Be in AZF

One is the voice of the Valley, filling the local airwaves for more than 20 years. Another is an educator who is helping to transform college-level education with the introduction of Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix Campus. Third is an award-winning designer who is encouraging Valley dwellers to ease stress on themselves and Mother Earth by changing the way they look at homes. Seven other inspiring women round out 2011’s Women Who Move the Valley—all of whom are at the top of their respective fields and making the Valley a better place to be, both in and out of the office.

Like most Valley dwellers, you’ve already decided that plentiful sunshine and endless shopping, spa and dining selections are for you. But choosing between up-and-coming neighborhoods, high-rise condominiums and luxurious master-planned communities can be difficult. For years, AFM has found the very best spots in the Valley to call home in our annual Best Places to Live feature. Whether you’re an Arizona native looking for a new niche or a family relocating from afar, this roundup of the best places in town—and our top reasons for making the move—will help you narrow the search.

Want to know who’s who in the Valley? Read on to learn your picks for Most Influential People.

Whether you’re looking to furnish your home or build an entirely new one, here are your top choices in Home & Design in the Valley.