The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Arizona for 2025 includes Wendy Cohen, president and CEO, Kitchell Corporation. Meet her here.

Wendy Cohen, president and CEO, Kitchell Corporation

Background: As president and CEO, Cohen leads the Kitchell Corporation, the holding enterprise of four independent operating companies, Kitchell Contractors Inc., Kitchell CEM, Kitchell Development Company and American Refrigeration Supplies. Cohen is passionate about developing a strategy and culture that allows for innovation and change in the construction industry. With nearly 30 years in the building industry, Cohen has worked in many aspects of the construction business; as a general contractor, construction manager, consultant and owner.

Leadership style: “Collaborative and inclusive. I strive to make sure we listen to our employees and clients to make sound decisions. But decisiveness is just as important — you have to be able to make quick, informed decisions. Curiosity is also key. Leaders don’t have to know everything themselves. I believe in bringing in consultants, subject-matter experts and team members with specialized knowledge. That all speaks to humility — acknowledging what you don’t know and filling those gaps thoughtfully.”

Evolution of leadership style: “After three decades in my career, I’ve had to evolve. Leadership skills build over time, especially through the hard moments. When I moved from California to Arizona, curiosity became even more important — understanding what makes this market tick and how I could bring the most value. It’s about being mindful of where and how to make an impact.” 

Defining moment: “The most impactful experiences have been watching leaders I’ve mentored grow into their own roles and make meaningful contributions to the company and industry. That’s incredibly rewarding. Ten years ago, my ‘why’ was building great buildings. Now, it’s about building great leaders for the future. That’s powerful — leadership is really about developing others.”

Arizona outlook: “Arizona is diversifying at an incredible rate — tech, infrastructure, education. We have major investment happening across the board. The big question is: ‘How do we attract and support the best people and businesses?’ Infrastructure is critical — roads, water, power — without it, we won’t sustain this growth.”