AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 8, 2026
Arizona Women Achievers Honors 31 Female Leaders
The 2026 Arizona Women Achievers award ceremony, held by the Arizona Capitol Times at the Arizona Biltmore on October 8, recognized 31 influential women from across the state. Honorees were celebrated for their contributions in fields such as corporate leadership, education, government, healthcare, nonprofits, policy, legal, and unsung heroism, reflecting the diversity and achievements of women in Arizona.
Sandra Watson Awarded Woman of the Year
Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, received the top honor of Woman of the Year. Watson was commended for her leadership in economic development, including spearheading Arizona’s semiconductor industry growth and attracting over 2,100 companies to the state. Her efforts have led to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs and have secured significant investments.
In her acceptance speech, Watson acknowledged Arizona’s tradition of strong female leadership and expressed gratitude to her colleagues at the ACA. “Women across Arizona are building and leading companies, advancing science and technology, guiding public institutions, and strengthening our communities every single day,” she said. Watson encouraged ongoing support and opportunities for future women leaders.
Organizational and Event Details
The award ceremony, now in its seventh year, was presented by the Arizona Capitol Times and its parent company, State Affairs. The event aims to recognize and celebrate women who drive progress in government, business, and the nonprofit sector. Alison Bethel, State Affairs’ chief content officer and editor-in-chief of the Arizona Capitol Times, highlighted the shared drive among honorees to address community needs and affect positive change.
Notable Corporate and Education Leaders Recognized
The event’s corporate leadership honorees included Sara Gullickson of The Cannabis Business Advisors, Emily Nachlas of Western Alliance Bancorporation, Jamie Blakeman of Lōkahi, and Jennifer Kaplan of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing. Kaplan remarked on the inspiration drawn from fellow honorees, stating, “There’s more to achieve. There’s more to conquer.”
Education leaders honored were Cindy Segotta-Jones (Glendale Elementary School District), Elizabeth Gonzalez (Maryvale High School’s Gifted and Talented Academy), Valerie Cimarossa (University of Advancing Technology), and Christina Ngo (Arizona State University).
Achievements in Government, Healthcare, and Nonprofits
Awardees from government and public service included El Mirage Mayor Alexis Hermosillo, Flagstaff City Manager Joanne Keene, Glendale Assistant City Manager Vicki Rios, Phoenix Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, and Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Jennifer Allen. Hermosillo noted the ceremony’s affirmation of the value and impact of women’s public service.
Healthcare leaders such as Jennifer Carusetta (Phoenix Children’s), Mimi Coomler (Tucson Medical Center), Heather Carter (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona), Tamika Sullivan (Chiricahua Community Health Centers), and Katie Brite Hillis (University of Arizona College of Medicine-Yuma) were also recognized for their contributions.
Nonprofit sector honorees included Vanecia Kerr (United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona), Barbara Ryan Thompson (Helios Education Foundation), Sophie Allen-Etchart (Read Better Be Better), Alejandra Gomez (Living United for Change in Arizona), and Dana Marie Kennedy (AARP Arizona).
Celebrating Unsung Heroes and Diversity in Leadership
The ceremony also acknowledged unsung heroes Jeanmarie Simpson, founding artistic director of Arizona Theatre Matters, and Tiffany Jones-Bolling, an Air Force veteran and VFW Post 40 volunteer. Simpson expressed surprise and gratitude at her recognition, highlighting the impressive accomplishments of all 31 honorees.
The 2026 Arizona Women Achievers event underscored the importance of diversity, female leadership, and collaboration across sectors, setting a strong example for future generations of women leaders.
Source: azcapitoltimes.com.
