Board

Garrett Washington

Board Interim President | Market President for Commercial Lending, Great Southern Bank

Cassie Murray

Board Vice President/Secretary | US Omni Channel Manager, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

Holly L. Sutton

Board Treasurer | Sr. Director-Tax Department, Tyson Foods

Ashley Abel

Director, Digital Product Strategy & Governance, Walmart

Deanah Baker

SVP General Merchandise Manager of Apparel, Walmart

Andre Crawford

Merchandising Director, Walmart

Nicole Foote

Senior Director Business Development, Walmart, Kellogg’s

Hunter Haynes

Owner, HCH Consulting

Emily A. Neal

Partner, Eldridge Brooks Partners Law Firm

Simone Schwarze

Category Account Manager eCommerce, Nestle

Lauren Spear

VP of Sales for Walmart & Sam’s Club, Mars Inc.

Board Interim President | Market President for Commercial Lending, Great Southern Bank

Garrett Washington

Garrett here! I am finishing up my term on the Board of Directors this year. It has been a good learning experience, and I love the work the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter does. I love the passion and drive to assist within the community, and the collective effort by everyone involved in the organization to get things accomplished! We appreciate the generous support of the NWA Community! My wife and I really enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities, and our dog does, too! Crossfit and working out are big parts of my life, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Board Vice President/Secretary | US Omni Channel Manager, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

Cassie Murray

Hi everyone! I’m Cassie. I joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and am honored to serve as the Vice President of the Board currently. My biggest passion for our work comes from knowing that we serve everyone – if your home isn’t safe, we want to help you – we do not discriminate. The work we do is vital in ensuring that people are safe here in NW Arkansas. Thank you for the support you give us. It is immeasurable and vitally important to the success of our programs. Together we can build an established safe haven to help even more people.

Board Treasurer | Sr. Director-Tax Department, Tyson Foods

Holly L. Sutton

Director, Digital Product Strategy & Governance, Walmart

Ashley Abel

Hi, my name is Ashley, and I am the Past-President of the Board for the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter. For the past four years, I have served on the board for the NWAWS in some capacity. At the NWAWS, we do not discriminate against anyone who needs our services because domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. If you feel unsafe under your roof, we will help you! In me free time, I enjoy yoga and reading. Thank you for your support of our organization!

SVP General Merchandise Manager of Apparel, Walmart

Deanah Baker

Hi there! My name is Deanah, and I have been on the board at the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter since 2015. One of my favorite things about being on the board is knowing that the NWAWS is helping immediately in crisis situations. Also, I love how the NWAWS can provide long-term support with our outreach services even after clients move out of shelter. When I am not at work or volunteering, I love to work out, shop, eat, and spend time with family and friends.

Merchandising Director, Walmart

Andre Crawford

My name is Andre and I joined the NWAWS Board in 2022. I joined the NWAWS Board because I love the ability to give back to the community and help those in need. Our group of leaders genuinely cares and are here to serve. My hope is that all survivors of abuse know we hear you, we see you, and we’re here to support you. I hope all survivors of abuse know we hear you, we see you and we’re here to support you to the best of our ability.

Senior Director Business Development, Walmart, Kellogg’s

Nicole Foote

Hello there! My name is Nicole and I am so excited to be on the Board of Directors for the NWA Women’s Shelter! I officially joined in 2022, but have been engaged with the work at NWAWS for many years prior to that. I serve on the board of the NWAWS because I want to drive awareness and make an impact. Domestic violence comes in many different forms & your socioeconomic status doesn’t protect you. Several years ago, I had a very good friend who became a victim to domestic violence and the women’s shelter helped save her life. Without the shelter she might not be here today. My vision for NWAWS is to continue to build strength, awareness and education in the community. Building a community that has open, honesty conversations about domestic violence and how we can help. I want everyone to know we are hear to listen, offer support, provide resources and respect your choices. Our goal is to support you on every step of your journey.

Owner, HCH Consulting

Hunter Haynes

Hey you: I’ve had the awesome opportunity of joining the NWAWS Board of Directors the summer of 2020. I am honored to have been asked to serve in this capacity. I am constantly amazed and humbled by the entire staff and their accomplishments at the shelter to date; I am fortunate to have the opportunity to support their efforts to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. As a human being here in NWA, I feel it is our responsibility to do what we can to make NWA a safe place for all people to live and raise their family. In my free time I enjoy being anywhere with my kiddos and of course this great place we call home “ The Natural State”.

Partner, Eldridge Brooks Partners Law Firm

Emily A. Neal

Emily here! I have had the honor of being on the board at the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter since early 2019. My favorite part about my position on the board is serving the community I live in through my gifting as an attorney! When I am not serving on the board, I love to hike, do yoga, read, be a tourist, and I am also a proud baseball mom.

Category Account Manager eCommerce, Nestle

Simone Schwarze

My journey as a board member for the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter started three years ago, and I have learned so much during that time. I am amazed how the community stands behind us and supports the NWAWS during the most challenging times. Also, I love how much passion the NWAWS staff has as they work to break the cycle of DV in NWA. It’s just very inspiring, and I continue to learn from the NWAWS every day. Some of my hobbies include spending time with family, playing tennis, or reading a good book!

VP of Sales for Walmart & Sam’s Club, Mars Inc.

Lauren Spear

Hi! I’m Lauren and I joined the NWAWS Board of Directors in the beginning of 2022. I am passionate about serving women and children in the best way I can. I love calling NWA my home and am eager to make a positive impact in the community. I want everyone to know that NWAWS touches lives of families in NWA and they need the help and support of our community to continue to make an impact. My hope is that we can diminish domestic violence in our community and empower all of the courageous survivors.