Pictured left to right: Debbie Alsup, Silvia Azrai Kawas and Jody Pinson
This year, Debbie Alsup, Silvia Azrai Kawas and Jody Pinson are chairing the Go Red for Women luncheon on May 19 at the John Q. Hammons Center. With a goal of raising $550,000, the luncheon is one of the largest in Northwest Arkansas and benefits the American Heart Association. More than 1,200 women will be dressed in red for this dynamic day of doing good.
DEBBIE ALSUP
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, PARIS PRESENTS, INC. OWNER/OPERATOR, CLEAR CREEK CATTLE COMPANY Education: B.S. Fashion Merchandising, South Plains College Debbie grew up on a dairy farm in Centerton, and it shaped the way she thinks about serving, leading and working. “We’re an accumulation of our environment and upbringing,” she says. Debbie has been married for 33 years and has two grown children. Her outlook on life is that it’s always a new day to start something wonderful, and we each have the power to make it happen!
Talk about the American Heart Association: I’ve been involved more than 15 years! My daughter was a sweetheart, and that’s when I also got involved. My work with AHA began as a networking professional opportunity, but became personal when heart disease began to impact my family through my father, fatherin-law and husband. It’s now very important for me and my children to focus on living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
What’s on your bucket list? To hike all the trails in the Boxley Valley area. It’s taken several years to accomplish, but I’m so close! I’d also love to learn to play the ukulele.
Personal Mantra: Somebody filled you with good! Who are you filling up?
SILVIA AZRAI KAWAS VICE PRESIDENT PRIVATE BRANDS FOOD, WALMART
JODY PINSON
VICE PRESIDENT BEAUTY, WALMART Education:
Education:
B.S. Accounting, University of Arkansas
B.S. Marketing, University of Jordan M.B.A. Consumer Marketing and Global Business, University of Arkansas
Talk about the American Heart Association:
Silvia has been with Walmart for 18 years, starting when she was in college. Her responsibilities expanded to encompass multichannel assortment strategy and process. She moved from Jordan to pursue her M.B.A. and now calls Northwest Arkansas home. She and her husband have two girls who are her inspiration in life.
Talk about the American Heart Association: This is my third year of being involved with the American Heart Association – first through Paint the Town Red, and now with Circle of Red. I care about helping children and empowering women. Educating women and fighting heart disease is a big deal. The statistics are astounding, and we have to change the course. Raising awareness helps save women’s lives.
Quality you admire most in women: I’m inspired by women who show me everyday what it’s like to perform when you bring your authentic, openminded, inclusive, curious and winning spirit to work.
What do you do for fun? I play tennis. It’s a sport we do as a family and we love it! I’m still learning and my girls have a point of view on how I can get better. I encourage their critiques.
I’ve been involved with the American Heart Association for more than five years. The role the organization plays is critical in communicating early detection but also continued research in finding a cure for this deadly disease. Watching the lives of family and friends impacted for years by this disease is the reason I give to the organization.
Personal Mantra: Life is about choices; make ones you will not regret in five years!
Quality you admire most in women: I most admire women who are currently content in life, yet desire to improve something.
Did you always know what you wanted to do? I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but thought my role as a part-time cashier at Sam’s Club would just be a college job. While I’ve had the privilege of a variety of careers with Walmart, I am still with the same company 29 years later.
Thing you’re most proud of: Watching people I know grow into who they were meant to be. Maybe somehow, I played a small part in their life!