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 Elvy Barton, water and forest sustainability senior manager for Salt River Project.
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.
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Elvy Barton, water and forest sustainability senior manager, SRP
Background: Elvy Barton is the Water and Forest Sustainability Senior Manager at Salt River Project (SRP). Elvy leads SRP’s water conservation and forest health initiatives and partnerships. Before joining SRP, Elvy worked as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Arizona House of Representatives, covering natural resource, water and environmental policy issues. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and an Executive Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. Elvy was recently named the 2025 ATHENA Public Sector award recipient. In her spare time, Elvy helps create natural resource and sustainability policy and strategy platforms for candidates and organizations.
Advice to younger self: “Don’t accept the word ‘no’ as the final decision. The word ‘no’ is just the beginning. A lot of the amazing work I have been able to accomplish started with ‘no.’ Slowly, over time and through a ton of analysis and discussion, I was able to get to yes. Sometimes you have to start small to build trust and confidence, and then you can grow the work.”
Legacy: “I hope to inspire individuals and organizations across the world to be passionate and committed to investing in and implementing nature-based projects that benefit people, nature and communities. When we all come together, we can scale our work to meet the magnitude of the challenges we are facing.”
Surprising fact: “I LOVE to dance! You can usually find me dancing while walking the dogs, in the car and everywhere in between. Getting down with my bad self brings me so much joy.”
