Clinton School Forms Inaugural Dean’s Advisory Board

The Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas recently named members of its inaugural Dean’s Advisory Board.

The board will provide advice to the Dean Victoria DeFrancesco Soto on strategic issues impacting the future of the school; act as ambassadors of the school and its students, faculty, and research; provide insights to the dean on how the school can enhance its mission of social impact; and assist in the recruitment of prospective students and the placement and advancement of its graduates.

The board will be charged with promoting and supporting continuous growth in the quality and dynamism of the Clinton School’s education, research, and outreach. It also will assist with generating financial support for students, faculty and academic programs.

The board members are:

• Former President Bill Clinton, founder and board chair of the Clinton Foundation (ex-officio). He said in the release, “The board brings together a diverse group of professionals from across the country who are leaders in their respective sectors. Each member will bring their own unique insights and will provide critical counsel and support as the Clinton School of Public Service continues to grow and find new ways to expand its impact.”
• Bruce Lindsey, J.D., counselor to the chair of the board at the Clinton Foundation  (Ex-officio).

• Donna Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and trustee professor of political science and health policy at the University of Miami (chair).

• Gayatri Agnew, senior director and head of the Accessibility Center of Excellence for Walmart.

• Kris Engskov, co-founder and CEO of FHCC, a senior mental and behavioral health care startup.

• James Filippatos, J.D., vice president for global public policy at The Walt Disney Co.

• Aldo Flores-Quirog, former deputy secretary of Energy for Hydrocarbons at Mexico’s  Ministry of Energy and senior advisor at FTI Consulting. 

• Mark Gearan, J.D., director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.

• Arturo Gonzalez, Ph.D., director of advocacy and research at Meta Platforms Inc. 

• Tara Hernandez, president of JCH Properties+, a real estate investment, consulting and development company.

• Colette Honorable, J.D., former commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and partner at Reed Smith LLP.

• Amy Kroll, founder and executive director at LBJ Women’s Campaign School.

• Dr. Dean Kumpuris, position 8 at-large city director for the city of Little Rock. 

• Linda Lopez, Ph.D., CEO of consulting firm Impact Strategies.

• Spencer Lucker, director of employment engagement strategy on the Detroit Mayor’s  Workforce Development Board.

• Donna McLarty, co-founder, board chair emeritus and board member with Vital Voices  Global Partnership.

• Frank Ross III, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs at Butler University.

• Rodney Slater, former U.S. secretary of transportation and partner at Squire Patton Boggs.

• Janet Walkow, Ph.D., executive director  and chief technology officer at Drug Dynamics  Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

• Alison Williams, Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s chief of staff.