James Hopper serves as the Director of Programs and Development at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute where he leads a team dedicated to helping organizations solve their most challenging problems by inspiring effective collaboration, communication, and helping them see new possibilities. Recently the Institute has been involved in a wide variety of work including community and economic development, rural health care, creating professional development workshops, and enhancing collaboration among the research community in Arkansas. James has experience in project management, meeting design, facilitation, grant writing, fundraising, workshop development, strategic planning, and teaching.
Previously, James held a number of positions during his six years with EAST Initiative, most recently serving as Director of Development and Special Projects. He also has experience working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons as an Educational Specialist. James was born in Fort Worth, Texas and first came to Arkansas to attend Harding University. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree he attended UCA and earned a master’s degree in school psychology. Most recently, he completed a graduate certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy.
James and his wife, Toni, have been married for ten years and recently moved from Searcy to Conway with their cat Simba. James enjoys grilling for friends and family, reading, kayaking, and traveling.
