PANDEMIC LESSONS LEARNED TRENDSETTERS
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone in the business community — from CEOs to cleaning crews. And while the pandemic brought immeasurable losses for many, it also was an opportunity for some of Arizona’s most influential business leaders to learn lessons. Here are a few.
“The pandemic taught me that you don’t all have to be in the same room to communicate, but it sure helps every once in awhile.” Ed Bull, shareholder, Burch & Cracchiolo Randy Nussbaum, shareholder, Sacks Tierney: “The pandemic illuminates Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote: ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’ The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed many of us to prove our ultimate measure.” Heather Kane, CEO, Arizona and New Mexico, UnitedHealthcare: “Even in the face of such an unprecedented challenge, our team was able to rally and find new ways of conducting business virtually, deliver on all business commitments and in many ways find some lasting improvements to the way we work and interface with our customers.” David J. Jacofsky, MD, chairman and CEO, The CORE Institute and HOPCo: “The pandemic further strengthened our commitment to the community. Through the HOPCo platform, The CORE Institute provided aid to the community by offering an urgent orthopedic program to provide walk-in orthopedic care to help ease the burden on hospitals. We also offered COVID antibody testing as well as vaccines. Adapting to the community’s needs makes us all stronger and more resilient.”
6
AB | January - February 2022
Sandra Watson, president and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority: “The pandemic changed how we communicate and highlighted the importance of adaptability. I emphasize a servantleadership style with our team that focuses on helping others grow and succeed, and this approach became especially important in light of last year’s many challenges. Our team’s continued focus on collaboration and communication drives our efforts to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy.”
Peter S. Fine, president and CEO; Banner Health: “Staying totally focused on the task at hand and tuning out unrelated noise requires focusing on the most critical issues.”
