LOWELL (KFSM) –It was a four month long nationwide search for the organization, but the United Way of Northwest Arkansas is pleased to announce Monday (Nov. 23) that Kimberly Aaron has been named as the organization’s new President by the Board of Directors.
In March 2015, following the retirement of former President, Jill Darling, Shawn Walker stepped in on an interim basis to fill the President role. Walker is a former United Way NWA Board member and held several officer positions in his six years as a Board member. Walker worked with the Board of Directors’ appointed search committee to start a nationwide search in July 2015 for a President.
“It’s a great day to be associated with the United Way of Northwest Arkansas! As chair of the search committee, I was extremely pleased that we had the opportunity to visit with many quality candidates for the President’s position,” said Jeremy Wood, Board Vice Chairman and Chair of the President Search Committee. “It was truly a blessing to see the community’s excitement around our organization as we went through the process of finding the best leader for United Way. I am pleased to say Kimberly Aaron is that leader. She will challenge and bring together our staff, our Board, and our community leaders to make a difference in people’s lives here in Northwest Arkansas.”
Aaron grew up in Springdale, has over 30 years experience in that business, public and nonprofit sectors, according to a press release.
She formerly served as CEO of the Arkansas Rice Depot. Prior to coming “home” to Arkansas, she was Executive Vice President of Strategy and Insights at the North Texas Food Bank and Director of the Institute of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Dallas, the press release states. Before joining the nonprofit sector, Aaron had an extensive career as a consultant in the financial services industry.
Aaron has a BSBA in Marketing and a MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas. She has served as a volunteer and on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations and city commissions.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Northwest Arkansas area and excited about the opportunity to work with the local community as we ‘live united’,” Aaron said. “Our focus on children living in poverty needs engagement across our region and I’m anxious to get started!”
