20 Most Admired Women Leaders in 2024

Carine M. Schneider still remembers the first conversation when she decided to build Astrella. “When they say “we drew it on a cocktail napkin,” I really did do that. I had a vision on how we could build an ownership tracking system while integrating services and solutions from other providers in our ecosystem,” she elucidates. “I knew that others in the private company community needed a complete solution and that by working together, we could all win while supporting our clients with a strong network of quality providers.”

Chelsea Haverly’s intention in starting her business, with the support of an amazing co-owner and friend, Christine Coyle, was to create an environment where helping the community and helping others is grounded in business practices and a transparent work culture that is authentic and sustainable.

Debbie Phillips’ official title may be Founder and President of The Quadrillion, but her ‘unofficial’ title is CEO – Chief Encouragement Officer. Once you engage with Debbie, it’s easy to see why this title fits like a glove. She has an infectious spirit and enthusiasm that creates a high-energy environment wherever she goes.

Hope Moore, Founder & Executive Director, Make The Dash Count (MTDC), has a passion for giving back, which she attributes to the example set by her mother, Christine Wallett, who lived by the phrase “life is not a dress rehearsal.” The DASH refers to the little horizontal line on our gravestones; the one between the date we were born and the date we pass away. The DASH represents everything in between and how we choose to live it. From the time she was a small child, Hope watched her mother who was always fundraising for worthy causes, reaching out to help others, and giving of herself until she passed at age 94.

In the traditionally male-dominated field of law, women leaders like Jasmine Gevorkyan are pioneers of excellence, compassion, and advocacy. As the Founding President of Gevorkyan Law Firm, A.P.L.C., Jasmine embodies exceptional leadership, combining loyalty, dedication, and a profound commitment to her firm’s success. This dialogue delves into Jasmine’s excellent qualities and leadership principles that have shaped her law firm and inspired others.

Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson has found that a “psychologically safe work environment” – an environment in which teams feel free “to take risks, to express their ideas and concerns, [ask] questions, and to admit mistakes… without fear of negative consequences” – promotes team engagement and motivation.

Laurie Stach realized an opportunity to empower young entrepreneurs from her own experience. “When I was in high school, I had so much creativity, passion, drive, and wanted to take on the world! Adults would say, “You’ll do great things someday!” That last word stuck with me – ‘someday’. When I got out into the ‘real world’, things were very different from what school taught – there were no questions given to me with finite multiple-choice answers! I remember being asked to take initiative on projects, analyze the complex and changing real world environment, and make confident decisions without the perfect information of homework,” explains Laurie.

Layne Lewis, President of Willowview Consulting LLC (WVC), is a visionary, both professionally and in her personal life. Layne is a highly motivated individual, often giving more than 100% and modeling her motto “Expect Excellence” every day in all aspects of her life. She consistently goes above and beyond to achieve results with her seasoned team of likeminded individuals. Layne has firmly established a north star that provides the company direction. Each team within her organization pursues their mission focused on agile product innovation and development.

Malea Chavez, CEO of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, has always been motivated by innovation and creative new ways of problem-solving. As a Staff Attorney, she was limited to the number of people she could assist. Still, when Malea learned about the impact of being a leader and shaping policy on the whole community, she was inspired to move into a leadership role. By becoming a managing attorney, Malea created new legal clinics that met people in their communities in welcoming environments less intimidating than the courthouse.

Adaptability is one of Nancy Fateen’s greatest strengths. Managing Seizmic with such a wide breadth of services, Nancy wears many different hats and can pivot at a moment’s notice to handle all matters with confidence and grace. She is solution-driven at her core and can always be counted on to find a fair and straightforward resolution.