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Summit Leadership Team

Chair

Dr. Todd Jenkins is the Founder and CEO of Bowtie Leadership & Development, Inc., a leadership management, coaching, and talent development training firm. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina, earned his Masters of Science from Illinois State University, and Doctorate degree from University of Arkansas. Outside of work, he is active in his community, an international traveler, and spends his time enjoying family and friends.

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Vice Chair

Ross is the Executive Director of Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders.  He believes that to make a big difference it is not what you know but how well you connect with the people you serve in your community. He was born and raised in Fayetteville, and attended the University of Central Arkansas where he graduated with a degree in Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication. Ross enjoys being outside whether it is hunting, fishing, hiking, or running.

Summit Administrator

Kayla Staple is an Information Technology professional at Tyson Foods. She is a Grambling State University alumna with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Kayla is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the National Urban League of Young Professionals. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys listening to good music, writing, and spending quality time with family and friends. 

Social Coordinator

Marlee Maier was born and raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas. She moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2012 to attend the University of Arkansas where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry as well as a Master of Science in Operations Management. She is now a part of the Merchandising Talent Program at Walmart in Replenishment. She enjoys traveling, networking, and spending time with friends and family.

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Marketing Coordinator 

Texas born and raised and Arkansas shaped, Bianca Montoya moved to Northwest Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. After studying Advertising and Public Relations Bianca jumped on board volunteering around NWA. Her passion for contributing to the community led her to get more involved in the local nonprofit scene. Currently, she is the Communications Director for BikeNWA the local cycling advocacy non-profit. In her spare time, you can find her working on communications and programming strategies for community nonprofits and networking groups’ special events. If she's not working an event, she's attending one.

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Program Development

Shannon is the Sales Operations and Analytics Manager at SupplyPike, a Supply Chain Software Startup located in Fayetteville. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2015 with a BSBA in Business Economics and a BA in Spanish. Shannon is one of the organizers of the Nowhere Developers Conference, which is a local pure technology conference focused on bringing continued education to professional software engineers in the community. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys traveling and staying active.

Service Learning Coordinator

Steven is a Project Architect with HFA Architects and Engineers in Bentonville. He grew up in Little Rock, AR before heading to New Orleans, LA to attend Tulane University where he earned a Masters of Architecture degree. When not working Steven enjoys checking out local restaurants and seeing shows at the Walton Arts Center or exhibits at Crystal Bridges. Since moving to NWA Steven has worked with several local non-profit organizations to transform lives in the community and he can't wait to share some of those organizations with everyone at the summit!

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Event Coordinator

Maddie Ward is the owner of Sonnet Weddings and Events, an event coordination and design company based in Fayetteville, AR. She loves spending time keeping deer and squirrels out of her vegetable and flower garden and volunteers with the Fayetteville Animal Shelter and NWA Community Cat Project.

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