Longtime HR exec Aileen Wilkins joins Arvest Bank
by January 21, 2026 2:12 pm 812 views
Fayetteville-chartered Arvest Bank announced Wednesday (Jan. 21) that it has hired Aileen Wilkins as its chief people officer. She started Jan. 5 and succeeds Laura Andress who retired last year. Andress became chief people officer on Jan. 1, 2019.
Wilkins has more than 30 years of human resources experience across various industries, including health care, technology and financial services. She’s worked in leadership positions at the Government Employees Health Association, Eli Lilly and H&R Block, where she led human resources for more than 80,000 employees.
In her new role at Arvest Bank, she’s responsible for the bank’s human resources strategy, aligning talent management, leadership development and culture with the bank’s long-term business goals. The bank reports having just over 6,000 employees.
“Aileen is a highly respected human resource executive with a proven track record of navigating complex transformations while staying deeply connected to the needs of associates,” said Matt Machen, president and CEO of Arvest Bank. “Her commitment to leadership development and proven ability to drive business success through effective partnerships align perfectly with our mission at Arvest.”
Four years ago, Wilkins moved to Northwest Arkansas from the Kansas City metro area. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Kansas. She has multiple certifications, including Associate Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation.
“I am incredibly proud to join Arvest, a bank that has built its reputation on a culture of caring and genuine commitment to its people,” Wilkins said. “What draws me here is the opportunity to blend those deep-rooted values with our growth plans. I look forward to helping us scale our impact while ensuring our associates remain at the heart of everything we do.”
According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Arvest Bank has total assets of $27.34 billion.