Tooks Named Arkansas Business 20 in Their Twenties Honoree
Laterika Tooks, director of annual giving at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been named to the 2023 Class of 20 in Their Twenties.
“I feel blessed to be named one of the members of the new class of 20 in Their Twenties, and I feel honored to know that there are people who think so highly of me at UA Little Rock,” Tooks said. “I am thankful to all the people around me who encourage me to continue to succeed in my career.”
Each year, Arkansas Business puts the spotlight on talented young leaders in the state’s business and nonprofit community. This year’s honorees range from educators and engineers to lawyers and rising stars in the financial sector.
Each “20 in Their Twenties” class is chosen by an internal committee reviewing more than 200 nominations with an eye toward accomplishments, responsibilities, and people clearly ahead of their time. All honorees are those under 30 who have made an impact on their company or community as well as show the potential to be a leader in business or politics.
“At only 27 years old, Laterika has made an impact both professionally and philanthropically through her dedication to helping improve her community,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor of university advancement. “She has stepped into challenging leadership roles that demonstrate her continuous effort to make a difference in Arkansas and her drive for professional excellence. Her future is bright as she continues to pour out ideas and set goals for creating positive change in her state, both now and for the future.”
Tooks, a native of Camden, joined the UA Little Rock Office of Alumni and Development in 2022. As director of annual giving, she is responsible for the management and implementation of the UA Little Rock Foundation’s annual giving program. She is already on track to double yearly giving efforts through the campus campaign.
She is an active member of the community, serving as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategic planning committee and the Hope (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) scholarship committee at UA Little Rock Children International. She also serves as a board member for the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Tooks has a passion for working with community nonprofit organizations. She is an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels and participated in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2021. She has a goal to build a community garden close to where she lives in Alexander and is working with the Arkansas Community Foundation on this project. Through the development of a community garden, she hopes to combat food insecurity and strengthen her community by providing access to clean, healthy, and nutritious food.
Tooks earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UA Little Rock in 2017. Prior to UA Little Rock, she worked as an event sales manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton Little Rock and as a constituent events manager for the Alzheimer’s Association.
All members of the 20 in Their Twenties will have their profiles featured in a special supplement of Arkansas Business to be distributed on Sept. 11.
