fun to the mix. She developed a set of Core Values called the ‘Ride or Die’ that she uses as guideposts for the culture at The RFP Success ® Company. These values are both serious and fun - and even includes a value of “Must Love Dogs.” Lisa’s get-it-done personality coupled with her ability to color outside the lines when needed has created the kind of notoriety that magnetizes clients and employees, alike.
In addition to being an international best-selling author, Lisa is a speaker and trainer, sharing key strategies that help lead readers and audience members to RFP wins. An influential member of the local business community, Lisa is deeply committed to investing in the growth of small certified diverse, and mid-market businesses. She is passionate about simplifying the RFP process to enable these businesses to compete for millions of dollars in state contracts. Lisa has built an impactful seven-figure business and is among the top 2% of women business owners. In 2023, she led her company to be named one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing private companies in America.
39. Kristin Sexton
Senior Managing Director, CBRE
Senior Managing Director for CBRE Labor Analytics, Kristin Sexton has extensive experience in developing sophisticated strategies for clients including M&A portfolio optimization, site selection, workforce longevity & sensitivity assessments, and cost-benefit analysis for portfolio decision support. In addition to portfolio evaluations, Kristin has led the development of analytical models for use in labor market assessments and site selection, such as LaborPlan™–Labor Analytics’ proprietary workforce longevity model and winner of the H.B. Russell CoreNet Global Innovator’s Award in 2007. Kristin was also instrumental in the design and implementation of our unique web-based intelligence tool, Global LaborView, winner of the H.B. Russell CoreNet Global Innovator’s Award in 2011 and ranked #187 in Information Week’s 500 Most Innovative Uses of Technology in 2013.
Kristin has advised on hundreds of projects with Fortune 500 clients and is focused on mitigating risk by aligning location requirements with cost-effective talent through qualitative due diligence and sensitivity modeling. Previously, Kristin worked for IBM as a senior financial analyst for their Global Services Division. Her responsibilities included reporting and analyzing financial metrics, as well as researching cost savings opportunities for several of IBM’s largest contracts.
40. Brittnee Eiler
Vice President of Sales, ADP
Brittnee Eiler is the Vice President of Sales of ADP. She first joined the company in 2015 as associate district manager. ADP is an HR and payroll software that's been on the scene since 1949, providing cloud-based support for multinational companies as well as small businesses. ADP's team is a group of individuals dedicated to providing incredible payroll service to its clients, with the focus always on customer service and making the lives of employers easier.
Previously, Eiler was a coordinator at Arizona State University, and before that, a sales associate at The University of Arizona. Earlier in her career she worked with Kensington Home Inc. as an administrative assistant. Eiler earned an undergraduate degree in public health from the University of Arizona.
41. Jamie Winterton
Senior Director of Research Strategy, Arizona State University
Jamie Winterton is the Senior Director of Research Strategy for ASU’s Global Security Initiative, where she designs interdisciplinary research concepts for defense and security missions. Jamie oversees GSI's large-scale research centers on cybersecurity, human/AI teaming, and disinformation within GSI while creating and maintaining the organization’s five-year strategic plan and financial projections. Jamie's area of research is in cybersecurity policy at the US federal level, and she is a faculty fellow at the Center for Law, Science, and Innovation at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.
In October 2017 Jamie provided expert testimony on data breaches to the US Senate Subcommittee for Technology, Privacy, and the Law. She chairs the university's DARPA Working Group. Jamie has appeared in the Washington Post, NPR, USA Today, the Christian Science Monitor, Slate, KCBS, KTAR, and the Associated Press.
Before joining ASU in August 2014, Jamie worked as a staff scientist for Lockheed Martin, where she developed and directed projects in electro-optical and radar processing/analysis for multiple military and government organizations. Jamie’s work in optical characterization of materials, high-fidelity physics-based 3D modeling and simulation, and exploitation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data has been recognized for both innovation and mission utility. Jamie received her undergraduate degree in physics from Arizona State University and her master’s degree in physics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
42. Ashley Cole
Senior Director of Accounting, PrePass
Ashley Cole is the Senior Director of Accounting for PrePass. She first joined the company in 2019. PrePass is the most utilized and technologically advanced weigh station bypass platform in North America. PrePass services also include electronic toll payments and the INFORM™ Safety and Tolling dashboards. PrePass saves time, fuel, and money for over 750,000 commercial vehicles and helps government agencies improve highway safety. Services are offered through PrePass Safety Alliance, a nonprofit public-private partnership focused on commercial transportation safety and efficiency.
Ashley is a tenacious worker, voracious learner, system and internal control implementer, problem solver, team leader, and culture builder. She began her career as an auditor at a local CPA firm, where her client industry focus was mainly non-profit and construction, during her tenure as an auditor, she helped to build the firm’s Construction Services Group, which included consulting, tax, and attestation services. Upon leaving public accounting, Ashley worked in construction, utilities, software, transportation, manufacturing, and retail. Some of her most rewarding achievements in the corporate world involve system implementations, process design and improvement, and acquisition transaction management; including valuation, due diligence, and integration.
In her current role, Ashley led the stand-up of the accounting department during the Company’s post-acquisition transition, including implementing multiple systems, defining all operational accounting and financial accounting processes/controls, and building out the high-performing accounting team. Ashley earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arizona State University and her MBA with a servant leadership emphasis from Grand Canyon University. She is a Certified Public Accountant through the Arizona State Board of Accountancy.
43. Katherine Ricker
Associate Director of Product Strategy for ASU Online, Arizona State University
Katherine is the Associate Director of Product Strategy for EdPlus at Arizona State University. She is an exceptional technical professional making significant strides in the world of EdTech product management. With over 10 years of experience in higher education, she combines her passion for serving others with her expertise in user experience, business analysis, and product strategy.
As a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holder of a master's degree in User Experience from ASU's Ira Fulton School of Engineering, Katherine brings a wealth of knowledge and a customer-centric mindset to her work, leading her organization to develop high-performing, high-impact solutions. She is a true customer experience evangelist, consistently challenging the status quo and asking the hard questions that lead to scalable, data-informed, innovative solutions. Katherine's collaborative leadership style fosters an environment of trust and empowerment, where she deeply cares about the people she works with and serves. Her ability to balance strategic vision with user-centered execution makes her an outstanding woman to admire in her field.
44. Christine Johnson
Associate Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, Kasa Living Inc.
Christine Johnson is a financial strategy leader at Kasa Living Inc. The company is focused on building a global accommodations brand and partners with owners of multifamily and boutique hospitality properties. Kasa transforms underutilized real estate into stylishly furnished, professionally managed units that cater to business and leisure travelers seeking trustworthy and comfortable accommodations. The company is a leading innovator in the hospitality technology market and is actively growing its portfolio.
Christine designs technology-driven portfolio analytics for Kasa, leveraging her background in real estate finance and knowledge of the company’s business model by optimizing tailored processes and reporting solutions for her team to make efficient data-driven decisions that in turn help maximize value and profitability. Christine is a renowned industry expert in real estate planning software and transforming legacy processes into agile and scalable planning models. Before her current role, Christine worked with Panattoni Development Company, one of the largest privately held industrial developers. This experience created broad exposure to industrial development and acquisitions where she was involved from prospect underwriting, acquisition to building stabilization, and post-stabilization asset management. Her responsibilities grew rapidly as her focus shifted to company financial strategy, where she cultivated operational forecasts and strategy across thirteen core US markets and two European markets, focused strategy related to 1031 exchange targets, tax strategy, and client/portfolio pipeline. This role established her affection to tailor her career toward helping companies grow their value proposition through innovative financial management.
Christine graduated summa cum laude from San Francisco State University with an undergraduate degree in business finance and a BOMA-sponsored concentration in commercial real estate while on scholarship and as captain of her NCAA volleyball team. Upon graduation, Christine received the David G. Hysinger Exemplary Student Recipient Award and the Arete Award for her diligence as a student, passion for commercial real estate, involvement in community service, and success in athletics.
45. Dana O'Rourke
Director of Sales, OurPharma
Dana O'Rourke is the Director of Sales of OurPharma, a Fayetteville, Arkansas-based DEA, and FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facility committed to providing high-quality compounded sterile preparations to healthcare organizations across the United States. Founded by former hospital and healthcare executives, OurPharma recognizes the impact on the healthcare supply chain from not having trusted and reliable suppliers to provide essential medications for patients. To further understand the supply issues with compounded preparations, OurPharma prioritizes collaboration with hospitals, surgery centers, and other organizations seeking a supplier looking to make a difference in the lives of patients. O'Rourke has 26 years of experience. She began her career in 1997.
Before joining OurPharma, O'Rourke was a regional director of sales - West at Fagron Sterile Services (FSS), and before that, a key account manager - West at Exela Pharma Sciences LLC. Earlier in her career she worked with Milex Products as a medical device sales representative. O'Rourke graduated from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in communication.
46. Leigh Dow
Vice President of Marketing, BLACKCLOAK
Leigh Dow is the VP of Marketing at BLACKCLOAK, the pioneer of Digital Executive Protection, providing online privacy protection, personal device security, home network security, and incident response to corporate leaders in their personal lives as well as to high-profile, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families. Leigh is a dynamic and accomplished strategy executive working at the intersection of tech, sports, entertainment, luxury, and high-net-worth audiences. She’s a change agent with a passion for seeking out new ideas and leading efforts to accelerate growth, build new business, and increase brand value.
With a deep understanding of technology and its potential impact on privacy and security, Leigh possesses a keen awareness of the challenges faced by high-net-worth individuals and their need for personalized, cutting-edge solutions. She combines her technical expertise with her comprehensive knowledge of marketing and branding to create impactful campaigns that resonate with this unique target audience.
Leigh has received numerous accolades for her leadership, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. Most recently, she was named 2023 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards Marketer of the Year and Podcast of the Year. She was named as a 2020 Phoenix Business Journal Most Admired Leader honoree and one of 2021 The Software Report's Top Women Leaders in Cybersecurity. She was honored as an inductee to the inaugural Security Industry Association 2022 Power 100. She holds an MBA specializing in technology management and a BS in geopolitical strategy.
47. Amina Kruck
Vice President of Advocacy Programs, ABIL
Amina Donna Kruck is Vice President of Advocacy Programs at Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL). Kruck is a state Professional Licensed Counselor with a master’s in counseling from Arizona State University.
Kruck creates programs that empower individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy-related workshops, one-on-one mentoring, facilitating wellness groups, providing technical assistance for the development of consumer-driven initiatives, and developing community partnerships to address barriers to consumer choice, equal rights, and self-determination. Kruck also provides workshops on the legislative process, disability oppression/liberation, and self-advocacy skills, and is a regular contributor to “The Bridge.”
Kruck is the recipient of the 2008 AZ Capitol Times, Leader of the Year in Public Policy, 2004 Region IX Advocate of the Year, National Council on Independent Living, and the 2001 AZ Chapter - Paralyzed Veterans of America, Dick Sloviaczek Barrier Buster Award.
48. Elaine Penn
Director of Outreach, Pilgrim Baptist Church
Elaine Rose Penn is an Elder and Director of Outreach for the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. In her current role with the church, she works with her Pastor, Dr. Terry E. Mackey, and other elders and leaders of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church family to provide comfort and care to its in-person and online membership of approximately 4,000 members. Her oversight includes the Outreach Ministry which services a monthly mobile food pantry feeding hundreds of people each month challenged by food insecurity in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank.
Elaine has an extensive work experience with the General Motors Corporation as a public relations representative and served the New York State Comptroller’s Office as its affirmative action officer, and Minority-Women Owned Business Enterprise Liaison for 10 years as a political appointee of former NYS Comptroller, H. Carl McCall.
Elder Penn is the CEO and founder of Kingdom Life Purpose Ministries International, Inc., a ministry currently operating in Uganda, East Africa. In addition to feeding, clothing, and providing education to approximately 150 orphans in Uganda, her Ministry provides free Bible training to the rural pastors and people of Mbale, Uganda. With the recent donation of land in Uganda, she is at work making plans to build a campus there that would house the orphanage as well as the Kingdom Life Purpose Ministry, Inc. School of Ministry. Elder Elaine Rose Penn is currently working on a PhD in education with an emphasis on instructional design from National University.
49. Diane Atkison
Vice President of Finance, UMOM New Day Centers
Diane Atkison is a seasoned controller with more than 30 years of experience in financial statement analysis and accounting management. With expertise in Mark-to-Market, hedge and commodity accounting, futures, cost accounting, inventory control, non-profit and fund accounting, auditable policies and procedures, and risk management, she has become a sought-after controller in the agriculture and biotechnology industry. She currently serves as the Vice President of Finance for UMOM New Day Centers.
Diane has led a progressive career track, climbing her way from accounting clerk to controller in less than six years. Early in her career, Diane collaborated with a proprietary commodity accounting software firm whose product became one of the major industry standards and is still in wide use today. This collaboration focused on the design and development of unit train and freight accounting functionality.
Diane has been recruited by multiple agriculture and biotechnology companies to identify, design and build auditable policies, procedures, and controls. She has vast experience as a controller in several industries, including commodity/grain terminals, animal nutrition/feed mills, ethanol production, bio-based natural latex extraction, and architectural/engineering operations. Diane developed a $100M international model for the first latex startup facility in Europe. She also validated and obtained a $1M insurance settlement for employee theft recovery, successfully interpreted the USDA RD9005 program to obtain compensation of $3.5M, and secured compensation from the USDA on Karnal Bunt quarantine exceeding $600K.
50. Helen Whelan
Senior Director of Supply Chain, Client Graphics Group, Intel
Helen Whelan is Intel's Senior Director of Supply Chain. Intel Corporation (commonly known as Intel) is a multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. It is one of the world's largest semiconductor chip manufacturers by revenue and is one of the developers of the x86 series of instruction sets found in most personal computers (PCs). Incorporated in Delaware, Intel ranked No. 45 in the 2020 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue for nearly a decade, from 2007 to 2016 fiscal years.
Since joining Intel in 1992, Helen has served in a variety of supply chain managerial roles in the company's technology manufacturing engineering organization, including product planning, program management, and sourcing. Helen holds a master's degree in business administration from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin with master’s and undergraduate degrees in business and IT.