Celebrating Impact Across Arizona:
76th Arizona Leaders of the Year
Mark your calendars for the 76th Arizona Leaders of the Year Awards Reception on November 13th, 2025 at 5:30pm at Paradise Valley Country Club to celebrate this year’s honorees, Leslie Motter & Terry Goddard.
Mark Your Calendars For An Evening of Impact
Join us for an evening of inspiration and connection as we honor two remarkable Arizonans whose leadership, vision, and service have helped shape our state. At the Arizona Leaders of the Year Awards Reception, you’ll connect with fellow leaders who are Driven to Do, all coming together to celebrate leadership and impact across Arizona.
Arizona Leaders of the Year (formerly Man & Woman of the Year) is a time-honored tradition that recognizes individuals who have made a lasting difference in our communities. This signature event honors leaders whose work reflects a deep commitment to Arizona’s future and a track record of driving meaningful, long-term progress.
The 76th Annual Arizona Leaders of the Year Awards Reception will take place from 5:30–8:30 p.m. on November 13th at the Paradise Valley Country Club. Special thanks to our returning hosts, Kathleen & John Graham.
Get Your Ticket Today
Purchase a Driven to Do ticket today to attend the 76th Arizona Leaders of the Year awards reception. There will be dinner, drinks and a celebration of this year’s honorees with other leaders in the community.
Meet Our Honorees
Leslie Motter is Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish America, a $500M+ nonprofit recognized by Morning Consult as one of the most trusted brands in the U.S. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in strategy, finance, operations, and human resources, spanning Fortune 100 companies and mission-driven organizations. Since joining Make-A-Wish, she has led digital modernization, strengthened governance and culture, and driven brand growth, building on her prior role as COO overseeing finance, technology, legal, and HR. Previously, she held senior leadership positions at American Express, Aetna, Prudential, and Vanguard. Forbes named her to its “50 Over 50” list in 2022, and she has also received the Heart for the Homeless Award and was an Athena Finalist.
Terry Goddard is dedicated to strengthening Arizona’s civic fabric through leadership that empowers people and communities. As a private citizen, he led the petition drive and election to amend the Phoenix charter and establish district representation, dramatically diversifying the city council. The following year, he was elected the city’s first mayor under the new system, where he opened the city to greater citizen involvement including the Phoenix Futures Forum, engaging more than 10,000 residents in shaping Phoenix’s long-term vision. He co-founded Central Arizona Shelter Services, founded the Housing Opportunity Center, and has championed historic preservation through the restoration of the Monroe Street Abbey. As Attorney General, Terry fought consumer fraud and money laundering. Goddard also led the successful “Stop Dark Money” campaign for campaign finance transparency and now serves as President of the Central Arizona Project Board, guiding efforts to secure Arizona’s water future.
Arizona Leaders of the Year FAQ
There will be 2 honorees selected for the 76th Arizona Leaders of the Year. Honoree selection will follow guidelines in alignment with Valley Leadership’s values and Principles of Doing.
Yes, honorees can self-nominate.
Submit your nomination using our nomination form.
Honoree nominations must be submitted by August 15, 2025 by 11:59 pm MST.
Honorees will be notified no later than the week of September 1st.
The Man & Woman of the Year award has been updated to Arizona Leaders of the Year (AZLY) to be more inclusive and aligned with the vision and mission of Valley Leadership.
With Gratitude To Our Sponsors
Presenting SPONSOR
VIP RECEPTION SPONSOR
Arizona First Sponsor
Team Mindset Sponsors
Building Trust Sponsors
