The WEC Executive Advisory Council is a vital component to the success of our programs. The council will meet twice a year and the council charge includes:
- Include women who have a commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Women’s Empowerment Center programs
- Represent a variety of fields and corporations as well as nonprofit and educational institutions, bringing diversity to the council
- Serve as advocates for women and are committed to advancing and promoting theWomen’s Empowerment Center programs in their sphere of influence
- Share ideas on collaborations, resources, and participants, and make other advisory contributions to enhance the Women’s Empowerment Center programs
- Provide guidance for fundraising and allocation of program resources, including scholarships
- Facilitate peer groups, mentor individual program participants and/or speak atWomen’s Empowerment Center programs and events
- Contribute intellectual capital by publicly sharing their stories, experiences and perspective
The WEC Executive Advisory Council members:
Bootsie Ackerman, District Director for Congressman Steve Womack — Congressional Staff of U.S. House of Representatives
Tami Allensworth, Vice President — JB Hunt
Karen Armstrong, Intern Program Manager — Arvest Bank
Pat Bailey, Owner — Patricia A. Bailey Consulting and Coaching
Michelle Barnes, Executive Director — Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center
Theresa Barrera-Shaw, CEO/Co-founder — Barrera Shaw Group, Vice President Supplier Administration — Walmart Stores, Inc. (Retired)
Lisa Bridgers, Regional Director, Human Resources — VML
Lori Brown, Vice President — Kimberly-Clark
Susan Chambers, CEO — Chambers Consulting, Executive Vice President/CHRO — Walmart Stores, Inc. (retired)
Jody Dilday, Director of Development — Arkansas Community Foundation
Carla Farmer, Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Communication — Cottey College
Ida Fineberg, Co-owner and Executive Broker — Steve Fineberg & Associates Commercial Real Estate
Catherine Gates, Director of Outreach and Engagement — Workmatters
Angela Grayson, Founder and Principal Member — Precipice IP, PLLC
Tanya Hayes, Executive Coach and Community Volunteer
Sarah Heimer, Executive Director — Northwest Arkansas Boys & Girls Club
Johnelle Hunt, Chairman — Hunt Ventures, Board Member — The New School
Laura Jacobs, Chief of Staff — University of Arkansas
Evelyn Jorgenson, President — Northwest Arkansas Community College
Nancy Leake, Founder — Community Development Corporation (retired)
Trisha Montague, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrator — Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Cynthia Nance, Dean Emeritus and Nathan G. Gordon Professor of Law and Director of Pro Bono and Community Engagement — University of Arkansas
Kathy O’Kelley, Police Chief — Springdale, Arkansas (retired)
Sharon Orlopp, President — Orlopp Enterprise, Global Chief Diversity Officer — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (retired)
Janet Ply, Co-founder and Managing Partner — Pendére
Lisa Ray, Regional Executive — Arvest Bank Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri
Mireya Reith, Executive Director — Arkansas United Community Coalition, State Board Member — Arkansas Department of Education
Betsy Reithmeyer, Senior Vice President — 8th & Walton, Alderman — Rogers City Counsil
Amy Robinson, Founder — Tribe of Women
Cynthia Schneider, AVP Business Development/Marketing — The Bank of Fayetteville
Esther Silver-Parker, President/Chief Operating Officer — The SilverParker Group, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs — Walmart Stores, Inc. (retired)
Shelley Simpson, Executive Vice President — JB Hunt
Karen Stuckey, Senior Vice President Private Brands/Sourcing, General Merchandising — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (retired)
Celia Swanson*, Consultant/Executive Coach/Speaker, Senior Vice President Global Associate Relations — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (retired)
Ulanda Terry, Owner — All Things Posh Events & Designs
Terrie Tomlinson, Director of Equipping — Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas
Jann Weitzel, President — Cottey College
Sherece West-Scantlebury, CEO/President — Winthrop Rockerfeller Foundation
Tina Winham, Walmart Team Lead — SC Johnson “A Family Company”
*Chair of Inseitz Group Women’s Executive Advisory Council