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 Kelly Royle, vice president at JLL.
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
Kelly Royle, vice president, JLL
Background: Kelly Royle specializes in industrial agency and tenant representation with a focus in the West Valley. From logistics and semiconductors to advanced manufacturing and energy, Royle is a springboard from which companies establish, expand and invest in Arizona. She currently co-represents over 5 million square feet of industrial product. In 2025, Kelly was involved in 10.5 million square feet of leasing and sales, and 715 acres sold, with a total of $10.8 billion in transactional volume. Kelly also leads beyond the deal table through NAIOP, Valley Partnership and ULI, volunteering with UMOM New Day Centers, and organizing blood drives for the American Red Cross.
Advice to younger self: “Don’t be afraid to change your mind about your career path. People often feel locked into their first choice of major or job, but many successful professionals have pivoted multiple times. Your initial path doesn’t have to define your destination. I spent seven years as a paralegal after college, then explored several sales roles before discovering commercial real estate. That’s when everything clicked, and I finally found the career that was right for me. The detours weren’t wasted time; they were necessary steps that led me exactly where I needed to be.”
Legacy: “I hope my professional legacy is not only about the deals and jobs I’ve helped bring to Arizona, but also the path I’ve helped to widen for women in commercial real estate. I want future female brokers to look at our industry and think, “There’s a place for me here.” If I can inspire even one woman to pursue commercial real estate, that would be a legacy worth having.”
Surprising fact: “I’m a huge Survivor fan and after watching every season for the last 11 years, I finally got the courage to apply. I love how the game challenges people socially, mentally, and physically in ways nothing else really does. I would love to test myself in that environment, to see if I have what it takes to outwit, outplay, and outlast.”
