WOMEN TO WATCH

Kristin Merlo

President and CEO
Delta Dental of Arkansas

Delta Dental partners with Arkansas-based employers to provide dental and vision benefits for employees throughout the country. We also work with Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and individuals. Delta Dental is structured as a not-for-profit social welfare organization. I previously served as a COO and CIO in Virginia and Seattle. I earned an MBA and bachelor’s from University of Virginia.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

Best advice I ever received

Be not afraid.

One practice I use to maintain my mental health

I take short, outdoor walks to clear my head and work through problems. And I laugh – a lot!

Best career moment so far

Each day is better than the last. However, I really enjoy seeing people I have helped develop, grow and achieve great things.

What keeps me coming back to my job every day

The need to increase the number of Arkansans who are able to consistently access preventive oral health care.

A skill I never expected to need in this field

Cheerleading!

The first thing I do to course-correct when I hit a wall

I get a good workout and attack from a different angle.

How I knew this was my passion

When I realized that our business does well by “doing good.” The better our business results, the more we can give to our foundation to serve Arkansas communities.

The one thing I wish people knew about my field

I encourage young women who are results-oriented to pursue careers in business and in technology. The scorecard is clear and the opportunities are unlimited.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Hometown

Seattle

I can't start my day until

Express gratitude

Hobbies

Reading and cycling

Binge Watch

"Succession"

Last good read

"The Great Dissenter" by Peter Canellos

Favorite meal in town

Thin fish at Faded Rose

Best recent local discovery

Bennett's restaurant in Sherwood

Latest splurge

Coach backpack

Most-used app

Spotify

Dream vacation

Cycling through France

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