Shareholder and litigation attorney Kirsten Murphy is featured in AzBusiness Magazine’s Business Leaders to Watch in 2026. Recognized among Arizona’s most influential professionals, Murphy joins an impressive group of executives and innovators who are shaping the state’s business landscape through vision, integrity, and leadership.
This year’s honorees represent a broad range of industries—from law and construction to technology, healthcare, and finance—all united by a shared commitment to driving growth and strengthening their communities. Through their stories, AzBusiness offers readers an inside look at the values, strategies, and resilience that define Arizona’s next generation of business leaders.
Arizona's greatest business leaders aren't all about the numbers. "For me, it's the people," says Kara McNamara, president and CEO of Corporate Interior Systems (CIS). "While I love seeing a project come to life—from plans to a finished space and happy clients—what really drives me is helping our employees grow. I want CIS to be a place where people can build lifelong careers, move into leadership and feel fulfilled. Every day, I think about how to make that happen."
Hearing different perspectives from Arizona's business leaders to watch in 2026 is invaluable for anyone looking to strengthen their own leadership approach or business strategy. These leaders represent a diverse cross-section of industries—from finance and healthcare to construction, technology and hospitality—each facing unique challenges and opportunities in Arizona's rapidly evolving economy. By understanding how they navigate growth, talent retention, innovation and community impact, business owners and professionals can uncover strategies that transcend industries.
Learning from Arizona's top leaders offers a front-row view of what's driving success in the state's most competitive sectors. Their stories reveal the importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence and culture-building—qualities essential for thriving in an uncertain economy. Whether it's a CEO who's reinvented company culture, a startup founder who's scaled sustainably or a construction executive leveraging technology for efficiency, each perspective provides actionable insight into decision-making, resilience and leadership under pressure.
"I've had great mentors throughout my career and have worked hard to incorporate their lessons into my own leadership style," says Ryan Park, director of construction for Stevens-Leinweber Construction. "Construction is a fluid and demanding environment, and I try to be the calm in the storm. I want those I work with to always feel comfortable bringing challenges to me so that we can work together toward the best possible outcome. Many of the challenges we face in our industry have a more favorable outcome if we address them sooner than later."
Equally important to facing challenges head-on, engaging with different viewpoints broadens understanding of Arizona's economic landscape. These leaders not only shape their companies but also contribute to regional development, workforce advancement and community well-being. Their experiences highlight emerging trends and best practices others can emulate to grow responsibly and sustainably.
Ultimately, hearing from Arizona's business leaders to watch isn't just inspiring—it's instructive. Their collective wisdom helps rising leaders and entrepreneurs refine their vision, challenge their assumptions and apply proven strategies to build stronger businesses and a more resilient economy for Arizona's future. Meet some of Arizona's business leaders to watch in 2026 on the pages that follow.
about our attorney
Kiersten Murphy provides top-notch legal counsel to Arizona business owners seeking revenue-generating opportunities with local and state governments. Working with mid- and large-sized companies in virtually any industry, she helps clients navigate the complex and specialized area of public bidding and procurement, from reviewing proposals prior to submission, to post-award defense of, or challenges to, contract awards.