07 Sep 2025 Person of the Month: Janet Harris
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Institute, and we’re excited to be in the beginning stages of master facility planning. We have a beautiful campus with historic properties built by Winthrop Rockefeller, so we’re thoughtfully balancing the dual priorities of preserving our historic character while enhancing the experience for our guests through modern upgrades.
We’re also launching a pilot program called the Arkansas Civic Leadership Academy as part of our Civic Arkansas initiative. Built in partnership with higher education institutions around the state, the program is designed to inspire and empower young adults to be engaged leaders in their communities.
We are taking a fresh look at how to more deeply engage guests with our mission. Bringing a group to the mountain for a retreat or conference is a significant first step. Still, we also want to make people aware of the variety of services we offer to make their collaboration more productive, including meeting design and facilitation, team building, and leadership workshops.
HOMETOWN:Conway
FAMILY: My husband is Jimmy Harris and we have a daughter, Bailey, plus three dogs named Doc, Dash and Daisy.
EDUCATION:I have a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and I am trained in facilitative dialogue and deliberation.
WHY A CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE? When I first entered public service, I felt a strong desire to help citizens connect to their government, to understand how it works, and how to get involved to change it when it doesn’t. Fundamentally, public service is about helping people and helping the communities where they live, grow and thrive. Over the years, I’ve moved from direct government service to nonprofit leadership, but the desire to help people stay civically engaged has not changed.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I am a graduate of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Arkansas Class XI; UCA Political Science Distinguished Alumna, 2016; Named to Arkansas Business’s Arkansas 250, 2022-2025; Top 100 Women of Impact, 2023; Arkansas Money and Politics 50 over 50, 2025; American Civic Collaboration Awards finalist, 2018.
WHO WERE YOUR MENTORS? I have been fortunate to work for and with many mentors who impacted me. My predecessor and friend, Dr. Marta Loyd, was always a great thought partner and encourager to me. My longtime boss, Charlie Daniels, put me in leadership roles that allowed me to focus on my love of public service and made me laugh a lot along the way. My first boss, Julie Baldridge, took a chance on me during my internship with Congressman Ray Thornton, and I learned a lot about public service from both of them.
HOW HAS WINTHROP ROCKEFELLER’S LIFE INSPIRED YOU?Two things inspire me most about Winthrop Rockefeller’s leadership legacy. The first is his fierce determination to help Arkansans see the possibilities for our state and his refusal to let anyone tell him that big dreams are impossible, even for a small, rural state like ours. The second is his kindness, generosity, and natural gift of connecting with people. The more I learn about him, through reading archival documents and listening to stories of those who knew him, the more I admire the heart he demonstrated for people. He consistently made people feel welcome and at ease in his presence. He had big dreams for what the farm and conference center could become, and he was clear that he wanted it to be used for the public good. We are challenged to live out that dream today.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I have been a member of Conway First United Methodist Church for a long time, serving as a lay lector and member of the church council. I serve as an ex-officio Conway County Economic Development Commission member and am a member of the Conway Symphony Orchestra Board. I serve as Vice-Chair of the University of Central Arkansas’s Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies advisory council. I’m also a band mom and proud Conway High School band booster!
SPECIAL INTERESTS:I have recently been having fun experimenting with watercolors. I love taking hikes outdoors and enjoying the natural beauty of Arkansas, and reading philosophy and poetry.
FAVORITE 501 DESSERT? This is a difficult question. Can I offer two? I love the cannoli at Pasta Grill, but I find the bread pudding at Mike’s Place equally delicious and tempting.
WHAT IS YOUR “MONDAY MORNING” SONG? “Right Now” by Van Halen.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE 501? Conway has been my home for the past 34 years, and watching it evolve, I feel like I’ve grown up with it. I get to live in a comfortable and familiar place, like a small town, but with big-city amenities. We have visionary leaders in Conway, great local businesses, trails, recreation, and opportunities to enjoy food, art, music, and culture. We’re just a short drive away from some of the most beautiful rural settings in Arkansas.
WHAT SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT THE WINTHROP ROCKEFELLER INSTITUTE? I wish more people knew that we are more than a conference center. Our people pour their hearts into hospitality because we know we have an important legacy to uphold, and our warm, friendly environment is simply the best place to have a meeting. On top of that, we have so many services that help people have better, more effective meetings, and we love helping you do that.
