NW Arkansas Talent Showcase (March 2024)

It's time for another installment of our talent showcase, and we've lucked out again. ??

Below, you'll have the opportunity to meet and connect with Amy Smith, Andrew Bennett, Zach Robinson, and Laura Brown-Nicholson. Collectively, this cohort holds 8 degrees, including 3 Master's degrees. Beyond their strong academic backgrounds, you'll discover that each of them possesses a treasure trove of professional skillsets and a passion for life that extends beyond the workplace.

Featured Talent

Laura Brown-Nicholson - Field of Interest: Product Design (UX/UI Design)

Laura is an artist and designer residing in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She grew up in Kentucky where she formed her love and passion for making art through drawing and painting. Creating art from pencil and pen drawings to acrylic paintings was something she discovered a passion for in her childhood, which helped shape her creative approaches to her career and hobbies today.

She moved to Fayetteville in 2016 after she earned her first bachelor’s degree in Studio Art. Her then boyfriend (now husband) had moved to Fayetteville in 2015 to attend graduate school at the University of Arkansas and had told her how much he enjoyed living there. After living in Fayetteville and experiencing only a little that Northwest Arkansas had to offer, she fell in love with the area, and she decided to take another step in her creative career by pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. She earned her second degree in 2022 and began her design career shortly thereafter.

Since moving to Fayetteville, she has grown to love the Northwest Arkansas area even more and sees the boundless creativity heavily fostered within her community. Some of her favorite things since moving here are going to Crystal Bridges to witness the art exhibits and walk the trails, and attending concerts at the Walmart Amp. Outside of work, Laura spends time at home with her loving and supportive husband and two wonderful cats, Pumpkin and Pi (3.14), creating both traditional and digital art, playing video games, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.

Zach Robinson, MBA - Field of Interest: Human Resources/People Development & Higher Education

Zach is a dynamic professional known for his adaptability, positivity, and analytical mindset. With a strong belief in the power of continuous improvement and leveraging strengths, he brings a unique blend of skills to drive innovation and maximize results. Zach excels in identifying opportunities for growth and optimizing processes to achieve peak performance. His analytical nature allows him to dive deep into data and extract meaningful insights to inform strategic decisions and drive business success.

Zach’s belief in the potential of individuals and teams drives him to foster a supportive work environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated adaptability in treading through diverse challenges and industries, from finance to technology and education. Whether leading cross-functional teams or collaborating with stakeholders, Zach brings a flexible approach that allows him to effectively navigate complexity and drive results.

Outside of work, Zach enjoys date nights with his wife that involve a nice meal and a painting class at Painting with a Twist. As a new father, he cherishes spending quality time with his family, creating lasting memories. You can also find him hanging out with friends, engaging in new activities in town, or enjoying quiet moments binge-watching shows on streaming platforms. Zach is a person of faith and welcomes opportunities to give back to the community and leverage his strengths to make a positive impact.

Amy C. S. - Field of Interest: Higher Education

Amy is a dedicated and innovative higher education administrator and educator on a mission to find her purpose and make a difference. With a background in organizational management, compliance, academic administration, and curriculum development, Amy is adept at solving complex problems, setting goals, and leading teams to achieve success. Her experience in promoting student retention through campus and community programs highlights her talent for fostering collaborative relationships both on and off campus.

Known for her dependability, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and strong communication abilities, Amy is a hands-on supervisor who is willing to roll up her sleeves and work alongside her team to get the job done. Her leadership style is adaptable and people-centric, focused on creating a positive, safe, and efficient work environment. Amy values open communication, collaboration, and transparency, believing these qualities are essential for building successful administrative teams and achieving institutional goals.? She is committed to continuous learning and improvement, attending various professional development opportunities and encouraging her staff to do the same. Overall, Amy's work style and personality reflect her dedication to enhancing service and success.

Outside of work, Amy's kitchen is her playground, where she indulges her love for cooking and often experiments with new recipes and techniques. Despite the physical distance from her loved ones, she cherishes every moment spent with family and friends. Amy's diverse interests in music, music trivia, and movies reveal her multifaceted personality and her zest for life. Her dog, Oscar, a chi-weenie, holds a special place in her heart and is the most precious part of her life.

Andrew Bennett - Field of Interest: Community Engagement/Marketing/Event Planning

Andrew is a dedicated and committed individual with a love for interacting with and serving people. He is detail-oriented and enjoys working with a team to accomplish goals. Andrew has outstanding experience with managing events, ministry and grassroots marketing that is bar-none. Public speaking is Andrew’s wheelhouse, but he is also proficient behind a computer utilizing the latest marketing software tools. When Andrew needs time to reflect and appreciate life’s many blessings, he spends time exploring the outdoors with his wife and two dogs going kayaking, camping, or hiking in the Ozarks.

If you are looking for talent, we hope you will reach out and consider opening your doors to these bright and capable individuals.

If you would like us to facilitate an intro or know someone who might be interested in connecting with this talent, visit and/or share this link with them: https://people.getro.com/app/shared-lists/talent-showcase

If you would like to be featured in a future showcase, we invite you to join the Northwest Arkansas Talent Network and reach out to Justin Stewart, MBA on Linkedin or via email at [email protected]

Wishing you a year filled with growth and success,

Justin Stewart, MBA and Aron Shelton , Talent Initiatives Team at Northwest Arkansas Council

Previous Showcases:

• February 2024 Talent Showcase
• January 2024 Talent Showcase