Victoria Brown

My excitement and passion for public service was sparked in my teenage years while volunteering for the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. That experience led to many other volunteer capacities, including serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer. From there, I earned a Master in Public Administration from UA Little Rock, which I credit as a launch pad for my career in communications and community outreach. I currently serve as Associate State Director for AARP Arkansas where I lead communications statewide.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

How I knew this was my passion

When I found a career that allowed me to combine my love for interacting with people and my joy for making a difference in the lives of others, I knew I found my niche. Additionally, as Associate State Director for AARP Arkansas, I lead communications to educate and inform those 50 and older across the state on a variety of issues including health care, fraud prevention and caregiving. I’m tremendously proud of the work we do to empower AARP Arkansas’ 270,000 members and all Arkansans to choose how they live as they age.

Biggest challenges in my career

Like many, I never could have imagined experiencing times such as these. It has been rewarding to achieve so much personally and professionally in such challenging times.

A skill I never expected to need in this field

Knowing when to take time away to recharge.

One practice I use to maintain my mental health

Quite frequently my mind races with thoughts of upcoming projects and deadlines, family obligations and other tasks. With prayer and meditation, I am able to maintain a sense of peace and stillness that is so valuable for my mental wellness.

My first job and what it taught me

Cashier at Kroger. It taught me that the work I do does not need to be glamorous to be rewarding and purposeful.

Nonprofit I wish more people knew about

When many people think of AARP, they immediately think of discounts. AARP does so much to protect and create policies and legislation that improve the lives of all people, especially those 50-plus.

What keeps me coming back to my job every day

Loving what I do, the organization I am a part of and knowing that the work I do will ultimately improve the life of another human being is more than enough of an incentive to come back each day.

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

Take a deep breath, pray, then redirect with a stronger and more comprehensive plan of action.

Best advice I ever received

"Let your light so shine before men..." Matthew 5:16 Strive to live life each day as a person that inspires love. Through test and experience, I have learned there is nothing more important than to always operate in goodness.

The one thing I wish people knew about my field

Communications professionals have the tendency to make our jobs look easy, but I promise it's a lot of work and much harder than it looks. Being charismatic, culturally aware and always "plugged in" are simply qualities of well-trained communications directors.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

How I knew this was my passion

Biggest challenges in my career

A skill I never expected to need in this field

One practice I use to maintain my mental health

My first job and what it taught me

Nonprofit I wish more people knew about

What keeps me coming back to my job every day

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

Best advice I ever received

The one thing I wish people knew about my field

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Hometown

Mayflower

I can't start my day until

I read a scripture or positive affirmation

Hobbies

Traveling, photography and ATV off-roading with my fiance

Binge watch

"Queen Sugar"

Last good read

"The Water Dancer" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Favorite meal in town

Sea bass at Petit & Keet or Samantha's

Best recent local discovery

Fringe Clothing Boutique

Latest splurge

Airline tickets

Most-used app

Starbucks

Dream vacation

Seychelles, East Africa

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