2021 NEA Women in Business: Rhonda Ahrent

Rhonda Ahrent
Executive Director
Black River Area Development Corp. (BRAD)
Residence: Corning
Education: Bachelor of education, University of Arkansas

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far? My most fulfilling moments are those that I get to connect with our clients and help people. I also like to inspire staff to make connections and build relationships with our clients.

What advice would you give young women who are at the beginning of their careers? Find your talents and passion and find a job that matches those talents, then you will be a gift to your profession.

What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? It’s always a challenge to stay in touch with the community’s needs and what is hindering the low-income population from moving forward. This is an ongoing challenge that I work on every day to plan objectives to address the needs of the communities we serve as an agency.

What character traits do you feel have benefited you in your success? The desire to make a difference and the drive to never give up.

How do you spend your time away from work? What are your hobbies? I love plants of all kinds and spending time with my husband, friends, and family. I have 10 grandchildren and love to keep up with what they are doing. They keep me young at heart.

What’s the last good book you read? “Keep Sharp” by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. I listened to the audio on my daily 30-minute commute. I highly recommend everyone read it.

Of all the mentors in your professional career, who has been the most influential, and why? There are so many. I worked with my dad in my early years. He taught me that the customer is always right and to remember that we are to work heartily, as for God and not for men like the Bible tells us to do. I have been influenced by all my bosses in one way or another. I have been lucky to have good ones.

What’s your biggest passion and why? One of my biggest passions is organizing, maybe because I am not always organized and I feel it is very important. It has always been part of my self-improvement/development plan.

What is something distinctive people would be surprised to know about you? I married my high school sweetheart and we live on the same street where I have lived since I was 3. We had three babies in 3.5 years and are as happy together as ever.

Can you share what you have learned about your business from the COVID-19 pandemic? The business [community action agency] is even more essential than I knew. Our employees never missed a beat, serving those in need, putting themselves at risk. I learned how valuable our employees are to the organization. We have the best.

What’s your favorite app at the moment? Pinterest.

If you have a bucket list, what are the top three things on it? Take a trip with all my kids and grandkids, see the Northern Lights, and retire — but no time soon.

What was your dream job as a kid and why? My dream job was to be a social worker. I have always been a problem solver by nature. I like to help people find resources to help themselves and have a better life.

Editor’s note: Profiles for this year’s NEA Women in Business class were compiled and written by George Jared and Paul Holmes.