Az Business spotlighted some of Arizona’s most influential leaders in the July issue, including Mary Fedewa, president, CEO, director and co-founder at STORE Capital.
Mary Fedewa
President, CEO, director and co-founder
Background: Mary Fedewa is known throughout the industry for her business acumen and solutions-orientated charisma, bringing extensive industry knowledge, passion and organizational expertise. Fedewa co-founded STORE Capital in 2011, has served as a member of its Board of Directors since 2016, and was named Chief Operating Officer in 2017. She was appointed president in 2020 and chief executive officer in 2021. Fedewa has played a key role in the company’s portfolio growth while leading all areas of operations.
MORE NEWS: Most Influential Women of 2021: Mary Fedewa, STORE Capital
Qualities of a good leader: “As a CEO and leader, I’ve observed that great leaders manifest in diverse forms. However, the most outstanding among them share key traits: resilience, a strong sense of self and the ability to adapt to varying situations. They instinctively know when to lead with heart and when to assert with decisiveness and lead with edge.”
Personal leadership style: “I find the best way to lead is by example, with energy and integrity. My style is collaborative, inclusive and enthusiastic. My goal is to empower the team to make effective decisions, leading in a way that enables them to excel. The team’s success is my priority and I firmly believe that empowered teams are successful teams.”
Best part of her work: “Helping our customers grow their businesses and thrive. At STORE, we are not just investing in properties, we are investing in our customers and the success of their businesses. Our customers employ ~1.8 million workers in ~48,000 locations across the country. STORE’s portfolio is diverse with our customers providing products and services in 140 retail, service and manufacturing industries. STORE financing is an effective way for our customers to finance transformational events in the lifecycle of their businesses without changing the structure of their business. By improving their capital efficiency, our customers can grow revenue and margins and focus on their business operations while we handle the financing for the real estate needed to support their customers. It is beyond rewarding for me to see the impact STORE has on its customers, their employees and their customers.”
Best lesson learned: “Throughout my professional journey, I have come to understand that change is the only thing that remains constant in life. I believe that having a mindset that is open to embracing change and adversity is crucial in developing resilience, both personally and professionally. Over the course of our 13 years in operation, I have taken great pleasure in witnessing the numerous transformations that STORE has been involved in. As we move forward, I eagerly anticipate the ever-evolving nature of not just the REIT industry, but the entire business landscape.”
