Staff

Janet Harris serves as the Institute’s Executive Director and CEO. She is a curious and determined leader with a passion for facilitating thoughtful conversations that lead to collaborative action and impact. She was chosen to lead the Institute in 2022 and has been with the organization since 2016 when she was tapped to help build the Institute’s programs and bring clarity to the organization’s mission and method.

Janet is a trained facilitator and experienced leader, public speaker, and connector who is passionate about helping others create transformational change. Her achievements include aligning Institute operations to the mission, building staff capacity in professional meeting design, facilitating impactful dialogue and deliberation, and creating educational programs that draw on Winthrop Rockefeller’s legacy, including the Institute’s Walks with the Governor workshop. Harris speaks to groups frequently on the history and legacy of Gov. Rockefeller, telling his story to inspire leadership growth in others.

Janet earned her bachelor’s degree while playing varsity basketball for the University of Central Arkansas Sugarbears. While working full-time, Janet completed her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas Little Rock. She went on to work for the City of Little Rock, and then to serve in senior leadership roles in three state executive offices, including eight years as Arkansas Deputy Secretary of State.

Janet enjoys leading by asking questions and inspiring action through storytelling. A lifelong learner, she is currently pursuing her Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is an active alumna of the University of Central Arkansas, where she serves on the Dean’s advisory board for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She is a graduate of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Leadership Arkansas Class XI and was named UCA Political Science Distinguished Alumna in 2016. 

Shawn Cathey serves as the chief financial officer for the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, providing leadership for all financial matters.

Prior to joining the Institute, Cathey held the position of Senior Director of Finance at Winrock International for 21 years. He was responsible for the organization’s finance and accounting functions at Winrock’s headquarters and regional finance offices, with focuses on adding new and enhanced systems processes to Winrock projects, enhanced project reporting, invoicing and project finance staff development. Cathey is a certified public accountant. Prior to joining Winrock, he held various accounting and management positions in rural healthcare.

Cathey holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arkansas Tech University.

Shana Chaplin, as chief program officer, develops and leads impactful programs and education services that fulfill the strategic vision of the Institute. 

Chaplin served most recently as Director of Engage Arkansas, where she led the office through simultaneous federal and state transformation, launched the first statewide volunteer portal, increased the award of grant funds from just over $600,000 to $1.7 million, secured private grant funding to help launch the Collegiate Service Leaders network, grew the number of Mayor’s Youth Councils, and launched the Engaged Cities certification program. Chaplin has invested 35 years in the public sector as a community engagement professional, with a demonstrated history in program management, organizational development, volunteer management, and public advocacy.

She currently serves on the Pulaski County Homeless Village Advisory Board member and is an alumnus of Leadership AR Class XIV.

As chief strategy officer, Carder Hawkins is responsible for developing, executing, communicating, and sustaining strategic initiatives that support the mission of the Institute. 

Hawkins comes to the Institute following a 20-year career in state government, which began with serving in the Arkansas Secretary of State’s elections division for more than eight years. He also served as the Arkansas Insurance Department’s chief information officer and as deputy director for the Arkansas Department of Information Systems — a position that oversaw the department’s human resources, legislative affairs, fiscal, procurement, security, enterprise architecture, and IT planning teams. Most recently, Hawkins served as the chief information officer for the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services. 

Hawkins holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis in international relations from the University of Central Arkansas. He was also part of the university’s inaugural Community Development Masters class and completed a master’s degree in community development while working full-time at the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office.