Women 2 FEBRUARY 24, 2012 Recognizing Phoenix-area women who are leading the way in business PREMIER SPONSOR: 20 WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2012 PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL February 24, 2012 phoenix.bizjournals.com Hormann Table of CONTENTS Page 24 MeetMee the 2012 Women in Business honorees: Agnello, Lynn ............................. 21 Bucher, Tiffany .......................... 21 Busch, Molly .............................. 21 Cruz, Karen ................................23 De Blasi, Michelle .....................22 Guerra, MaryAnn .....................22 Heasley, Kathy ..........................23 Helt, Anita ................................. 26 Hester, Kerry............................. 24 Hormann, Nancy...................... 24 Karabatsos, Maurine .............. 24 Kassel, Kristine ........................ 26 Lamb, Ginger ............................ 26 Leadley, Lauri .............................27 Martin, Harriet ......................... 28 Nodilo, Patsy .............................28 Lamb Page 26 Busch Page 21 Perry, Tanya .............................. 28 Prusak, Julie ...............................27 Rourke, Patricia ........................ 29 Ruddy, Anne ............................. 29 Spicer, Jane ............................... 30 Timm, Susie .............................. 29 Watson, Sandra ........................ 31 Estrella Timm Page 33 Weinbaum, Tammy .................30 Wolf-Francis, Mary ................. 30 Page 29 Also inside: • Female executives are moving to women fi nancial advisers for guidance..................32 • Local attorney fi nds benefi ts in life of youthful struggles, successess ........................33 • The List: Phoenix area’s 50 largest women-owned businesses .............................34, 36 Cruz • Centennial Project to honor 48 women enhancing lives ................................................35 Page 23 ongratulations to the 25 Women in Business honorees in the Honoring 2012 Women in Business C Phoenix community! American Express is again proud to here are many women in all are exceptionally bright, sponsor this year’s Phoenix Women in Business initiative, and the Valley who are mak- dynamic and dedicated to their we are honored to salute them for their outstanding contributions. ing a difference in their work. In many cases, they have Tworkplaces and in the overcome challenges — thriving Empowering women pays dividends on so many levels. As community every day. They are in male-dominated fi elds, mak- president of American Express OPEN, I co-chair our company’s business leaders, mentors and ing career moves during the re- Women’s Interest Network (WIN), which helps develop female community supporters. They do cession, and raising companies amazing things to make our com- and children at the same time. talent at our company. With more than 60 percent of our company’s munity a better place to live. The 25 infl uential women pro- workforce comprised of talented women, supporting women This year’s Women in Busi- Ilana Lowery fi led on these pages represent is not only gratifying, it is good business. Through American ness honorees stand out for their just some of the growing num- many accomplishments and the ilowery@ ber of women business owners, Express’ “Pathways to Sponsorship” program, we continue to bizjournals.com promote women to senior level positions and continue to be ways they have infl uenced those founders, directors and CEOs Twitter: @ilowery recognized around the world as an employer of choice for women. around them. in the Valley. They were chosen The list is impressive, rang- by an advisory panel along with By empowering, coaching and giving women opportunities to ing from C-level executives to Phoenix Business Journal re- accelerate their development, we are unlocking their talent and the nonprofi t leaders to lawyers and even one porters and myself. impact they have on serving our customers and shareholders. “head cheese.” As you learn about them and read their Our honorees’ stories this year provided brief essays on the following pages, you Today we celebrate 25 Phoenix women for their leadership, an invaluable crash course in leadership also will see the importance of self-confi - accomplishments and contributions to the community. You are and career development. Whether you dence, persistence and mentorship in their among the talented women across the country who serve as mentors are looking to become a stronger leader lives. This special section offers a snapshot and role models. You are helping the next generation accelerate or a better communicator, you can learn a of what makes these women tick. To read great deal from the 25 outstanding women their full essays and profi les, go to our web- their career progress and inspiring them to succeed. I encourage who were selected for the Phoenix Busi- site, phoenix.bizjournals.com. you to continue to help them see what is ness Journal’s 2012 Women in Business The 2012 Women in Business honorees possible and ultimately realize their potential. awards. were recognized Feb. 23 at a special awards Each story behind these 25 winners is reception held at the Arizona Biltmore Re- Sincerely, unique, but there are common threads. sort and Spa in Phoenix. These women understand compromise. We hope you enjoy this special publi- They show up every day ready to work as cation. Please contact us if you know an hard as it takes to reach their goals. They outstanding Valley businesswoman who are Grade A movers and shakers, with should be considered for future Women in Susan Sobbott the power to make other people power- Business honors. President, ful. And they are not only leaders, but American Express OPEN visionaries. Ilana Lowery is editor of the Phoenix Business Journal. For all of their different backgrounds, Contact her at [email protected] or 602-308-6513. February 24, 2012 PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2012 21 phoenix.bizjournals.com EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in telecommuni- VISION OF SUCCESS: Early in life, I was cations and business, Indiana University taught that success in sales is a two- WHAT LEADERSHIP AND EMPOWERMENT MEANS EDUCATION: Electronics degree, ITT FIRST JOB: Making Dilly bars at Dairy Queen way street. When establishing any TO YOU: I was blessed to experience empow- Technical Institute WHAT MAKES AN EFFECTIVE LEADER: There is no proposition and revenue goal, it is vital erment at an early age. My parents raised FIRST JOB: Copier technician substitute for knowing your product inside and to understand these are not just num- me to make my own choices. They were FAMILY: Husband, Jeff Bucher; chil- out. I really have my heart in the game. And I bers on a board; this is a strategy of always ready to provide help and support, to dren, Michael, David and Madison think because I love my job, I can work anyone thinking as well as a means of looking catch me when I fell. The important lessons HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Business net- under the table. past the fi nish line and into the future came through the consequences of my bad working, shopping, spending time HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Going to Suns games, read- with the customer, creating a long- choices and the rewards of my good ones. I in Sedona with family and friends ing, hiking, going to movies, or anything my term goal. I have taken this message could only hold myself responsible for those FAVORITE CHARITY: Purple Ribbon 12-year-old son, Dominick, wants to do and structured my life to fulfi ll this phi- choices, and it taught me not to fear making Council FAVORITE CHARITY: Fresh Start Women’s Founda- losophy. Whether it’s with a marketing a decision, but to embrace it. As a business ONE THING YOU’LL NEVER DO AGAIN: tion partner or an employee, both parties owner, I lead with this same philosophy. It Ignore my intuition. IMPORTANT BUSINESS DISCOVERY: Change is the should feel they have come out of the begins by putting the right person in the right EFFECTIVE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP: new normal. conversation with a positive experi- job and then trusting that each person has Listening more than talking, tuning WHAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW: I played the piano ence and with a degree of success. good intentions in their position; that they in to what is going on inside and for 10 years. Tailoring your efforts to the needs of will do the right thing for the company and outside the walls of the company. the client and surpassing their expec- the customer, as well as for themselves and Find your passion and follow it; tations is necessary to accomplish this. their families. I personally meet every person that in itself makes it easy to be prior to their employment. We discuss their effective. philosophy, their beliefs, their commitment STAYING MOTIVATED: I am fortunate To be successful, to taking care of the customer, their ability to have a natural passion and ‘ to follow through on their commitments. enthusiasm that drives me every Once they are hired, they know they have my day. I have set goals and know what it is about going trust from day one and that, as long as there I want to accomplish. The work are good intentions, a wrong decision only environment we have established above and beyond provides an opportunity to learn, grow and consists of people I care about, so what is expected. move forward. Our leaders are ready with I am eager to get into the offi ce, ’ their support and guidance. Empowerment watch them grow and experience is critical for those people who are on the that vibrant culture. Lynn front lines ... (it) gives them the freedom to IMPORTANT BUSINESS DISCOVERY: be creative and make decisions on the spot, Trusting others is at the center of A providing customers with instant feedback, life’s experiences — both personal SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS, SUITE SALES AND SERVICE instant communication and no red tape. and in business. There will be a If mistakes are made, we regroup and try time when your trust is tested, or Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury again. Empowerment is at the root of our even betrayed, and you cannot let corporate culture and drives our destiny. I a bad experience cause you not to HQ: US Airways Center 2011 REVENUE: N/A can tell you that great things happen when trust again.