THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN ARIZONA BUSINESS
DESIRAE OUTCALT
Vice president relationship manager Biltmore Bank BEST DECISION: “I realized early in my career that the best way to learn is never to say ‘no.’ It requires stepping outside your comfort zone both in what you think you know and what you think you can do. I’ve gotten to do many extraordinary things, both personally and professionally, that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if I had said, ‘I don’t know how,’ or, ‘It’s not my job.’ I started in banking as a part-time teller. Now I’m part of our bank’s executive team, managing a $100-million portfolio, all due to saying ‘yes.’” SURPRISING FACT: “I am a car enthusiast, so it would surprise most people to know that I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 24.”
MELISSA PROCTOR Shareholder Polsinelli
BEST DECISION: “Moving to Arizona, without a doubt. I was initially motivated by family and quality of life reasons. But, I am astounded by the speed at which Arizona companies are growing, and their understanding that growth sustainability will be driven in large part by marketing to customers outside the United States. It is a very exciting time to be in the field of international trade here right now.” SURPRISING FACT: “While running for president of my fifth-grade
class, I telephoned the White House and asked for then President Ronald Reagan’s support of my campaign. Although I wasn’t able to speak to him directly, I did receive a letter from the president wishing me luck, and I won the election.”
SISSIE ROBERTS SHANK
President and CEO Chas Roberts A/C & Plumbing Roberts Shank took over as CEO in 1999 after her father passed away and the company soon doubled in size. BEST DECISION: “Growing up, knowing I wanted some management position within the company, I spent time working in almost all of our divisions so that I understood the business from a day-to-day operations view. This enabled me to have a clearer understanding of the entire business when I took over.” SURPRISING FACT: “I spend much of my down time riding horses and competing. I find it can be either relaxing or exhilarating, depending on what you choose to do on any given day.” 54
AB | July - August 2017
RENEE PARSONS
Co-founder Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Parsons has helped shepherd the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation through more than $120 million of giving in the past five years. BEST DECISION: “The decision to take on
the community outreach program at GoDaddy in 2009. Doing so introduced me to the organizations in the Valley making a difference in so many people’s lives. This experience enabled me to learn the philanthropic landscape of the Valley and help direct funds to those organizations that were making a difference.” SURPRISING FACT: “I grew up in an entrepreneurial family and started working in one of our restaurants as soon as my parents allowed me to. I was 13 years old.”