The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and the Clinton School of Public Service will partner this week to present the inaugural Under 40 Forum, an overnight retreat designed to connect the honorees of the annual 40 Under 40 lists as published by Arkansas Business and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.
All 78 honorees from the two publications’ 2015 lists (there were two individuals on both lists) have been invited to gather at the Institute atop Petit Jean Mountain Friday and Saturday for this one-of-a-kind event. Gov. Asa Hutchinson will kick off the event Friday with an address and question-and-answer session. The participants will then engage in a facilitated discussion centered around recruitment and retention of young talent in the state. Matt DeCample, president of Aarch Communications in Little Rock and previously communications director for former Gov. Mike Beebe, will serve as facilitator.
The conversation about talent recruitment and retention will continue Saturday morning, with plenty of networking opportunities built in.
“Our goal for this meeting is two-fold,” said Skip Rutherford, dean of the Clinton School of Public Service. “First of all, we want to engage these young leaders in a meaningful discussion about the future of our state. Second, we firmly believe in the power of connection and collaboration, so we want to give them ample time and space to get to know one another.”
A report detailing the outcomes of the facilitated discussions will be published and provided to the governor’s office, the state Legislature and other state leaders.
“This is exactly the type of summit we think Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller would be proud of,” said Janet Harris, director of programs for the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. “He was known for using his beautiful space atop Petit Jean to convene the best and brightest minds in the state and beyond to advance solutions to Arkansas’ most pressing needs. We look forward to seeing what this distinguished group of people brings to the discussion.”
The Under 40 Forum is being held in full cooperation with Arkansas Business and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. The event is by invitation only to the 78 honorees, though Gov. Hutchinson’s address will be open to the media. The resulting report will be available to view at www.rockefellerinstitute.org.
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