10 May 2026 501DER WOMAN 2026: Shelley Mehl

Shelley Mehl has spent a lifetime proving that meaningful change starts at the community level. As executive director of the Faulkner County Affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation, Mehl continues a mission she helped begin more than two decades ago. She was the founding executive director in 2001, when the affiliate started with ^$70,000 in assets. Today, it has grown to more than ^$16 million and has awarded nearly ^$10 million in grants to support local needs. 

That impact reflects a career rooted in service. From her early work with the Faulkner County Senior Citizens Program to leadership roles with United Way of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and the University of Central Arkansas, Mehl has consistently focused on strengthening organizations and expanding opportunities. 

“I enjoy working with the local nonprofit organizations,” she said. “They have such a heart for helping our neighbors and making our community better for all.” Beyond her professional roles, Mehl has helped shape the fabric of Conway through decades of civic involvement. She is a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Network, served as president of the Conway Rotary Club and has been a member of the Conway City Council since 2007. 

Her influence extends through mentorship as well. Mehl finds joy in seeing other women succeed and grow into leadership roles, often celebrating their accomplishments as if they were her own. She credits much of her journey to perseverance and adaptability. “Life’s unexpected turns can become defining opportunities,” she said, a lesson shaped by her own path into community service. 

Mehl and her husband, Peter, are proud of their daughters Rachel Weaver (Brandon) and Maggie Pierce (Josh) and three granddaughters, Whitney and Maddie Weaver and Jolene Pierce. Mehl’s work reflects a simple but powerful belief: when people come together with purpose, they can transform a community.

To contact Mehl, call 501.492.3559 or email [email protected].