Ashley Wheeler moved into a Habitat for Humanity home in Fayetteville at age 16. Now she’s CEO of the organization’s Northwest Arkansas affiliate.
Born in Jackson, Miss., Wheeler came to Fayetteville at age 5, moving multiple times around the area until her mother qualified for a Habitat home. “When I became a homeowner as a kid, it changed something in me,” she said. “I finally became proud of where I lived.”
After high school, Wheeler had a variety of jobs before working for First Security Bank, then First National Bank of NWA beginning in 2019. She took banking classes at NorthWest Arkansas Community College and became a community loan officer in 2021.
Wheeler volunteered with area charities, joining Habitat’s Washington County board in 2021. In June 2024 she became co-president and also chaired the merger between the Washington County and Benton County affiliates. Wheeler became CEO in October 2024.
“I never wanted to get out of banking to do this, but I feel called to this role, to this cause,” she said.
Wheeler is leading Habitat, which gives “a hand up, not a handout,” to build five houses this year. That’s more than either affiliate has ever done. Her goal is to build 20 houses annually.
“I firmly believe that NWA deserves a Habitat for Humanity that’s having a significant impact on the affordable housing crisis,” she said. “My goal is to get us there.”
Focusing on building partnerships with businesses and individuals who share that desire, Wheeler wants Habitat to “be so community involved that everybody knows what it is and has participated one way or another.”
Wheeler, her husband and five kids enjoy riding bikes. Since 2016 they’ve tailgated with their Hogged Arteries’ Hambulance at University of Arkansas football games.