As Arizona’s economy accelerates and shifts toward high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, semiconductors and data centers, employers across the state are facing mounting pressure to find talent with the skills, judgment and leadership capacity to keep pace.
In a recent episode of the AZ Big Podcast, Practice Director Colleen Neese joined AZ Big Media Editor in Chief Michael Gossie and Publisher Amy Lindsey to examine Arizona’s labor market and how hiring strategies are evolving as organizations plan for 2026.
Drawing on more than 25 years of executive recruitment experience, Neese highlights where shortages are most acute, including leadership roles, healthcare positions and specialized executive functions such as CFOs and nonprofit development professionals. She also explores how rapid economic growth, AI adoption and day-to-day operational demands are leaving many organizations with leaders who excel at execution but lack time and space for strategic thinking.
“In Arizona, like in much of the nation, leaders are in short supply,” Neese says, “and studies have shown that their lack of business savvy and critical thinking skills is hindering growth, affecting productivity, and leading to staff burnout and ineffective decision-making at organizations of all sizes.”
