Community Resource Roundtable 2026
Advertisement
Event Schedule
11:30am-12:00pm - Round Table Networking with Community Resources Partners (Drop In)
12:00pm-12:30pm - Speaker and Partner Introductions
12:30pm-1:00pm - Continued Round Table Networking with Community Resources Partners (Drop In)
Round Table Overview
Join us for the Community Resources Round Table, a dedicated gathering designed to connect local HR professionals with a wide range of community resource partners. This unique networking event will showcase organizations offering vital services that can support your employees and enhance your workplace's community engagement strategies.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about free and accessible services provided by our invited local partners such as:
OZASA
Groundwork AR
Dress for Success NWA
Arkansas United
Jones Center
The new regional volunteer center
OLLI
This roundtable is a chance to build partnerships, share knowledge, and discover new ways to support your workforce through local collaboration. Whether you're looking to enhance employee wellness, strengthen workplace culture and belonging, or simply stay informed, this event is a valuable opportunity to grow your network and impact.
Lunch Speaker Overview
If you are joining us for lunch, please register so we have a food count!
Beyond the Workplace: The Business Case for Community Connection
Program Overview:
This session will explore how community service and volunteerism can enhance employee satisfaction, strengthen workplace culture, and improve talent retention. Using Welcoming Week NWA 2026 as a case study, participants will learn about regional efforts to unite students, families, businesses, and community leaders around service, leadership, curiosity, and belonging. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to align their talent retention and employee engagement goals with meaningful community impact.
Key Learning Objectives:
Understand the connection between community service and talent retention, including why purpose-driven work matters to today’s workforce.
Explore Welcoming Week NWA as a model for community engagement, and how it fosters belonging across generations and sectors.
Identify concrete ways HR leaders can activate employee volunteering in ways that reflect company values and build community cohesion.
Discover local opportunities to get involved in Welcoming Week NWA 2026 and beyond—whether through sponsorship, employee participation, or cross- sector collaboration.
Incorporate community-based initiatives into employee engagement strategies to boost morale, loyalty, and brand reputation.
Speaker Bio:
Margot Lemaster is the Executive Director of EngageNWA, where she has led regional efforts to strengthen inclusion and belonging across sectors in Northwest Arkansas since 2017. She oversaw the region’s first cross-sector strategic plan on inclusion and continues to work with local and national partners to build a more connected and welcoming community. Previously, Margot led the Ozark Literacy Council, expanding programs and launching its first workplace literacy initiative. She holds a master’s in international studies from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from UNC Asheville. A Fayetteville native, Margot brings global perspective and deep local roots to her work advancing community connection.
11:30am-12:00pm - Round Table Networking with Community Resources Partners (Drop In)
12:00pm-12:30pm - Speaker and Partner Introductions
12:30pm-1:00pm - Continued Round Table Networking with Community Resources Partners (Drop In)
Round Table Overview
Join us for the Community Resources Round Table, a dedicated gathering designed to connect local HR professionals with a wide range of community resource partners. This unique networking event will showcase organizations offering vital services that can support your employees and enhance your workplace's community engagement strategies.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about free and accessible services provided by our invited local partners such as:
OZASA
Groundwork AR
Dress for Success NWA
Arkansas United
Jones Center
The new regional volunteer center
OLLI
This roundtable is a chance to build partnerships, share knowledge, and discover new ways to support your workforce through local collaboration. Whether you're looking to enhance employee wellness, strengthen workplace culture and belonging, or simply stay informed, this event is a valuable opportunity to grow your network and impact.
Lunch Speaker Overview
If you are joining us for lunch, please register so we have a food count!
Beyond the Workplace: The Business Case for Community Connection
Program Overview:
This session will explore how community service and volunteerism can enhance employee satisfaction, strengthen workplace culture, and improve talent retention. Using Welcoming Week NWA 2026 as a case study, participants will learn about regional efforts to unite students, families, businesses, and community leaders around service, leadership, curiosity, and belonging. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to align their talent retention and employee engagement goals with meaningful community impact.
Key Learning Objectives:
Understand the connection between community service and talent retention, including why purpose-driven work matters to today’s workforce.
Explore Welcoming Week NWA as a model for community engagement, and how it fosters belonging across generations and sectors.
Identify concrete ways HR leaders can activate employee volunteering in ways that reflect company values and build community cohesion.
Discover local opportunities to get involved in Welcoming Week NWA 2026 and beyond—whether through sponsorship, employee participation, or cross- sector collaboration.
Incorporate community-based initiatives into employee engagement strategies to boost morale, loyalty, and brand reputation.
Speaker Bio:
Margot Lemaster is the Executive Director of EngageNWA, where she has led regional efforts to strengthen inclusion and belonging across sectors in Northwest Arkansas since 2017. She oversaw the region’s first cross-sector strategic plan on inclusion and continues to work with local and national partners to build a more connected and welcoming community. Previously, Margot led the Ozark Literacy Council, expanding programs and launching its first workplace literacy initiative. She holds a master’s in international studies from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from UNC Asheville. A Fayetteville native, Margot brings global perspective and deep local roots to her work advancing community connection.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
1000 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville, AR 72712-5196, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherSHRM Northwest Arkansas
