Advisor to the local student chapters and liaison between NOARK and the student chapters. This committee monitors the NOARK scholarship endowment at the University of Arkansas for appropriate funding.

David Lensing

College Relations leader
David Lensing

1st Employment 

Contact

David Lensing serves as an Operations Manager at 1st Employment. In his role, he provides customer service by seeking out quality candidates and helps find employees looking for a good career. David has over 8 years of staffing and talent acquisition experience.  He joined NOARK in 2021 and is passionate about helping college students looking for jobs as they near graduation. 

David graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Arkansas Tech University.  David also played quarterback on the ATU football team.

Educate chapter members on the benefits of the SHRM Foundation. Coordinate annual fundraising drive for the Foundation.

SHRM Foundation Chair Alison Ward

SHRM Foundation leader
Alison Ward

Contact

Alison Ward is the Operations Manager for 1st Employment – Siloam Springs serving multiple companies in Northwest Arkansas and Northeastern Oklahoma. With over 10 years of leadership experience in Human Resources, Alison provides insight to human resource strategies, with a focus in industrial sector.

Alison is quite enthusiastic about her work using every opportunity to be involved in her community. She currently serves as the Foundation/Fundraiser Chair to the Northwest Arkansas SHRM Chapter.

Alison lives in Siloam Springs with her Husband, Robert and their dog, Sam. Her biggest joy is being a grandmother to five beautiful little humans.  Erin age 12, Carter age 3, Nolan age 3, Sawyer age 1, and last but certainly not least, Ryann age 8 months. Alison is passionate about her work in Human Resources because she loves helping others to receive the support and structure they need to succeed at work and in life.

Responsible for promoting an environment that recognizes, values, and celebrates the unique contributions and differences within the chapter’s membership and their organization.

Rachel Jessen 24'

Diversity leader
Rachel Jessen, M.Ed., SHRM-CP

Contact

Rachel’s interest in serving on NOARK’s board and Diversity Committee stems from her desire to amplify and spotlight diverse voices from the Northwest Arkansas area and bring HR practitioners insights and practical solutions for navigating the complex landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She has over three decades of dedicated experience in cultivating professional and personal competencies across diverse roles, industries, and global settings. She now provides organizational development consulting for organizations ranging from multi-site management companies to non-profit organizations focused on education and family enrichment.  She consistently aims to empower individuals and foster culturally intelligent people-centered employee experiences.

Rachel completed her M.Ed. graduate degree in Human Resource and Workforce Development from the University of Arkansas in 2022 and received her SHRM-CP and aPHR certifications in 2023. She has actively contributed to the HR community by co-chairing multiple HR conferences and creating and leading events focused on providing professional development both in-person and virtually.

Provide Chapter members with information on current legislative and regulatory issues that affect the Human Resources Management profession via Chapter publications and legislative seminars and workshops. This committee also conducts limited lobbying activities as authorized by the Board.

Legislative leader
Tina Gilbert 

Contact

Responsible for promoting the benefits of the professional certifications by planning and conducting Certification Review Courses, and providing access to other materials and programs that assist Chapter members who seek certification and/or re-certification. Also, responsible for recruiting, member services, and "Member Connect".

Amber Pate

Certification/Membership leader
Amber Pate, SHRM-CP, PHR

Contact

  Amber Pate, a seasoned professional in human resources, currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources at United Bank. With over two decades of dedicated service in the fields of payroll and human resources, Amber leads with a unique blend of expertise, compassion, and strategic vision.

   Amber plays a pivotal role in shaping United Bank’s organizational culture and ensures that United Bank remains a workplace that values its employees. At the heart of Amber's leadership philosophy is a commitment to positive employee relations. She believes in creating an environment where individuals thrive, teamwork flourishes, and employee engagement becomes the cornerstone of organizational success. Amber's strategic vision, coupled with her empathetic approach, has made her an influential advocate for employee well-being within United Bank.

   Amber attended Arkansas Tech University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Management & Marketing. She is also PHR and SHRM-CP certified. 

Responsible for developing, scheduling, and coordinating programs and seminars for the membership.

Programs Committee Chair Sheila Moss

Programs leader
Kristin Bro

Account Executive - Brown & Brown of Arkansas, Inc.

Contact

 Kristin Bro is currently an account executive at Brown & Brown. In this role, she specializes in connecting people and organizations to solutions that will help move them forward and grow. She takes a unique approach to learn your company’s priorities and goals. Then, creates an individualized strategy to assist both your company and your team grow forward.

  She has been in the insurance industry for nearly a decade, and is multi-state licensed in Property, Casualty, Life, Health, and LegalShield. Her work with both Brown & Brown and NOARK leads her to speak with C-Suite and HR professionals of multiple industries and professions on a variety of topics.

  Throughout her career she has held service facing roles in multiple industries and levels, helping her see the connections, disconnections, and struggles that can manifest within the workforce population. 

  As a self-proclaimed lifetime learner, she actively attends conferences on HR topics, diversity, and leadership to stay informed in this ever-changing industry. Books, podcasts and relative virtual learning   opportunities are some other avenues she likes to share and discuss.

   You may have seen Kristin, and her husband, Dustin, at any number of community events in Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding areas showing support by participating or volunteering. Eager to make a difference in the community and connect people to the right solutions they work as an energetic team creating a bigger impact and lasting impressions.

Promotes NOARK and its activities within the community.

Dustin Bro Public Relations Chair

Public Relations leader
Dustin Bro

Contact

I'm Dustin Bro, your dedicated guide in the dynamic realm of employee benefits at Brown & Brown. With a genuine passion for people and a knack for crafting robust benefit plans, I'm your go-to expert for navigating the intricacies of workplace well-being.

As a Corporate Benefit Strategist, my mission is to optimize benefit strategies, foster growth, and create lasting positive impacts for organizations. Specializing in developing innovative benefit strategies, I'm here to help you strike the perfect balance between competitive offerings, cost savings, and employee well-being.

Let's embark on a journey together to enhance your team's health, happiness, and engagement, ultimately driving success for your organization. Because, let's be honest, a motivated team doesn't just lead to a better work life – it also contributes to a healthier bottom line.

Cheers to building better futures, one benefit at a time!

Coordinates the Chapter's Wage and Benefit Survey of selected positions and arranges for its sale to members and nonmembers. The Wage and Benefit Committee also serves as a resource to Chapter members on compensation issues.

Kristin Bro Wage and Benefit Chair

Wage & Benefits leader
Kristin Bro

Account Executive - Brown & Brown of Arkansas, Inc. (NYSE: BRO)

Contact

Seeks to partner with community educational organizations to promote workforce readiness needs.

Nichole Parsons

Workforce Readiness leader
Nichole Parsons

Senior Recruiter and Career Coach - Arkansas Center for Data Sciences

Contact

Nichole Parsons is a Senior Recruiter and Career Coach, spearheading transformative initiatives at the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences. Armed with a robust staffing background, she excels in the identification and development of IT talent, leveraging skills honed during her tenure as an employee engagement coordinator, where her passion for comprehensive career experiences was ignited.

In this role, Nichole seamlessly combines her adept recruitment skills, insightful coaching methodologies, and a compassionate dedication to community engagement. Positioned as a unifying force, she seamlessly connects talent acquisition, career empowerment, and community enrichment, weaving them into a cohesive narrative of progress.

The Military Outreach Team (MOT) is a sub-committee of the NOARK Workforce Readiness Committee. The mission of the MOT is to fulfill the objectives of two veteran-serving grants obtained by NOARK from the SHRM Foundation.

For information contact: eat0@eau0eav0eaw0.

Helping the next generation of HR professionals get involved in NOARK and in our community.

Camille Dunshee, SHRM-CP

Outreach Director
Camille Dunshee

People & Culture Manager - Atento Capital

Contact

Camille Dunshee, SHRM-CP, People & Culture Manager at Atento Capital, is dedicated to crafting an inclusive work haven where exceptional talent thrives and becomes a vital force. Armed with strategic prowess, she propels human resources initiatives that seamlessly align with Atento's core values, fostering a workplace resonant with ' people-first,' 'exceptional,' 'humble,' and 'curious' ethos.

Certified by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and actively involved in local HR associations in Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas, Camille brings a wealth of expertise to our board. Her journey, commencing as the Human Resources Director for TheatreSquared in NW Arkansas, is marked by a BBA from Langston University and international studies in Brussels, Belgium, showcasing her commitment to a diverse global perspective.

Since joining Atento Capital in July 2022, Camille has been a driving force in fostering a high-performance culture. Beyond her professional pursuits, Camille plays a pivotal role in shaping the local HR landscape, prioritizing well-being, and championing professional development. Serving as the Outreach Director on the Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK) board, she contributes to the development and enhancement of the HR community. She aspires to make a lasting impact by facilitating upward mobility for new talent in the local venture capital and tech scene. 

Top