Leadership Fort Smith

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce joins our community in mourning the passing of Dr. Sandi Sanders, a remarkable educator, mentor, and community leader whose impact on Fort Smith will be felt for generations. Dr. Sanders was instrumental in creating Leadership Fort Smith and served as its director for 10 years, helping establish a program dedicated to developing informed, engaged leaders who understand our community and are prepared to make a difference. Her vision for Leadership Fort Smith continues today as each class builds relationships, learns about the opportunities and challenges facing our region, and develops the skills needed to lead and serve.

Dr. Sanders' legacy is reflected in the hundreds of Leadership Fort Smith graduates who continue to serve our community through business, education, healthcare, government, nonprofits, and countless other organizations. We are grateful for the foundation she created and honored to continue the work she began by investing in the next generation of community leaders. Our deepest condolences go to her husband, former Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders, her family, friends, and the many people whose lives she touched. Fort Smith is a stronger community because of Dr. Sandi Sanders, and her legacy of leadership will continue through the people she inspired to serve.

University, community leader Dr. Sandi Sanders has died - Talk Business & Politics Dr. Sandi Sanders, whose community involvement including being interim chancellor of Westark College, director of the Leadership Fort Smith program, and first president of the U.S. Marshals Museum, has died....

We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of the Leadership Fort Smith Class of 2027! Join us in celebrating these exceptional individuals.🎉

See someone you know? Tag & share to help congratulate them!

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Ritter Communications / RightFiber, and our Partner Sponsors, BHC Insurance and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

We want to extend a big congratulations to the LFS Class of 2026 graduates, a warm welcome to the new Class of 2027, and heartfelt appreciation to the 2026 Jack White Community Leadership Award recipient - Michael Barr!

It was a wonderful night celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of leaders in our community!

Thank you to our Sponsors for supporting our incredible program!
Class of 2026 Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor - Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Partner Sponsors - BHC Insurance, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Class of 2027 Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor - Ritter Communications / RightFiber
Partner Sponsors - BHC Insurance, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

Congratulations Mike! 👏

Barr to receive 2026 Jack White Community Leadership Award - Talk Business & Politics Michael “Mike” Barr, a third-generation leader of a family-owned manufacturing business in Fort Smith who is active in local, state and national organizations, will receive the 2026 Jack White Community...

Last week, the Class of 2026 proudly completed their Class Project! After learning about The Boys Home's mission and needs earlier this year, the class came together to purchase a new picnic bench and basketball goal to support the boys who call it home.

Congratulations, Class of 2026, on a successful project and an even greater impact on our community! 👏🏼🎉🎓⭐️🏀💙

Thank you to Academy Sports for the donation of basketballs, and ERC Properties for a bit of extra man-power!

That’s a wrap on the Leadership Fort Smith Class of 2026, presented by Arkansas Colleges of Health Education! 👏🏼🎉

We had an incredible day at the Pridgin Family Brewery recapping our year together with the help of McClure Professional Services!

Thank you to Halff for sponsoring our retreat and pouring into the future of Fort Smith. We appreciate your support of Leadership Fort Smith!

MAHG Architecture sponsored our lunch, fueling great afternoon conversation.

As always, thank you to our annual sponsors for their continued support of the program throughout the year!

Presenting: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Partner: BHC Insurance, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

What a year! 💙

In case you missed it… we hosted our first quarter Alumni Event! 🥳

We enjoyed a great afternoon grazing over a charcuterie board, sharing beverages, and refreshing headshots. 📸

Stay tuned for details on our next alumni event… but in the meantime, we want to hear from you! ⬇️

Drop a comment below and let us know:
• What you’d like to see from the alumni association
• What time of day works best for future events

Healthcare is a hot topic and Leadership Fort Smith is in the loop.

We started our day with a great breakfast at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, followed by an overview of their current operations, future plans and investment in our community. We got our hands dirty at various stations, and learned about advanced healthcare technologies.

Methodist Village Senior Living welcomed us to tour their assisted living and memory care center, and discussed their plans for the learning center opening in 2027!

For lunch, we transitioned to the UAMS West Regional Campus - Fort Smith where we were greeted for a tour and lunch while learning about their teaching processes to provide local comprehensive care for our community.

After lunch, we transitioned to visit with the girls at Johnson Dermatology about their advanced technology, medical, and cosmetic offerings. Thank you for sponsoring our day!

We closed the day hearing from Fort Smith ER & Hospital and Fort Smith EMS!

Thank you to our annual sponsors for your continued support of the program! ⭐️

Presenting: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Partners: BHC Insurance, Mercy Fort Smith

Last week, Fort Smith celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new inclusive playground at Tilles Park!

As part of the Leadership Class of 2024’s group project, a bench was donated to provide a welcoming place for community members, parents, children, and visitors alike, to relax and recharge while enjoying the park.

Thank you to the Class of 2024 for this meaningful contribution to Tilles Park, as well as to Carol Ann Cross Park, with another installation coming soon to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park! 🌳🛝