After nearly 40 years as a leader in the marketing communications and public relations industry, Abbie S. Fink, a 2026 Ragan’s Top Women in Communications honoree, has grown quite accustomed to working behind the scenes. However, the president of HMA Public Relations, who is the current chair of Valley Youth Theatre and a past president of Scottsdale Leadership, is taking center stage this spring and summer.
Let’s start with today’s honor!
Each year, the ASU Alumni Association recognizes Sun Devil leaders of organizations from around the world who demonstrate innovation, growth, and entrepreneurial spirit through a program called Sun Devil 100.
Honorees are senior decision-makers, from founders and CEOs to vice president-level and C-suite executives, representing companies of all sizes and industries.
I am very proud to have been selected as part of this elite group of individuals, and today marks the Sun Devil 100 luncheon to celebrate together.
This is only the beginning when it comes to awards this spring, we hear?
Oh wow. It is really hard to talk about myself like this!
On May 7, the Phoenix Business Journal is honoring a group of local leaders as its Most Admired Leaders in the Valley. These leaders have been selected in a range of industries and fields, from private corporations and state agencies to nonprofits and educational institutions. And yes, this year I am among those being honored.
And then, on May 15, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce will induct its 2026 Scottsdale Hall of Fame members. This is very special in that I have a personal connection to nearly all of the other inductees.
How so?
Each inductee in the Scottsdale Hall of Fame is recognized for their own achievements in leadership and service. However, collectively, the inductees in the Class of 2026 have crossed paths both visibly and behind the scenes, having worked alongside one another to move Scottsdale forward.
This recognition is a milestone moment for me made even more memorable because of the deep connections I have with the other inductees. Through board service, civic leadership, and longstanding professional partnerships, the relationships I have with my fellow inductees are something that I am so grateful for and are such an important part of my personal and professional journey.
It is a tremendous honor to be included with these Scottsdale leaders and to join an impressive list of other inductees who have made such a positive impact on Scottsdale.
When you’re not busy getting all of these well-deserved accolades, you serve as the chair of Valley Youth Theatre. What is on the horizon with the nonprofit?
My commitment to Valley Youth Theatre comes from a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts. I have always loved live theatre and serving as chair allows me to help ensure that young people in our community have access to that same creative outlet. At Valley Youth Theatre, we’re not just producing shows, we’re building confidence, teaching collaboration, and giving youth a space to be seen and heard.
One of the most impactful initiatives we support is Sponsor a Seat, which provides children from social services agencies across the Valley the opportunity to attend a live performance and interact with members of the cast. For many of these young people, it’s their first experience with theatre, and knowing it can spark imagination, joy, and a sense of possibility that stays with them long after the curtain closes is so meaningful to me.
What originally drew me to Valley Youth Theatre was seeing how intentional the organization is about creating opportunities for young people to grow, regardless of background or experience level. And the more time I’ve spent involved, the more I’ve seen the ripple effect. These young people find their voice and discover what they are capable of. That mission is so important because it changes lives in real, tangible ways.
Investing in our youth is investing in the future of our community. Valley Youth Theatre creates opportunities for young people to develop life skills and feel a sense of belonging, and that’s something worth championing.
Can you remember your first leadership role?
When I was in elementary school and our sixth-grade graduation dance was being taken away from us due to some bad behavior by some of our students. I didn’t think that was very fair, so I helped coordinate a picket line in front of the school and called a couple of television stations to come out. I did my first television interview with Channel 5, the then local affiliate at the time. It was both my first true leadership role and my first entrance into public relations, though I didn’t know it at the time. I just wanted the dance back!
That graduation dance picket line was more than a moment of protest. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it was the first opportunity I had that showed how collective voices could spark attention and drive change. Organizing my classmates, articulating a shared concern, and standing firm (even when it felt uncomfortable) gave me an early sense of purpose and responsibility. It taught me that leadership isn’t about authority, but about listening, aligning people around a message, and taking action. That experience planted the seed for my career, shaping my instinct to advocate, communicate strategically, and step forward when something matters.
Tell us about some of your other philanthropic work over the years …
My commitment to philanthropy has been a defining thread throughout my personal and professional life, rooted in a belief in servant leadership and the responsibility to create a culture of giving. From an early age, my family has always been involved in community service, with my sister and I tagging along with our parents to the various programs and activities that were important to them.
My personal philanthropic journey began with Make-A-Wish Arizona, where I first volunteered and later had the honor of chairing the Wish Ball, helping to advance its mission of granting life-changing wishes to children and their families. I am also proud to have founded the Valley of the Sun 20-30 Club, creating a space for young professional women to engage in meaningful community impact, and to have been the first woman elected to its national board, an important milestone in expanding leadership opportunities within the organization.
My board service with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, including chairing the Youth of the Year awards, reflects my passion for empowering the next generation.
My involvement with professional organizations such as PRSA Phoenix, the PRSA Western District, and the PRSA Counselors Academy allows me to integrate service with industry leadership.
Across all of these roles, my focus remains consistent: fostering environments where philanthropy is embedded, participation is encouraged, and giving back becomes part of who we are.
And you somehow manage to run a business, too?!
HMA Public Relations is among the longest-running marketing communications agencies in the Southwest. We join our clients as full partners, offering a comprehensive suite of services that ranges from media relations and event planning to crisis communication and digital communications. We do more than help organizations get noticed or get publicity; we support and build their brand in an authentic, powerful way that aligns with who they are and what they stand for.
Since 1993, I have had the privilege of helping lead the firm, working to advance initiatives that strengthened communities and expanded opportunity for those too often overlooked. Our work includes partnering with tribal nations to support culturally grounded communications and advocacy efforts, as well as championing disability inclusion by elevating voices and improving access across public and private sectors. We have collaborated on substance use prevention campaigns and mental health initiatives that reduced stigma and connected individuals to critical resources.
We have contributed to sustainability programs that encourage responsible growth and environmental stewardship, alongside education initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for students and families. Throughout these efforts, I remained committed to building authentic partnerships, shaping meaningful dialogue, and delivering strategies that made a measurable difference.
On Dec. 29, 2023, I purchased the agency from my long-time business partner and became the first female owner of HMA Public Relations.
After all the honors, summer is just around the corner—any fun plans outside of work and volunteering?
Traveling is one of my favorite ways to reset and recharge, whether that’s hopping in the car with my pup and heading to my sister’s house in California or going on a cruise for a little fun in the sun. This summer’s plans include a few concerts (Cyndi Lauper, Kelly Clarkson, and Dwight Yoakum), some wine tasting in Verde Valley, two cruises, and a weekend women’s book retreat in the Catskills.
