A Batesville High School graduate has been named to Arkansas Business magazine’s annual "20 in Their 20s" list, which spotlights young professionals making an impact in the state. The list was published in the September 7 issue.
Mallory Nelson, 26, serves as the manager of talent attraction and retention for the Little Rock Regional Chamber. In her role, Nelson oversees initiatives to draw young workers to the region and facilitates regional collaboration as part of the chamber’s broader economic development efforts.
“Young professionals want three things: meaningful work, meaningful relationships, and enough money left over after rent to enjoy both,” Nelson told *Arkansas Business*. “Arkansas checks more of those boxes than people realize. We just need to tell that story louder.”
Nelson described how her first job, babysitting, shaped her approach to work. “People don’t always do what they’re told, snacks solve more problems than you’d expect, and preparation beats panic every time,” she said.
She also shared a philosophy on collaboration, countering the old adage that "nice guys finish last." In Nelson's words: “Nice people finish tired, but usually surrounded by people who want to work with them again.”
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Nelson stays engaged in civic and community work. She is a member of Little Rock Rotary Club 99, a regular participant in activities with the University of Central Arkansas’s Center for Community and Economic Development, and attends a United Methodist Church.
When asked for a book recommendation, Nelson pointed to *The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell* by Robert Dugoni, describing it as a story about resilience, faith, and finding purpose.
The "20 in Their 20s" recognition shines a light on standout young leaders across Arkansas, with Nelson credited for advancing the mission of making the state a destination for the next generation of professionals.