Sheila brings over 30 years of pro-life experience to NWA. After graduating from the University of Kansas, she moved to Dallas, TX and became actively involved in the Pro-Life Action League, Operation Rescue and the Catholic Pro-Life Committee. In 1993, Sheila moved to New York and worked with John Cardinal O’Connor in the Archdiocese of New York, giving numerous pro-life talks, raising funds, and joining efforts to establish a maternity home. ​

Returning to Dallas in 2000, Sheila briefly worked for Life Dynamics before moving to NWA after her marriage to Arthur Pursell in October 2009. Formerly a Human Resources Manager for Mosaic in Dallas and a Benefits Consultant for Colonial Life in Fayetteville, Sheila now works full-time as Executive Director for the NWA Respect Life Council. Sheila and Arthur are parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Rogers, and Sheila has been a member of the Council since 2010.

Debi has served on the NWA Respect Life Board for the past two years and has been involved in pro-life activities since 2006.  Her vision is to continue to promote, educate and foster a growing awareness of the dignity of every human life from the unborn to natural death. 

Debi received a B.A. in Business Administration and was recently awarded Certification as a Spiritual Director and Director of Retreats from Creighton University in Omaha, NE.  After working in sales management for 10 years, she now works as Adult Faith Formation Coordinator at her church.  Debi and her husband of 26 years, Jeff, have lived in NWA since 2003 and have raised their two daughters here.  

John is a retired advertising, marketing and sales executive whose career spanned 45 years. After receiving a BS Degree in Advertising from the University of Illinois in 1968, Conrad began his career in consumer “hard goods” with Admiral Corporation and Rheem Manufacturing. After a few years as an account executive in the advertising agency business he joined a Business to Business magazine publishing company and remained in that industry for over 25 years. He ended his business career as Publisher of a national weekly publication called The NEWS which was read by air conditioning and heating contractors and wholesalers. During his tenure with The NEWS, the magazine was ranked among the top 50 business to business publications in the United States.

John has been an active member of the St Vincent DePaul parish in Rogers since moving to the area in 1998. He serves as a lector, a communion minister and also takes communion to the homebound. He is an avid supporter of the pro-life movement and has participated in the last two campaigns for 40 Days for Life.  John lives in Rogers with his wife Barbara. He also has a daughter, Erin and two grandsons, Lucas and Evan in Fayetteville.

As a passionate supporter of pro-life issues for years, Cindy has been involved with crisis pregnancy work, pro-life fundraising, and coordinating 40 Days for Life campaigns.

She and her family moved to Fayetteville in 2013 after living throughout the US and abroad.  With psychology and  physics degrees and a doctorate in optometry, Cindy taught learning-disabled students before practicing optometry for several years and then choose to be a full-time mom to their four children.  Later she worked in Development for Anchorage Public Television and presently helps her husband run their cattle ranch.  Cindy and her family are active members at St Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville.

With a Master’s in Accounting and seven years of experience as a professional accountant, Zoe brings a strong foundation in financial stewardship to her role as Treasurer. She is passionate about supporting the most vulnerable in our society, and grateful for the opportunity to use her skills to help ensure every dollar directly advances our mission. Serving on the board allows her to give back in a meaningful way, while helping educate the community about pro-life options and advocating for senior citizens. Outside of work, She enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, hiking, and traveling.

Cathy Evangelista has been active in pro-life issues since she first moved to NWA in 2013 from Southwest Missouri. She is passionate about serving vulnerable populations and showing people their innate human dignity with kindness and compassion. Cathy is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Arkansas. She works with children, teens, and adults to help them overcome mental health disorders, trauma, and substance use. Cathy is married to Elmer Evangelista and they are parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Springdale. 

Sarah has passionately advocated for the unborn most of her life. She grew up in North Texas, introduced to the cause to protect life as a young girl. Her mother, also part of the NWA Respect Life team, worked at a local pregnancy crisis center and assisted many mothers in need. She was introduced to mothers seeking abortion or healing from abortion from many different circumstances. She became adamantly and profoundly pro-life after meeting a mother who conceived children by incestual rape, and was seeking aid to prevent another forced abortion performed by Planned Parenthood.  
Sarah's background is in art and design. She attended college at Columbia College of Art & Design in Chicago, then attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She has lived in NWA since 2010. 

She is currently a stay-at-home mom of 3 children. Her husband, Calvin Strickert, and her reside in Bentonville and attend Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. They are also involved in several ministries with St Vincent de Paul.   

Mary spent the first 20 years of her career working in finance and administration. While working full time, she first felt called to help with Gabriel Project in 2001, a ministry that helped mothers in need, often seeking an abortion. She spent 3 years with them when she was surprised with an unexpected, complicated pregnancy at age 43. Mary was told she could no longer have children after her daughter was born in 1990. Given her circumstances, many doctors recommended she abort her son. Her journey choosing life for him pathed the next 10 years, where she quit her career in finance after his birth, and went on to be a Director of Guest Services for North Texas Respect Life and a Director at Loreto House Pregnancy Crisis Center in Denton, TX. Her 13+ years working in pro-life ministries has qualified her to lead the Senior Outreach Ministry for NWA Respect Life. 

Mary and her husband, Rob, lived in Argyle, TX for 35 years. They recently moved to NWA in 2024 to be closer to both their children and grandchildren. They are parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows.

Russ Richman is an active member of the Mission Boulevard Baptist Church in Fayetteville, AR. He is the proud father of two sons and four grandchildren.

     Russ brings his passion for pro-life through his sorrow and regret of involvement with a past abortion. He now knows the forgiveness and healing of Jesus Christ and seeks to share the joy of Christ with others. Russ believes the Holy Spirit has  guided him to be a part of NWA Respect Life. In addition to faithful prayers outside of abortion centers, Russ uses his handyman skills in building and now coordinating the Cross Memorial Display.  Russ states,  "The loss of aborted children will not go unnoticed."