AZ BIG Media

08/18/2025

The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2025 includes Vanessa Williams, Arizona market leader and senior managing director for CBRE. The digital sponsor of the Most Influential Women is Ganem Companies.

Vanessa Williams, CBRE

Background: With over 18 years in commercial real estate, Williams drives strategic growth, leads high-performing teams and delivers innovative client solutions. Williams previously held leadership roles at Colliers and Cushman & Wakefield, excelling in business development and marketing.

Source of pride: “In October 2024, I made a significant career move by joining CBRE as the Arizona market leader and senior managing director. This new role at CBRE will leverage my extensive experience and proven track record. My leadership experience in past roles has consistently demonstrated my ability to drive growth and innovation.”

Professional advice: “For those just starting in the industry, I suggest being a sponge. Absorb knowledge and insights from every experience and interaction. It is important to surround yourself with excellence. Seek out individuals who uphold integrity and make the right choices, even when no one is watching. Embrace every opportunity to learn and grow and align yourself with mentors and colleagues who exemplify the highest standards of integrity and excellence.”

Surprising fact: “I won first place in my senior year of high school at the Arizona State Fair for a painting I created.”

08/18/2025

Troon signs 68,721-square-foot lease at INISIO at Kierland in Scottsdale. Details here.

Vero Capital announced today that Troon has signed a 68,721-square-foot lease at INISIO at Kierland in Scottsdale, Arizona.

08/17/2025

The Most Influential Women includes LaDonna Weaver, SVP – project manager and Tempe strategic initiative manager at at Northern Trust. The digital sponsor of the Most Influential Women is Ganem Companies .

LaDonna Weaver, Northern Trust

Background: With a remarkable 29-year career at Northern Trust, LaDonna Weaver serves as Senior Vice President – Project Manager and Tempe Strategic Initiative Manager. Since stepping into her current role in May 2023, she has made significant strides in strengthening the Northern Trust brand and fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusion—both within the company and in the broader Tempe community.

Over the past two years, LaDonna has been instrumental in driving employee engagement and community outreach. She helps oversee eleven employee-led Business Resource Councils, working closely with these groups to champion diversity and empower voices at all levels. Her leadership extends beyond the organization, mentoring colleagues and supporting women veterans through Valley of the Sun United Way, Women United, and American Corporate Partners.

LaDonna credits one of her greatest professional accomplishments to the bold leap of relocating to Arizona to build a team within Asset Management. “Picking up my family and starting fresh in a new state to successfully build a team—that was a defining moment for me,” she reflects.

Her career journey began far from finance—as a correctional officer in Nashville, inspired by dreams of becoming an FBI Agent. “I always joke about this,” she says with a smile, “but here I am 29 years later in financial services—and still wanting to be an FBI Agent!”

Grounded in humility and perseverance, LaDonna lives by her personal motto: “Always follow your dreams. No matter how many times you are knocked down, get up and keep doing your best. You are an individual—no one can take what you’ve achieved from you. Always stay humble and true to yourself.”

LaDonna’s story is one of strength, purpose, and unwavering support for others—and her journey is far from over.

08/17/2025

Metro Phoenix housing shortage hits 98,703. Here's what the numbers mean.

These and other troubling findings emerged from the newly released “State of Housing in Arizona Report" put out by ASU.

08/16/2025

The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2025 includes Chelsea Vickers, CEO of Aurora Behavioral Health System. The digital sponsor of the Most Influential Women is Ganem Companies.

Chelsea Vickers, Aurora Behavioral Health System

Background: Vickers joined Aurora Behavioral Health in 2022 as Chief Operating Officer in Tempe and was promoted to CEO of both Arizona hospitals in January 2024. She brings extensive experience in inpatient psychiatric care, leading program development, strengthening clinical teams, and driving quality outcomes across diverse patient populations.

Source of pride: “Earning the role of CEO at Aurora is my proudest accomplishment. Leading an organization dedicated to saving lives and improving mental health for thousands each year is not only an honor—it’s the most meaningful achievement I could imagine.”

Professional advice: "Leadership growth comes down to three things: competence—do you get it? motivation—do you want it? and attitude—are you in it? Align these with your organization’s mission. Lead with quiet confidence, be impeccable with your word, reflect deeply, and make meaningful decisions.”

Surprising fact: “I once found myself teaching Kindergarten and fell in love with helping others grow. Watching little ones learn sparked my passion for development—something I now carry into nurturing adults in every stage of their professional journey.”

08/16/2025

Here are 4 reasons a recession isn’t 100% confirmed.

A recession isn’t inevitable — at least not now. Here’s what’s keeping the economy afloat, and what you can do in case conditions change.

08/15/2025

The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2025 includes CarolAnn Tutera, co-founder and CEO of SottoPelle and Tutera Medical, Inc. The digital sponsor of the Most Influential Women is Ganem Companies.

The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2025 includes CarolAnn Tutera, co-founder and CEO of SottoPelle and Tutera Medical.

08/15/2025

Here are the 4 cities where you can buy a mansion for less than $1 million.

Owning a mansion may sound like a fantasy, but here are four cities where you can buy mansion for less than $1 million.

08/14/2025

Here are the latest retailers coming to Verrado Marketplace.

Vestar has announced over 10,000 square feet of new specialty tenants coming to Verrado Marketplace. Here's a look at who is coming.

08/14/2025

The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2025 includes Jenny Aust Turner, senior vice president at Cresa. The digital sponsor of the Most Influential Women is Ganem Companies.

Jenny Aust Turner, senior vice president, Cresa

Background: Turner provides invaluable guidance and direction to companies seeking integrated and comprehensive real estate solutions from strategy to implementation. Turner is responsible for managing real estate portfolios for several national accounts on an Arizona based Portfolio Account Team. Specializing in office and industrial real estate, Turner advises her clients on lease and sale negotiations to promote cost savings and improve efficiencies. Jenny was recently appointed to the board of CoreNet Global Arizona Chapter. Within Cresa, Turner is the co-chair of the Women of Cresa ERG and sits on the Emerging Leaders Council (ELC).

Source of pride: “I’ve been lucky to have a lot of small victories over the last 15 years in commercial real estate. From small lease renewals in middle of nowhere towns to large building sales in Mexico City or office leases in Hong Kong, I’ve had the privilege of working on just about every continent. When I started in Research at CBRE in 2010, I had no prior knowledge or experience in the industry. Now I am fortunate to be a leader on a Portfolio Account Team at Cresa where I have been for 7 years. I’m proud of the growth I’ve had over this period.”

Professional advice: “My mom used to tell me once she decided to be a mom and have a career, she was determined to be excellent at it. She didn’t want to be away from her kids only to be mediocre, so she might as well kick ass. That advice inspires me as a working mom and I think it can apply to anyone deciding how they want to approach their career, whether they are a working parent or not.”

Surprising fact: “I love to cook and am a pretty good baker. I make no less than 5 pies for our Family’s Thanksgiving every year (all from scratch) and I’m told they are very good. I like cooking for the 3 C’s: Control, Creativity, and Compliments.”

08/14/2025

Here's why experts worry about the state of housing in Arizona.

These and other troubling findings emerged from the newly released “State of Housing in Arizona Report" put out by ASU.

08/13/2025

First Solar will move its offices from Tempe to The Grove. Details here.

First Solar will relocate its Arizona offices from Tempe to The Grove in Phoenix, with plans to open in the Fall.