Forty Under 40: Amy Stockton

Nearly five years ago, Amy Stockton dove headlong into her position as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas. With less than two years of experience in nonprofit work, Stockton agreed to lead the young BBBS chapter.

Although she was professionally young, Stockton knew she could manage the role.

At that time, the Washington and Benton County program operated on a $138,000 annual budget. Now the chapter uses $450,000 to coordinate 13 employees and 500 one-to-one mentoring relationships.

BBBS pairs children with adult mentors to “keep great kids looking toward great futures,” Stockton said.

In three years, Stockton said, the Northwest Arkansas program could handle as many as 1,000 kids, each matched with a same-sex mentor. That growth would require an annual budget of $700,000-$900,000.

To initiate and maintain the chapter’s expansion, Stockton prioritized her executive duties. Rather than doing everything herself, she delegates tasks to other staff. In turn, she participates more in the program’s long- and short-term planning.

To up-and-comers thinking of taking an executive position, Stockton advised that they not hesitate to ask experts for help.