Arizona businesses have made notable strides in fostering diversity within their workforces and leadership teams, reflecting a broader recognition of the value that diverse perspectives bring to innovation, collaboration and community impact. And the Most Influential Minority Business Leaders in Arizona for 2025 reflect that impact.
“I have an unwavering commitment to businesses and I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made to empower them and foster growth, especially the underserved small businesses,” says Ashley Kelly, senior vice president and senior business consultant for JPMorganChase, who was selected as one of Az Business magazine’s Most Influential Minority Business Leaders for 2025. “Throughout my career, I have championed minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, addressing critical challenges such as limited access to capital, procurement opportunities and business resources.”
One area of progress is the growing presence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Many Arizona businesses have adopted DEI frameworks to address systemic barriers and provide equitable opportunities for underrepresented groups. This includes training programs, mentorship opportunities, and recruitment strategies aimed at broadening access to diverse talent pools. For instance, industries like technology, healthcare, and real estate are seeing an uptick in efforts to hire and retain employees from minority backgrounds.
MORE NEWS: Most Influential Women in Arizona from 2012-2024
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Companies across industries are increasingly embracing initiatives to create more inclusive environments that reflect Arizona’s rich cultural and demographic diversity.
Leadership diversity, while improving, still presents challenges. According to reports, minority representation in leadership positions remains lower than proportional demographics within the general population. However, businesses are taking proactive steps to close this gap. Organizations are working to create leadership pipelines through professional development initiatives targeted at women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups. Programs such as the African American Leadership Institute and the Hispanic Leadership Institute in Arizona are supporting this effort by nurturing emerging leaders with the tools and networks needed to succeed.
Despite these advancements, there is room for growth. Many companies are realizing that diversity is not just a moral imperative but a business one — studies show that inclusive teams outperform their less diverse counterparts. As a result, Arizona businesses are leveraging partnerships with local nonprofits, advocacy groups, and community organizations to align their efforts with best practices.
While challenges persist, Arizona businesses are increasingly prioritizing diversity and inclusion as essential to their success, creating a foundation for sustainable progress and innovation in the years ahead.
Most Influential Minority Business Leaders in Arizona for 2025
Leading the way in championing change in Arizona are Az Business magazine’s Most Influential Minority Business Leaders in Arizona for 2025, which were selected by Az Business magazine’s editorial board in collaboration with business leaders throughout the state.
Christine Abdullah
Senior vice president and preferred business leader // Bank of America
Background: Abdullah is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the financial industry. She is skilled in consumer, small business and preferred client management, as well as curriculum facilitation and associate development. She was a 2024 Making a Difference Award recipient, which was presented by the Black Chamber of Arizona.
Wesley Benally, CPA
Principal // REDW
Background: Benally is the National Tribal Practice leader at REDW Advisors & CPAs, supporting more than 200 unique tribes and 500 tribal entities.
Source of pride: “I am a passionate advocate for the accountancy profession as it relates to Tribal Nations. Through direct outreach, mentorship and filling a role as a professional advisor with the W.P. Carey School of Accountancy at ASU, I am proud to advocate for higher awareness for Native American communities.”
Elizabeth Chatham
Partner // Stinson
Background: Chatham is a successful, experienced and agile immigration attorney assisting Fortune 500, fast-growth companies and educational institutions in navigating the complexities and nuances of corporate U.S. immigration law and compliance. Chatham provides corporate immigration programs with temporary and permanent immigration options, as well as immigration compliance programs, including I-9 audits and training for HR personnel. She understands the dynamic hiring environment in which her clients operate and works with them to obtain temporary work visas and permanent residence options, in addition to counseling on individual consular processing and naturalization.
Source of pride: “Overcoming breast cancer was a defining challenge that shaped me as a leader. I approached my diagnosis intentionally and without panic. As with a complex legal case, I knew that the best strategies for an effective treatment plan stem from considering diverse perspectives. I relied on trusted medical professionals, naturopaths and wellness specialists while also leaning on family and friends to accumulate information that ultimately influenced my decisions. This experience reinforced the value of open communication and collaboration. Just as the steps to reach goals in a case may differ from those of others, I learned that listening to all viewpoints creates stronger, more effective outcomes. Leadership isn’t about title or role — it’s about how we influence people and outcomes. I find that empowering those around me, drawing strength and perspective from the collective insight, is effective in navigating challenges.”
Learn more: stinson.com
Annelise Dominguez
Associate // Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial
Background: Dominguez represents individuals and entities in the areas of general civil litigation, commercial litigation, negligent entrustment, insurance defense, breach of contract and bad faith, premises liability, product liability, construction, breach of contract, wage garnishment, automobile liability, wrongful death and personal injury. As a native Arizonan, Dominguez prioritizes giving back to her community. She serves on the board of the Arizona Hispanic Bar Association, Los Abogados, since 2022 and is a director of the Latina Mentoring Project.
Christina Flores
Executive vice president and chief people and culture officer // OneAZ Credit Union
Background: Flores leads with a passion for fostering a purpose-driven, values-centered culture. With over 20 years of experience, Flores is a champion for putting people first, driving associate engagement, and creating workplaces where individuals thrive. At OneAZ, Flores plays a pivotal role in enhancing organizational culture, empowering associates and promoting learning and development initiatives.
Judy Ferreira
Executive director // Arizona Indian Gaming Association
Background: Ferreira is executive director of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association, where she works closely with its membership of nine tribes in Arizona. She advocates, educates, partners and promotes tribal gaming across the state and works directly with tribal leaders to increase their impact. Ferreira is on the board for the Southern Arizona Sports Tourism and Film Authority and joined the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors in April 2024.
Kristian Garibay
Managing associate // Dentons
Background: Garibay is a rising star who represents companies and individuals in connection with compliance, government and internal investigations and other white collar criminal defense matters. She has participated in high-profile investigations related to criminal regulations, as well as in response to federal and state grand jury subpoenas. Garibay was selected to the 2025 Southwest Rising Stars list and serves on the board of the Arizona Hispanic Bar Association, Los Abogados.
Suresh Garimella
President // University of Arizona
Background: The Arizona Board of Regents appointed Garimella as the 23rd president of the University of Arizona in August of 2024. Garimella is celebrated in higher education for his innovative leadership and an exceptional record of putting students first. During his time as president of the University of Vermont, Garimella stabilized tuition and spearheaded a scholarship program similar to the Arizona Promise Program, providing a tuition-free education for lower-income Vermont students.
Adaliz Gimenez
Vice president commercial banker // Bell Bank
Background: Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gimenez earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She joined Bell Bank in November of 2019, where she has continued to build a successful career in commercial banking, assisting specialty markets clients.
Source of pride: “The professional accomplishment I am most proud of is using the platform my career provides to advocate for others, especially the most vulnerable among us. As a Latina who grew up in Puerto Rico and once faced challenges as an at-risk youth, I understand first-hand the power of having someone believe in you and amplify your voice. Today, I am deeply committed to paying it forward, ensuring that at-risk youth are heard, supported, and given opportunities to succeed. Advocacy is not just part of my work; it is a lifelong mission, and I will always use my voice to uplift others.”
Learn more: bell.bank
Derek Hammond
Vice president of operations // Jokake Construction
Background: Hammond has over two decades of experience leading people and executing successful company-wide initiatives.
Source of pride: “As a leader, I do not take lightly the effect we can have on the lives of the people with whom we work. I am honored to hold a position where I can have a significant and beneficial impact on others. To see that impact manifested positively into what a co-worker deems success, is a humbling reward.”
Koran Hardimon
Founder and CEO // Ginkgo
Source of pride: “One of my proudest accomplishments is founding Ginkgo, a consulting firm built on the belief that culture isn’t just a concept — it’s a business driver. After spending years in human resources, I saw first-hand how organizations struggled to move beyond surface-level inclusion efforts. I launched Ginkgo to help leaders and organizations create real, people-centric change that drives both inclusion and sustainable growth.”
Adrienne R. Jones
Partner // Jones|Raczkowski
Background: Jones, a Phoenix native, specializes in personal injury law. She earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Pepperdine University and an MBA in finance from ASU. After teaching mathematics, she obtained her law degree in 2015 and initially practiced family law. In 2018, she joined Jones|Raczkowski, focusing on premises liability and wrongful death cases. Jones is a member of the Arizona Black Bar, Arizona Women Lawyers Association, and Arizona Association for Justice.
Ashley Kelly
Senior vice president and senior business consultant // JPMorganChase
Background: Kelly supports small businesses with a focus on minority, women and veteran-owned businesses through one-on-one consulting. She also serves on several boards in Arizona. Kelly champions inclusivity, mentoring, and community growth while thriving in South Phoenix with her family.
Source of pride: “I provide personalized mentoring with a focus on equity, creating space and opportunity for all. My goal is to create a lasting impact in the Phoenix community.”
Brandy Labinjo
Leader of executive operations // APS
Background: Labinjo is responsible for supporting executive administration functions to the office of the CEO at APS, which powers 1.4 million customers. Labinjo gives back to the community by mentoring students at ASU, GCU and Young and Empowered Women. Her dedication to leadership continues to make an impact with her organization and the community.
Source of pride: “I am proud of being promoted to a leader at APS and succeeding in an area with my team where I was not a subject matter expert.”
Shamia Lodge
Director of community engagement // Aventiv Technologies
Background: Lodge is the director of community engagement at Aventiv Technologies and a former fellow with CEO Action for Racial Equity, where she led economic empowerment initiatives. Passionate about creating fair opportunities for those impacted by the justice system, she serves as Arizona State Ambassador to the United States of Women and is also the vice chair for the board of directors at the Black Chamber of Arizona.
Stephanie Lopez-Gillmore
District manager // Wells Fargo
Background: Lopez-Gillmore’s career with Wells Fargo began in 2005 as a personal banker. Since that time, she has served as a business specialist, acquisition program manager, branch manager and currently a district manager, where she is responsible for managing 150 team members and 12 banking branches, totaling $3.3 billion in household relationships. She currently serves on the board of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Michael Jones
President and CEO // Delta Dental of Arizona
Background: Jones is also chair of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, which has invested over $18 million statewide since 2010.
Source of pride: “Delta Dental of Arizona exists to create a path to better health and wellness and healthier lives for everyone by expanding access to care, advancing health equity, and building resilient communities. The work our team has collectively done to create and increase access is our greatest legacy.”
Stacy Leeds
Willard H. Pedrick dean and regents professor of law // Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
Background: Leeds is a scholar of Indigenous law and policy and an experienced leader in law, higher education, economic development and conflict resolution. Leeds was the first Indigenous woman to serve as a law school dean. She served as dean of University of Arkansas School of Law (2011-2018) and as the inaugural vice chancellor for economic development, University of Arkansas (2017-2020). She is a recipient of the American Bar Association’s Spirit of Excellence Award and the Cherokee National Statesmanship Award.
Impact of sports: “When I was growing up, academics were important, but all of my major early decisions were made around the connectivity to sports. I was a basketball and a tennis player in high school and in college. I picked my undergraduate institution based on where I was recruited for basketball, where I thought I’d get the most playing time and things that an 18-year-old athlete would prioritize. It worked out fabulously for the broadening of my mind. I hadn’t been able to travel a lot and being at a university where the conference that I played in had teams in Chicago and New York and Atlanta really broadened my personal horizon for both geographic diversity, but also what I thought might be possible in life. There’s probably not a day that goes by that the skills I learned being a competitive athlete don’t impact me in some way — whether it’s handling stress under pressure, what it means to work with teammates or the discipline required to do certain things that we do. The confidence levels that you acquire from being a competitor, I think, translates pretty well, particularly in the legal field.”
Source of pride: “I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity at ASU because it has let me assemble a team that allows us to work towards some really significant changes — and that’s hard to come by in higher education because things go very slowly. But it feels nice to be in a climate and culture that looks for us to make a bigger impact in society. And that’s such a perfect match for my skills.”
Learn more: law.asu.edu
Tondra Richardson
Director of educational equity // University of Phoenix
Background: Richardson serves as the director of the Office of Educational Equity at the University of Phoenix. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, her expertise includes conflict resolution and risk management. She was appointed to the board of directors for the Black Chamber of Arizona in January 2025.
Erik Moses
Executive director and CEO // Fiesta Sports Foundation
Background: “Moses kicked off a new chapter in the storied history of the Fiesta Sports Foundation in November 2022. The seasoned sports executive, business and civic leader has built successful ventures for sports and entertainment properties through the creation of innovative events, development of community-centric programming and elevation of teams and organizations.
Source of pride: “Being NASCAR’S first black track president was an unexpected professional achievement. We revived a dormant Nashville SuperSpeedway in one of NASCAR’s most important markets during a pandemic in less than a year.”
Gibbons Saint Paul
Director of customer modernization // Salt River Project
Background: Saint Paul leads initiatives to enhance customer experiences through technological advancements. With over two decades at SRP, he has held roles such as manager of enterprise application solutions and SAP solution architect, focusing on integrating innovative solutions within the utility sector.
Chiko Swiney
Attorney // CopperPoint Insurance Companies
Background: Swiney is an attorney at CopperPoint Insurance Companies and a certified worker’s compensation specialist by the State Bar of Arizona.
Source of pride: “I am tremendously proud that my career has afforded me the opportunity to participate in diverse opportunities and programs in my community, including the Arizona Black Bar and Valley Leadership, and to serve in leadership roles on the boards of Ronald McDonald House and Phoenix Sister Cities.”
Velma Trayham
President and CEO // Black Chamber of Arizona
Background: An award-winning businesswoman and investor, Trayham has been recognized among Forbes’ Top 20 Entrepreneurs and Az Business magazine’s 2024 Most Influential Women. Dr. Trayham is committed to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic development within Arizona’s Black business community.
Lorena Van Assche
Partner // Thorpe Shwer
Background: Lorena Chávez Van Assche is a partner at the law firm of Thorpe Shwer. She practices in the areas of business, commercial, lending, and trust and estate litigation. Van Assche has experience resolving disputes involving business, financial, and employment contracts, restrictive covenants, real estate, commercial leases, and wills and trusts.
Source of pride: “The professional accomplishment which gives me the most pride is becoming a practicing attorney. Like many immigrants, my parents sacrificed a lot for their children. My parents especially valued education because their humble beginnings limited their own. My father completed only third grade, so that he could work to provide for his family, and my mother completed only eighth grade, when an unexpected pregnancy derailed her educational dreams. I am the first in my family to graduate from college. My family’s support led me to law school even though, growing up, I did not know any attorneys. The only attorneys I saw were on TV or in movies and played by grey-haired white men. For that reason, it’s important to me that I represent my community and help young Latina girls envision themselves as attorneys. Latinas comprise only 2% of all lawyers in the U.S. and less than 1% of law firm partners in the U.S. are Latina women. I am proud to contribute to both of these growing percentages.”
Learn more: thorpeshwer.com
Monica Villalobos
President and CEO // Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Background: Villalobos became president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber in late 2019 after serving seven years as vice president and foundation executive director. She leads strategic growth initiatives and manages programs like the Phoenix MBDA Business Center and the Native American Business and Economic Development Center.
