Meet The Team - Women's Foundation of Arkansas

Anna Beth Gorman Executive Director

Anna Beth Gorman has committed her professional life to public service with a specialized focus on advancing the status of girls and women in our society. She has spent the last seven years advocating the value of the Girl Scout program, and youth services as a preventative tool in helping youth achieve their potential.

A student of nonprofit and organizational management she has worked to bring forward business professionalism and acumen to the mission focused nonprofit arena. She believes that a great mission needs a great business plan to deliver on its value proposition. With passion and commitment coupled with effective strategic planning Anna Beth led the efforts of membership, volunteer, and program enhancement in the Girl Scout program post the realignment of 5 Girl Scout councils in the state of Arkansas. With a strong belief that inclusiveness, integrity, and capacity building through strong relationships and partnerships are essential to any organization’s success, Anna Beth grew in her leadership roles within the Girl Scout organization.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hollins University, Roanoke, Virginia, Master of Public Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from University of Arkansas Little Rock. Anna Beth began her professional career in public service, working for the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs and then transitioned into the nonprofit arena. As a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, a Gold Award Recipient, Anna Beth is the Chief Membership, Volunteer, Program Officer for Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. She is the 2013-2014 recipient of the UALR Public Administration Alumni Scholarship and a 2014 inductee into the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society.

Anna Beth is an active member of the Junior League of Little Rock, currently serves as Chair, JLLR Nonprofit Board Institute. She is a proud alumna, active volunteer, and committed proponent of the Texas Bluebonnet Girls State Program, which encourages through civic education engaged citizen participation in the community in which you live.

Becky Flynn Director of Development

Becky Flynn is an experienced fundraising professional with a background in securing individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants, plus executing large events and comprehensive fundraising campaigns. A central Arkansas native, Becky is passionate about working to better her community and state. She believes strongly in the ability to create change by bringing together the talents and resources of many toward a common goal.

Becky holds a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Her work in nonprofit began at the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, where she spent six years raising money for music and music education throughout the state. During Becky’s time as Director of Development, she helped the ASO surpass its goal on a 3-year, $7 million fundraising campaign; she led the creation of Sharp – Young Professionals of the ASO; and she led ASO’s Arkansas Gives Day to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the organization.

A planner who loves the details and a good checklist, Becky enjoys taking on big projects and events. As the Marketing & Event Manager at War Memorial Stadium and then as the Education Events Lead at Arkansas Business Publishing Group, she had the opportunity to bring together large groups for great experiences. Her favorite events to execute have been the Soiree Women’s Leadership Symposium, WFA’s Power of the Purse, and Arkansas Razorback football games at War Memorial.

Becky is passionate about the mission of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas to ensure economic security for Arkansas women and girls, and she is grateful to have a place on the small but mighty team that works toward this goal. If you would like to join her in this work by making a contribution of your own time or resources, Becky can be reached at bflynn@womensfoundationarkansas.org.

Maddie Spickard Director of Strategic Programs & Initiatives

As Director of Strategic Initiatives, Maddie Spickard serves as the lead project coordinator for all WFA branded programs and initiatives including direct service, research, and advocacy activities. When she’s not advocating for women and girls in Arkansas, Maddie loves to travel, spend time outdoors, and play tennis.

Maddie was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas and is a proud graduate of Little Rock Central High School and the University of Central Arkansas. She holds a bachelors from UCA in public relations and a masters in public affairs from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs from Indiana University.

Francheska Parker Special Project VISTA

Francheska Parker is a native of El Dorado, Arkansas. She is an alumnus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and currently obtaining a Masters’ degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. She is also a Nationally Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

As well as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Francheska has a plethora of volunteer experience serving the minority population. She is very passionate about raising mental health awareness and drug prevention throughout her community. Francheska has dedicated her life to her living out her favorite quote which is “Our prime purpose in life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”

Madeline Burke Social Media and Operations

Madeline Burke helps create and publish content that strengthens the WFA brand and raises awareness about organizational projects and initiatives.

Madeline is a second-year master’s student at the Clinton School of Public Service. Her areas of interest are economic development and social justice. She graduated from the Donaghey Scholars Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. While earning her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a minor in Legal Studies, Madeline also received research grants and published several papers examining different legal or policy issues. After graduation and prior to attending the Clinton School of Public Service, she worked as a journalist covering stories on local politics and businesses at a media company in Little Rock. Madeline loves spending time with her mom, friends, and rescue pup Tinkerbell. She also enjoys painting, traveling, and going on walks.

Kara Wilkins Women's Economic Mobility Hub Coordinator

Kara Wilkins is the owner of KWilkins Consulting Group and is a solutions-focused communications and community engagement strategist. With an extensive background in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, she has honed her skills in communications, outreach, public policy, economic development, and advocacy/government relations.

As the Women’s Economic Mobility Hub Coordinator, Kara helps to lead the WFA’s ongoing efforts to garner additional support and resources for women entrepreneurs in Arkansas, particularly Black women owned businesses. In her spare time, she is a co-host of the Blackbelt Voices podcast, which has been featured in national publications such as Vanity Fair and O (Oprah) Magazine and was recently named one of Arkansas’ 250 Most Influential Leaders by Arkansas Business.