2025 COHORT

Nina Harris

Founder & CEO, Crown Yours Rx.

O’Dell Johnson

Ph.D., CPH, CEO & Founder, Research Institute for Social Equity.

Chelsea McCurdy

Creator & Founder, The Hobbit Hikers LLC.

LaSonja Jones

Founder of Dynamic Baby LLC.

Lisa Garner

Founder of UniQSolutions and the Health Innovation and Research Center.

Yogesh ‘Yogi’ Pandit

CEO and Founder, TruEx

Ana Miller

Au.D., Founder Mobile Audiology: Bringing Hearing Care to ALL

Nina Harris

Founder & CEO, Crown Yours Rx.

Nina Harris is a cranial prosthesis specialist and licensed cosmetologist with nine years of experience in the hair industry. 

Driven by her passion for helping individuals facing hair loss due to medical conditions, she founded Crown Yours Rx to provide personalized solutions and expert care. 

Harris is dedicated to educating clients on hair loss management and offers innovative cranial prosthesis that empower clients to regain their confidence. She actively collaborates with healthcare providers and support groups to raise awareness and support for hair loss issues. 

O’Dell Johnson

Ph.D., CPH, CEO & Founder, Research Institute for Social Equity.

O’Dell Johnson is an associate professor of integrative health studies at Saybrook University and Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, Calif. Additionally, he is a visiting professor/lecturer at the University of Washington, Tacoma, in areas such as psychology, critical thinking/skepticism, AI, and criminal and social justice. Further, he is a research fellow in biomedical science with the University of Arkansas of Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock and the principal investigator of an NIH-funded grant, “Potential of a Universal Basic Income for Justice System Impacted Persons after Reentry to Improve Health and Health Seeking Attitudes.”  

 His primary research interests focus on rural health disparities in under-resourced/underserved communities, particularly those with lived/living experiences of incarceration. His experience in cross-cultural professional spaces has contributed greatly to developing meaningful axiological and epistemological worldviews to advance research and best practices when working with marginalized populations.  

Dr. Johnson earned his B.S. in Theological Science with a specialization in community counseling from St. Louis Christian College, followed by an M.S. in Psychology with a specialization in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University, and a Ph.D. in Humanistic Psychology from Saybrook University with a specialization in Transformative Community Psychology. He is the CEO/Founder of the Research Institute for Social Equity and has conducted various studies for nonprofits and corporations in California. Currently, he is in the development stages of the Arkansas Coalition for Higher Education in Prisons and Arkansas Integrative Health and Wellness Center. 

Chelsea McCurdy

Creator & Founder, The Hobbit Hikers LLC 

Chelsea McCurdy is creator and founder of The Hobbit Hikers LLC, an online community of more than 270,000 people across the globe. She is dedicated to fostering a collaborative, inclusive and empowering environment while advocating for self-love and body confidence through joyful movement and time spent in nature. McCurdy is a Star Host with TrovaTrip, where she hosts group travel adventures with like-minded travelers who hike and explore the world together.  

She is also a content creator on TikTok, where she posts daily vlogs, hiking content and videos documenting the adventures of The Hobbit Hikers. On the weekends, she teaches inclusive and accessible Pilates classes and soon will be teaching Pilates online for those who don’t live in Arkansas and cannot come to classes in person! McCurdy is also the communications coordinator for a nonprofit that serves Arkansas families, mothers and babies in collaboration with Arkansas Children’s Hospital. 

“I’m proud to help families in Arkansas and I’m proud to spread the joy of Pilates to everybody in every body,” McCurdy said. ‘I’m on a mission to show others that exercise doesn’t have to be a punishment. Hiking doesn’t have to be a competitive sport. You don’t have to be good at your hobbies to enjoy them. Perfection is unattainable, so I don’t see any value in waiting around to be perfect. I’m here to prove that now is the time to get out there and enjoy life, just as you are.” 

LaSonja Jones

Founder of Dynamic Baby LLC

LaSonja Jones is the founder of Dynamic Baby LLC, a company dedicated to creating innovative, eco-friendly baby products that make life easier and better for parents. Her first product, a redesigned baby bottle, aims to revolutionize the baby industry by improving functionality and design. Jones envisions Dynamic Baby LLC as a force for change and progress, bringing fresh ideas to a rapidly growing, $3 billion-dollar market. 

The idea for her baby bottle originated in 2016, and by 2017, she had sketched her initial designs. After years of thoughtful planning, Jones began working with an invention company in 2023 to conduct a patent search. In 2024, she started the process of drafting a utility patent, which she plans to file upon completion. 

Jones is passionate about fostering innovation and sees Dynamic Baby LLC as a cornerstone of her broader vision, operating under the umbrella of Jones Innovation Creations LLC. With a professional background in both adult and pediatric dentistry as well as child care services, Jones brings a wealth of experience and insight into the needs of parents and children. 

Through her participation in this program, Jones hopes to gain the guidance and support needed to bring her product to market and establish her company as a key player in the baby industry. 

Lisa Garner

Founder of UniQSolutions and the Health Innovation and Research Center 

Lisa Garner is an experienced healthcare leader and entrepreneur with over 30 years of expertise in skilled nursing and long-term care operations. As the founder of UniQSolutions (UQS) and the Health Innovation and Research Center (HIRC), she is passionate about redefining post-acute care through virtual care models that empower patients to recover at home. Her innovative hub-and-spoke approach focuses on addressing disparities in healthcare access, particularly for underserved urban and rural populations, while improving outcomes and reducing costs.  

Garner’s work is driven by a commitment to building capacity in the healthcare workforce and engaging communities to tackle challenges posed by social determinants of health. She believes in equitable, patient-centered solutions that enhance quality of care and quality of life.  

As a participant in the ACTIVE program, she is excited to collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs, leverage cutting-edge insights, and bring transformative ideas to life. 

Yogesh ‘Yogi’ Pandit

CEO and Founder, TruEx

Yogesh “Yogi” Pandit is serial entrepreneur, known for developing groundbreaking technology solutions. At TruEx the team has bult a decentralized data solution through its Rainbow Trust Engine, Fluid ID Universal Identification, and Vortex Storage Platform. These innovative systems redefine virtual trust and safety with new methods of data security, privacy and ownership, empowering users to take control of their digital footprint, solving multi-billion-dollar problems in the healthcare industry.

With extensive experience in business, technology and governance, Pandit has patents and education in this domain and has spent decades crafting advanced solutions for global organizations. His expertise in AI and data governance, risk management and compliance enables TruEx to address complex challenges in the evolving digital landscape. Pandit’s ability to align cutting-edge technology with practical business needs ensures the company’s solutions drive measurable impact.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Pandit is deeply committed to education and mentorship. Based in Little Rock, Ark., he actively supports initiatives at the Innovation Hub, The Venture Center and UALR and collaborates with schools to foster responsible AI adoption among students and educators. He is also involved in a unique health initiative “Yoga Se Hoga” along with his children and community. He believes that traditional disciplines such as Yoga and Ayurveda will be more prevalent in the future, especially with the increase of mental health issues in children and chronic, stress-related illnesses in adults. Learn more about Yogesh Pandit on his LinkedIn profile.

Ana Miller

Au.D., Founder Mobile Audiology: Bringing Hearing Care to ALL

Ana Miller, Au.D., is a dedicated bilingual research and clinical audiologist with experience in diagnosing and treating hearing loss. Passionate about improving hearing health, she founded her mobile audiology clinic to bring high-quality, accessible care to communities with limited access to traditional audiology services. With a focus on making hearing healthcare convenient and affordable, Dr. Miller provides comprehensive services, including hearing tests, hearing aid fittings, hearing conservation solutions, and ongoing education for her patients.

Her mobile clinic is designed to serve individuals in rural or remote areas and at-risk patient groups, eliminating barriers to access and ensuring that patients receive the care they need, no matter where they are. Dr. Miller’s approach is patient-centered, always taking the time to understand the unique needs of each individual and offering personalized solutions for better hearing.

In addition to Dr. Miller’s expertise, her husband, Garrett Miller, plays a vital role in the business as the Community Engagement and Networking Specialist. Together, they work to connect with local organizations, schools and healthcare providers, ensuring that their services reach those who need them most. Their shared commitment to the community helps expand access to hearing care and raise awareness about the importance of hearing health.

Dr. Miller’s mobile clinic is more than just a convenient service – it’s a life-changing resource that empowers people to hear better, live better and stay connected to the world around them.

 

Join the Next Cohort

The program is open to Arkansans who have faced social and economic barriers to accessing business capital. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis andreviewed in the fall, followed by notice of acceptance in December. Training starts in January. Apply today to take the next step in advancing health innovation in Arkansas!