Staff
Phil Shellhammer – Executive Director
An accomplished business executive and serial entrepreneur, Phil leads the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Phil’s unique blend of experiences allows him to pursue his passion to help other entrepreneurs in their journey from idea to launch. Phil also serves on the boards of Arkansas Athletes Outreach (AAO) and Students Acquiring Knowledge through Enterprise (SAKE).
Deb Williams – Senior Director, Operations & Student Programs
In her role, Deb creates opportunities to connect students to initiatives that give them a practical application for what they learn in the classroom and during workshops or trainings. She oversees the Venture Intern Program and the execution of the Heartland Challenge, a global high-growth startup competition that brings graduate student entrepreneurs to the NWA region. Deb holds a master of science in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas and is originally from the great state of Iowa.Justin Urso – Director, McMillon Innovation Studio
Prior to joining the McMillon Innovation Studio, Justin was a full-time entrepreneur who built several start-ups and small businesses in the NWA community. His experience includes being an MBA graduate from the University of Arkansas Walton College of Business, working in the headquarters of three CPG companies, and being a full-time dad and educator in the height of the covid pandemic. Justin is passionate about education, finding the next great innovators and entrepreneurs, solving problems, and spending his free time with his family exploring the outdoors.
Student & Community Programs
Jessica Andrews – Associate Director, McMillon Studio
Jessica facilitates opportunities for students and the community to solve problems using human-centered design. She also leads the studio’s Design Teams program and the undergraduate certificate in Organizational Innovation. Prior to joining the UofA, she spent nearly 10 years working in the nonprofit sector, most recently as the CEO at 7hills Homeless Center. Jessica has an MBA and MPS from the University of Arkansas. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, reading fantasy and science fiction, and experimenting with art and design.
Jason Riley – Program Manager, Venture Internships
Jason oversees the Venture Intern Program. This program matches talented undergraduate students from the University of Arkansas with startups, entrepreneurship support organizations, and investor networks within the community. Jason is a native of Little Rock and holds a B.S. Degree from University of Central Arkansas and Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas.Maddy Stricklen – Heartland Challenge Program Manager
Maddy is a proud Fayetteville local whose journey with the OEI began with a pitch competition while attending the University of Arkansas. Her passion for fostering entrepreneurial spirit has grown ever since. Today, Maddy organizes transformative experiences like the Heartland Challenge Startup Competition and Seed Funding Pitch Competition, events that offers essential feedback and funding to student entrepreneurs. Her dedication to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs is matched only by her enthusiasm for creative ventures and community-building.