Rickie J. Smith
Director of Public Relations, Wright Lindsey Jennings
Co-Leader, Woman-Run
About me: I’ve been a legal marketer for almost 15 years, now leading the strategic marketing, advertising, media and communications efforts for WLJ’s 77 attorneys and help drive our Woman-Run initiative.
Some of the organizations near and dear to my heart include First United Methodist Church of Downtown Little Rock, Junior League of Little Rock, Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, Riverfest, Keep Little Rock Beautiful, Camp Aldersgate, Baptist Health Foundation and the Central Arkansas Human Resources Association.
Originally from west Texas, I am a proud graduate of Vanderbilt University, the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas and Leadership Arkansas Class VII. My husband Sam and I have three pups and love to spend time at Lake Ouachita with family and friends.
Lives/Works in: Little Rock
Best Career Advice: My grandma always did two things: She showed up for people and she was kind. I’ve learned that those two things are almost always within our control and that they’re impactful. They build trust, accountability and a positive mindset. I try to emulate those actions as best I can.
Proudest Moment of Impact: Seeing the community form around our Woman-Run initiative and other like-minded missions. We launched Woman-Run to connect women business owners and leaders through education, resources, networking and mentorship. There are so many impactful women on this list we have partnered with in this collective effort. It’s humbling to realize that our work is valued and making a difference, and I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve built along the way.
Call to Action: The ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of women in Arkansas are tremendous. Women reinvest more in their communities and families, increasing opportunities for other women. But a lack of access remains a huge barrier — access to capital, investors, leadership positions, education, wealth. When we don’t invest in women, we all lose. Get to know the organizations and women on this list and let’s work together to continue to improve the status of women in Arkansas.
TOP 100 WOMEN OF IMPACT IN ARKANSAS 2023
A Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Initiative