Profiles

A directory of Profiles for Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Awards

Forty Under 40: Kaitlyn Fondano

Beaver Lake is a big reason Kaitlyn Fondano is in Northwest Arkansas. She was born and raised in the Phoenix area but spent summer vacations near the lake where her…

Forty Under 40: Chris Fink

The corporate world and college weren’t for him, so Chris Fink decided to follow the passion he found in a hobby to create what is now a drone business —…

Forty Under 40: Marie Findlay

Marie Findlay’s passion is helping people find careers that allow them to develop, grow and thrive and helping companies find the right talent to help their business grow. Leading a…

Forty Under 40: Brahm Driver

Growing up in rural Arkansas, Brahm Driver often helped his father build things. The Oark (Johnson County) native thought he’d be an architect until learning about civil engineering while in…

Forty Under 40: Shayan Dehbozorgi

Shayan Dehbozorgi grew up living in multiple cities and experiencing different cultures, including Austin, Texas, and Shiraz, Iran. The buildings and spaces he saw sparked an interest, and he wanted…

Baseball took Kyle Cupp to Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo., his hometown. He graduated with a master’s degree in business administration from William Woods University in Fulton, Mo.,…

Forty Under 40: Keith Bowles

Keith Bowles was attending college when he joined Arvest Bank in Fayetteville as a teller in 2009. He’s remained with the bank because of the culture and mentorship. “When I…

Forty Under 40: Lauren Oswalt Baber

If she’d followed the prominent career choice within her family, you would be reading about Lauren Baber, the successful doctor. “I did think about that [career], but I have an…

Forty Under 40: Christopher Adkins

ArcBest’s vision, “We’ll find a way,” resonates with Christopher Adkins. “I like to think that any problem is solvable. If I’m given a mission impossible, I’ll find a way to…

Women in Business: Amy Wenger

Residence: Fayetteville Education: B.S., health/science, University of Arkansas; M.H.S.A., University of Arkansas at Little Rock Professional background: In 2021, Wenger was named the vice chancellor of UAMS’ Northwest Regional Campus….

Women in Business: Latisha Settlage

Residence: Fort Smith Education: B.S., agricultural business; M.S., agricultural business, University of Arkansas; Ph.D., agricultural business, Purdue University Professional background: Settlage leads academic operations for various business and industry programs….

Women in Business: Stephanie Orman

Residence: Bentonville Education: B.A., broadcast journalism, University of Arkansas; M.A., communications, Missouri State University Professional background: In 2018, Orman was elected mayor of one of the fastest-growing cities after serving…

Women in Business: Sunny Martinez

Residence: Bentonville Education: Attended Phillips (Calif.) College Professional background: In 2020, after working for the company for more than two decades, Martinez became the owner of the Job Guide, founded…

Women in Business: Ashley Knight

Residence: Fayetteville Education: B.S., biology, University of Arkansas at Monticello Professional background: In 2021, Knight was promoted to chief operating officer after serving as president of the Walmart team. She…

Women in Business: LaTricia Hill-Chandler

Residence: Rogers Education: B.A., business administration, LeMoyne-Owen College; M.S., management, Indiana Wesleyan University Professional background: Chandler has nearly 30 years of experience in DEI work. In 2019, she was named…

Women in Business: Jennifer Hardin

Residence: West Fork Education: B.S., education, University of Arkansas; Graduate School of Banking at Colorado Professional background: In 2021, Hardin was appointed Northwest Arkansas market president. The West Fork native…

Women in Business: Adriana Graham

Residence: Fayetteville Education: B.S.I.B. (international business), M.I.S. (information systems), University of Arkansas Professional background: Since joining Tyson Foods in 2004, Graham has served in multiple senior-level roles and led teams…

Women in Business: Helena Gadison

Residence: Springdale Education: B.S., communications; M.S. leadership, John Brown University Professional background: Since August 2019, Gadison has held a senior sales role for Conair LLC. Before that, she spent more…

Women in Business: Kourtney Barrett

Residence :Bentonville Education: B.S., organizational business, John Brown University Professional background: Barrett has been a real estate entrepreneur and brand builder since she was 18. Her most successful venture is…