WFA Names 2026 Power of the Purse Honorees, Co-chairs

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas has announced its 2026 Power of the Purse honorees and event co-chairs. The 28th-annual luncheon will take place on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in Little Rock.

This year’s honorees are:

Marsha Martin

Woman of the Year in Business: Marsha Martin is a creative product designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the founder of Onyx Brands, a professional-quality beauty company. She began her career working alongside Sam Walton in Walmart’s corporate office before transitioning into cosmetology. She is also CEO of Dream Big Investments, serves on the board of the Razorback Foundation and is a longtime supporter of the American Heart Association.

Lottie Shackelford

Woman of the Year in Public Service: Lottie Holt Shackelford is a pioneering public servant whose career spans more than 40 years of leadership at the local, national and international levels. In 1987, she made history as the first woman elected mayor of Little Rock, following three terms as a city director. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the board of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, where she became the first Black woman to serve. A longtime leader in the Democratic Party, she served 20 years as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and now holds the titles of vice chair emeritus and chair emeritus of the DNC Women’s Caucus.

Mandy Macke

Woman of the Year in Philanthropy: Mandy Macke serves as executive director and vice chair of the board of directors for the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. During her more than 20 years with the foundation, she has directed significant investment-level gifts to nonprofit organizations across Arkansas, with a particular focus on advancing healthcare and education in Northwest Arkansas. She also generously volunteers her time and expertise to numerous organizations, including serving on the board of Arkansas Children’s Foundation, serving as vice chair of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS and many others.

The 2026 event co-chairs:

Alisha Curtis

A former Woman of the Year in Philanthropy in 2019, Alisha Curtis currently serves as the director of development for the Razorback Foundation. She previously served as a private bank advisor for Arvest Bank, chief of communications and legislative affairs for the Arkansas Department of Commerce, finance director for the Republican Party of Arkansas and a founding member of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s administration, where she held roles including director of operations and special assistant to the governor. She has been recognized among Arkansas Money & Politics‘ Future 50.

Ellon Cockrill

Also a former Woman of the Year in Philanthropy honoree (2018), Ellon Cockrill is a pioneer in public service for Arkansans. In 1973, she became the first state nutritionist for the Department of Human Services before shifting to non-profit work as one of the founding members of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. She currently serves as chair of the Arkansas Urology Foundation and as a member of several boards, including Alzheimer’s Association Arkansas, Home for Healing and Well-Fed.

“Power of the Purse is about powering progress in Arkansas,” said Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. “Each of this year’s honorees has moved our state forward through bold leadership, service and generosity. We are proud to celebrate women whose influence strengthens communities today and creates opportunity for the next generation.”

Founded in 1998 by 100 Arkansas women who broke barriers in their fields, the WFA was built on a bold vision: to open doors so that the women who are first are never the last. That legacy lives on through Power of the Purse, the organization’s signature fundraising event honoring Arkansas women whose leadership sets the pace for progress.

Tables and sponsorships are available now. For more information, visit womensfoundationarkansas.org/power-of-the-purse.