Jeannette Balleza Collins' professional experience involves developing community-building strategies and launching innovative economic development programs that cultivate mental, relational, and financial capital for shared prosperity.
She is Board President for Southern Capital Project and serves on the boards for Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll/EparaTodos) Northwest Arkansas, Ark Angel Alliance, NEXXT Women, Arkansas Center for Impact Investing Working Group, Arkansas Capital Scan, and John Brown University Soderquist College of Business. She is a Steering Committee Member for Northwest Arkansas Product Management Guild, Executive Sponsor for Get Shift Done for Northwest Arkansas, as well as Advisor to both the Validation Fund at Winrock International and FindingNWA’s Life Works Here moving initiative. She routinely mentors entrepreneurs and advises non-profit leaders.
Lisa Brence is the director of Walmart Films, leading the Fortune 1 company's corporate affairs video team. She joined Walmart in 2023 after spending 21 years in television news, most notably as News Director of KNWA & FOX24-TV in Fayetteville. Lisa's expertise includes recruiting, hiring, and training journalists and videographers, developing strategic coverage plans, and producing a wide range of television and digital content, from local events to national highlights like political debates and Olympic Games coverage. A University of Arkansas Broadcast Journalism graduate, she excels in writing and visual storytelling, with a strong track record of nurturing talent. Lisa's leadership led her team to multiple Emmy nominations and wins. Beyond work, she enjoys family time with her son Cooper, traveling, exploring art, and visiting local craft breweries.
As a lifelong Arkansan, Graham got his start in the arts and hospitality, opening and running multiple restaurants, and playing music for close to 20 years. His life's work sits at the intersection of community and economy with the last decade-plus dedicated to improving the quality of life and economic situations of Arkansans across the state.
Graham’s wife Lisa is a committed early childhood educator serving the needs of Arkansas’ children and families. They live in Bentonville with their daughter Sissy (age 11) and son William (age 14.) The Cobbs enjoy riding bikes, running, playing music, making art, and attending concerts together.
Josh Hall, LCSW, serves as a Vice President at Excellerate Foundation and Executive Director of Hark at Excellerate Foundation. Josh's passion, strategic vision, and compassionate leadership, drives his efforts to create lasting impact and empower individuals to thrive. His dedication to excellence and unwavering commitment to service make him a driving force in the community.
Josh began his journey in social work by earning his Bachelor's from the University of Oklahoma, followed by a Master's from the University of Arkansas. His achievements and practical experience over the past 15 years have equipped him with the tools to effect positive change in individuals and communities.
Though not originally from Northwest Arkansas, Josh, alongside his wife and two sons, have firmly planted their roots in NWA. Over 16 years, they have embraced the community and all it has to offer, fostering a deep connection and commitment to its well-being.
Kassie Misiewicz (Artistic Director & Founder of Trike Theatre) is a professional theatre for youth director and educator. Kassie earned her MFA in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University and a BA in Theatre from University of Notre Dame. Before starting Trike Theatre in 2008, Kassie was the co-founder and first artistic director of TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, AR, Director of Education Outreach at Seattle Children's Theatre and Associate Artistic Director at First Stage Children's Theatre in Milwaukee. Currently, she is a national arts integration consultant with Focus5 and a national teaching artist with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Kassie loves to travel with her family and have spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen.
Bjorn Simmons is a creative entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and venture catalyst. He lives in the world of inclusive innovations working with cities and companies across the country to increase diverse representation in thriving economies. Bjorn has founded and co-founded several innovative companies including SimmCo, Wyzerr, Venture Noire, and Rock-AR-Vote. He also serves as the Chairman for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Sam M Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas where he is also an alum.
Olivia took the leadership role of TFF in 2018. Her professional experience began at a young age through involvement at Tyson Foods where her interest in employee well-being took root. She values the importance of diverse perspectives and creating inclusive environments through supporting the arts, culture, and maker communities of NWA.
Outside of NWA, Olivia is currently working on a three-year human-centered design project based in Lao PDR as a member of Maverick Collective, a division of PSI, focusing on expanding healthcare access to the country’s ethnic minority groups, learnings she plans to apply to her future work in Arkansas. Her hope is that her work will support the growth of the NWA community toward a more equitable mindset. In addition, Olivia continues leading her family’s heritage programs such as the Tyson Family Scholarship.
Dr. Lia Uribe is the Associate Dean for the Arts & Humanities and a Professor at the University of Arkansas, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. She joined the Department of Music in 2013, serving as faculty, director of undergraduate studies, vice chair, and department chair.
An internationally acclaimed bassoonist, Uribe's research focuses on Latin American and historically underrepresented music and composers. She founded the RefleXions Music Series in 2019, championing creative justice, and hosts Sound Perimeter, an NPR/KUAF podcast highlighting diverse musical voices.
Uribe has performed and taught globally, from the U.S. to Japan, Spain to Colombia. She is a facilitator for the Mid-America Arts Alliance Artist INC program and a board member of the Creative Arkansas Community Hub and Exchange (CACHE).
As Associate Dean, Uribe collaborates with leaders in the arts and humanities to promote excellence in scholarship, creative work, and inclusive governance across units. She advises on key challenges, successes, and aligns efforts with the mission of the College and University.
Uribe holds music degrees from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, the University of Arkansas, the University of Kansas, and an MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute.