Az Big Media will be profiling one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2026 each day leading up to the celebratory dinner on August 20, 2025. Today, meet Heidi K. Short, partner at Womble Bond Dickinson.
From a field of more than 2,200 women under consideration, the Most Influential Women in Arizona were selected by the editorial board of Az Business magazine and a panel of 12 former Most Influential Women. The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2026 will be honored at a celebratory dinner on Aug. 20, 2026, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. The Spotlight Award Sponsor for the Most Influential Women of 2026 is CORE Construction, the Special Gift Sponsor is Tarbell’s, the VIP Sponsor is GCON, the VIP Reception Sponsor is Cullum Homes, the Cover Photo Shoot Sponsor is Greenberg Traurig, the Beverage Sponsor is Arizona Escrow & Financial, the Valet Sponsor in Stevens-Leinweber, the Floral Sponsor is PCL Construction, the Dessert Sponsor is SottoPelle and Tutera Medical, the 360 Photo Booth Sponsor is Clayco, the Step-and -Repeat Sponsor is Morris Hall, the Digital Sponsor is Desert Diamond Casinos, the Floral Provider is PJs Flowers and the Production Sponsor is Merestone.
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
Heidi K. Short, partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
Background: Short is a partner in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Real Estate Practice Group, where she advises clients on complex land use, zoning, and real estate transactions across Arizona and the Southwest. Her practice focuses on projects where regulatory approvals, operational requirements, and deal execution must align, particularly in aviation, aerospace, industrial, and infrastructure development. With a background in urban planning and decades of experience, Heidi is known for guiding high‑visibility projects through public, political, and regulatory scrutiny while keeping transactions moving efficiently and responsibly.
Advice to younger self: “Take the long view, and do not confuse urgency with importance. Some of the most meaningful professional opportunities come from doing careful, principled work consistently over time, even when it does not produce immediate recognition. Build judgment before chasing speed. Relationships, credibility, and good decisions compound, and they matter more than any single deal, title, or moment.”
Surprising fact: “Despite working on complex matters, I am deeply process‑oriented. I genuinely enjoy building careful records, organizing moving pieces, and helping people navigate uncertainty methodically. It may not sound glamorous, but attention to process is often what allows challenging projects to move forward with fewer surprises and better outcomes.”
