Elite ELLA Team

Chief Human Resources Officer, Director of Risk Management & Government Relations, John Brown University

Amy Fisher is Chief Human Resources Officer, Director of Risk Management & Government Relations at John Brown University. In this role, she is responsible for the administration and oversight of the university departments of human resources, risk management, food service contract administration, bookstore and mail contract administration, and legislative efforts. In addition, Amy serves as Title IX Co-Coordinator, overseeing staff related Title IX matters as well as providing university wide training opportunities. Amy provides strategic planning and oversight for all federal compliance issues including updated tax laws, Department of Labor regulations, and the Affordable Health Care Act. Amy has served in several positions with Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK), including past president. Amy has an MBA with an emphasis in Leadership and Ethics. She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Owner, Information Solutions Team

Sheila Moss is the owner of the consulting group Information Solutions Team.  She travels the nation each year presenting human resource related topics and providing training programs for corporations, financial and educational institutions, non-profit organizations and many more.  She is considered a subject matter expert in employment eligibility compliance and is widely known as the “I-9 Lady.”  Her consulting group has increased its nationwide presence with an initiative to increase positive workplace behavior through national speaking opportunities and corporate training events while specializing in social intelligence, conflict resolution, culture development, team building, leadership and more.

Sheila has been a frequent speaker at the Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management (ARSHRM) conferences, as well as numerous other events nationwide. She has facilitated for the University of Arkansas Global Campus and has worked in the banking industry.  In 2019, Sheila became a certified instructor of SOCIAL STYLE & Versatility®   In 2017, Sheila was named NOARK HR Professional of the year.  In 2018, she received the Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award from ARSHRM.  She was the ARSHRM ELLA Conference 2018 Conference Chair and the ARSHRM Annual Conference 2020/2021 Conference Chair.  She was named ARSHRM HR Professional of the Year in 2021.

Talent Development Specialist, University of Arkansas
Founder, TRAINIQUE, LLC
Consultant, Information Solutions Team

Judith Tavano, M.A., SHRM-SCP, is a long-time HR professional who sometimes calls herself a generational anthropologist because she is so fascinated with the behaviors of the people who inhabit the generations – especially in the workplace. Judith developed this fascination while practicing and teaching HR for the past 40+ years. Judith is a frequently requested speaker on generational issues, a current ‘boomerang’ talent development specialist at the University of Arkansas, a small business owner, a veterans-in-the-workplace advocate, a former director of professional development and instructor at the University of Arkansas, compulsive knitter, and crazy dog-parent. Judith holds a B.A./M.A. from Simmons University, Boston, MA., and the international designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP) from the Society for Human Resource Management.

Director of Human Resources Birch Tree Communities

Shayne King, PHR, SHRM-SCP, IPMA-SCP serves as the Director of Human Resources for Birch Tree Communities, Inc., a behavioral health care provider with eleven locations throughout Arkansas.

Shayne has served many years on the Board of Directors of the West Central Arkansas Society of Human Resource Management (WCASHRM) in various capacities, including president.  She has also served in multiple positions for the ARSHRM state council and ELLA Conference Committee.  In 2022, Shayne was named ARSHRM’s Outstanding HR Professional of the Year.

Southern Bancorp

Holley has been volunteering for ARSHRM and its local chapters since 2002. She currently serves as the ARSHRM State Director. She served CAHRA as President and also received the CAHRA Rising Star award. She has served ARSHRM as Foundation Director, Core Leadership Area Director, and Chapter Advocate Director. Holley has served on numerous ELLA and ARSHRM State Conference committees co-chairing the State Conference in 2011. Holley received the ARSHRM HR Professional of the Year in 2016.  She is an appointee on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and served as President of the Board of Education for Benton Public Schools. Holley directs the Talent Acquisition efforts for Southern Bancorp.

Human Resources Director Northwest Health

Kinyata Gray is currently the Human Resources Director at Northwest Health in Bentonville, AR. With over a decade of experience in the health care and human resources arena, Kinyata leads the human resources function for Northwest's Bentonville campus and clinic enterprises. Kinyata does so passionately and humbly while serving as an adept resource to leaders, an advocate for employees, and a driver of change. Prior to this position, she served as Human Resources Manager at NEA Baptist Health System and as Employee Relations Manager at St. Bernards Healthcare. There, Kinyata created her organization's first affinity group to promote diversity and inclusion efforts. Kinyata has served as President of NEASHRM, held positions on the ARSHRM State Council, and most notably on SHRM's Emerging Professional Advisory Council. 

Kinyata is a graduate of Harding University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in health care administration. Kinyata also earned an MBA from the University of Central Arkansas. Kinyata holds a PHR and SHRM-CP certification.  

Executive Vice President, Selected Funeral and Life Insurance Company

Tara Mauk Arthur, PHR, SHRM-CP, FLMI, serves as the Executive Vice President, Corporate Services and the Chief Human Resource Officer and Compliance Officer for Selected Funeral and Life Insurance Company headquartered in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

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.

Director of Human Resources & Sales Support, RPM GROUP

Patti Airoldi is the Director of Human Resources & Sales Support for the RPM Group, one of the state’s oldest and largest real estate firms, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Patti is a long-time SHRM member and volunteer. She has served numerous years on the Board of Directors of the Central Arkansas Human Resource Association (CAHRA) in various capacities, including president.  She’s also served in a number of positions for the ARSHRM State Council and on several state conference committees.  In 2018, Patti was the recipient of CAHRA’s Russell Gunter Member of the Year Award and was named ARSHRM’s Outstanding HR Professional of the Year in 2019.

Director of Human Resources, Northwest Health

Cindy Ruffing is currently a Director of Human Resources for Northwest Health, a five-hospital system and affiliated clinics in northwest Arkansas. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Management, has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by the HR Certification Institute and a Senior Certified Professional by the Society of Human Resources Management. 

Cindy’s recent recognitions include 2021 ARSHRM HR Best Practices Award, Northwest Health Director of the Year - Siloam Springs Regional Hospital 2020, NOARK HR Professional of the Year in 2019, and 2018 Director of the Year Northwest Health – Physicians’ Specialty Hospital. Cindy currently serves as Past President to the Northwest Arkansas SHRM Chapter, Education Committee Chair for ASHHRA, serves on National ASHHRA Board and is a past Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce in Siloam Springs where she resides with her husband, one (of four) children and two rescue dogs.

Director of Human Resources & Assistant Title IX Coordinator, John Brown University

Melanie Kennedy is the Director of Human Resources at John Brown University where she is responsible for administering all HR functions and Payroll Processing.  She has worked at John Brown University for 19 years and has worked in HR since 2012. Melanie is certified as a SHRM Certified Professional, and is an active member in her local HR association NOARK.

VP of HR, WhyteSpyder LLC

Cathleen Hoffman, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is currently VP of HR with WhyteSpyder LLC. In this role, Cathleen is responsible for the overall management, planning, directing, and evaluating of all functions and policies within the Human Resource Department. This includes assuming the role of Safety Coordinator and Corporate Trainer. Cathleen has more than 25 years of Human Resource experience.

Cathleen completed her BA in Psychology/Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas in 1995, her MSLE at John Brown University in 2002, and her MBA at John Brown University in 2011.

Cathleen has been a member of the Northwest Arkansas Human Resource Association (NOARK) since 2000. During her tenure at NOARK she has served in various roles and is currently the Chapter Administrator. She is currently the 2023 Sponsorship Chair for ELLA and the AR SHRM State Conference. She has been a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) since 2003. Cathleen is a past Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management (ARSHRM) State Director.

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Southern Bancorp

Holley has been volunteering for ARSHRM and its local chapters since 2002. She currently serves as the ARSHRM State Director. She served CAHRA as President and also received the CAHRA Rising Star award. She has served ARSHRM as Foundation Director, Core Leadership Area Director, and Chapter Advocate Director. Holley has served on numerous ELLA and ARSHRM State Conference committees co-chairing the State Conference in 2011. Holley received the ARSHRM HR Professional of the Year in 2016.  She is an appointee on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and served as President of the Board of Education for Benton Public Schools. Holley directs the Talent Acquisition efforts for Southern Bancorp.

President, The Human Resources Team

Tim is the President of The Human Resources Team, a Little Rock based human resources management consulting company. His consulting firm provides assistance and resources in preparation, training, support and implementation of Affirmative Action Plans with Positive Solutions. He works with a wide and diverse range of industries including banks and financial institutions, utilities, health care, technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, nonprofit, construction, and service organizations. He has over 30 years of experience in all areas of functional areas of HR as a Director of Human Resources in manufacturing, service and financial industries and in his consulting firm with clients’ coast to coast. He is a top-rated speaker on the topic of Affirmative Action compliance for SHRM and other conferences and many other professional associations and conferences across the country. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Member Award from the local SHRM chapter and the Arkansas Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. He received the Arkansas Human Resources Professional of the Year Award, was finalist for the SHRM National Award for Professional Excellence and the Jim Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Resources.

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