Power Women 2021
AMP closes out another year by focusing a spotlight on women in Arkansas who are setting themselves apart in the worlds of business and politics. These AMP Power Women for 2021 were nominated by readers, and each has blazed a trail, exhibited outstanding leadership or enhanced her company’s performance. We’re proud to recognize these Power Women.
Jennifer Adkins
Executive Broker/Realtor,
iRealty Arkansas
Heather Albright
Global Commercial Banking Senior Vice President
Senior Relationship Manager – Middle Market
President of Arkansas Market
As President of the Arkansas Market, Heather Albright is in charge of connecting Bank of America’s banking and investment resources to clients throughout Arkansas as well as heading up Bank of America’s efforts to tackle social issues, increase economic opportunity and to build strong communities in Arkansas. Albright has 16 years of experience at Bank of America, and also serves as Global Commercial Banking senior vice president and as a senior relationship manager for middle market clients. Based in Little Rock, she joined Bank of America in 2005 as a senior credit products analyst and was promoted to portfolio management officer in 2009, supporting the Arkansas Middle Market clients in both roles. In 2015, she was promoted to vice president and senior relationship manager leading client relationships in Arkansas. Albright was promoted to SVP in 2019, then President of Arkansas Market in 2021. She received her undergraduate degree in economics and finance from Arkansas Tech University and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. She also holds FINRA certifications for Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses.
April Ambrose
Director of Operations for Sustainability
Entegrity
As the first employee of Entegrity, April Ambrose has been integral to the growth of the company, opening the firm’s Memphis office, participating in the design and implementation of hundreds of building projects and providing more than 500 presentations on sustainability and energy. She has presented to various local and national groups including non-profits, trade organizations, governmental entities, K-12 and higher education schools, media outlets and environmental organizations. Ambrose received a BA in a self-designed environmental education major, which included an Arkansas high school teaching certificate from Hendrix College. She was recognized by the US Green Building Council as the 2020 South Central Shero of the Year and by USGBC Arkansas as Central Arkansas Outstanding Member, was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumna Award from her alma mater and has received numerous other accolades.
Jajuan Archer
President/Founder,
Women’s Own Worth
Anastasia Blaylock
EVP, Chief Strategy Officer
Citizens Bank
Anastasia Blaylock has a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Blaylock is skilled in treasury management sales, portfolio management, commercial relationship management, customer service and sales team leadership. She is a strong sales professional with a bachelor degrees in finance and business administration with a minor concentration in economics from Centenary College of Louisiana.
Terry Bonebright
Executive VP/Provost, Hendrix College
Chelsea Boozer
Government Affairs Manager
Central Arkansas Water
As Government Affairs Manager at Central Arkansas Water, the state’s largest drinking water utility serving half a million people, Chelsea Boozer works with government, community and wholesale partners and stakeholders on policy, economic development and regionalism efforts. Prior to joining CAW, Boozer worked as a journalist reporting in Memphis; Washington, D.C.; and Little Rock. She serves on a national committee of the American Water Works Association and is on the board of Create Little Rock, the young professionals initiative of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. Boozer is an executive master of public administration candidate at Syracuse University, holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis and a reporting certificate from the Johannes Gutenberg Universitat in Germany. Boozer regularly speaks at national conferences about public engagement and workforce development and previously led the Arkansas Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Boozer serves on the boards of Keep Little Rock Beautiful and MLK Reads.
Joan Botts
Vice President of Marketing
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Joan Botts has worked as a senior marketer in various gaming markets, including Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana and now Arkansas. Botts joined Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort as the Vice President of Marketing in August 2021. She oversees all marketing initiatives for the racing, casino, and resort aspects of Oaklawn — advertising, signage, media relations, PR, social media, direct mail, promotions, events, VIP, player services, reserved seats (racing), gift shops/retail, entertainment and sponsorships/partnerships/donations. Botts is a public relations graduate of the University of Southern California. She grew up in Wilmington, Del., and Memphis; lived in Los Angeles for eight years; then returned to Memphis and started a career in the casino/gaming industry. Her experience also includes working in the music industry as well as handling marketing projects and events for the NBC-TV affiliate in Shreveport.
Amber Brewer
Creative Director/Brand Manager
Yellow Rocket Concepts
Amber Brewer is the creative mind behind Yellow Rocket Concepts in Little Rock, the company with restaurants including Big Orange, Local Lime and Heights Taco & Tamale. Brewer attended college at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. She currently serves on the board of the Arkansas Cinema Society and has been an art director for 15 years. She previously held positions at CJRW and Arkansas Business Publishing Group, joining Yellow Rocket full-time as creative director and brand manager after the Big Orange Midtown location opened in Little Rock.
April Broderick
Owner, A&A Fire and Safety Company
Sherwood City Council
April Broderick was elected Sherwood City Council Member for Ward 1, Position 1 in 2018 and began her service on January 1, 2019. April serves on the Advertising and Promotions Commission and is also a member of the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, she was appointed by Governor Hutchinson to the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board. April is a proud Sherwood native and a graduate of Sylvan Hills High School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. April became Co-Owner of A&A Fire and Safety Company in 2014, and in 2016, her company was awarded the prestigious honor of becoming one of eleven Arkansas-based companies to have an 8(a) certification. 2017 marked the beginning of A&A’s facility being DOT certified. In 2018, A&A earned the Governor’s Quality Commitment Level Award. April and her husband, Bryan, have been married since 2003 and have five children. The Brodericks are active members of Central Baptist Church and April volunteers her time working with the children’s department.
Brooke Brolo
Agency Owner
Brolo Insurance Group/Allstate
Brooke Brolo is an Allstate insurance agent and agency owner in North Little Rock, where she’s become entrenched in the local community. Her knowledge and understanding of the community help her provide customers with an outstanding level of service. She looks forward to helping families protect the things that are important to them.
Dr. Teressa Brown
Teressa Brown Pt, DPT, PHD
Dean, School of Physical Therapy
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Dr. Teressa Brown is Dean of the School of Physical Therapy at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) in Fort Smith. Prior to joining ACHE, Brown served as Program Director at West Coast University in Los Angeles and as a faculty member at Simmons University in Boston. She received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Simmons University. In January of 2015, she completed her Ph.D. in Health Professions Education at Simmons as well. Her primary areas of research include instructional methods and assessment practices in anatomy education, predictors of success or difficulty in the DPT curriculum.
Jessica Bubbus
Co-founder, David’s Burgers
Jennifer Owens Buie
Director of Development & Marketing, Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Rachel Bunch
Executive Director
Arkansas Health Care Association
Rachel Bunch first started at the Arkansas Health Care Association at the age of 21 and has since worked her way up the ladder to Executive Director, the youngest in the entire country to hold the position at her time of appointment. Bunch lives in Little Rock and has one daughter named Emily.
Rebecca Burkes
COO, Specialized Real Estate Group NWA
Sandra Byrd
Vice President of Public Affairs & Member Services
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC)
Sandra Byrd has 35 years of legal, regulatory and public policy experience in the electric and natural gas industries at the state and federal levels. Byrd chaired the Arkansas Public Service Commission from 2000-2007, during which time she served on the board of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC); the steering committee of the National Council on Electricity Policy; the advisory board of the Electric Power Research Institute; as chair of the NARUC Critical Infrastructure Committee; as chair of the New Mexico State University Center for Public Utilities Advisory Council; and president of the Mid-America Regulatory Conference. She was also a creator and incorporator of the Southwest Power Pool RTO Regional State Committee. Byrd earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas.
Evelyn Hemphill Callaway
LRSD School Board
Donna Campbell
Black Hills Energy Arkansas
Kendra Campbell
Associate Project Manager
Southwest Power Pool
Kendra Campbell is a Senior Business Analyst for Southwest Power Pool. Kendra holds a master of science in Instructional Technology and a bachelor of business administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Arkansas. She also obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. In her community, Kendra is heavily involved in volunteer opportunities with organizations such as Family Promise, Dorcas House, Salvation Army and Our House, to name a few. Kendra is a servant at heart, always seeking opportunities to help serve others.
Shelby Carey
Director of Property Management
Hathaway Group
Shelby Carey provides staffing and oversight of the property management, administrative and maintenance teams at Hathaway Group. She and her team manage more than 1 million square feet of office, retail, industrial and medical arts properties, and Carey directly manages a substantial portfolio of more than 520,000 square feet of commercial property and capital improvement projects. She has her hands full, but “gets it done.” Carey is the 2022 IREM National Ethics Committee Co-Chair and the 2023-2024 Regional Vice President for Region 5, which covers Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Katherine Blackmon Carroll
Attorney/Owner
Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon
Katherine Blackmon Carroll is the owner and managing attorney of the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon, which is a trauma-informed family law firm with an emphasis on helping clients navigate difficult times with empathy and expertise. Carroll earned her bachelor of arts from Southern Methodist University and her juris doctorate from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and founded the firm in 1997.
Carla Carson
VP/Senior Trust Officer,
Centennial Bank
Frances Cavenaugh
Arkansas State Representative
Denise Chai
Financial Planner, Aptus Financial
Linda Chesterfield
Arkansas State Senator
Adrienne Collins
Director of Human Resources, Rock Region METRO
Owner, AC Productions
Adrienne Collins is Director of Human Resources at Rock Region METRO, the public transit system that serves 3 million passengers per year in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Conway and Pulaski County. Collins began her human resources career in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Collins holds three undergraduate degrees from Arkansas State University and two MBAs, in IT management and business administration, from Webster University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in business management with an emphasis in leadership. Collins serves on several boards and in professional organizations such as CAHRA, ARSHRM, the Arkansas Public Employers Human Resources Association, Little Rock Zoo, Generation Zoo, Ozark Mission Project, Opera In the Rock, the Center for Cultural Community and the Historic Arkansas Museum. She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XXXV.
Shayla Copas
CEO/Principal Designer
Shayla Copas Lifestyle
Shayla Copas is the CEO/Principal Designer at Shayla Copas™ Lifestyle, the parent company for Shayla Copas™ Interiors, Shayla Copas™ Collections and The Hive Marketing & Public Relations. Copas is an international award-winning interior designer, product designer, author, marketing maven and public speaker. She currently has licensed product collections with Chelsea House and POLYWOOD with additional partnerships to be announced later in 2021. Her work has been featured in print regionally and nationally. In April of 2019, her first book, “Four Seasons of Entertaining,” was a best seller in several categories on Amazon. Her second book will be released sometime in 2023. She can be seen regularly at industry events as well as various markets and conferences making trend forecasts, speaking on panel discussions and as a featured keynote speaker. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards during her career and has been instrumental in raising more than $4 million for a variety of organizations and causes.
Angela Courtney
Executive Director, Alex Foundation
Becky Cranford
General Manager, The Bug Man
Kelly Cargill Crow
Vice President, Arkansas Trucking Association
Dosha Cummins
Pharm. D. Chair, Department of Basic Sciences
NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University
Dr. Dosha Cummins is the Chair of the Department of Basis Sciences at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, a position she’s held since the campus opened in 2016. Cummins was part of the inaugural leadership team for the Arkansas campus and serves as an associate professor in addition to leading the Department of Basic Sciences. Cummins oversees the operation of the anatomy lab and basic science research labs at the Jonesboro campus and serves on several COM committees. Cummins graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a biology degree from Millsaps College. She received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Mississippi. She is an active member of the Jonesboro University Rotary Club and has been acknowledged as a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotarian of the Year, and recipient of the Service Above Self Award.
Adora Curry
Director of Advancement, Thaden School
Susan Davenport
Managing Partner, BKD
Victoria DeFrancesco
Dean Designate, UA Clinton School of Public Service
Sandy Dixon
President/Owner
Turn Key Construction Management
Sandy Dixon has worked in the commercial construction industry for almost 20 years. Her experience includes competitive bid, negotiated, design–build general contracting and construction management delivery methods. Sandy provides support throughout all phases of the design/construction process and strives to maintain collaboration among all project participants. Since founding Turn Key in 2007, Sandy has been President, with her primary responsibilities being customer contact, developing marketing plans and managing on-going projects. She is involved in every aspect of the business including estimating through project completion and delivery. Sandy received her bachelor of science degree from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
Eileen Drake
President/CEO,
Aerojet Rocketdyne Corporation
Tamika S. Edwards
Special Advisor to the CEO on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement
Central Arkansas Water
Tamika Edwards, a native of Little Rock, works across all departments and in partnership with community organizations to eliminate systemic organizational marginalization and promote inclusive practices for the betterment of the utility, the communities CAW serves and the water industry overall. Edwards has 20 years of experience in public policy and community development. Prior to CAW, Edwards served as the executive director of the Social Justice Institute at Philander Smith College, director of governmental affairs at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, director of public policy at Southern Bancorp Community Partners and community affairs specialist for former US Sen. Blanche Lincoln. In 2021, she was recognized as the “Woman of the Year in Business” by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. She is a member of the boards for Delta Dental of Arkansas and the Little Rock Port Authority, and serves as board chair for the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. Edwards earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a Master of Arts in professional and technical writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a J.D. from UA Little Rock’s Bowen Law School.
Joyce Elliott
Arkansas State Senator
Jane English
Arkansas State Senator
Senator Jane English represents Senate District 34, which includes parts of North Little Rock and northern Pulaski County. She was sworn into the state Senate in 2013. Sen. English co-chairs the Joint Performance Review Committee and the Legislative Council’s Higher Education Subcommittee. She serves on the Senate Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs, the Senate Efficiency Committee, the Joint Budget Committee and the Legislative Council. She is vice chair of the Joint Budget Special Language Subcommittee. Sen. English was chair of the Senate Education Committee from 2015 through 2020. In addition to her work to improve education, Sen. English is known for sponsoring legislation to benefit military veterans and to promote economic development. She was in the group of legislators who pushed for a new nursing home for veterans in North Little Rock, after the previous facility in Little Rock was closed.
Denise Jones Ennett
Arkansas State Representative
State Rep. Denise Ennett is serving her second term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. She represents District 36, which includes a portion of Little Rock and Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, Ennett serves on the House Public Transportation Committee; the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology; and the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Arts in Higher Education/College Affairs from UA Little Rock. Ennett serves on the board for the Historic Arkansas Museum Foundation and Preserve Arkansas. She also serves on the City of Little Rock Arts and Cultural Commission. She previously served on the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Advisory Board, the Advisory Council for the Education of Children with Disabilities, the Arkansas PTA Board of Managers and as a member of Volunteer in Public Schools (ViPS).
Sandy Ferguson
Chief Financial Officer,
Board member
Generations Bank
Sandy Ferguson serves as CFO for Generations Bank, where she just celebrated her 40th anniversary. Starting in 1981 as a teller, Ferguson has continued to play a pivotal role working in every department throughout her career. Generations Bank is allowing Ferguson to lend her expertise to all facets of the bank while she also serves on the board of directors.
Emily Ferris
Architect/Partner
Sowell Architects
Emily Ferris is an architect and partner with Sowell Architects in Conway. Ferris studied at the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she graduated valedictorian and Senior Scholar, receiving the National AIA Henry Adams Medal and the Edward Durrell Stone Medal for excellence in design.
C. Ann Fleming
CEO, Fleming Companies
Kim Fowler
Philanthropist, Fowler Foods Inc.
Darlene Goldi Gaines
CEO, Arkansas Anti Poverty Group
Denise Garner
Arkansas State Representative
Karen Garrett
Managing Partner, HCJ CPAs & Advisors
Danna Gauntt
Vice President of Human
Resources, Lexicon
Megan Godfrey
Arkansas State Representative
Erin Gray
Owner
Healing Hemp of Arkansas
Erin Gray is the owner of Healing Hemp of Arkansas in Little Rock, which specializes in pain and anxiety products like CBD oils, salves and tinctures and the dried flower of hemp. Gray says her mission is to assist customers and guide them in making better choices, every day, allowing them to become more happy, healthy and safe.
Michelle Gray
Arkansas State Representative
Nancy Griebel
Marketing Director, Euronet Software Solutions
Christine Gronwald
Director of Development, EAST Initiative
Felicia Hamilton
Principal, Clinton Elementary School
Stephanie Hammons
Director/Associate General Counsel
for Southern Gas Operations
CenterPoint Energy
Stephanie Hammons received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Central Arkansas and received her law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law. Hammons began her career as a staff attorney at Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation in Fort Smith then briefly worked for SourceGas Arkansas (now Black Hills Arkansas). At CenterPoint Energy, she has participated in leadership programs such as Leadership Greater Little Rock and CenterPoint Energy’s award-winning Leadership Academy program. Hammons is a founding member and former board member of Arkansas Women in Power, an organization dedicated to recruiting, maintaining and promoting women in the energy industry, and she currently serves on the Arkansas 811 Board of Directors.
Stephanie Harris
Founder, Women Lead Arkansas
Angela Harrison
Owner/CEO, Welsco
Vicki Hatter
President, LRSD School Board
Melissa Hendricks
Director, Little Rock Port Authority
Lauren Hendrix, MD
Urologist
Arkansas Urology
Dr. Lauren Hendrix is a native of Little Rock. She graduated magna cum laude from the Honors College at the University of Central Arkansas prior to obtaining her medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she graduated with honors. Hendrix completed her residency training in Urologic Surgery at the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 2015 and is board-certified by the American Board of Urology. Hendrix is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society, the American Urological Association and the Society of Women in Urology. Her training has included advanced laparoscopy such as Da Vinci robotic surgery, stone disease management, female urology and voiding dysfunction as well as urologic oncology and general urology.
Jennifer Henington
Project Manager, Supervisor, EDG
Jessica Hester
CEO/Principal Architect,
Verdant Studio
Natalia Hodge
Orthodontist, Hodge Orthodontics
Laurie Howard
Owner/Stylist
Wicked Salon
Laurie Howard is the owner of Wicked Salon in North Little Rock. She has over 20 years of experience and over 3000 hours of training in styling, and regularly attends seminars and educational sessions to stay informed about the newest and best products available in styling. Laurie is a graduate of Jacksonville High School.
Ashley Hudson
Partner,
Kutak Rock LLP
Arkansas State Representative
State Rep. Ashley Hudson is serving her first term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 32 which includes a portion of west Little Rock and Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, Rep. Hudson serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.
Amy Ipsen
Operations Manager/Paraplanner
Ipsen Advisor Group
Amy Ipsen launched her career in the financial services industry in 2002. She has explored several different roles over the years, working with both clients and other financial advisors and their staff. She currently is putting her management, technology and compliance experience to use as the operations manager for the Ipsen team. Her knowledge of the financial planning process and her proficiency with planning tools keeps her involved in supporting the financial-planning relationship with clients.
Natalie James
Realtor, small business owner, U.S. Senate candidate
Natalie James is a real estate agent at RE/MAX Elite in Little Rock and a small business owner who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. A devoted community advocate, James is motivated by knowing she has the power to listen to others and enact change and hopes to clear a path for future politicians. She hopes her campaign will show people how to stand up for what is right and to “give a voice to the unheard.” Her goal is to break glass ceilings for the next generation so that Gen Z can be future agents of change.
Charlotte John
Principal Broker, Charlotte John Co.
Desstoni Johnson
Owner, Fearless Firearm Instruction
Tina Johnson
Principal Broker and Owner,
Keller Williams Market Pro Realty
Dr. Jerrilyn Jones M.D.
UAMS Health
Janet Jones
Owner and President
The Janet Jones Company
Janet Jones was the first female chair of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce in the late ‘90s. Jones sold homes in Little Rock for 24 years before branching out on her own in 1980 to form The Janet Jones Co. The company has since established itself as a market leader in the northern neighborhoods of Little Rock, from the Heights/Hillcrest area to Chenal Valley. Jones has also chaired the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Board, served on the executive board of the Fifty for the Future group of business leaders in Pulaski County and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Businesswomen in Arkansas. She has contributed support to organizations such as the Junior League of Little Rock and to the board of directors of Youth Home Inc., Big Brothers-Big Sisters and the CARTI Foundation.
Stephanie Jones
Associate Merchant of Beauty,
Walmart Corporate
Tracie Kelley
President and CEO,
Kellco Custom Homes
Crystal Kemp
Chief Marketing Officer, Conway Corp
Kristen Kennon
Owner and Broker,
iRealty Arkansas
Kristy Lamb
Controller, Multi-Craft Contractors
Jennifer Morganne Lancaster
Founder and Director,
The Lancaster Animal Project
Laura R. Landreaux
President and CEO
Entergy Arkansas
Laura Landreaux ensures that Entergy Arkansas meets the power needs of more than 722,000 customers every day. She is also responsible for driving the company’s financial and operational business results, customer service, safety, resource planning, economic development, employee development and regulatory and governmental affairs. Landreaux became Entergy Arkansas President and CEO in 2018. Her career with Entergy Arkansas began in 2007 in the legal department. She then became manager of regulatory affairs in 2012. A native of Little Rock, Landreaux earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law, where she was on the Arkansas Law Review, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the UA.
Joni Lee
Vice Chancellor for
University Affairs, UA Little Rock
Kim Leverett
Founder, A Kick Above
Meredith K. Lowry
Patent Attorney
Wright Lindsey Jennings
Meredith Lowry is a patent attorney whose practice principally involves various aspects of intellectual property related to the retail industry, including intellectual property acquisition, manufacturing, marketing and distribution. Since 2005, she has assisted a variety of companies in their efforts to obtain patent, trademark and copyright protection, and has also worked with such clients to protect those assets through online and in-store infringement. As a native of Northwest Arkansas, Lowry is an active supporter of the arts and technology communities through her involvement with the City of Fayetteville Board of Health, the City of Fayetteville Economic Development Committee, the Scott Family Amazeum, Arkansas Arts and Fashion Forum, Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA and the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit.
Skye Martin
Office of Chief Counsel, Arkansas
Department of Human Services
Julie Mayberry
Arkansas State Representative, District 27
Martha McCormick-Moore
Owner
McCormick Works Inc./Seal-Tite of Arklahoma, LLC
Martha McCormick-Moore is the owner of McCormick Works, a business that was started in 1990 by Martha’s father, Edward McCormick. He aspired to open a family business with his children. Together they created McCormick Asphalt Paving & Excavating, Inc. with the sole focus of paving driveways and roadways. As the business began to grow, Martha was promoted from roller operator on the asphalt crew to the office manager. As she continued to excel within the company, Martha began looking for new and better opportunities for the small, family business. She became president of the company after her father retired in 1999. By 2003, she became certified in the 8(a) contractor business development program. In 2004, she became the sole owner of the business which allowed her to expand her certifications to include woman-owned, DBE, and MBE. She began winning more contracts as a result of hard work. What was once a small town business now operates to cover the Arklahoma region.
Tippi McCullough
Arkansas State Representative
State Rep. Tippi McCullough is serving her second term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 33, which includes portions of Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, she serves as the House Minority Leader. She also serves on the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee; the House Judiciary Committee; and the House City, County & Local Affairs Committee. An educator in Little Rock, McCullough received an associate’s degree in physical education from Garland County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in physical education and English from Ouachita Baptist University and a master’s in English from Henderson State University. McCullough has been involved with the Arkansas Education Association Legislative Committee, the National Education Association Women’s Issues Committee and the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock.
Lara Blume McGee
Visionary, ALS in Wonderland Foundation
Kelly McQueen
Energy & Environmental Law Attorney
Kelly M. McQueen is now in private law practice after serving as Assistant General Counsel (for Environmental Matters) for Entergy. Kelly joined Entergy from the Gill Ragon Owen law firm in Little Rock and has extensive experience in environmental, energy and natural resource law, having practiced in both the public and private legal arenas. In addition to her 13 years in private practice, she served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arkansas in the Utility and Environment Section. Kelly received her Masters of Law in environmental and natural resources law from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark, received her J.D. with honors from the William H. Bowen School of Law, and a B.A. in business and economics from Rhodes College in Memphis. Her practice has had particular emphasis on power plant and industrial facility siting and compliance as well as Clean Air Act planning and permitting.
Alison Melson
Vice President, Corporate Marketing
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Alison Melson oversees advertising, marketing and public relations, communications and content development, digital sales and customer experience for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Melson joined Arkansas Blue Cross in 2019 as Vice President of Corporate Marketing. She previously served as communications manager at Entergy Arkansas, and as vice president of communications and marketing for CARTI. She has held public relations leadership positions at Acxiom Corporation and Stone Ward, and early in her career, she was a feature writer for the High Profile section of what is now the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Melson is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), past president of the Arkansas Chapter of PRSA and recipient of the 2018 PRSA Crystal Award for lifetime service to her profession of public relations. She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock and has served on the boards of directors for Susan G. Komen Arkansas and Riverfest, Inc. A Pine Bluff native, Melson holds a bachelor’s degree in public information and journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Meaghan Milliorn
Interim Co-Director, Communications and Marketing, UA Little Rock
Beverly Morrow
Owner/Operator, McDonald’s Arkansas
Megan Musgrove
Architectural Designer and Owner, Building 313
Danyelle Musselman
Philanthropist
Karlea Newberry
Senior Vice President/
Harrison Bank Manager
Signature Bank of Arkansas
Karlea Newberry began her banking career in 2009, starting as a teller working through college. While earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, Newberry was promoted to branch manager for Signature’s bank in Fayetteville. After dedicating eight years to Signature, she made the decision to move back to her hometown of Harrison to raise her family. There she worked for Equity Bank for two and a half years as a bank manager and regional manager. When Signature decided to expand its brand into the Harrison market, Newberry gladly rejoined the team as bank manager, helping develop the bank’s newest branch, team and its goals for the new market.
Marnie Oldner
Chief Executive Officer
Stone Bank
Margaret “Marnie” Oldner is the CEO, MVP and Director of Stone Bank, based in Mountain View, and EVP and Director of its parent company, Stone Bancshares, Inc. Marnie has served the bank since 2011 as its CEO, CFO, and President. Prior to Stone Bank, Oldner worked with many banks inside and outside of Arkansas while a managing principal at DD&F Consulting Group in Little Rock. She has more than 30 years of executive officer experience in banking. She is a graduate of California State University in Fullerton, where she majored in business and accounting. Marnie currently serves on the board of the Arkansas Bankers Association and is a member of the Federal Reserve’s 8th District Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council where she serves as chair. She also serves on the Federal Reserve’s National Advisory Council representing the 8th District.
Lucie Pathmann
Senior Vice President,
Communications
Westrock Coffee Company
As SVP of Communications for Westrock Coffee in Little Rock, Lucie Pathmann leads the global marketing communications efforts for the company. Her responsibilities include overseeing brand messaging and standards, B2B advertising, internal communications, website, e-commerce, organic social, sponsorships, SEO and public relations. Prior to joining Westrock, Pathmann spent 11 years at Stone Ward, where she was director of brand management and communications. Prior to Stone Ward, Pathmann’s career started on the client side with Alltel Corporation, where she held multiple leadership roles including director of sponsorship marketing and marketing communications. She then made the transition to Verizon Wireless, where she was over public relations and marketing for the South Central region. Pathmann graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BA in journalism and is an alumnus of both the Greater Little Rock Leadership (Class XXVII) and Arkansas State Leadership (2016) programs.
Keisha Patterson
Chief Community Initiatives Officer, Arkansas Food Bank
Capi Peck
Little Rock City Board
Trio’s Restaurant
Dr. Mia Phillips
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UA Little Rock
Amy Pierce
President, Bank Strategic Solutions
Laura Poe
COO, B-Unlimited Apparel
Julia Ponder, APRN
Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association
Patty Poulter
Provost/Executive Vice President
University of Central Arkansas
Before coming to UCA, Dr. Patty Poulter served as dean of the College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University, one of the largest schools of the arts in Georgia and one of the 50 largest universities in the United States. Poulter is frequently invited to speak on the topics of higher education leadership, arts advocacy, women in leadership and the role of the arts in the community. She has given numerous presentations at national conferences and international conferences on the topics of disruptive leadership, incorporating high-impact practices into curriculum for student success, dealing with controversial issues in the arts on a university campus and making the campus a cultural center. Poulter earned a doctoral degree in education in music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to her formal performing and conducting, she is a bluegrass musician and art collector.
Carla Price
Vice President of Human Resources
Travel Nurse Across America
As TNAA’s VP of Human Resources, Carla Price supports all of the company’s full-time administrative staff members and active travel nurses nationwide. Price is responsible for facility contract maintenance, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, unemployment administration, and compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA and CDC requirements. She also consults with management on quality assurance related issues, staffing and programs, and assists the CEO with operational processes. She holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is a member of the Human Resource Management Association and the Society for Human Resource Management.
Dr. Melanie Prince
Plastic Surgeon, Prince Plastic Surgery
Heather Reed
Director of Student Retention Services, UA Little Rock
Yara Robertson, M.D. F.A.C.S.
CARTI
Mimi San Pedro
CSO, The Venture Center
Kelli Schlesinger, M.D.
Neurologist, Legacy Spine & Neurological Specialists
Jamie Scott
Executive Director,
Arkansas Youth Services
Arkansas State Representative
Rep. Jamie Scott is serving her second term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 37 which includes portions of Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, Scott serves on the Joint Budget Committee, the Joint Performance Review Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and the House City, County & Local Affairs Committee. She graduated from Arkansas State University with a B.A. in criminology and sociology and an M.A. in criminal justice. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Harvard School of Government executive education program. Scott has been recognized by the Democratic Party of Arkansas as a 2017 Emerging Leader, a COGIC 20 under 40 Achievers Award, Citizen of the Year, the Bishop DL Lindsey Spirit of Excellence Community Award, William H. Bowen School of Law GLO Award, Women of Excellence in Education Award and a 2018 Leadership Community Award.
Jena Selva
Real Estate Advisor/Co-owner
Engel & Volkers
Jena Selva’s passion for real estate is fueled by a genuine desire to help others. She truly enjoys working with clients to create a plan for how to prepare their homes so they will look their very best and get the best possible price. Selva is a graduate of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts and University of Central Arkansas. Her family of four kids enjoys an active lifestyle. Between all the kids’ activities and school involvement, Selva enjoys supporting the Quapaw Quarter Association and numerous community involvement activities through the Junior League of Little Rock.
Lottie Shackelford
First Woman Mayor of Little Rock
Shelley Short, IOM
Vice President of Programs & Partnerships, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIAExecutive Director, Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives
Shelley Short is responsible for the development, management and execution of the chamber’s programs and strategic partnerships. She also serves as the executive director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE), the professional association of local chamber executives and economic developers in the state. Short is a native Arkansan with 16 years of economic development/chamber experience. Prior to joining the State Chamber in 2015, she spent 10 years in various roles at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, departing as director of marketing. She holds a Master of Arts degree in political management from Regent University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Central Arkansas. Short serves on the MAKO Chamber Conference Board of Directors and is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Southern Economic Development Council and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management.
Courtney Sick, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Conway Regional Renaissance Women’s Center
Courtney Sick, MD, OB/GYN, joined the Conway Regional Health System medical staff in 2015 and began practicing obstetrics and gynecology at the Renaissance Women’s Center in Conway. Dr. Sick achieved a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Central Arkansas. She returned to UAMS to obtain her medical degree and complete her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Prior to medical school, she worked as a registered nurse in the burn unit at Arkansas Children’s. Dr. Sick’s experience as a nurse inspired her to become a physician.
Ashley Sims
Chief Financial
Officer Rock Dental Brands
As CFO of Rock Dental Brands, a dental-support organization headquartered in Little Rock, Ashley Sims is responsible for the financial performance of more than 95 multi-specialty dental clinics. These clinics, operating under multiple brands including Westrock Orthodontics, Leap Kids Dental, Rock Family Dental and Impact Oral Surgery, provide access to affordable dental care to 400,000 patients each year across Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Sims leads the accounting, financial planning and analytics, M&A diligence, business intelligence, information technology and revenue-cycle management teams at Rock Dental. During her time, the company has added more than 60 clinics and more than 450 employees. She began her career in the telecom industry at Windstream Communications, a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Little Rock.
Elizabeth Small
Director of Business Networking, UA Little Rock
Jessica R. Snowden, MD
Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist
UAMS
Jessica Snowden, MD, MS, MHPTT, treats children and adolescents at Arkansas Children’s in Little Rock. Dr. Snowden is also the vice chair for research in the Department of Pediatrics and associate director of clinical and translational research at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute. Dr. Snowden has an active, NIH-funded basic science laboratory studying the role of age on the immune responses and neurologic outcomes following infections in the brain. In addition to her basic science and clinical research, she has a long history of active involvement in medical student, resident, and fellow education and multiple teaching awards. She has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), Fellow of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (FPIDS), and Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America (FIDSA) and is a member of several national committees focused on medical research. Dr. Snowden received her B.S. in medical sciences and attended medical school at Texas A&M University. She completed her pediatric residency at East Carolina University and a pediatric infectious disease fellowship at UAMS.
Jessica Sorg
Director of Underwriting
Legacy Capital
Jessica Sorg joined Legacy Capital in 2005 and has been Director of Underwriting since 2013. She has built relationships with the underwriting departments of all the major carriers. Well-versed in their product offerings, Sorg makes recommendations to Legacy advisors and assists with product illustrations. After careful review and analysis of clients’ medical records, she negotiates and advocates for them with various carriers to achieve the most favorable rating and associated pricing. She holds a B.S. in health and applied science from the University of Central Arkansas and successfully completed the rigorous requirements to be a Fellow of the Academy of Life Underwriting (FALU). She is an active board member for Women & Children First.
Cindy Sowell
EVP, Sowell Management
Melody Sparks
CFO, DC Sparks Construction
Shannon Steed
Owner/Staffing Manager, Apex Staffing
Pamela Stephens
Realtor, RE/MAX ELITE Conway
Vicki Stephens
Owner, C.C. Jones Trucking
Caryl M. Stern
Executive Director, Walton Family Foundation
Mica Strother
Senior Director of Development
Razorback Foundation
Mica Strother has been Senior Director of Development for the Razorback Foundation Little Rock office since June 2016. Previously, Strother served as director of appointments to boards and commissions for former Arkansas Gov, Mike Beebe from 2006 to 2014 and finance director for Beebe in 2005 and 2010. She received her B.A. in History from Ouachita Baptist University and her J.D. from the Bowen School of Law in Little Rock.
Donna Townsell
Director of Investor Relations, Centennial Bank
Lula P. Tyler
Mayor, City of Holly Grove
Brooke Vines
Owner/President, Vines Media
Zeynep Vural CPA, CFA
Accounting and Finance Manager
Southwest Power Pool
Zeynep Vural is the manager of the accounting department at Southwest Power Pool, a nonprofit corporation that oversees the bulk electric grid in a 17-state footprint. Zeynep’s team at SPP is responsible for a wide range of corporate accounting and finance functions. Her prior experiences include Verizon, Alltel and Deloitte. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). She is currently serving on the board of Arkansas Women in Power, a collaborative organization of women in the energy sector. Zeynep was born, raised and educated in Ankara, Turkey and has called Little Rock home since 1997. She is married and has two sons.
Millie Ward
Co-founder/ President
Stone Ward
Millie Ward embodies and inspires Stone Ward’s ethos of intelligent thinking, committed service and creative drive. Always on the go, Ward is the former chair of the Advertising Marketing International Network (AMIN), one of the nation’s largest networks of independent agencies representing 26 agencies with $21 billion in capitalized billings. She has also been named one of AdWeek’s “Women To Watch” and Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners. Recently, Wardwas inducted into the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. This distinguished honor is only given to four individuals each year for the significance of their impact made as a business leader, the concern demonstrated for improving the community and the display of ethics in all business dealings.
Valerie Wayne
Marketing and Design Director, Central Flying Services
Cynthia Westcott
Vice President of Arkansas & Oklahoma Gas Operations
CenterPoint Energy
Cynthia Westcott oversees all aspects of the company’s natural gas distribution operations in both states. She has been at CenterPoint Energy for more than 18 years and has held various leadership roles in engineering, operations and regulatory. Westcott has an engineering degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a master’s in business administration from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Arkansas. She is active in her community and serves on the Junior Achievement State Board as well as on the board for Arkansas Independent Colleges and Universities.
Megan Greenland Williams
VP of Chapter Development
Associated Builders & Contractors of Arkansas
Megan Williams was hired as the Director of Events & Communications for the Associated Builders & Contractors of Arkansas (ABC) in 2013 and was promoted to Vice President of Chapter Development in 2019. During her time at ABC, Williams has helped increase the quantity and quality of events ABC offers each year, co-developed the Arkansas Chapter’s Young Professionals Program, implemented new youth programs and in 2017, helped launch ABC’s new apprenticeship program, the Arkansas Construction Trades Academy. She has served on the board of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Greater Little Rock Chapter, for the past seven years and is currently the membership chair. Williams also has served on the Arkansas STEM Coalition Board since 2019. The Conway native received her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor emphasis in graphic design from UCA in 2012 and her master’s in communications from Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina in 2019.
Judith Wooten
President/CEO, Arkansas Hospice
Mary Zunick
Cultural Affairs Manager,
Visit Hot Springs
