7hills Homeless Center CEO resigns; interim named

Mike Williams, CEO of 7hills Homeless Center in Fayetteville, has resigned to “pursue other opportunities,” according to a Thursday (May 4) news release. Development Director Becci Sisson has been appointed interim CEO.

Williams’ resignation was effective May 3. He joined the nonprofit as CEO in September 2021. He previously worked in leadership positions at Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Workmatters and United Way of Northwest Arkansas.

“We are appreciative to Mike for his service toward the mission of 7hills Homeless Center,” 7hills board chair Read Hudson said. “A mission that is vital to the current and future well-being of the Northwest Arkansas region. We wish Mike nothing but the best in his future.”

Asked where Williams went, Sisson said Williams asked to not share that at this time.

Sisson is a Northwest Arkansas native and has worked for nonprofits for 25 years. Before she was hired as the 7hills development director in January, she worked for seven years at the Rescue Mission of Roanoke in Roanoke, Va. The nonprofit helped the homeless there.

“I am humbled to be asked to step in as the interim CEO of 7hills and do so with a strong commitment to the organization and the people that we serve,” Sisson said. “Working through the issues around homelessness in Northwest Arkansas is something that I am extremely passionate about. I have no doubt the Northwest Arkansas community, along with key homeless service providers in our area, will be able to come up with viable solutions that have a positive impact for us all. We are better together.”

“Becci’s overall experience in the nonprofit world makes this an obvious choice for her to be named as our interim CEO,” Hudson said. “The current staff and the board of directors has the utmost confidence in Becci and her ability to lead our organization.”

In the coming months, the 7hills Board of Directors will initiate a search for a full-time CEO.

According to the release, the number of clients 7hills serves “is at an all-time high.” And the nonprofit’s role “is more essential than ever for the overall health of this region” amid rapid area growth and rising costs and low inventory of housing.

Founded in 2001, 7hills provides basic needs, resources and services at its Day Center and three types of housing through its HOPE program. According to the nonprofit’s website, the Day Center serves about 370 people monthly. 7hills has 17 staff.