A capacity crowd of Arizona’s most powerful business leaders came together to celebrate Az Business and AZRE magazines’ Most Influential Women in Arizona of 2026 , honoring women whose leadership, innovation and community impact are helping shape the state’s future.
“This year, we had more than 2,200 women under consideration,” said Amy Lindsey, vice president and publisher of AZ Big Media, which publishes Az Business and AZRE magazines. “Let me say that again: We had more than 2,200 women under consideration in 2026. That shows two things: It shows how deep the field of talented women in business is in Arizona. And it also shows the Most Influential Women in Arizona of 2026 are the elite of the elite.”
WOMEN IN BUSINESS: The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2026
WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE: The Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate for 2026
The evening showcased leaders from industries ranging from healthcare, banking and law to commercial real estate, construction, tourism, sustainability and the arts.
There were also six spotlight awards given to women who have changed their industries and opened doors that were once closed..
Industry Impact Spotlight Award: Lindsay Cullum-Colwell of Cullum Homes
Championing Change Spotlight Award: ONE Community’s Angela Hughey
Community Impact Spotlight Award: Desert Diamond Casinos CEO Daniele Chilton
Cultural Impact Spotlight Award: Ballet Arizona Artistic Director Daniela Cardim
Game Changer Spotlight Award: ASU women’s basketball coach Molly Miller
Leadership Excellence Spotlight Award: Morris Hall Managing Partner Andrea Claus
Beyond the awards, the celebration highlighted the remarkable depth of female leadership across Arizona — and the personal stories, perseverance and passion behind that success.
To download photos from the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2026 event, click here.
The Spotlight Award Sponsor for the Most Influential Women of 2026 was CORE Construction, the Special Gift Sponsor was Tarbell’s, the VIP Sponsor is GCON, the VIP Reception Sponsor was Cullum Homes, the Cover Photo Shoot Sponsor was Greenberg Traurig, the Beverage Sponsor was Arizona Escrow & Financial, the Valet Sponsor was Stevens-Leinweber, the Floral Sponsor was PCL Construction, the Dessert Sponsor was SottoPelle and Tutera Medical, the 360 Photo Booth Sponsor was Clayco, the Step-and -Repeat Sponsor was Morris Hall, the Digital Sponsor was Desert Diamond Casinos, the Floral Provider was PJs Flowers and the Production Sponsor was Merestone.
The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2026
Kim Adair, Alerus
Andrea Aker, Aker Ink
Elvy Barton, Salt River Project
Laura Bianchi, Bianchi & Brandt
Daniela Cardim, Ballet Arizona
Daniele Chilton, Desert Diamond Casinos
Kristina Chumpol, Fiesta Sports Foundation
Andrea Claus, Morris Hall
Lindsay Cullum-Colwell, Cullum Homes
Rachael Drummond, Enterprise Bank & Trust
Sambo “Bo” Dul, Coppersmith Brockelman
Ijana Harris, Valleywise Health
Delma Herrera, Cox Communications
Angela Hughey, ONE Community
Norma Izzo, Spencer Fane
Ashley Kelly, JP Morgan Chase
Devney Majerle, Downtown Phoenix Inc.
Lily McNulty, Greenberg Traurig
Molly Miller, Arizona State University
Kathy Mills, Donor Network of Arizona
Kiersten Murphy, Gallagher & Kennedy
Joanne H. Osborne, Osborne Jewelers
Christy Ray, BMO Wealth Management
Terri Sue Rossi, Arizona Water Company
Lisa Roux, Shooter’s World
Heidi K. Short, Womble Bond Dickinson
Lisa Simpson, Arizona Media Association
Alix Skelpsa Ridgway, Arizona Office of Tourism
Heather Stratz, REDW Advisors & CPAs
Ginger Sykes Torres, Local First Arizona
Tania Torres, TORRES Multicultural
Danelle Trottier, Axiom Care
Brooke Westemeier, EY
Stephanie Whitlow, Western Alliance Bank
The Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate for 2026
Annette Anderson, Arizona Escrow & Financial Corporation
Emily Currie, Colliers
Tara Ereth Barendrick, Lincoln Property Company
Suzanne Fallender, Prologis
Alissa Franconi, RSP Architects
Valerie Granger, Suntec Engineering & Design
Amy Hawkins, Clayco
Tamara Jamison, CORE Construction
Anna Madrid, Derek Builders
Lisa Murphy, GCON
Wendy Odom, ADM Group
Lynne Orlowski, Ware Malcomb
Kelly Royle, JLL
Carol Schillne, Orion Investment Real Estate
Jennifer Villalobos, Cushman & Wakefield
Jennifer Wallace-Sasek, McCarthy Nordburg
