OEI Staff
Leadership Team
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.
Zoe Maddox – Director, Business Incubation
Zoe supports OEI's community-facing business incubation programs including the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), Startup Village, and the Bounds Accelerator. She joined the University of Arkansas after working for several years in fintech startups and investment management. She earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her MA / PhD from Princeton University.
Rachel Sullivant – Senior Associate Director of Student & Entrepreneurial Programs
Rachel is dedicated to advancing startup ecosystems and fostering emerging talent through strategic programs at the University of Arkansas. With experience in law & university innovation & entrepreneurship programming, Rachel leads student & entrepreneurial support programs including the Entrepreneurial Law Project, Venture Intern Program, and the OEI Student Leadership Team. Rachel received her MBA from John Brown University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas.Student & Community Programs
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.
Laura Moix – Program Manager, Graduate Programs
Laura brings extensive experience supporting the academic success, professional development, and personal well-being of students on a journey to become leaders in their field, while cultivating an inclusive, equitable culture throughout the student lifecycle. She works with the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and the Graduate Entrepreneurial Fellowship. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in German, European Studies & International Relations and a Master of Arts in German Literature from the UofA.
José E. Cartagena Ortiz – Instructional Designer, Training & Workshops
José is a curious learner, art aficionado, avid walker and biker, passionate gardener, and adventurous traveler from Puerto Rico living in NWA. He holds a B.A. Ed. in Visual Arts Education and an M.A. Ed. in Instructional Systems and Educational Technology. With over twenty years of experience in both the public and private sectors, José is passionately committed to designing and delivering exceptional learning solutions centered on the needs of people.
Allie McMurry – Program Assistant
Allie oversees our Office Hours program and provides administrative assistance. She graduated from the University in 2021 with her degree in Marketing. When she is not in office, she is likely adding to her vintage collection or curating items for her vintage shop, Ephemeral Collections.Business Incubation
Elizabeth Quinn – Sr. Program Manager, GORP Around the State
Quinn began her career as an instructor at the U of A, but left to work for a startup focused on food-system based rural economic development. She spent the past several years scaling an e-commerce business owned by Arkansas regenerative livestock farmers. She transitioned to GORP to further economic development by building a program of entrepreneurial support for entrepreneurs focusing on improving access to and enjoyment of one of the state's greatest resources — it’s public land and waterways.Marketing & Communications
Brandon Howard – Communications & Social Media Specialist
Brandon is an experienced communications professional with an extensive background in print and broadcast media. He is an Arkansas native and a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Josh Mast – Media Designer
Josh is a multifaceted creative specializing in layout design and photography. A published poet and artist, he's responsible for many of the pamphlets and handouts we distribute and for some of the signage we use in our programming. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Photography from John Brown University.Operations
Jerra Hill – Associate Director, Operations
Jerra assists with the operations at the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Originally from North Carolina, Jerra has been with the University of Arkansas for 11 years.