Downtown Bentonville Inc. names new executive director

Monica Kumar has been selected to serve as the new executive director at Downtown Bentonville Inc. (DBI).

Brenda Anderson, president of the DBI Board, announced the appointment Thursday (May 21) saying that, “Monica’s background in community programming and engagement, as well as her expertise in organizational administration and non-profit management, makes her a great fit for DBI."

“She also has an innate enthusiasm for our community and its people – we are very fortunate to have Monica on the DBI team,” Anderson added.

Kumar and her family moved to Bentonville in January 2014 from Silicon Valley area of California where she worked in community development and program positions. Since her move to Bentonville, she has created a community storytelling website called the Bentonville Project.

She was born in the United Kingdom where she attended law school and practiced family and human rights law. Prior to that, she practiced corporate and commercial law in the Turks & Caicos Islands. 

“I am passionate about community building and believe that Bentonville is an incredibly unique example of what can be achieved when local stakeholders work together. DBI has made a dynamic impact on the development of our downtown and I am privileged to serve in this capacity. I hope to build upon the positive success of DBI and continue to advance our community together.”

Kumar holds a bachelor's degree in law and a legal practicing diploma from the London College of Law, UK. She and her husband have a five year old son and live in downtown Bentonville.