Every year in the summer, the AZ Big Media office buzzes with anticipation as the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business are selected, and 2023 was no exception. From bank presidents and deans to law firm partners and CEOs, the 2023 Most Influential Women roster includes the most talented and accomplished women leaders in Arizona.
To help kick off one of our most-read editorial sections, we turned to past Most Influential Women and some of the state’s most powerful elected officials. Together, these women share what inspired them, who supported them, as well as words of wisdom and encouragement for future leaders.
“What inspired me to become a civic leader was my true love for people and a desire to be of service to others,” says Alexis Hermosillo, mayor of the City of El Mirage. “I have a deep belief in the power of humanity and humanness and that together, we can make a difference in the world. These ideals have led me to where I am today.”
For Fountain Hills Mayor Ginny Dickey, volunteerism within the Fountain Hills School District — where her three sons were educated — sparked her interest in civic leadership.
“By serving two terms on the school board, I learned how thoughtful governance can improve people’s lives,” she says. “I took the chance and ran for Town Council and mayor, leading to over 20 years of public service in our community.”
Similarly, Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego — the latter one of Az Business’ Most Influential Women of 2016 — were inspired to delve into public service out of interest in various issues impacting their communities.
“My journey as a civic leader began due to my desire to learn more about my community after moving to Gilbert,” Peterson says. “I had the time to offer and the desire to learn, engage and serve in the community. Each volunteer opportunity in Gilbert, from planning commission to planning chair to council member and now serving as mayor, was due to my strong desire to work with Gilbert’s businesses, residents and town staff to problem solve the issues Gilbert was facing at the time.”
Adds Gallego: “Before I ran for office, I served on the Phoenix Central Village Planning Committee and as the chair of the city’s Environmental Quality Commission, which is a citizens group that advises the city on environmental issues — issues I grew up caring a lot about. These channels were effective ways to fuel my complaints or catalyze action on things I believed could be better in my city. I also knew that we were a fast-growing city with a lot of potential.”
As for mentorship, women trailblazers who carved pathways in public service have been invaluable to many of Arizona’s women in government.
“One of the most influential female leaders in my present career has been, and continues to be, the late Mayor Georgia Lord of Goodyear,” Hermosillo says. “During our time as colleagues, Mayor Lord was truly someone I admired, respected and saw as a role model.”
Adds Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, one of Az Business’ Most Influential Women of 2015: “Rose Mofford was a trailblazer and an inspiration to me, and she set the bar for what it means to get things done for our state. A lot of people underestimated Rose, but she’s now credited with bridging a divisive time in our state’s history.”
While serving as her assistant, Dickey gleaned leadership knowledge and skills from Sen. Ruth Solomon, a state legislator from Tucson.
“I had the opportunity to watch her demonstrate generous, intelligent and collaborative leadership every day,” she says. “She researched issues carefully, was an unwavering defender of children and education, plus as appropriations chair, created budgets that served Arizona families and businesses with a watchful eye on tax-payer dollars.”
Because of the role-modeling and guidance these public servants gladly received, passing on the wisdom they too have gleaned in their time of service is something they are willing and happy to deliver to new generations of professional women.
“Given the unintentional path that led me to where I serve now, my guidance to up-and-coming leaders is to honor and fine-tune your strengths and skills that serve you well and opportunities will present themselves,” Peterson says. “Don’t be afraid to meet new people and try something new and ask lots of questions.”
Adds Hermosillo, “Never allow someone to tell you you can’t or say you are not capable. You truly have so much to offer by simply being who you are and offering knowledge based on your own experiences.”
For those worried perhaps about waiting for the “right timing,” Gallego closes with this: “My advice to women who are on the fence about pursuing a professional goal because their personal life isn’t perfect: Just do it! Your life is never going to be 100% flawless and that’s why it should never stop you from pursuing your goals.”
On the pages that follow, you will meet the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2023. They were chosen by a panel of their peers from a field of nearly 2,000 women under consideration.
