Connections: NextUp planning for Women’s Empowerment Summit

The Northwest Arkansas chapter of NextUp, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in business, has opened registration for its largest annual event — the 2024 Walmart Women’s Empowerment Summit.

Event leaders expect 1,000 people to attend this year, up from 850 previously. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 26 at Rogers Convention Center. With the theme of “navigating with balance and brilliance,” it will feature keynotes, panel discussions, and audience exercises on how to create work-life harmony.

Speakers include The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond, Katherine Wintsch, CEO of The Mom Complex, Diana Frost, global chief growth officer of The Kraft Heinz Co., Charu Thomas, CEO of Bentonville software provider Ox, and J’Aaron Merchant and Jasmine Hudson, executives of Bentonville-based seasonal products retailer Black Paper Party.

Multiple Walmart executives will also speak at the event, including Jane Ewing, senior vice president of international operations, Kyle Kinnard, senior vice president of neighborhood markets and Melody Richards, senior vice president of pantry.

Registration is $30 for members and $60 for non-members. Link here to register.

Only virtual registration will be available after the event reaches its in-person capacity of 1,000 attendees. Last year, the event reached in-person capacity three weeks after registration opened. The event sponsor is Kimberly Clark.

NEW HIRES
Banking & Finance
Alex McClung
Bentonville
Employer: Generations Bank
Title: commercial loan officer
Previous employer: Professional Business Systems Inc.
Previous title: account manager

Food
Jason Nichol
Bentonville
Employer: Gordon Food Service
Title: executive vice president and president of specialty and ventures
Previous employer: Tyson Foods Inc.
Previous title: chief customer officer

Healthcare
Phuong Mueller
Fayetteville
Employer: Northwest Health
Title: podiatrist

Nonprofit
Brandon Grumieaux
Fayetteville
Employer: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas
Title: development director

Michelle Cox
Bentonville
Employer: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA
Title: behavioral health counselor
Previous employer: Restoring Roots Counseling
Previous title: owner; therapist

Software Development
April Rae Mallord
Fayetteville
Employer: Checkin.com
Title: general manager for the United States
Previous employer: Zenwork Inc.
Previous title: vice president of sales and business development

PROMOTIONS
Accounting
JD Brashear
Fort Smith
Employer: Landmark PLC
Title: member
Previous Title: tax director

Michelle Lewis
Rogers
Employer: Landmark PLC
Title: member
Previous title: tax director

Education
Ryan Calabretta-Sajder
Fayetteville
Employer: University of Arkansas
Title: director of the International and Global Studies Program; Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
Previous title: associate professor and section head of Italian; associate director of Gender Studies Program

Fundraising
Jason Howard
Fayetteville
Employer: University of Arkansas
Title: donor experience officer; Division of Advancement
Previous title: associate director of development; Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

Nonprofit
Ashton Donham
Bentonville
Employer: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA
Title: scholarship program manager
Previous title: administrative specialist

Gina Johns
Bella Vista
Employer: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA
Title: director of grants and donor engagement
Previous title: annual fund and grant writer

APPOINTMENTS
Nonprofit
James Bell
Bentonville
Employer: Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
Title: vice president for economic development
Appointment: board of directors
Organization: Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives