Meet The Team - Women's Foundation of Arkansas

Anna Beth Gorman Chief Executive Officer

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.

Dr. Mia Phillips Operations Manager

Dr. Mia Phillips is a seasoned administrator and educator who has extensive experience in creating and executing strategic operations, particularly in the non-profit, religious, and higher education sectors. She is a proponent of using systems, strategy, and data to increase the operational and programmatic efficiency of organizations to strengthen their ability to carry out their mission and achieve their goals.

Her primary mission in life is one that is inspired by her father: to make a positive impact on every person and every place she encounters. She currently serves on the Vera Lloyd Foundation Board and previously served as Chair of the board for the Arkansas Minority Film and Arts Association. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and an advisor for the L.O.V.E. Gospel Choir at UA Little Rock.

A native of El Dorado, Arkansas, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees from UA Little Rock. She and her husband Jonathan are the proud parents of two children, Jillian and Jonathan II.

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.

Kris Phantazia Smith Program & Communications Specialist

Kris P. Smith is joining the team as our Program & Communications specialist. In this role she will be developing social media content and assisting with the expansion of the organization’s brand recognition and programmatic reach.

Kris graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in Journalism (News/ Editorial) and African/African-American Studies. While on the U of A’s campus Kris studied music and stayed involved in the arts. She believes in the transformative power it holds and regularly participates in any capacity she can now that she has graduated.

Kris’ passion for social and racial justice sparked her interest with all things communication and digital marketing after witnessing the impact and reach that social media had when the Black Lives Matter movement began. Kris is excited to be able to continue that same life changing work empowering and uplifting the women and girls of Arkansas, and looks forward to her journey with the WFA.

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.

Dr. Megan Godfrey Save10 Project Coordinator

Megan Godfrey is an experienced educator, policymaker, researcher, and team leader. She spent 14 years as a public school educator of immigrant students, has a PhD in curriculum and instruction, and served two terms in the Arkansas legislature. She is the founder of Room 100, an educational and political consultancy built on her core values of excellence, engagement, and empowerment. Megan is married with two kids, she speaks Spanish fluently, she is an avid Jazzerciser, her favorite tacos are al pastor, and she loves the Razorbacks.

As SAVE10 Project Coordinator, Megan facilitates WFA’s initiative to empower Arkansas women to save for life and retirement. With her background in public education and her fierce commitment to expanding opportunity, Megan brings passion and purpose to her role of leading the SAVE10 for Arkansas Educators initiative and elevating the life-changing message of improved financial security for women across Arkansas.

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.