Mississippi Business Journal Honors 25 Women Leaders
The selection recognizes notable professional achievements and community service across the state.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Women’s Issues
Live Poll
Do you believe having more women in high-level leadership positions inspires future generations?
The Mississippi Business Journal has named 25 women as recipients of its annual business and leadership honors. The honorees were selected from a pool of over 200 nominations for their management success and dedication to volunteerism.
Why it matters
Recognizing these leaders highlights the significant professional contributions women are making to the economy and community development within Mississippi. This initiative emphasizes the importance of balancing career success with active local engagement.
The 25 selected women were chosen from an initial pool of over 200 nominations. The recognition process evaluated candidates based on their business success, community involvement, and commitment to local volunteerism.
The players
Sarah Ozbun
She is the CEO of Delta Lodging Group and currently manages 13 hotels.
Robyn Tannehill
She serves as the Mayor of Oxford and directed efforts to remove 80,000 dump truck loads of debris following a winter storm.
Suzy Hays
She is the current CEO of the telecommunications and technology company C Spire.
Mississippi Business Journal
This publication provides news and analysis on the state economy and recognizes outstanding business leadership.
The details
The honorees include notable figures such as Sarah Ozbun, who manages 13 hotels as CEO of Delta Lodging Group, and Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill. The selection also highlights leaders like C Spire CEO Suzy Hays, reflecting a broad range of industries and professional accomplishments.
Timeline
The Mississippi Business Journal recognized the honorees in 2026.
Culture Shift
This recognition program follows the established pattern of the Mississippi Business Journal annual awards, which highlight a trend of regional leadership mirrored in professional development programs across the country. It reinforces a growing emphasis on merging corporate success with community service.
Residents can observe the influence of these leaders through their active roles in local businesses and civic projects. The ongoing commitment of these women to volunteerism and professional excellence shapes both local job opportunities and community service standards.
The takeaway
These awards demonstrate that effective leadership in the current professional landscape requires both business acumen and a dedication to social impact. Readers can look for opportunities to support local mentorship or volunteer initiatives to contribute to their own communities.
Further reading
For more on how local leaders are influencing state industries, visit the Mississippi Women’s Issues page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wlbt.
Live Poll
Do you believe having more women in high-level leadership positions inspires future generations?
