Meet the Council

Rachel ‘Nikki’ Skinner currently serves as the Human Resource Director for Farmers and Merchants Bank at its Headquarters in Stuttgart. She has worked in all functions of the HR Department since 2010.
Nikki has been a member of SHRM since 2013 and has served multiple years on both the ARSHRM Conference Committee and the ELLA Conference Committee.

Britni Rush is the Chief Human Resource Officer at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas and the Owner/Managing Partner of TalentRush Executive Search. For the past 10 years, she has served in senior HR roles in Arkansas Higher Education. She is currently serving as the vice president of administration for the Central Arkansas Human Resources Association and the Director of Governmental Affairs for Arkansas SHRM. She previously served as the president of the Arkansas chapter of the College and University Professional Association for HR (CUPA-HR) and as a board member-at-large for the CUPA-HR Southern Region as liaison to both the Arkansas and Oklahoma chapters. Rush has also served on several local boards, including Conway Young Professionals, Deliver Hope, Arkansas Community Foundation and Conway Regional Physician Hospital Organization, and has served as a Chamber Ambassador for the Conway Chamber of Commerce. 

Rush earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Leadership and Ministry from Central Baptist College (Summa Cum Laude) and a Bachelor of Speech Communication from Arkansas State University. In addition, she has earned the designation of Certified Professional from the Society of HR Management.

While she is an accomplished HR professional, she is most proud of her blended family (including 6 children) and enjoys spending time trout fishing and hiking with them.

H. Wayne Young is a partner with Friday, Eldredge & Clark and a member of the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group. He was named the 2017 Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award Recipient by the Arkansas SHRM. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of time and effort in local, state or federal legislative advocacy on behalf of the Human Resources profession. He is a member of CAHRA and was awarded the association’s Legislative Advocacy Award for 2018. He has been recognized for his work in labor and employment by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South by Super Lawyers where he was named "Rising Star." He is on the Board of Directors of Women and Children First and he is the past president of the Little Rock Downtown Kiwanis Club. Wayne currently serves as General Counsel to the Arkansas State Council of the Society of Human Resource Management. He graduated summa cum laude from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and attended law school at the William H. Bowen School of Law at UALR where he was a Bowen Scholar. Wayne was a Bowen Scholar at the University of Little Rock School of Law and won the Bogle-Sharp Award for Most Likely to Succeed in the Practice of Law in 2003.

Broderick Daniels is the Director of Human Resources for Southern Bancorp, where he is responsible for managing the HR Business Partner and HR Operations functions, including employee relations, engagement and communication, talent management, benefits, payroll, legal compliance, leave of absence administration and various employee initiatives. Broderick has over 25 years of experience in human resources. Broderick has served as a volunteer leader in several organizations including Central Arkansas Human Resources Association (CAHRA), Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management State Council, Black Human Resource Professionals Network, Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. Broderick holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Arkansas State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University. He was named the Arkansas SHRM Professional of the Year in 2024.

Rickie Smith is the director of public relations at Wright Lindsey Jennings in Little Rock, where she provides leadership and strategic direction for the marketing, media and communications efforts of the firm’s 80+ attorneys. She has been in the field of legal marketing for more than 12 years in Little Rock and has a background in journalism. Rickie has been involved in the HR community for more than a decade as a long-time CAHRA and SHRM member. She served as CAHRA president in 2020 and co-chair of the ELLA Conference in 2010 and has been on numerous other planning and conference committees for ARSHRM. An active community volunteer, Rickie is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas and has held many roles at First United Methodist Church of downtown Little Rock. She and her husband Sam have three pups and love to spend their free time at Lake Ouachita with family and friends.

Patti Airoldi currently serves as the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA), bringing more than two decades of comprehensive HR experience to her role. A dual-certified HR professional through both SHRM and HRCI, she has built an extensive career spanning payroll and benefits administration, employee relations, organizational leadership, and strategic HR operations.
Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated leader within the HR community. She has spent approximately 15 years on the CAHRA Board of Directors, serving in numerous capacities, including two terms as President. Her commitment extends to the state level as well, with over a decade of service on the ARSHRM State Council, contributing as a State Council Member and actively supporting key committees for both the ELLA Conference and the ARSHRM State Conference.
Her leadership and service have been recognized through some of the highest honors in the Arkansas HR community. She is a proud recipient of the ARSHRM HR Professional of the Year Award and the CAHRA Russell Gunter Member of the Year Award, reflecting her lasting impact on the profession and her commitment to advancing HR excellence across the state.

Tara Mauk Arthur serves as the Executive Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Human Resource Officer and Compliance Officer for Selected Funeral and Life Insurance Company headquartered in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She manages a team that handles HR, Compliance, IT, Customer Services, Benefits and New Business, and is a member of the SFLIC Board of Directors. Tara is a long-time SHRM volunteer having served as the Membership Advisory Council (MAC) representative for the SHRM Southwest Central Region in 2010-2011, and as the State Director for Arkansas SHRM in 2008-2009. She has held many volunteer positions within the SHRM state council and chapter structure, including chapter president, WCASHRM Manager's Seminar chair, Arkansas Employment Law and Legislative Affairs (ELLA) Conference chair, State Conference Chair, and worked on multiple conference committees. In 2007, Tara was named the Arkansas HR Professional of the Year and in 2021 was the recipient of the Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy award.

Dale Clinton is currently a Human Resource Business Partner with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s NWA Corporate Center in Springdale, AR where he supports over 800 exempt and non-exempt employees in a variety of business lines. Prior to joining ABCBS, he spent his 30+ year career in the recruitment and staffing industry working for one of Arkansas’ largest staffing firms. He chaired the Arkansas SHRM HR Conference & Expo in 2022. Dale is a member of SHRM and previously served as the At Large Membership Director on the ARSHRM State Council.

Donna serves as the Chief Human Resource Officer at Cyrus Works, LLC, where she leads and oversees all aspects of the company's human resource operations. With over 30 years of experience in the HR profession, Donna is a highly accomplished leader recognized for her expertise and dedication to advancing the field. As a founding member of the West Central Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter, Donna has been instrumental in fostering professional growth and community engagement within the HR industry. She has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as the State Council Director for the Arkansas SHRM (ARSHRM) from 2020 to 2022. Donna holds dual senior-level certifications in human resources, including the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation. Her passion for empowering organizations and individuals makes her a trusted advisor and advocate for workplace excellence.

Sonya Sanders is the Human Resources Manager and Safety Coordinator at Engines, Inc., with over 20 years of human resources experience and more than 18 years of service at Engines, Inc. As an HR department of one, Sonya supports all aspects of HR including employee relations, benefits, compliance, onboarding, and workforce support, payroll, benefits while also coordinating safety initiatives.
Sonya is deeply committed to the Northeast Arkansas community and believes in service that creates a lasting impact. She currently serves as the Vice President of Programs for NEASHRM (Northeast Arkansas SHRM) and has served in multiple board positions throughout her involvement with the organization. She also serves as Treasurer of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, supporting its mission to fight hunger and strengthen families across the region.
In addition, Sonya is the founder of the Period Impact Project, a grassroots initiative that provides period packs and hygiene resources to students and schools—helping remove barriers and support young people with dignity and confidence.

Rachel serves as the 2025 Arkansas SHRM Diversity Director. Rachel is a Change Management Lead Project Manager with Clarios supporting large-scale HR transitions and helping teams navigate change with clarity and strategic execution. In 2024, Rachel served as the NOARK chapter Inclusion and Diversity Committee Chair. She completed her M.Ed. graduate degree in Human Resource and Workforce Development from the University of Arkansas in 2022 and received her SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Practitioner) and aPHR (Associate Professional of Human Resources) certifications in 2023. She is a Change Management Specialist (CMS) and has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace certification from the University of South Florida. She also supports the University of Arkansas; Human Resource Development program by serving as an advisor to their annual HRD Summit student planning team.

Jennifer Vaughn serves as the 2026 Arkansas SHRM College Relations Director as well as the 2026 West Central Arkansas SHRM President.  Jennifer is the Human Resources Manager for Keeling Company  in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where she provides leadership and strategic guidance for all human resources functions, including recruiting, performance management, payroll, and benefits. Jennifer received her BA in Sociology with a Minor in Public Policy/Administration from Western Oregon University in 2002, her MBA with a Human Resources focus in August 2024 from Arkansas State University, and her SHRM-SCP in February 2025.  Jennifer has over 12 years of experience in Human Resources and Benefits Management, along with an additional 15 years of public service.  Jennifer is a certified Development Dimensions International (DDI) Facilitator and has 25 years of public speaking experience. Jennifer has been an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and West Central Arkansas SHRM since 2020.  Jennifer has served as the Programs Chair for the WCASHRM Managers Seminar and has previously served the chapter as President-Elect, VP for Membership,  and SHRM Foundation Director.

Donna is currently the Talent Acquisition Manager at Nice-Pak in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In her role, she is responsible for recruiting top talent and retaining the best possible employees for the organization. She not only supports the Jonesboro facility but also assists with recruitment efforts for the company’s Indiana and New York locations. 

Donna holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with an emphasis in Human Resources from Arkansas State University. She is actively involved in the Northeast Arkansas (NEA) Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), currently serving as President-Elect. Additionally, she has held the positions of past president and VP of Legislation and past Finance Director for the State Council. 

In her community, Donna has made significant contributions through her service on the Board of Directors for the Diamonds Girl Scout Council, where she has been involved as Secretary, and has contributed to various committees, including the Property Committee, By-Laws Committee, and CEO Search Committee. She has also served on the Northeast Arkansas Workforce Development Council since 2013. 

Donna is a member of the NEA Safety Council and has been active in the Jonesboro and Paragould Chambers of Commerce, further demonstrating her commitment to both her professional and local communities.

Doreen R. Mattes is the Director of Human Resources for the City of Maumelle, Arkansas. Doreen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. She serves on the UA Little Rock College of Business Human Resource Advisory Committee, the Arkansas SHRM State Council as Membership Engagement Director, and on the Board of Directors of the Central Arkansas Human Resource Association (CAHRA), a SHRM affiliate, where she serves as the Vice-president of Membership. As a Human Resource Management Consultant, Doreen frequently serves as a subject matter expert, panelist, and guest speaker on a variety of Human Resource Management topics including, Talent Planning and Acquisition, Learning and Development, Total Rewards, and Employee and Labor Relations; as well as an online facilitator for HRReview, Inc. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) and a certified Associate Professional in Human Resources International (aPHRi™).

Sam Smith, SHRM-CP, is the Vice President of Human Resources at Harrison Energy Partners in Little Rock where he provides human resources and risk management leadership for the company’s 220 associates spanning two states and five offices.  Sam received his BSBA from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.  He has worked in Human Resources for nearly 20 years across a variety of fields including construction, healthcare, advertising, and television.  Sam has been a member of the Central Arkansas Human Resources Association since 2004 and served as CAHRA’s Vice President of Marketing from 2019-2022.  Sam is a proud graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock (Class XXXVIII) and a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock (Club 99).  
Away from the office, Sam serves as the Vice President of the Harbor East Property Owner’s Association Board of Directors.  He also serves on the board of Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals with special needs in a camp environment.  Sam has also held numerous leadership roles at First United Methodist Church of Little Rock.  Sam and his wife Rickie enjoy as much time as possible at Lake Ouachita with their three dogs, family, and friends.