Women’s Foundation of Arkansas names council, seeks nominations

FAYETTEVILLE — If you haven't heard of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA), you soon will.

The group dedicated to promoting philanthropy among women and helping women and girls in general is expanding its work in Northwest Arkansas, specifically with the formation of a Northwest Arkansas Advisory Council.

The council was established to advise the state foundation on what type of activities women in Northwest Arkansas would enjoy, to find partners for foundation-related programs and projects and to determine who to invite to get involved in WFA work in Northwest Arkansas.

“There is a dynamic group of women in Northwest Arkansas who were already involved and support the WFA. This is a natural progression, in keeping with our plan of continued growth around the state,” saod stated WFA Executive Director Lynnette Hammons Watts.

Kim Tisdale is chairman of the advisory group; Azu Denton is secretary. Other members are Jayshica Amargós, Debby Thetford Nye, Deborah Billingsley, Wendy J. Poole, Sarah Campbell, Isabel Castro Portocarrero, Mary Jane Cowan, Kim Randle, Bethany Stephens, Catherine Luck, Vanessa Miller and Wendi Williams.

The council has been meeting monthly since March and has plans to form committees within the organization. Members have been working diligently on its inaugural Power of the Purse luncheon, scheduled for Oct. 5 at the Embassy Suites of Northwest Arkansas in Rogers. Vanessa Miller is chairman of the event.

At that time, the council will hand out is first WFA Woman Business Leader Award. The award recognizes a woman in Arkansas who has shaped the success of her organization/business and demonstrated leadership, professional achievement and contributed not only to her workplace, but also her community.

Women across the state may be nominated here prior to the Aug. 17 deadline.