Forward Arkansas names Edie Stewart as CEO
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Forward Arkansas today announced Edie Stewart as its new CEO, effective August 3. Stewart brings more than three decades of experience spanning education, workforce development and the nonprofit sector to the role. Her appointment follows a comprehensive national search led by Forward’s search committee in partnership with DSG | Koya.
“A deeply respected leader, Edie has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities for students, educators and communities,” said Mary Elizabeth Eldridge, Forward’s board chair. “With her collaborative leadership style and strategic vision, we are fully confident in her ability to guide us as we turn innovative ideas into meaningful impact for our state.” Stewart’s career began in the classroom and has included leadership roles dedicated to expanding educational opportunity and strengthening pathways to economic mobility. She currently serves as senior vice president and chief mission officer at Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, where she leads a statewide portfolio that includes adult education, workforce training, career services and reentry programs.
“Forward Arkansas has played a transformative role in strengthening education across our state, and I am honored to lead its next chapter as CEO,” said Stewart. “Every Arkansas child, regardless of where they live or where they begin, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and build a future filled with purpose and possibility. I am grateful for the board’s confidence and excited to work alongside an incredible team and partners to build upon our progress. When students succeed, Arkansas succeeds."
Stewart is the former director of educator preparation at the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). During her tenure, she partnered with Forward to establish Teach Arkansas and help launch the nonprofit’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Design Collaborative. She also developed the state’s first EPP review system. She has served on Forward’s board since early 2025. Raised in rural Arkansas, she holds a bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in special education from the University of St. Joseph.
About Forward Arkansas Established in 2015 by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and Walton Family Foundation, Forward Arkansas is committed to reimagining learning to improve all students’ outcomes. By supporting great teachers and leaders in developing and scaling innovative practices, Forward aims to help all kids achieve success in the classroom, career and life. For more information, visit forwardarkansas.org.
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Photo Caption:
Edie Stewart