Our Team — Community Connections

Meet Our Team

Courtney Leach

Executive Director

Courtney Leach earned her Bachelors degree in Public Relations and Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. She left distribution management to come serve as executive director of Community Connections in 2008 when her middle son, Alex, was born with a chromosome deletion. Courtney fell in love with the vision of supporting families of children with special needs and offering the kids quality extra-curricular activities. Courtney and her husband, Trip, have three sons and one daughter- Quinten, Alex, Bentley and Abigail, and serve on staff at New Life Church in Conway.

Courtney@CommunityConnectionsAR.org

Jessica Nichols

Director of Programs

Jessica Nichols earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology and Counseling with a minor in Sociology from the University of Central Arkansas. She was a stay at home mom for 9.5 years but after loosing their son, Gavin, she entered back into the workforce with a passion for helping families and kids. She worked as the receptionist at Restored Life Counseling, and then became a case-worker for Pinnacle Pointe Outpatient where she worked with behavioral health in the Conway School District. She volunteers her time at the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, at the University of Central Arkansas, and at Conway First Baptist Church. Jessica and her husband, Derek, reside in Conway with their two daughters, Haley and Kensey.

Jessica@CommunityConnectionsAR.org

Anna Valenzuela

Family Support & Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator

Anna Valenzuela obtained her family credentialing from the University of Connecticut in 2012. She later pursued her Family Development Instructor and Portfolio Advisor Credentials in 2019. In 2023 she became a certified interpreter through ABICE (Arkansas Bilingual Interpreter Credential in Education). Anna previously worked with vulnerable populations and administrative staff in six regions, including migrant families in Arkansas and Louisiana. She also specialized in the early childhood department at a local community action agency for ten years. Anna first learned about Community Connections at a service fair, where she signed her older son Abel to be part of several programs. Abel suffers from a Neurological disorder (TSC). Community Connections has given him many opportunities for individual growth, making friends, and has become a great support system. Anna and her husband Abel have three sons and two daughters-Abel Jr., Adam, Alek, Analinda, and Anabella. They are active members of New Life Church in Conway. Anna is passionate about family and community advocacy; It fuels her heart to connect with others and provide support and services to those in need.

Anna@CommunityConnectionsAR.org

Melissa Cavazos

Director of Development & Northwest Arkansas

Melissa Cavazos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Arts degree in Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. With two decades of experience in corporate roles such as proposal management, sales enablement, and marketing-centric people management, she decided to pivot to the fulfilling non-profit world of Community Connections. Melissa has closely followed Community Connections since its inception, first as a donor and attendee of the annual Good Night event, and then as a volunteer advisory board member, and has witnessed its remarkable growth and the positive impact it has had on countless Arkansas families.

After living in Conway for 20+ years, Melissa, her husband Chris, and their two children, Evan and Ruby, relocated to Northwest Arkansas in 2022. In her new role, she is dedicated to developing Community Connections across the state and expanding its programs in the NWA area.

Melissa@CommunityConnectionsAR.org