They may have had to wait a year to celebrate in person, but a lively crowd honored Az Business and AZRE magazines’ Most Influential Women of 2020 Wednesday at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix.

“It’s not easy to become one of Arizona’s Most Influential Women,” said co-host Lin Sue Cooney, director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley and one of the most well-known and popular TV news anchors in Arizona history. “The 50 ladies we are honoring tonight were selected from a pool of more than 2,000 of Arizona’s best, brightest and most innovative women. So, you truly are the best of the best.”


READ ALSOThe Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2021

MORE PHOTOS: See more photos from the event here.


AZ Big Media Publisher Amy Lindsey opened the show by thanking the title sponsor, Raccar Automotive; premier sponsors Molina Fine Jewelers and Fry’s Food Store; audio-visual sponsor Merestone; and gift sponsor NB Pure.

“This amazing event would not be possible without the help of our amazing team sponsors who have made this the biggest and best celebration of our 2020 Most Influential Women,” Lindsey said. “Their belief and commitment to this program is immensely appreciated.”

The Most Influential Women of 2021 will be honored Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 at Chateau Luxe. See more photos from the event here.

Here are the Most Influential Women of 2020

Megan Ackaert, region manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Ann-Marie Alameddin, president and CEO, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association

Susan Anable, vice president of public affairs, Cox Communications

Ginny Arnett Caro, senior vice president, Copperpoint Insurance Companies

Tracy Bame, president, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation

Lisa Bentley, partner, McCarthy Nordburg

Marjorie Bessel, MD, chief clinical officer, Banner Health 

Franki Buckman, executive vice president, The Molly Project

Susan Chetlin, of counsel, Burch & Cracchiolo

Cara Christ, MD, director, Arizona Department of Health Services

Rebecca Clyde, co-founder and CEO, Botco.ai

Barb Dawson, partner, Snell & Wilmer

Kim Dees,  Southern Arizona Retail Division manager, WaFd Bank Arizona

Kathleen Duffy Ybarra, president and CEO, Duffy Group 

Brenda Ferraro, senior vice president, Prevalent

Marchelle Franklin, director of human services, City of Phoenix

Adaliz Gimenez, vice president and commercial banker, Bell Bank

Tara Grenier, principal, Orcutt Winslow

Britney Griner, center, Phoenix Mercury 

Marina Hammersmith, senior vice president, ORION Investment Real Estate

Katie Haydon Perry, executive vice president, Haydon Building Corp.

Sheryl Hays, director of property management, Wentworth Property Company

Jenny Holsman Tetreault, general counsel of the West Region, US Foods

Cheryl Hyman, vice provost for academic alliances, ASU 

Heather Kane, CEO, UnitedHealthcare

Anette Karlsson, chancellor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Julie King, CEO, Harmon Electric

Gretchen Kinsella, Arizona Business Unit leader, DPR Construction

Vickie Larsen, senior vice president and market director, BOK Financial

Julie Laulis, CEO, Cable One 

Dr. Winnie Liang, director of scientific operations, TGen 

Andrea Lovell, shareholder, Littler

Morag Lucey, CEO, Televerde 

Carrie Masters, COO, LGE Design Build

Peggy R. Maxwell, senior vice president of property and facilities management, Plaza Companies

Jennifer May, co-founder, Two Sister Bosses

Kristine Millar, principal, Orcutt Winslow

Coree Neumeyer, partner, Quarles & Brady

Jackie Orcutt, senior vice president, CBRE

Deborah Pearson, executive vice president, strategy and brand, OneAZ Credit Union

Danna Pratte, CEO, Nutritional Brands

Karilee Ramaley, senior principal attorney, SRP

Jennifer Reynolds, principal, Ideation Design Group

Regina Romero, mayor, City of Tucson

Kim Soule, senior vice president, Colliers

Diana Taurasi, guard, Phoenix Mercury

Ann A. Scott Timmer, vice chief justice, Arizona Supreme Court 

Debbie Shumway, CEO, Hospice of the Valley 

Karen Stafford, Arizona president, Employers Council

Carol Stewart, associate vice president, Tech Parks Arizona, The University of Arizona

Lauren Stine, partner, Quarles & Brady

Trisha Talbot, managing director, Newmark Knight Frank

Colleen Tebrake, co-founder, Two Sister Bosses

Julie Tomich, senior vice president and general manager, American Express

Carla Vargas Jasa, president and CEO, Valley of the Sun United Way

Monica Villalobos, CEO, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Suzanne Wilson, president and CEO, Phoenix Symphony

Laura Worzella, executive vice president and chief retail officer, OneAZ Credit Union

Daily Wright, principal, Orcutt Winslow

Nancy Zezza, divisional chief credit officer, Alliance Bank of Arizona