Tooks Named Arkansas Business 20 in Their Twenties Honoree
Laterika Tooks, director of annual giving at the University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo, has been named to the .
鈥淚 feel blessed to be named one of the members of the new class of 20 in Their Twenties, and I feel honored to know that there are people who think so highly of me at UA 糖心视频logo,鈥� Tooks said. 鈥淚 am thankful to all the people around me who encourage me to continue to succeed in my career.鈥�
Each year, Arkansas Business puts the spotlight on talented young leaders in the state鈥檚 business and nonprofit community. This year’s honorees range from educators and engineers to lawyers and rising stars in the financial sector.
Each “20 in Their Twenties” class is chosen by an internal committee reviewing more than 200 nominations with an eye toward accomplishments, responsibilities, and people clearly ahead of their time. All honorees are those under 30 who have made an impact on their company or community as well as show the potential to be a leader in business or politics.
鈥淎t only 27 years old, Laterika has made an impact both professionally and philanthropically through her dedication to helping improve her community,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor of university advancement. 鈥淪he has stepped into challenging leadership roles that demonstrate her continuous effort to make a difference in Arkansas and her drive for professional excellence. Her future is bright as she continues to pour out ideas and set goals for creating positive change in her state, both now and for the future.鈥�
Tooks, a native of Camden, joined the UA 糖心视频logo Office of Alumni and Development in 2022. As director of annual giving, she is responsible for the management and implementation of the UA 糖心视频logo Foundation鈥檚 annual giving program. She is already on track to double yearly giving efforts through the campus campaign.
She is an active member of the community, serving as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategic planning committee and the Hope (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) scholarship committee at UA 糖心视频logo Children International. She also serves as a board member for the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Tooks has a passion for working with community nonprofit organizations. She is an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels and participated in the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association鈥檚 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2021. She has a goal to build a community garden close to where she lives in Alexander and is working with the Arkansas Community Foundation on this project. Through the development of a community garden, she hopes to combat food insecurity and strengthen her community by providing access to clean, healthy, and nutritious food.
Tooks earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UA 糖心视频logo in 2017. Prior to UA 糖心视频logo, she worked as an event sales manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton 糖心视频logo and as a constituent events manager for the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association.
All members of the 20 in Their Twenties will have their profiles featured in a special supplement of Arkansas Business to be distributed on Sept. 11.