Forty Under 40: Heather Milliken

Heather Milliken hasn’t looked for her last two careers. They found her.

After graduating from Van Buren High School in 1998, Milliken worked in administration for several doctors in Fort Smith and then in Northwest Arkansas after her family moved in 2000. She stayed home with her children for a few years, and in 2003 happened into a job in early education at In His Image Learning Center in Bentonville, working there for 13 years. About two years ago, out of the blue, friend Beth Pittman, also with Cameron Smith & Associates (CSA), suggested she’d be great as a recruiter. CSA hired Milliken in 2017.

Passionate about serving others, Milliken enjoys helping people take the next step in their career or find their dream job. “I get to meet so many unique people and talk to people all over the world.”

Milliken credits Denise Natishan, her mentor at CSA, with “taking me under her wing and teaching me everything there is to know about recruiting.”

“Heather is quick to volunteer with a challenge,” said company founder Cameron Smith. He cited her work in designing marketing materials and teaching co-workers how to navigate a computer software system.

Driven by a strong work ethic, Milliken received Smith’s “Rookie of the Year” award her first year at CSA. “It was a huge compliment because I was doing something that I’m not familiar with. It was an affirmation that I was where I was meant to be and doing a good job.”

Milliken volunteers at her church and coordinates their school snack pack program. She helps NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates with interviews and presentations and is involved with Dress For Success.

Milliken’s current goal is to get her college degree in business and is researching options.