Sharon Harper embodies “servant leadership.”  For decades she has worked to make the Valley of the Sun a stronger community with more economic opportunities for all. 

 

She was the first woman to chair Greater Phoenix Leadership.  She serves on the Executive Board of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, is a member of Valley Leadership’s CEO

Circle.  She serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the McCain Institute and is committed to its mission of advancing character-driven global leadership.  Sharon is a trustee of the Virginia Piper Charitable Trust, and the Board of Governors for TGen.

 

Her work as a volunteer has been recognized with a number of awards, among which are:  Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the Building New Futures Good Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America, and the Sandra Day and John O’Conner Award for Outstanding Community Service.  She has served as Honorary Commander of Luke Air Force Base. She and husband, Dr. Ollie Harper, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for their dedication to the arts from the Phoenix Theatre.

 

Sharon is deeply committed to education and has worked with

policy makers to expand funding for public schools.  She also chaired a campaign that helped pass Prop 123, which brought much-needed dollars to enhance public education.  She is a trustee for her alma mater, Creighton University.

 

As a businesswoman, she has succeeded in a field historically dominated by men:  commercial real estate and development.  As co-founder and CEO of Plaza Companies, Sharon oversees the ownership, development, leasing and management of nearly 10 million square feet of medical office properties, senior living facilities and bioscience/biotechnology centers.  She has gained national recognition for her work.  Her company won the AZ Big Media RED Award for Mixed-Use Development of the Year and two Best of NAIOP (National Association for Industrial and Office Parks) awards, including its Economic Impact Award for SkySong, the innovative center that attracts cutting-edge tech companies.

 

A native of Minnesota, Sharon has strong roots in Arizona.  She stands as a role model for women.  Her contributions have been recognized with a Valley Leadership Woman of the Year award in 2018, a Citizen Leadership award from the International Economic Development Council,  and a Tribute to Leadership award by the YWCA of Metro Phoenix.  Her example has inspired other women to consider careers in business, while always giving back to their community