Forty Under 40: Leah Peterson, 34

Leah Peterson, a native of Peter Pender, a small town south of Ozark, thrives on seeing other people succeed.

As director of human resources at Ozark Mountain Poultry, she enjoys helping people identify and develop their skills.

Peterson graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1999 with a degree in communication and Spanish and a minor in education. In 2001, she earned a master’s in communication.

In addition to serving as a debate coach, Peterson taught communication and public speaking at the UA for a couple of years before joining the private sector as the director of communication at Ozark Mountain Poultry.

In 2004, she moved to Little Rock, where she served as director of employee development for May Construction Co.

In 2007, Peterson was lured back to Ozark Mountain Poultry to be the director of human resources.

Peterson said she got into HR by accident. It was a natural fit with her communications background, and allowed her to utilize her Spanish degree, she said.

“It’s about more than leadership training, but rather identifying them, retaining and plugging them into the community so they can make a difference,” Peterson said. “I love the concept of providing that avenue.”

Peterson is involved with the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders.