Women In Industry Podcast

We’re joined by Megan Brown, co-founder and executive director of Hoper Found of Northeast Arkansas, an organization dedicated to serving human trafficking victims and survivors by providing resources including holistic case management. Megan’s journey of battling human trafficking began in college when a documentary inspired her, propelling her into the world of advocacy. Megan, a licensed social...

Cat Frans, the executive director of the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA), shares her unique journey into the agriculture industry, despite not having a background in the industry. IPSA, formed in 1989, represents independent seed companies in the Midwest that specialize in corn and soybean production. As the Executive Director, Cat runs the day-to-day operations of IPSA and works...

This week’s WIN guest is Nichole Parks, the Director of Programs at the Leading For Children, a national nonprofit that offers mutual early learning programs in communities to ensure all children thrive. Nichole, a Sherwood resident, supports the development and implementation of the organization’s programs and is part of the organization’s leadership team. Despite growing up in an impoverished an...

This week’s WIN guest is Jennifer Verkamp-Ruthven, the Director of Catholic Immigration Services and Refugee Resettlement at the Little Rock Diocese of Little Rock – Catholic Charities. Verkamp-Ruthven, a Charleston, Arkansas native, manages legal immigration programs in Springdale and Little Rock which provide services to low-income immigrants who may qualify for legal assistance. She leads the r...

Arkansas FFA State Secretary Laykin Williamson wasn’t always familiar with agriculture, but after seeing her sister grow in FFA, she was inspired to follow in her footsteps. In her position, she helps develop members’ leadership skills while advocating for the agriculture industry. Learn more about Laykin, her story and FFA by listening to her episode and by checking out her profile on ComGroup.co...

Lauren Massey had no agriculture experience until she was placed in an agriculture class in high school. Through this class, she realized agriculture spanned beyond working on a farm. Now, as the Arkansas FFA State Vice President, she guides and supports Arkansas FFA members while advocating and supporting the agriculture industry. Learn more about Lauren, her position and FFA by listening to this...

Agriculture is in Arkansas FFA State President Reese Mitchell’s DNA. Although Reese is a fourth-generation Arkansas FFA state officer, she pursued the organization because of the vast agriculture and leadership opportunities it offered. In her position, Reese advocates for the agriculture industry by representing the association with government officials, business and industry leaders. Reese is op...

When Anna Beth Gorman accepted her position as the executive director at the Arkansas Women’s Foundation, there was enough money to pay her salary for two months. However, she was confident she could propel the organization to reach its potential. She succeeded. In her position, Anna Beth establishes projects and programs to help girls and women facing systemic issues through grants, educational r...

Michelle Wynn packed her bags and moved to Northwest Arkansas after graduating from the University of Central Arkansas without knowing what her career held, but then she volunteered for Child Care Aware NWA. Her boss emphasized the importance of early childhood education and community investment. Now, aside from being a superhero raising 10-year-old twin boys, Michelle is the co-director of Child...

Creshelle Nash, M.D., M.P.H., C.H.I.E, leads Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield's efforts to address health disparities in Arkansas. As the medical director for health equity and programs, she advocates for Arkansans facing health inequities. Dr. Nash, a University of Maryland School of Medicine alumna, grew disturbed while practicing. Listen to Dr. Creshelle Nash’s episode to learn about her pro...

Carla Gibson knew she was destined to work in nonprofits after earning degrees from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and Bellevue University. Her career began on the service provision side of nonprofits, but now as the vice president of programs at REACH Healthcare Foundation, she advances high-quality, affordable health care in the Kansas City area. In her position, Carla focuses on grantmaking...

Marquita Little Numan became a family counselor after graduating from Hendrix College. After seeing many clients continuously struggle, Marquita realized systemic change was essential. This fueled her to find a different way to make an impact, so she enrolled in the Clinton School of Public Service to understand how to ignite long-term change through advocacy, policy and philanthropy. Now, as the...

Jennifer Martinez Belt dedicates her life to community service. As Director of Development for the Peel Compton Foundation, Jennifer connects the community of Bentonville, Arkansas through nature, education, recreation and preservation. She heads the organization’s philanthropy, marketing, events and customer service efforts.

Natalie Kovarik was raised on a ranch in Montana, and after being a full-time pharmacist for several years, she found her passion in agriculture and pioneered her own clothing brand Ag is Not the Problem, donating part of the proceeds to Agriculture in the classroom.

Dot2Dot Consulting Owner and Principal Geania Dickey is dedicated to improving the early education system in Arkansas and across the nation. In her role, she builds effective systems and stronger resources to benefit children and their families. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn more about Geania and the impact she makes on children’s lives.

Madison Travis, a Southern Arkansas University alumna, grew up with a passion to work in the agriculture industry. As the crop insurance servicing agent at Rabo AgriFinance, she educates clients about federal crop insurance options to enhance their risk management strategies. Tune in to learn more about Madison and her story in ag.

While studying agriculture business at Arkansas State University, Sydney Belew became determined to work for AgHeritage Farm Credit Services. As AgHeritage’s customer specialist, Sydney assists loan officers and supports customers to secure loans in rural and agricultural markets. Learn more about Sydney and her agricultural journey in this week's episode.

In February, three current or former Arkansas FFA Association state officers participated in the WIN Podcast. As a token of appreciation for their participation, ComGroup donated $300 to the Arkansas FFA Foundation. Foundation Executive, Jennifer Cook, earmarked ComGroup’s donation to honor the late Leslie Morelock Roye – a pioneer for girls in the Arkansas FFA Association – by commemorating her c...

Meet Mischa Martin, the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services. Mischa developed a passion for helping others at a young age and now, as an attorney, oversees child abuse and neglect cases. Tune in as this UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law graduate shares more of her story.

In March, the Arkansas Women in Ag (AWIA) held their annual conference in Little Rock. Five women active within the organization take a deep look into the 2022 conference on the latest episode of WIN. Listen to the podcast to learn more about the impact the organization has on the Arkansas agriculture industry.

After graduating from Henderson State University, Randi Metcalf became a social worker for Carelink, which provides in-home services, information, legal and medical assistance for the elderly and their loved ones. Now, 14 years later, Randi is Carelink’s chief operating officer, where she supervises over 200 employees each day. Listen to her story to learn more.

Heather Larkin, a graduate of William H. Bowen School of Law, is dedicated to improving Arkansas. As President and CEO of the Arkansas Community Foundation, she connects Arkansans with resources to build stronger communities. Learn more about Heather, by listening to her story now!

Tabitha McNulty knew she wanted to become a lawyer after visiting a courtroom in kindergarten. She accomplished that goal in 2005 after graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law. She now represents families of foster children in termination cases at the Arkansas Commission of Parent Counsel in Little Rock. Learn more about Tabitha and the work she does for chi...

While studying at Auburn University, Michelle Bufkin Horton fell in love with the cattle industry. As the membership and communications director of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Michelle works to bridge the gap between producers and consumers.

Inspired by her mother, Melanie Berman’s passion is public service. As the program director of Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), Melanie gives back to her community. She equips small businesses with the tools and expertise they need to compete for and win government contracts. Melanie, a graduate of University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is inspired to work in the female-dri...