Az Big Media will be profiling one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2025 each day leading up to the celebratory dinner on August 21, 2025. Today, meet Kate Kaminski, chief operating officer for Howard Hughes, Arizona Region.

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Kate Kaminski, Howard Hughes, Arizona Region

Background: Kaminski is the COO for the Arizona Region at Howard Hughes, where she is leading the development of Teravalis — a 37,000-acre master-planned community in the Phoenix West Valley set to debut in 2025. A seasoned real estate and investment executive, Kaminski brings deep strategic expertise and a proven track record with leading asset management firms and homebuilders. Prior to joining Howard Hughes, she served as global COO at Walton Global Holdings, overseeing operations across a global portfolio of companies and land-based real estate assets.

Source of pride: “Leading one of the largest corporate reorganizations of a real estate asset management company is one of my proudest professional accomplishments. That experience pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and taught me more about business, leadership and human dynamics than any textbook ever could. It demanded bold decisions, creative thinking under pressure and a steady hand through uncertainty. My biggest takeaway —though it may sound cliché — is that great leaders are defined not in easy moments, but in how they show up during the hardest ones. True character reveals itself under pressure.” 

Professional advice: “Develop financial savvy early — it’s one of the most powerful tools you can bring to the table. Understanding how value is created and how your work impacts the bottom-line sets you apart and earns respect in the rooms where decisions are made. Pair that knowledge with clear, confident communication and a strong sense of ownership. And always remember: your perspective is not just valid — it’s valuable.”

Surprising fact: “When I was 11, my mom and I rode our bikes across the state of Iowa in the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). We camped and rode from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River in a week. It was grueling … and anyone who thinks Iowa is flat is wrong!”

Celebratory dinner

The 2025 honorees will be celebrated at a special awards dinner on August 21, 2025, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. Sponsors of the Most Influential Women in Arizona reception and dinner include presenting sponsor Phillips Law Foundation, cover photo shoot sponsor Greenberg Traurig, VIP red carpet sponsor Vertex Education and Legacy Traditional Schools, dessert sponsor Silver Cain, beverage sponsor Arizona Escrow & Financial Corporation, 360 photo booth sponsor Clayco, digital sponsor Ganem Companies, fine jewelry sponsor Osborne Jewelers, and special gift sponsor Tarbell’s. Get tickets here.