Assistant City Manager Lori Bays Named to Women Achievers of Arizona 2026

City of Phoenix Assistant City Manager Lori Bays has been named a winner of the 2026 Women Achievers of Arizona Awards by the Arizona Capitol Times. This honor recognizes her nearly three decades of public sector leadership and exceptional impact on the nation’s fifth-largest city.

Bays oversees more than a dozen departments and a workforce of over 10,000 of the City’s 15,000 employees, guiding essential services for Phoenix’s 1.7 million residents. Her career has been defined by major policy advancements in public safety reform, workforce investment, emergency response modernization, homelessness solutions, and worker health protections. Her leadership on these initiatives has shaped Phoenix’s trajectory over the past decade.

In 2021, Bays became the first woman in Phoenix history to oversee all public safety functions, including the Police and Fire Departments. She was instrumental in navigating the Department of Justice investigation of the Police Department and helped craft “The Road to Reform,” a comprehensive framework for modernizing police practices and implementing 37 City Council approved action items to strengthen community trust and enhance accountability.

Among her many significant achievements, Bays led the City’s development of paid parental leave, competitive workforce compensation strategies, and key protections for frontline workers. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, she helped Phoenix avoid layoffs and service reductions while strengthening support for employees across all city departments.

“I am incredibly honored to join the ranks of the Women Achievers of Arizona Award winners. I am inspired by the incredible women selected for this award and the work they do for Arizona,” Assistant City Manager Bays said. “This recognition is reflective of the collective impact made by hardworking employees and community partners who work together every day to strengthen our community. Serving our City is a privilege, and I will continue working to make meaningful and lasting improvements to quality of life for all Phoenicians.”

According to the Arizona Capitol Times, Women Achievers recognizes exceptional women whose leadership, service, innovation and dedication have made a meaningful impact on Arizona’s communities, industries and public life. These women represent the best of Arizona – leaders who inspire others through their accomplishments and commitment to making a difference. Lori Bays was selected as a winner from more than 100 nominees and will be recognized at a luncheon in October. Learn more about the 2026 Women Achievers of Arizona Awards.