Professional achievements
• Featured in 2025–2026 issue of Arkansas Next: Money.
• Ascending Bankers Section Advisory Board member through Arkansas Bankers Association.
Community involvement
Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber Ambassador; Fall Festival Planning Committee, member; Magnolia Downtown Merchants, member.
First job and lessons learned
“My first job was as a cashier at Dairy Queen, and that experience shaped me in more ways than I could have imagined. On the surface, it was a typical high school job — learning how to work the register, serve ice cream and greet customers. But looking back, the lessons I carried forward were far bigger than the paycheck.”
Biggest obstacle you’ve overcome
“One of the biggest professional obstacles I’ve faced was being the only woman — and often the youngest person — in a professional setting. Walking into those rooms was intimidating, far more than I’d ever care to admit. I felt the weight of being underestimated because of my age or gender, and that was a challenge I encountered repeatedly. It could have been discouraging, but instead, I chose to keep going. I focused on expanding my knowledge, building my skills and earning respect through hard work and dedication.”
A small habit that has helped you succeed
“Using — and truly operating by — a calendar. It might sound simple, but it has been an absolute game-changer for me. Juggling multiple roles across three businesses, community organizations, school, family commitments and my own personal life meant I was constantly forgetting something. Now, if it’s not on my calendar, it’s not happening. I rely on both a digital and a physical calendar so I can always have a clear view of what’s ahead. I color-code everything — nine colors in total — and add every event or meeting, even if I’m unsure about attending. This habit lets me see the big picture at a glance, prioritize what truly matters and plan my days and weeks with confidence. While it may seem like a minor habit, for someone with a busy, multifaceted schedule, it has made all the difference.”
What you’re most passionate about in your career
“At the heart of my career, I am deeply passionate about helping and serving others — making their lives simpler, easier and better wherever I can. That sense of purpose is what fuels me every single day. Whether I’m assisting a client in banking or a guest in hospitality, guiding a team member or solving a complex problem, I love knowing that my efforts have a meaningful and positive impact. I find tremendous fulfillment in executing a task seamlessly, seeing the satisfaction on a customer’s face and knowing I’ve helped them accomplish something important. There is something powerful about exceeding someone’s expectations and delivering an experience that feels effortless on their end, even if it took hard work behind the scenes to make it happen.”
Who you look up to and why
“When asked who I look up to, two people immediately come to mind: Chris Gosnell and Christy Ouei. Chris serves as chairman, president and CEO of Farmers Bank & Trust, and is — to my knowledge — the youngest, or certainly one of the youngest, bank CEOs in Arkansas. Leading an organization with more than 400 employees and over $3 billion in assets, Chris remains remarkably hands-on and genuinely connected with his team. He makes it a point to know employees personally and is relentless in pursuing improvement. Christy Ouei, who co-owns and operates Mule Kick and Lefty’s with her husband Burt — two of Magnolia’s standout restaurants — is another role model I deeply admire. Christy is a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word, always chasing the next opportunity, whether that means innovating within her current businesses or building something entirely new. She is a fiercely independent, strong-willed woman — a force to be reckoned with. For a young professional like myself, sitting front row to watch her in action is both astonishing and inspiring.”
One book everyone should read and why
“‘Find Your Why’ by Simon Sinek is a powerful, practical guide that challenges readers to dig deep and discover what truly drives them. It goes beyond surface-level motivation to help people define their core purpose — their why — which can transform the way they live and work.
A word that describes you
“Charismatic”