Bethania Baray-Harrison
Director of Talent Attraction, Jonesboro Unlimited
Bethania Baray-Harrison is an award-winning storyteller, strategist and director of talent attraction at Jonesboro Unlimited. In this role, she leads strategies to position the city as a premier destination for top talent.
She created Always Jonesboro, a talent attraction initiative showcasing the city’s quality of life, career opportunities and vibrant community. The initiative has earned national recognition, including an International Economic Development Council Excellence Award, three Gold American Advertising Awards and the Best of Show honor at the 2026 ADDY Awards.
Before transitioning to economic development, Baray-Harrison built a career in the performing arts. As a McCleave Fellow and later director of education and civic programs at Opera Memphis, she expanded partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities and Latinx organizations, while mentoring young artists who advanced to the Metropolitan Opera. She also served as director of opera and vocal instructor at Arkansas State University. Her creative impact earned her a spot on the Memphis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 class in 2022.
Born in Mexico and raised in the United States, Baray-Harrison uses storytelling, creativity and community engagement to connect people and open doors of opportunity.
She holds a master's degree from the University of Arizona and a bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University. Baray-Harrison serves on the boards of Opera Memphis, the Delta Symphony Orchestra and the Jonesboro Church Health Center.
Alexandra Bowen
Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Regional President for Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas, Simmons Bank
Alexandra Bowen serves as senior vice president and private wealth regional president for Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas at Simmons Bank. In this role, she leads strategic growth and client service initiatives for high-net-worth individuals and families, bringing a relationship-focused approach to wealth management.
Bowen combines a legal, financial and accounting foundation to guide clients through complex wealth planning decisions. A certified public accountant, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a law degree from the University of Arkansas. She earned a Master of Laws in taxation from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Simmons Bank, she was in private legal practice, focusing on financial and estate planning matters.
Originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Bowen maintains strong ties to her community and region. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys playing mahjong and tennis, and spending time with her family.
Catherine Brumbaugh
Director of Training & Development, Lexicon
Catherine Brumbaugh is the director of training and development at Lexicon Inc., where she leads employee and leadership development strategies through Lexicon University. With nearly 25 years of experience in talent management and employee engagement, she has advanced workforce development at organizations across industries such as oil and gas, consumer packaged goods, education and mining.
Brumbaugh and her husband, William, have two sons. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and watching soccer.
Dr. Amanda Deel
Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education at NYITCOM at A-State
Dr. Amanda Deel is the associate dean of graduate medical education at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State), where she serves as designated institutional officer and leads efforts to build new residency programs in Arkansas. A native of New Edinburg, Arkansas, Deel joined NYITCOM in 2015 as an inaugural faculty member. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Arkansas State University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a graduate transitional internship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia and served as a U.S. Navy medical officer for five years, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander.
Following her military service, Deel completed a family medicine residency at UAMS Northeast in Jonesboro, later serving as assistant professor and assistant program director. In addition to her academic duties, she practices family medicine and obstetrics at NYITCOM’s on-campus clinic and St. Bernards Medical Center. Deel serves on the Arkansas Maternal Morbidity Mortality Review Committee and was appointed by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board in 2025. A fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, board member of the state chapter and certified yoga instructor, she lives in Jonesboro with her husband, Dr. Mickey Deel, and their two children.
Veronica Easton, M.D
Internal Medicine Specialist, St. Bernards Clopton Clinic
Dr. Veronica Easton is an internal medicine specialist at St. Bernards Clopton Clinic. A Jonesboro native and Valley View High School graduate, Easton has a long history with St. Bernards, having worked at the medical center while earning bachelor's degrees in biology and chemistry from Arkansas State University.
She earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2018, followed by an internal medicine residency and a palliative care fellowship through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Easton is passionate about improving healthcare access and navigating the unique wellness challenges of patients in Northeast Arkansas. She lives in Jonesboro with her husband, Chad, and two children.
Katie Spencer
Owner/CEO, The Polish Agency
Katie Spencer is the owner and CEO of The Polish Agency, a woman-owned marketing and branding firm based in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies with a minor in Spanish from Arkansas State University. Under Spencer's leadership, the firm blends strategic marketing with authentic storytelling for small businesses, regional brands, nonprofits and municipalities across Arkansas. Its portfolio includes projects and clients such as Downtown Jonesboro, Greensboro Village, the St. Bernards Foundation, CASA, the Hispanic Center, Gearhead Outfitters, Fizz Facial Bar and Andy's Frozen Custard franchises.
Beyond client work, Spencer uses marketing as a tool for community development and economic growth in Northeast Arkansas. A Jonesboro native, she hosts college interns each semester, speaks regularly to students about entrepreneurship and leadership, and serves on the board of NEA Pride. Spencer's philosophy centers on empowering teams through collaboration, with a focus on helping build a more connected, welcoming and inclusive hometown.
Candice Underwood
Director of Retail Sales, Optimum
Candice Underwood is a wife, mother of three and a grandmother. With nearly 12 years in the telecommunications industry, she transitioned from human resources leadership into retail operations and has served in multiple leadership roles throughout her career. Today, she serves as director of retail sales for Optimum’s Mid-Central region, leading teams across Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana. Passionate about developing leaders and creating opportunities for others to grow, Underwood is pursuing her master's degree, with an expected graduation in February 2027.
