Mireya Reith is a specialist in building ecosystems that bridge the gap between opportunity populations and economic mobility. As the Founding CEO of Arkansas United, she leverages over 20 years of international and domestic expertise to transform service deserts into hubs of innovation and civic power.

Building Workforce & Civic Ecosystems
Since 2012, Reith has scaled Arkansas United from a grassroots movement into a sophisticated engine for social and economic integration. Under her leadership, the organization manages a high-impact network of 200+ navigators, and 3,000 members across 19 communities.

Her current strategic focus is on creating innovative workforce pathways that ensure "opportunity residents" aren’t just participants in the economy—they are drivers of regional growth. By establishing 11 affiliated resource centers and pioneering cross-sector Navigators pathways and new cultural civic collaborations, she is successfully closing critical service and relational gaps in rural and underserved areas, providing a blueprint for shared development.

A Global & Public Service Foundation
Reith’s approach is rooted in 14 years of international political development across five continents. Working with the United Nations, the Peace Corps, and various NGOs, she specialized in engaging marginalized populations in democratic processes—a mission she brought home to Arkansas in 2010.

A trailblazer in public service, Reith was the first Latina to hold state office (appointed to the State Board of Education, 2011) and became the youngest person in state history to serve as its Chair (2016). In this capacity, she championed strong schools as the cornerstone of inter-generational wealth building.

National Leadership & Impact
Reith is a recognized voice in national coalitions, driving innovation and integration. Her leadership extended to:
FIRM- Former Founding Co-Chair
National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA)
National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)

Recognition & Education
A White House Cesar Chavez Champion of Change, Reith was inducted into the Fayetteville Schools and Washington County halls of honors and named to Arkansas Times 40 Most Influential Arkansans. She holds a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University (SIPA) and a B.A. from Williams College.

Born on the Fourth of July to a naturalized Mexican mother and a Marine veteran father, Mireya is dedicated to the belief that strong democratic systems grounded in relational infrastructure are the key to unlocking our collective potential.