Board Member

Barry Block

Rabbi Barry Block has served Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock since 2013. A Houston native, Rabbi Block received his undergraduate education at Amherst College in Massachusetts. He was ordained in 1991 at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, from which he received an honorary doctorate in 2016. He has served Reform Judaism nationally and regionally as a member of the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and Chair of its Admissions, Resolutions and Nominating Committees, and as President of the Southwest Association of Reform Rabbis. He is Dean of the faculty at Union for Reform Judaism’s Henry S. Jacobs Camp, a role he held for 21 years at the Union’s Greene Family Camp in Texas. He is a member of the President’s Rabbinic Alumni Council of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Rabbi Block is the editor of The Mussar Torah Commentary and The Social Justice Torah Commentary, both from CCAR Press. A former board member of Just Communities of Arkansas, Rabbi Block is Past Board Chair of Planned Parenthood of South Texas. In 2013, he completed long service to Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the largest non-governmental provider of indigent health care in south Texas, and Methodist Healthcare System, the largest hospital group and second largest private employer in San Antonio. His service there included several terms as Chair of the Healthcare System’s Ethics and Compliance Committee. In 2012, Human Rights Campaign bestowed its Equality Award upon Rabbi Block at its annual gala in San Antonio. Rabbi Block is the proud father of Robert and Daniel.

Board Member

Cara Connors

Judge Cara Boyd Connors was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, where she majored in Politics and minored in Africana Studies. She went on to earn her law degree from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is licensed to practice in both Arkansas and Tennessee. Judge Connors began her legal career as a hearing examiner for the Arkansas Appeals Tribunal. She then served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Pulaski County, where she tried numerous jury trials ranging from petty theft to violent crimes. In 2013, she joined the Arkansas Parole Board as a revocation hearing judge, where she developed deep expertise in the Arkansas parole system. From 2016 to 2022, she was in private practice, primarily as a criminal defense attorney litigating cases in state and federal courts across Arkansas, while also handling domestic relations and personal injury matters. In May 2022, Judge Connors was elected Circuit Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and she took the bench in the 12th Division of the Pulaski County Circuit Court on January 1, 2023. Judge Connors is a co-curator of “Get Right with the Court” and a co-founder of Sistas-in-Law, Inc., a bar association founded to strengthen the presence of Black women in the legal profession. She has previously served as an appointed commissioner on the Pulaski County Land and Planning Commission and the Little Rock Civil Service Commission, and she is active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the W. Harold Flowers Law Society. Before taking the bench, she supported Our House on several occasions by lending her legal expertise to clients in need. Judge Connors is married to Gary Connors, Jr., and they share two daughters, Gerran and Gia, as well as their French bulldog, Enzo.

Board Member

David Gutierrez

David Gutierrez is a financial advisor and co-founder of Gutierrez Wealth Advisory, an independent wealth management firm. David grew up in Little Rock and graduated from Central High School, and he received a BS in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia. With Gutierrez Wealth Advisory, David helps clients define their goals so they can make wise financial decisions for their future, so Our House’s mission is near and dear to him. David and his wife, Callie, have two daughters, Eva (10) and Mary Grace (6), and their family attends St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. In the community, they are most heavily 

Board Member

Shannon Heard

Shannon Heard serves as Associate Director of Executive Education at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, where she leads executive education programming and strategic initiatives in Little Rock. Her work includes developing and managing leadership and professional development programs for executives and emerging leaders across healthcare, government, financial services, natural resources, and other industries. Heard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, with distinction, and Music from Sewanee: The University of the South and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Communication from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is actively engaged in the Central Arkansas community through service with organizations including the Our House, Rotary Club of Little Rock, Downtown Little Rock Partnership, Junior League of Little Rock, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Friends of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Heard has also been recognized by Arkansas Business as a 40 Under 40 honoree, Little Rock Soirée as a Woman to Watch, and Arkansas Money and Politics as a Power Woman.

Board Member

Janna Knight

Janna Knight is active as a volunteer in our community. Prior to COVID, she volunteered at Rockefeller Elementary school and at Pulaski Heights Elementary school as a reading tutor. She later volunteered at Hall High school as an ESL and reading tutor. She also volunteered for several years at the Wrightsville Prison Women’s unit. She is currently volunteering at the Pulaski County jail with the men in the “Restore Hope” re-entry program. In her professional career, Janna worked as a Development officer at UALR. She belongs to Pulaski Heights Methodist Church and has more recently served on a committee to help an Afghan family get resettled here. She and her husband have three daughters. 

Board Member

Mason Miller

Mason joined Our House in 2014, starting with the Board Internship program coordinated by the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. A proud Little Rock native, Mason graduated from Catholic High School before earning a Finance Degree from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He later earned his MBA from Louisiana State University – Shreveport. In his current role as Corporate Analyst for Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel, Mason thrives on using data to tackle difficult problems and create innovative solutions. Away from work, Mason cherishes time spent with his wife, Kelli, and their three children. He’s an outdoor enthusiast, who enjoys fishing and hunting, but finds the greatest joy in the family adventures that come with raising three young kids. Mason describes himself as a “Jack of All Trades,” willing to lend a hand wherever it’s needed. Mason has been a long-time supporter of Our House, serving as a board intern from 2014-2017, board member from 2017-2023–including serving as board treasurer and board president, and now he is a member of the board of OHCIC, the supporting organization that administers Our House’s New Market Tax Credit projects. He has also been a dedicated donor and volunteer and supported Our House in many other ways. Mason is honored to have the opportunity to contribute to an organization that continues to make such a positive impact on the lives of so many in our community.

Board Member

Carla Morris

Carla Morris is an Access Supervisor at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the Admissions Financial Counselor Department. She is a Staff Pastor at Second Baptist Church for the Discipleship Department where she provides leadership to the Christian Education, Intercessory Prayer, Financial Freedom, Ministers in Training, Leaders in Training, Teachers in Training, and the Mothers Ministries. She is also a retired employee of the State of Arkansas. In addition, she is a Board Member of City Church Network and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Carla is a strategic, transformational visionary business leader who operates with a pastoral heart who has the ability to see the big picture, fill in gaps between the need for new possibility and the need for practicality by providing a prescriptive set of habits to initiate change in organizations, groups, others, and herself through her keen ability to teach, supervise and motivate others through change management. She is always evolving and committed to the growth of others, her community and State, and herself. As a result of her humble commitment to growth and development within her Church, Community, and State, she is passionate about seeing the dreams and visions of all become a reality by modeling the way.

Board Member

Ray Nolan

Ray Nolan is the Founder and Principal of NorthDoor Development, a real estate brokerage and development company. He has worked in the commercial real estate industry since 2009, and has led a wide range of ground-up, value-add and historic tax credit developments. Additionally, Ray has held key leadership roles for Cherry Ridge, an Arkansas based farm, timber and commercial real estate company. He is an owner and Managing Member of the firm, and oversees the company’s commercial real estate portfolio. A graduate of Whittier College and the University of Iowa, Ray has deep roots in Arkansas. His parents, one from Little Rock and one from El Dorado, were early members and supporters of the Arkansas Repertory Theater and what is now the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Ray lived in Little Rock as a child, and found his way back in 2014 with his wife and three daughters. He believes strongly in supporting community-building causes, and wants to see Little Rock prosper and grow. Ray’s involvement with Our House spans several years and includes volunteering regularly in the organization’s Career Center. He has sponsored several events, and is passionate about Our House and the role it plays in making Little Rock a better place for all people to live.

Board Member

Jessica Schueck

Jessica is a caretaker, in that she takes care of family, friends, and even strangers in need in our community. She’s been full-time mom and was caretaker for her late grandparents, but she’s still made time to help others in the community through her work with a number of charitable organizations. She has co-chaired the Easterseals Fashion event, helping to enable children and adults with disabilities reach their full potential and empower them to live, learn, work and play in their communities. She and her husband Patrick Schueck recently chaired Dinner on the Grounds, a fundraiser for Our House, whose mission is empowering homeless and near-homeless families and individuals to acquire jobs, find housing, gain new skills, coordinate healthcare, and create a stable environment for themselves and their families. Jessica is mom to her son Whitten and Bonus Mom to Mason, Ava and Hayden. Jessica loves the outdoors and taking their kids on eye-opening adventures whenever they can.

Board Member

Ryan Solomon

Ryan Solomon, JD, MPS, serves as senior vice president of hospital operations at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Ryan has a broad knowledge and expertise in healthcare operations, law,  and quality and safety. Ryan spearheaded several system initiatives that led to growth and improved patient experience and access, including developing the CANDOR (Communication and Optimal Resolution) program and the BERT (Behavioral Emergency Response Team) team, launching Harvey Pediatrics Operated By Arkansas Children’s, and serving as a chief advisor in the establishment of the Arkansas Children’s Clinically-Integrated Network and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Nursery Alliance. Ryan holds a B.A. in Political Science and Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas, a Master’s Degree in Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service and has received the National Diversity Council’s DiversityFIRST Certified Diversity Executive (DFCDE) designation. Ryan’s commitment to health equity is reflected in his ongoing support of the ACH clinic on the Our House campus, which ensures that children experiencing homelessness have consistent access to high-quality, compassionate care. With continued support from senior leadership like Ryan, the ACH clinic has seen 197 unique children and facilitated 735 visits since 2023, ranging from sick visits and  immunizations to  well-child checkups and more.

Board Member

Stephanie Stewart

Stephanie Stewart currently works part-time with the Rotary Club of Little Rock. Before taking time away from the workforce to focus on her family, she spent twenty years at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, serving as a Senior Systems Analyst in the Budget and Information Technology departments. Stephanie is originally from Pine Bluff. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance in 1994. She is a member of Pulaski Heights Methodist church and has served in leadership roles over the years. Stephanie and her husband Todd annually support Our House through event sponsorships as well as monthly donations. Stephanie got involved in working at the Our House Resale Store two years ago and has been a dedicated volunteer ever since.

Board Member

Millie Ward

President and Co-Founder of Stone Ward in Little Rock, AR. Millie is leading in a league of her own when it comes to doing whatever it takes on any given day to keep Stone Ward and its clients moving forward together as a creative force for good. In 2015, named Sam M. Walton Arkansas Business Hall of Fame for her recognition as a business influencer ,leader, and speaker. Millie and her co-founder Larry Stone have built their business from a $2 million business in 1984 to a $50 million-plus full-service, fiercely independent agency today. Along the way, she and Larry both have been inducted into the Southwest Advertising Hall of Fame. She has had the honor of working with hundreds of local, national, and international clients, from financial to global non-profits, and has remained close friends with many, proof that her client-agency relationships go beyond business. Millie is driven by a sense of optimism, gratitude (and her daily eight-ounce Red Bull), Millie has worked with an abundance of highly successful business and community leaders across the country who have collectively inspired and informed her own approach to leadership. Over the years, Millie has been named Rotary Business and Professional Leader of the Year, SMEA Top Manager of the Year, Woman of the Year, and Top 100 Women in Business. A classically trained copywriter, Millie’s passion for simple persuasive communication has propelled her ability to contribute to the success and profit of companies and brands in almost every industry, shaping challenger brands into leaders and non-profits into life-changing forces. Today she sits on the board of the Little Rock Federal Reserve Bank, The Venture Center, Bridge2Rwanda, Baptist Health Foundation, and the Arkansas Executive Forum. Her competitive spirit in tow, she still finds time to cheer on her granddaughter at softball and basketball games with the same passion and enthusiasm she brings to work every day.

Daniel Illing

Daniel first connected with Our House in 2023, dedicated to gaining the stability he needed to be part of his daughter’s life. Tragedy struck early on in Daniel’s stay when his daughter’s mother passed away suddenly. With assistance from his case manager and a determined attitude, Daniel was able to obtain custody of his daughter and continue to work toward stability while living in our Family Housing program. With the support of the Career Center team, Daniel secured a job at The Rail Yard in his first few weeks at Our House. His dedication and strong work ethic led to continued opportunity when the business was sold and the owner invited him to join him at his new restaurant, The Mad Slice, where Daniel now serves as assistant manager. Today, Daniel is proud of the stability he has built in both his career and family life. His daughter is entering first grade and enjoys learning and spending time with friends in Our Club. Together, they are thriving and building a strong foundation for the future. Grateful for the support he received during one of the most important chapters of his life, Daniel wanted to find a way to give back to Our House. When the opportunity arose to serve as the client representative on the Board of Directors, he was eager to say yes. Daniel is excited to share his perspective and help ensure that other families have access to the same opportunities that helped his family thrive.