Staff
Kathleen Lawson joined Economics Arkansas in 2017 as Executive Director. She brings more than 15 years of nonprofit management and informal education experience to the position as well as a master's degree in public administration. She also has experience with integrating economic education into out-of-school time environments. Kathleen's primary duties include board and foundation management, major fundraising activities, donor engagement and executive functions. kathleen@economicsarkansas.org
Marsha Masters joined Economics Arkansas in 2009 as Program Coordinator and was promoted to Associate Director on June 1, 2014. She brings more than 20 years of teaching experience to the position. She also has comprehensive experience with integrating economic education into every subject area due to her role as a Master Economics Teacher. Marsha's duties include coordinating The Stock Market Game™ program, the Bessie B. Moore Arkansas Awards Program, the Economics Arkansas District Partnership program, and the Polly M. Jackson Master Economics Teacher program as well as leading workshops and in-services statewide. Marsha is the winner of national and state economic education awards. marsha@economicsarkansas.org
Lisa Byrum started working for Economics Arkansas in July 2022 as Program Coordinator. Lisa brings more than 25 years of teaching experience in the Little Rock, AR area and was named a Master Economics Teacher in 2012. As Program Coordinator, she assists with program delivery, including teacher training, correlating, creating and adapting instructional materials, and assists with student competitions. Lisa is a winner of national and state economic education awards. lisa@economicsarkansas.org
Elisha Poteet joined Economics Arkansas’s staff in April 2000 as Administrative Assistant and now serves as Program and Special Events Assistant. Her responsibilities include supporting Economics Arkansas’s program staff in conducting workshops and in-service training sessions, as well as assisting with our student-focused programs, including The Stock Market Game™. In addition, Elisha assists with the logistics of teacher and student recognition luncheons, curriculum development and correlation to Arkansas Frameworks. elisha@economicsarkansas.org
Ginsie Higgs started working for Economics Arkansas in August 2019 as the Project Support Specialist. Ginsie brings more than 10 years of nonprofit management experience to the position. Her duties include maintaining the donor database, managing grant applications and reporting, and assisting with special event logistics and program and fundraising efforts. She also oversees various marketing initiatives, including content for our website, social media, monthly newsletters, and digital and print collateral. ginsie@economicsarkansas.org
Kathryn Cathey joined Economics Arkansas’ staff in November 2023 as Administrative Assistant. Kathryn was an elementary educator for 10 years in the Batesville, Jonesboro, and Lake Hamilton school districts. She assists in maintaining financial records for the organization, coordinates with the board of directors, manages front office tasks, and supports development and program staff as needed. kathryn@economicsarkansas.org
