THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN ARIZONA BUSINESS
Wendy Forsythe
Kris Gaw
Marianne Guenther
Background: Forsythe has leveraged her passion for real estate, operations and branding to help build successful real estate networks in Canada and the United States.
Background: Gaw is spearheading transformational change at MIHS, which historically has operated like a government run hospital. Gaw was selected by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2016 and 2017 as one of 130 Women Hospital and Health Care Leaders to Know because of her 30-year history of strong leadership in healthcare.
Background: Guenther leads two sister companies under Bob Parsons’ YAM Worldwide. She leads both the full-service marketing agency and production studio, applying strong leadership and a relentless passion for her staff and businesses.
COO HomeSmart International
Best decision: “In 2007, I moved from Canada to the U.S. for a career opportunity. It was challenging and scary to leave home, but the results have been achieving professional levels way beyond my dreams as a kid from a small town in Canada.” Surprising fact: “In 2017, I became an Ironman by completing a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run … I learned a lot about myself during the training and race.”
COO Maricopa Integrated Health System
Community impact: Gaw is a member of the executive leadership team of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign to end heart disease and stroke among women. She also serves on the board of Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care, Maricopa County’s public behavioral health care system for persons challenged by serious mental illness.
Wendy Forsythe
CEO BIG YAM and SNEAKY BIG Studios
Best decision: “Taking a leap from the medical field where I practiced as a pulmonary physician assistant into marketing. This change took my investigative and customer/ patient skills into the business world, which helped me solve problems there and took me out of my comfort zone. As a result, I expanded my skills.” Surprising fact: “My husband is trying to make me into a coffee addict.”
Marianne Guenther
Kris Gaw
NICOLE M. GOODWIN Managing shareholder | Greenberg Traurig
Background: Goodwin is a business litigator and managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Phoenix office. She is also an adjunct professor at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. Source of pride: “Being asked to lead the Phoenix office of Greenberg Traurig was an immense honor and responsibility. I’m proud to stand alongside my fellow shareholders and work with them to position our office for the next 20 years of achievement and growth.” Nicole M. Goodwin
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AB | July - August 2018
Lesson learned: “I once assumed our family’s two pet bunnies were both male. A couple of months later, I learned never to assume such things.”