Eighteen years ago, I stepped into the role of CEO at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation with a vision: to help build a more equitable Arkansas, rooted in justice, access and opportunity. I’ve been humbled to walk that path alongside countless community leaders, advocates and everyday Arkansans who believe change is not only possible but necessary.
As I prepare to step away from this beloved role this fall, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. Thank you for the partnerships, the conversations, the hard questions and the belief in something better. Thank you for challenging me, for trusting me and for holding me accountable. The Capitol, the Delta, the Ozarks, the River Valley and every corner of this beautiful state have left an imprint on my heart.
I especially want to speak to the women running nonprofits, businesses, classrooms, households and campaigns. You are the quiet architects and fierce defenders of community. You show up again and again, even when no one’s watching. And you lead with a mix of backbone and grace that deserves more celebration than it often receives.
And when the work feels heavy, when the gap between effort and outcome seems wide, I urge you to keep going. Keep fighting for those whose needs are unseen, whose labor is undervalued and whose voices are too often ignored. You are not alone, and your persistence is reshaping our state.
Don’t wait to be asked. Don’t wait to be perfect. Just lead. Prioritize purpose over perfection. Discovering and nurturing your purpose takes time, but it will be your guiding star in a world full of distractions. Women who embrace their journey of purpose are the ones who will change our world for the better.
At the foundation, the most fulfilling part of this work has been seeing the real, tangible impact of our grantmaking. Knowing that we’ve helped improve the quality of life for ALICE Arkansans — those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — has fueled my commitment every single day. So I leave you with this: see ALICE. Continue to support those who need it most. And keep lifting as you climb.
I leave this role with deep gratitude and an even deeper hope that more women will carry the banner of leadership and activism forward. Arkansas needs your voices, ideas and unapologetic brilliance. It’s up to you to lead our great state forward with clarity, compassion and conviction.
My journey has been one of purpose and privilege. But the real legacy is not mine alone, it belongs to every woman who dares to rise, reach and rally others. So keep reaching and keep cheering each other on.
With fierce love and solidarity,
Sherece
Dr. Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury is the outgoing president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.
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