About the Collective

Our Story

The Ladies Social Collective is a growing community of more than 12,000 women across Northwest Arkansas. What began as a simple desire for connection has grown into a movement centered around belonging, support, and meaningful relationships.

The Collective was born during a time when many women were feeling isolated and disconnected. Leisha Bejarano, the Founder and Executive Director of the NWA Ladies Social Collective, recognized a need for something more intentional—spaces where women of all ages and stages of life could come together, feel welcomed, and build real friendships without pressure or pretense. With a heart for community and a natural ability to bring people together, she created what she once needed herself.

We are passionate about creating environments where women feel seen, valued, and supported—and where there is always room for one more. Our vision is to help make Northwest Arkansas one of the most connected and supportive places for women in the country.

Our Team

Leisha Bejarano

Founder, Executive Director

A mom of five (plus one bonus daughter), she’s a natural connector who started this community to bring women together in a space that feels warm, inclusive, and real. She believes with her whole heart that “there’s always room for one more,” and while leading this group has had both beautiful and tough moments, it has always been worth it. She’s down-to-earth, a little bit of a people pleaser, and loves thrift stores, coffee shops, nature, and seeing what crafty women create. She values genuine connection and understands that busy seasons of life (especially with five kids) don’t mean she doesn’t absolutely adore her people.

She’s also a stage 4 cancer thriver, nearly two years into her fight with colon cancer that metastasized to her lung. The women who shared their stories became her glimmers of light, and she now chooses to live as an open book in hopes of being that same light for others. Recently remarried, she’s grateful for a supportive husband and continues to learn, grow, and do her best through every season life brings.

Andrea Brown

Secretary

Born and raised in Kansas City, Andrea also spent 30 years in Texas (Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston areas), attending college and graduate school at Texas Christian University (GO FROGS!) and then working as a petroleum geologist. She moved to Bentonville in 2022, both to be closer to extended family and to spend alllllllll her time outdoors in a place that has all four seasons.


A stay-at-home mom of two boys and two girls, Andrea has served her communities as a softball coach, Girl Scout leader, food pantry volunteer, and PTO President/board member for three schools. She’s excited to be a member of the NWALSC board so she can help guide the group’s transition from a social club to a nonprofit that makes a big difference for women and children in Northwest Arkansas!

Jan Valencia

Treasurer

After a 40 year career in mortgage banking, Jan retired in 2022 and moved to Arkansas from the Kansas City area. It's always been a passion of Jan's to help people in any way she can. Sometimes just lending an ear to listen can make all the difference. As financing a home can be difficult and emotional, she always worked to make sure it was smooth and easy. Having held just about every position available in the mortgage industry, her last 10 years were focused on the technology side of things. She even founded a startup that built software for financing apartment buildings. She has served on several non profit boards over the years and is now excited to bring her experience and expertise to the NWA Ladies Social Collective. 

As a mom in a blended family of 4 kids, she feels blessed to have filled this role of leader, guidance counselor, chef, taxi and whatever the kids needed! They are all grown and now have families of their own. In fact, there are 4 grandchildren with another one due any day! Her hobbies include water color painting, sewing, knitting, paddle boarding, hiking, baking sourdough bread, playing mahjong, and playing with her two neighbor boys.