Walmart’s John Furner Among Speakers at Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy

Walmart US CEO John Furner and J.B. Hunt Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Shelley Simpson are among the executives scheduled to speak as the Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy expands into northwest Arkansas this fall. 

Furner and Simpson will be joined by Arkansas Children’s President and CEO Marcy Doderer, Field Agent CEO and co-founder Rick West and former Tyson Foods Inc. CEO Donnie Smith during the exclusive, five-session leadership development program. 

Executive Leadership Academy sessions begin Aug. 21 at 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville. 

Arkansas Business launched the Executive Leadership Academy three years ago for the state’s rising stars with help from Insight Leadership Group of Northwest Arkansas. The Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy is a unique learning experience that includes personal strengths assessment, one- on-one coaching, problem solving and mentorship. 

Those poised to be the state’s next CEOs, presidents or executive directors, and Arkansas’ small-business owners and entrepreneurs, are encouraged to apply. July 17 is the deadline to submit applications to attend the exclusive program.

“We are thrilled to expand the state’s premier personal and leadership development program to northwest Arkansas,” said Chris Bahn, publisher for business special publications at Arkansas Business Publishing Group. “We have access to some of the best leadership minds in the world right here in Arkansas, and we are thrilled to have them play a part in this unique learning experience.”

Dates and session topics scheduled for fall 2020 include: 

Aug. 21

Leading From Core Values
Marcy Doderer, President & CEO Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Sept. 4

Leading a Healthy Culture
Shelley Simpson, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer J.B. Hunt 

Sept. 18

Leading Through Crisis
Rick West, CEO & Co-Founder Field Agent

Oct. 2

Leading Organizational Change
John Furner, CEO Walmart U.S. 

Oct. 16

Leading Empowered Organizations
Donnie Smith, Former CEO Tyson Foods 

Class size is limited. High-potential candidates and business owners can apply. Class members will then be selected to participate in the academy, which consists of five Friday sessions between Aug. 21 and Oct. 16. 

Tuition for the program is $3,250. Sessions will be held at 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Bentonville.

Insight Leadership Group of Northwest Arkansas has conducted leadership training for Tyson Foods, Metova, the Hatcher Agency and St. Joseph Health, among other companies across the country. Insight Leadership Group has developed a custom curriculum for participants and will provide Total SDI strengths assessments and one-on-one coaching for class members.

“I would highly recommend the Executive Leadership Academy to anyone that is leading a team,” Rose Law Firm CFO and 2019 program graduate Paul Parnell said. “It equips you to develop the skills to both identify the different personalities on your team, and the best way to work with that team.”

For additional information on the Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy, or to apply, visit www.arkansasbusiness.com/leadership. Questions can be sent to cbahn@abpg.com or by calling (479) 595-9360.