Institute News in November 2024
Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
We continue Winthrop Rockefeller’s collaborative approach to creating transformational change.
In celebration of our upcoming 20th anniversary in 2025, we are excited to announce that, for the first time, we’ll be hosting a Walks with the Governor workshop each month for the general public! Plus, as our LinkedIn newsletter audience, we want you to have the first chance to reserve your tickets. Each event has room for only 25 guests. We will be offering the following dates and times:
Walks with the Governor is a unique leadership development workshop inspired by the life of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller. Participants are encouraged to embrace his collaborative approach to creating change by engaging in deep personal reflection, honest team building conversations, and exploring a legacy dedicated to progress.
Diversity of Opinion in Leadership
In part three of our ongoing Rockefeller Ethic blog series, Chief Program Officer Shana Chaplin considers the profound impact of inviting diverse opinions, both as a guiding value of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and as a personal and professional influence in her life.
"Authentic leadership requires humility — a willingness to seek out diverse voices. Transformational leaders like Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller understand that embracing a range of viewpoints leads to better outcomes. Diversity of opinion goes beyond ethnic or racial differences and isn’t limited to dialogue; it involves the complex, collaborative work of finding common ground through genuine deliberation.” (Read more)
Need a place to meet in January-March 2025?
If you plan to bring your group to the Institute between January and March 2025, now is the time to secure your booking. When you complete our Conference Application Form, use the promo code COMP ROOM 24 to lock in our lowest rates. As a bonus, event planners stay free in our premiere guest room – your accommodation is on us!
New seasonal menus await, crafted by Executive Chef Austin Bond and Director of Hospitality Kristi Strain. Join us in February for a Mardi Gras-inspired menu, Fish Fridays for Lent, and enjoy delightful extras like grazing tables, breakfast sundae bars, and sweet-and-savory crepes.
This is your chance to bring your group to Petit Jean Mountain and enjoy unique offerings you won’t find anywhere else. Book today and our Conference Services team will contact you directly.
How to Cultivate Transformational Change
Finally, we come to Transformational Change, the final component of our Rockefeller Ethic. Chief Strategy Officer Carder Hawkins shares his insights into how — through a commitment to shared values, collaborative leadership, and continuous growth — the Institute creates a culture where meaningful change flourishes.“
Over the years, I’ve learned that circumstances are constantly evolving. To succeed, we must embrace the lessons from our successes and mistakes, adapting as we go. At the Institute, we teach that transformational change isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a commitment to continuous improvement and positively impacting the world.” (Read more)
Institute on the Front Page
An article titled “Water use slips; saving it still called key: Summit highlights outreach program by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute” was featured on the front page of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s November 9 issue.
"Some program goals are finding ways to increase affordable access to water sources for farmers, with input from the producers, and ensuring agricultural leaders understand effective water management, Kimberly Bolin said, adding that the program sought feedback from 27 farmers in 13 counties with a goal to reach producers in all 20 counties in Arkansas’s critical groundwater areas to discuss water solutions." (Read the full article)
Water, Agriculture, Technology, Education & Research (WATER) is a new Institute program that aims to bring together the Arkansans feeding the world – producers, researchers, innovators, and future agriculture leaders – to create a collaborative effort for strategic, coordinated water use.
Employee Spotlight: Kristi Strain
This month's Employee Spotlight features Director of Hospitality Kristi Strain, who joined us mid-September. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations from Arkansas Tech University and an associate degree in Medical Coding from Southern Arkansas University.
After completing her graduate studies, Kristi worked as a claims adjustor for State Farm. She then worked as a development officer at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton and later became director of food service and hospitality. Most recently, she spent six years as a food service sales representative for Petit Jean Meats. In addition, she and her sister ran a successful catering business for about 25 years.
A lifelong Conway County resident, Kristi has known about the Institute from its early days and has always imagined working here. This became a reality after a mutual contact connected her with our team, and we’re thrilled to have her onboard! Kristi shared that her love for hospitality comes from her mother, who noticed her natural desire to make people feel happy and welcomed. She sees hospitality as an opportunity to create moments that make people feel loved and appreciated.
Always eager to expand her skills, Kristi expressed interest in expanding her culinary knowledge. Alternatively, she’d like to take a business course focused on investing. Outside of her work, Kristi enjoys reading rom-coms and self-help books and watching shows like Below Deck. "Not the party scenes, though — I just love seeing how they care for the passengers," she said.
The Holiday Season is Here!
The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and our Roustabout Coffee Shop will be closed to the public beginning Thursday, November 28. We look forward to serving you all again on Monday, December 2.
The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to continue Winthrop Rockefeller's collaborative approach to transformational change. We do this work by employing the "Rockefeller Ethic," which represents the belief that diversity of opinion, engaging in respectful dialogue, and practicing collaborative problem solving combine to create transformational change.