VCWoman Achieve 2025 Mentor Spotlight – Megan Markham

Posted on January 30, 2025
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Name: Megan Markham | Business/Profession: Vice President of Marketing, Little Rock Regional Chamber

Please share a little about your background, personally and/or professionally.

I was born and raised in Langley, a small rural town in Southwest Arkansas, where my roots taught me the value of community and hard work. I’ve always had a passion for the creative, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Design from Henderson State University. Over the past 15 years, I’ve built a career in marketing, graphic design, and communications, working across various sectors to drive brand impact and community engagement.

In my role as Vice President of Marketing at the Little Rock Regional Chamber, I oversee strategic communications and marketing initiatives that support the various programs, events, and initiatives for the Chamber. Before joining the Chamber, I served as the Foundation Relations Manager at Conway Regional Health System and worked as the Marketing Coordinator for Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston. My career highlights include earning seven Arkansas Press Association awards and creating campaigns and materials for clients both across the U.S. and internationally, with work featured in Japan, China, Germany, Ireland, and France.

In 2022, I earned my Professional Community and Economic Development (PCED) license and had the honor of joining Leadership Arkansas Class XVII. I’m excited to contribute my skills and experiences to help support and empower other women entrepreneurs through the VCWoman Achieve program.

Please share more about your current position and place of work. How have you grown professionally/personally in this role?

I currently serve as the Vice President of Marketing for the Little Rock Regional Chamber, Arkansas’s oldest association and a key leadership organization dedicated to promoting economic growth and development throughout the region. Our mission is to create a thriving business environment that supports profitability, expands earning opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for all residents.

In my role, I lead the Chamber’s Marketing and Communication efforts, telling the story of our impact through marketing, communications, graphic design, digital marketing, photography, and videography. Although I manage these efforts as a department of one, it’s truly a team effort. I work closely with every department to ensure our initiatives align and resonate with our community, and collaboration is key to bringing our shared vision to life. Working alongside such a passionate and talented team has been incredibly rewarding, and their enthusiasm fuels my own dedication to the Chamber’s mission.

In my six months here, I’ve grown tremendously in learning to manage multiple priorities effectively, creatively tell our story, and build strong cross-departmental relationships. This role has reinforced the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and a shared commitment to making a difference in the Little Rock region.

What drew you to being a mentor for an entrepreneurial group curated for non-men? How has being a woman or non-binary individual impacted your professional journey?

I was drawn to being a mentor for an entrepreneurial group focused on women because of the impact women mentors have had on my own life and career. From an early age, women have played a pivotal role in guiding and supporting me. My mother was the first to recognize my passion for graphic design when I was a teenager. During my freshman year in college, when I was uncertain about my career path, it was her encouragement to pursue graphic design that ultimately shaped my future.

Throughout my career, it has been the mentorship of other women that has truly propelled me forward. These women took time out of their day to offer both professional insights and emotional support, which proved invaluable in helping me navigate the challenges and complexities of the professional world. Their guidance has been monumental, not just in advancing my career, but in showing me the importance of empathy and community.

I want to give other women the chance to experience that same level of encouragement and support. Life is full of obstacles, and having someone who genuinely cares can make all the difference. Being a woman in my field has taught me the power of resilience, connection, and lifting others up—and I am excited to share that with the next generation of entrepreneurs.

What are three things you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy singing karaoke, playing video games, and spending time with friends and family.

What is your go-to piece of advice for professionals, entrepreneurs, or anyone looking to you for guidance?

My go-to advice is to always stay open to learning. Embrace new skills and knowledge, even if they don’t seem directly connected to your career or business. Often, the skills you least expect to use turn out to be some of the most valuable.

It’s also okay to fail. I know how embarrassing and vulnerable failure can feel, especially when you’re proud of your work. But failure is one of our greatest teachers, offering lessons and resilience that constant success can’t provide. Embrace those moments, learn from them, and keep moving forward. In the end, resilience will carry you through and make you stronger in ways you might not expect.

What is a professional achievement that you are most proud of, and why are you proud of it?

One of my proudest professional achievements is becoming the Vice President of Marketing at the Little Rock Regional Chamber, where I bring together my passion for economic development, marketing, and graphic design. Before joining the Chamber, I spent 4 ½ years at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), where I discovered how rewarding it was to support Arkansas communities. This experience inspired me to further my commitment to community development by completing the Community Development Institute (CDI) and earning my Professional Community and Economic Development (PCED) license.

Starting at the Chamber felt like coming home—I was reunited with many friends and colleagues from the economic and community development sectors, and I’m proud to play even a small part in something so much bigger. Using my creative strengths to support economic prosperity in the Little Rock region is incredibly fulfilling and gives me a deep sense of purpose in my work.