Heart of Arkansas United Way Appointed Four Board Members
The nonprofit expanded its governance team by adding executives from the local public and private sectors.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
The Heart of Arkansas United Way appointed four new members to its board of directors. The organization represents a major regional nonprofit in Arkansas.
Why it matters
Nonprofit board appointments provide organizations with new strategic oversight and community connections. Adding leaders from diverse organizational backgrounds can influence future governance and resource allocation.
The Heart of Arkansas United Way added 4 new directors to its board. The specific number of total board seats remains unstated.
The players
Heart of Arkansas United Way
A regional nonprofit organization that facilitates community health and education funding across Arkansas.
Priscilla Barnes
Human resources manager at the Central Arkansas Library System.
Sharon Lanier
Executive director of the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation.
Mike McClellan
President of Harrison Energy Partners.
Evanna Ojeda
Research associate at the Clinton School Impact Center.
The details
The new appointees include Priscilla Barnes, human resources manager at the Central Arkansas Library System, and Sharon Lanier, executive director of the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. Mike McClellan, president of Harrison Energy Partners, and Evanna Ojeda, a research associate for the Clinton School Impact Center, also joined the board. These appointments reflect the organization's move to incorporate diverse leadership perspectives from the library, dental, energy, and academic sectors.
Timeline
• September 22, 2026: The Heart of Arkansas United Way announced the appointments.
Market Landscape
This move follows a pattern established by the BoardSource Leading with Intent governance study regarding the diversification of nonprofit leadership through targeted board recruitment. The appointments align with established nonprofit trends of seeking professional board members to enhance oversight.
Operators should monitor these board shifts to identify potential changes in organizational priorities or funding focus areas. Understanding who sits on the boards of regional nonprofits can provide insight into upcoming initiatives that may impact local community engagement.
The takeaway
Nonprofit board updates signal shifts in organizational influence and future strategic direction. Leaders should track these changes to identify potential partnership opportunities within the local community.
Further reading
For more on shifts in local organizational leadership, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AMP.
