11/02/2026
A New Chapter Begins: Introducing Executive Director Isabel Piña
The Greater Berryville Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce Isabel Piña as our new Executive Director! With deep roots in the community, a passion for serving others, and a strong background in workforce development, Isabel brings both experience and a personal connection to this exciting new chapter of Chamber leadership.
Isabel is the daughter of Isabel and Samuel Piña, two immigrants from Mexico who have called Northwest Arkansas home for more than 30 years. Isabel’s appointment marks a historic milestone for the Greater Berryville Area Chamber of Commerce, as she becomes the first Mexican American to be appointed as its Executive Director.
Isabel is a 2017 graduate of Green Forest High School. She continued her education at UA Northark, where she completed an internship at our very own UA Northark Carroll County Center. During this experience, she had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with college leadership. Those relationships helped open the door to a rewarding career in higher education when she was offered a position in the college’s Workforce Development Department. Isabel went on to spend three years working in Workforce Development, taking on many roles to preserve the department’s operational presence and advocating for its foundational role within the broader collegial ecosystem. During her tenure, she developed ethical leadership and problem-solving skills while gaining a strong understanding of the importance of education, workforce opportunities, and the vital role local businesses play in building thriving communities.
Isabel's involvement with the Chamber began over two years ago when she joined as a Chamber Ambassador. What started as an opportunity to become more involved in her community quickly grew into a passion for the Chamber's mission. She expanded her involvement as the UA Northark representative on the Board of Directors and eventually served as our Treasurer and Chair of our Education Committee. Each of these positions allowed her to build profound relationships and deepen her commitment to supporting the greater Berryville area.
Following her dedicated career at UA Northark, Isabel’s availability presented the opportunity to recruit her as the Chamber's Deputy Director. For the past three months, she has worked closely with Chamber leadership, members, and community partners. This experience has given her an even greater appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes and the impact the Chamber has on the local business community.
As Isabel steps into her new role, Ashley Hinton, our former Executive Director, will transition into the position of Deputy Director. Throughout her tenure as Executive Director, Ashley's dedication, leadership, and hard work have created a strong foundation for the Chamber's future success. Isabel is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to build upon that foundation stating, “This Chamber has a rich 106-year history of serving our community, and I am incredibly honored to become a part of its story. I have watched Ashley pour her heart and soul into this organization, and I feel so grateful for the opportunity to build upon the incredible work she has done. I look forward to helping write the Chamber’s next chapter alongside her, our team, and the community that inspires us to serve.”
“I’ve worked alongside Isabel for at least 2 years now on the Chamber team.” Ashley reflected, “She has been such a strong leader for our Chamber and for workforce opportunities in the community. When I first started this position, the Chamber Director job wasn’t quite full time, and I easily juggled the needs of the Chamber and my businesses. However, as our team kept consistently executing fresh ideas and actions in our operations, the workload rapidly grew, and it’s now perfect timing to take the Berryville Chamber to the next level with a Director ‘Team’. Many times, during my time as Executive Director, Isabel was eager and excited to take on major projects, lend a hand, or simply lock eyes with me during moments of nervousness as I addressed a growing number of people in attendance at our events. She has been one of the rocks of our team and when I became aware of her availability, my heart literally leapt out of my chest at the idea of her being part of the leadership of our Chamber. Isabel’s vision, judiciousness and passion will not only set the stage for an amazing 2027 but will extend the outreach and visibility of Berryville through our Chamber to the entire NWA region and beyond. I am so amazingly excited to work alongside each other to serve our members and the Berryville community.”
For Isabel, this new role represents more than a professional milestone; it is a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community she proudly calls home. Having grown up in Green Forest and built her career in the surrounding area, she has developed a deep appreciation for the people, businesses, and organizations that make our corner of the Ozarks so special. Her strong ties to the area have inspired a genuine passion for serving the community that helped shape her into the person she is today. As she steps into this new chapter, Isabel looks forward to strengthening relationships, championing local businesses, supporting workforce development and educational initiatives, and creating opportunities that contribute to the continued growth and success of Berryville and the surrounding communities.
With Isabel stepping into the role of Executive Director, Ashley continuing as Deputy Director, and the support of the entire Chamber team, we look forward to an exciting future filled with collaboration, growth, and continued service.
Please join us in congratulating Isabel on this exciting new chapter! We are proud to celebrate this milestone and look forward to all that lies ahead for the Greater Berryville Area Chamber of Commerce and the wonderful community we serve.
