Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1356457
Erin was born in Stillwater, OK, but raised in Arkadelphia where she graduated from Arkadel- phia High School. After earning a BA in Political Science and History from Ouachita Baptist Uni- versity, she and her new husband, David, moved to Washington D.C. where she earned her Masters in Leg- islative Affairs. During that time Erin also worked as a state legislative assistant for the American College of Obstetricians and Gyne- cologists and did a stint as scheduler and executive as- sistant for former Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross. Erin's husband had been raised in Northwest Arkansas and she always imagined they would end up there. And, in 2006, they made the move back to the Natural State for David to attend law school at the University of Arkansas. Erin worked for the Uni- versity's College of Educa- tion & Health Professions for the next six years rising to the position of Associate Director of Development. She followed that with two years as Director of Devel- opment for the Division of Student Affairs at the University. One of the many bene- fits of living in Northwest Arkansas is the access to employment opportunities in some of the nation's premier corporate organi- zations. In 2014, Erin left the world of academia to be the Vice President of Development and Director of Foundation Relations for the Walton Arts Center. Two years later, she moved into her current position of Director of Strategic Initiatives for Global Responsibility at Walmart. In her current role she works to align and leverage Walmart's corporate and philanthropic efforts supporting the needs of Northwest Arkansas. She also leads associate and customer engagement programs. And if all of these extraordinary career accomplishments weren't enough, she has also man- aged to obtain a PhD in history along the way. Erin works out of the Walmart corporate offices in Bentonville, but she and her husband chose to raise their three children in Fayetteville. "Working in Bentonville but living in Fayetteville provides me with the opportunity to easily enjoy all that the region has to offer," Erin said. "Each community offers something different and unique which I truly love. Every area is distinct, yet we are considered one region. I love that there is always something to do and you don't have to trav- el far to find it—whether that is going to the Farm- ers' Market on a Saturday morning, calling the Hogs or enjoying our amazing parks and trail system." Erin speaks fondly of her experience in the Leadership Fayetteville Program. "It provided a great opportunity for me to learn more about the community," she pointed out. "I made new friends that I'm still close with today. I learned more about community organizations working tirelessly to meet the needs of our communi- ty and as a result was able to get involved in volunteer opportunities with various organizations that I would not have known about otherwise. I made lifelong friends and was connected to people in various sectors of the community who I have frequently called on to help me problem solve or brainstorm solutions in various roles I have held since I was in the program." Erin Turner Hogue Leadership Fayetteville Program 10