Meet Whitney E. Scales

Back to School with Purpose:

Returning, Reimagining, and Achieving

Photo by Katie Childs

Whitney E. is an educator, a friend, a doer, a mentor, a twin who I’ve had the pleasure of growing up with for 37 years. While our goals, journey, and professional pursuits have never been the same, I am happy my sister is finding her stride as she has conquered returning to school after nearly 13 years, earning a BS degree in Organizational Leadership. She has reimagined her path and achieved success as a college graduate and Operations Manager at the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. While the journey has been long, I have a feeling it is just the beginning for Ms. Whitney E. Scales. 

Stay tuned and learn more about how “It is never too late to…” Finish what you started. 

Background and Foundation

Wendell: What values or lessons from your family, community, or upbringing continue to guide your work? 

Whitney E: Respect & Discipline! I come from a family of hard workers who were well respected throughout Central Arkansas. Being a “Scales” twin comes with its own set of high expectations, and I’ve always understood the importance of representing my family well. I was taught to show up, work for what I wanted, and never forget where I came from. Those are values I carry with me every day, both personally and professionally. Becoming a first-generation college graduate is something I’m extremely proud of because it represents the hard work and determination that were instilled in me growing up. At the end of the day, I want to work hard, treat people right, and always remember the people and places that helped shape who I am.

Wendell: Before entering your current leadership role, what did you imagine your career and life would look like?

Whitney E: Growing up, I always wanted to be a pharmacist. That changed my sophomore year of high school when my mentor, Mrs. Mildred Jones, gave me the opportunity to volunteer at her daycare, which turned into a summer job until I graduated high school. I enjoyed that so much that I found a passion for working with children, which led me to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education. As a former educator, that’s all I knew, and you couldn’t tell me that I wouldn’t be working elsewhere. 

Career Development and Leadership

Wendell: Your career spans education, philanthropy, youth development, and women’s empowerment. How have these areas connected throughout your professional journey?

Whitney E: Honestly, at first I didn't see the connection. I started in early childhood education because I loved working with children. As my career evolved into operations and philanthropy, I realized I have always loved helping people and making sure they have opportunities.

Wendell: Which career experiences best prepared you to lead, even if you did not recognize their value at the time?

Whitney E: Looking back, previous roles laid the foundation for the leader I am today. Honestly, all of them. At the time, I didn’t always recognize it as “leadership.” I was simply doing what needed to be done. There were times when I was stretched thin and had to learn to do a little bit of everything. While it wasn’t always comfortable, it pushed me outside my comfort zone. It taught me to take initiative, solve problems, and adapt when things didn’t go as planned. Now, I can look back and appreciate those tough experiences. 

Wendell: How has your definition of leadership evolved throughout your career?

Whitney E: Early on, I probably associated leadership more with having a certain position or title. Today, I see leadership very differently. Leadership is about influence, responsibility, service, and how you show up when people are depending on you. You can lead from any seat. I've also learned that I don't have to change who I am to be an effective leader. I can lead in a way that is authentic to me.

Returning and Achieving Later in Life

Wendell: What inspired you to return to school or pursue a major goal at this stage of your life?

Whitney E: Going back to school was deeply personal for me. My dad would always tell me, "You have to finish school. You can do it." At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how much those words would stay with me. I lost my dad when I was 27, so when I eventually returned to school, he wasn't here to see me do it. Finishing my degree became about so much more than earning another credential or advancing professionally. It was something I wanted to do for myself, but it was also a promise I felt I needed to fulfill.

Wendell: Was there a moment when you questioned whether returning was the right decision? What helped you keep going?

Whitney E: Yes, of course! I hadn’t been to school in years, and I didn't know where to start. There were still challenges ahead, and there were definitely moments when I wondered if I could finish. But I kept hearing my dad's words: "You have to finish school. You can do it." And now other people were speaking that same belief into me. 

Wendell: How did you balance school with your career, family, leadership responsibilities, and personal well-being?

Whitney E: Some weeks were harder than others. There were late nights, weekends spent on schoolwork, and times when I had to say no to things. I learned that balance doesn't always mean giving everything equal attention; I learned to give myself some grace while still holding myself accountable.

Wendell: What does this achievement mean to you beyond earning a degree or credential?

Whitney E: It represents finishing something I started years ago. My degree has my name on it, but there are so many people and a story behind it. I hope someone sees my journey and recognizes there isn't a single timeline for success. Whether it takes four, ten, or more years, finishing is what counts.

Pivotal Moment

Wendell: What was the pivotal moment that changed the direction of your life or career?

Whitney E: What really changed everything for me happened when I walked through the doors of the Women's Foundation of Arkansas.

My boss, Anna Beth Gorman, saw something in me that I didn't fully recognize in myself at the time. She asked me a simple question: "How can I help you achieve your goal of finishing school?" I cried. No one had ever given me an opportunity like that or asked how they could personally help me accomplish that goal. And she had no idea how personal finishing school was for me or what it represented because of my dad. From there, everything seemed to happen so fast. She connected me with the right people and resources, and one connection led to another. Suddenly, this goal that had felt so far away for so many years started to feel possible again. 

Wendell: What did you have to release, rethink, or overcome to step into the next version of yourself?

Whitney E: FEAR!

Mentorship and Empowerment

Wendell: Who has invested in your growth, and how did their mentorship influence your journey?

Whitney E: I've been blessed to have a village of people who have invested in me at different stages of my life. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without my mom! She has been my constant through every season of my life. Her prayers, encouragement, sacrifices, and our many late-night conversations have carried me through some of my best days and some of my hardest ones. She has listened when I needed to talk, reminded me of who I am when I doubted myself, and celebrated every accomplishment, big or small. Knowing that I can always pick up the phone and call my mom has been such a blessing throughout my journey.

And then there’s my twin brother, Wendell. There’s something special about having someone who has literally been by your side since day one! We have our own lives and have taken different paths, but there’s a bond and understanding that comes with being twins, and it’s hard to explain. He has been there through every version of me, the good, the challenging, and everything in between. Our dad would always tell us, “Y’all all y’all got,” and as I’ve gotten older, I understand those words even more. Having my twin there to encourage, support, and remind me of where we came from has meant so much throughout my journey.

My village extends beyond my family. I’ve been fortunate to have colleagues, mentors, and friends who have invested in me, both professionally and personally. Some saw potential in me before I did. They challenged me, pushed me outside my comfort zone, connected me with opportunities, and encouraged me to keep growing.

The Scaling the World Moment

Wendell: What has been your “Scaling the World” moment, the experience when you realized your journey was creating a larger impact?

Whitney E: I think graduating was one of those moments for me. Walking across that stage wasn't just about Whitney getting a degree. I thought about being a first-generation graduate, returning after nearly 13 years, working full-time, and all the people who supported me along the way. “It is never too late to…” Finish what you started.  

Whitney E., graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS)