Audrey Willis

Audrey Willis was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a high school diploma from Redan High School. Her career experience includes being the co-founder and chief innovation & programming officer at CodeCrew. She has also served as a mayoral appointee for Innovation and Performance Analysis.[1]

Willis has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

Epicenter

New Memphis

CodeCrew

NEXUS

SIM-Society for Information Management

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Audrey P. Willis is a technology and innovation leader, educator, and community advocate deeply rooted in the Arkansas Delta. As Co-Founder and Chief Innovation & Programming Officer at CodeCrew, Audrey has spent her career expanding access to computer science education, workforce training, and entrepreneurship opportunities across the Mid-South.

Recognized as a U.S. Obama Leader, Audrey has worked alongside policymakers and innovators worldwide to create inclusive solutions that prepare communities for the future of work. She currently serves on the boards of New Memphis and Epicenter Memphis and is a member of the Delta Leadership Institute, where she helps shape regional strategies for economic growth and innovation.

Born into a family with deep Arkansas roots, Audrey’s great-grandfather farmed cotton in Parkin after serving in World War I. That legacy of hard work and resilience drives her commitment to serve District 35 representing West Memphis, Marion, Parkin, Earle, and Turrell with integrity, innovation, and impact.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Technology & Workforce Development

Arkansas is standing on the edge of a technology and workforce boom and District 35 can lead the way. Audrey will:

- Expand access to tech training and digital-skills programs.

- Partner with employers to launch apprenticeships and create good-paying jobs.

- Invest in broadband access so every resident can participate in the modern economy.

- Build public-private partnerships that bring innovation and opportunity to every neighborhood.Youth & Education

Every child deserves a world-class education and a clear path to success. Audrey will:

- Support teachers with the training and tools they need to prepare students for the future.

- Expand after-school, STEM, and career-readiness programs.

- Strengthen early-childhood education and literacy.

- Connect classrooms to local industry to prepare students for real-world opportunities.Economic Development

A strong economy starts with strong communities. Audrey will:

- Support small businesses and entrepreneurs through access to capital and mentorship.

- Attract new industries and create jobs that pay living wages.

- Encourage development that keeps talent and investment in District 35.

- Advocate for infrastructure and innovation districts that drive inclusive growth.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about policies that connect innovation, education, and economic growth. My focus is on expanding tech and workforce training so Arkansans can earn good-paying jobs close to home. I’m committed to supporting teachers and STEM programs that prepare students for the future of work, and to helping small businesses grow through access to capital and partnerships. I believe innovation shouldn’t just happen in big cities, it should thrive right here in East Arkansas, empowering families and building stronger communities across District 35.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

For me, the most important qualities in an elected official are integrity, humility, and follow-through. Titles don’t impress me, impact does. I believe leaders should be grounded in service, not status. An elected official should listen before speaking, tell the truth even when it’s uncomfortable, and make decisions that benefit people, not politics. I’ve built my career on getting things done, not just talking about them, and I believe leadership is about using your platform to create opportunities for others. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and staying rooted in the community that trusted you to lead.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of a State Representative is to serve the people, not personal interests or party agendas. It’s about listening to the needs of the community and turning those concerns into action. This role requires transparency, accessibility, and accountability. A representative should be visible, responsive, and willing to work across party lines to get things done for the sake of the community, not political affiliation. For me, that means creating jobs, supporting schools, and building systems that make opportunity possible for everyone, no matter their zip code.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I believe the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature should be built on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to serve the people of Arkansas. Healthy debate is necessary, but progress happens when both branches work together toward common goals. The governor should set a vision that uplifts the state, and the legislature should ensure that vision is carried out with fairness, transparency, and accountability. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we must always agree to put Arkansans first. That’s how real, lasting change happens.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Arkansas is standing at the edge of a major technology boom, especially in East Arkansas, and our greatest challenge will be making sure we’re prepared for it. Artificial intelligence and automation are already reshaping how we learn, work, and live. If we don’t act now, we risk leaving our teachers, students, and workers behind. We need policies that equip educators with the tools to teach AI responsibly, programs that reskill and upskill our workforce, and accountability measures to ensure employers hiring in our state are hiring Arkansans. Our challenge isn’t whether innovation is coming it’s whether we’ll be ready to lead it. I believe we can.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe understanding the inner workings of government is important but it’s not the only kind of experience that matters. I’ve had firsthand experience serving in government as an appointee of the Mayor, where I learned how policy, budgets, and public accountability truly operate. My work in Fortune 100 companies taught me strategy and accountability; startup experience taught me how to build from scratch and pivot when needed; and nonprofit leadership taught me compassion and service. Political experience can help, but real leadership comes from understanding systems, solving problems, and delivering results for people.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, absolutely. Building relationships with other legislators is essential to getting real work done. I believe in pluralism the idea that progress comes when people with different experiences and perspectives work together toward shared goals. Strong relationships across party lines allow for honest dialogue, creative problem-solving, and policies that truly reflect the needs of all Arkansans. I’ve seen through my work in innovation and government that collaboration, not competition, leads to better outcomes. We don’t have to agree on everything to move our communities forward—just agree to get to work.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I look up to two Arkansas leaders who reshaped how our state thinks about progress Winthrop Rockefeller and Governor Asa Hutchinson.

Winthrop Rockefeller was a visionary who modernized Arkansas politics and led with compassion and courage. He believed that leadership meant improving lives, not just winning elections. His focus on education, workforce reform, and racial equality continues to inspire me. Like Rockefeller, I believe innovation must serve people that progress should be inclusive, measurable, and rooted in opportunity for every community.

Governor Asa Hutchinson also embodied future-focused leadership. Under his administration, Arkansas became a national leader in computer science education a move that prepared our teachers, students, and workforce for the digital economy long before other southern states took notice. I admire his willingness to look ahead, embrace technology, and build bipartisan support to make it happen. His work laid the foundation for Arkansas to become a model of how education and innovation can work hand in hand.

Both leaders remind me that progress requires courage the courage to modernize, to collaborate across party lines, and to make decisions that will outlast your term. That’s the kind of leadership I strive to bring to District 35.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not at this time. My focus is on serving the people of District 35 and doing the work that directly impacts our communities. I believe effective leadership means being present, engaged, and accountable to the people who elected you. Right now, my energy is on creating jobs, supporting teachers, preparing our students for the future, and ensuring East Arkansas is ready for the coming wave of innovation and opportunity. The best way to lead is to focus on the work at hand, not the next office.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

I believe the legislature should oversee emergency powers, but with balance. Having served in a mayoral appointment when the world was hit by COVID, I saw firsthand how important flexibility and collaboration are in a crisis. We had to adapt quickly but still work together for the good of the people. The governor must be able to act fast to protect citizens, but transparency and accountability matter too. Oversight isn’t about control it’s about trust, teamwork, and making sure decisions reflect the people we serve.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

The Arkansas Tech Hub: Delta Innovation District will directly benefit the people of District 35 by creating real opportunities that reach every corner of our community. It means more good-paying local jobs so parents can work where they live, training programs so workers can move into high-demand fields like technology, logistics, and agriculture, and hands-on learning for students to prepare for the careers of the future. Small business owners will gain access to new contracts, mentorship, and resources, while our farmers will have local support to use modern tools that increase efficiency and profit. By matching every local and philanthropic dollar with state funds, we’ll double our investment in our people and infrastructure without raising taxes. This hub isn’t about bringing in outsiders, it’s about giving our residents the skills, spaces, and support to thrive right here in West Memphis, so the Delta’s best days aren’t ahead of us somewhere else, they’re being built by us, right here at home.

Create a state designation + matching fund to launch the West Memphis Innovation & Logistics Tech Hub (AI + agritech + supply chain).

How: $1 of state match for every $1 of local/philanthropy/EDA money; site-readiness, lab build-out, prototyping vouchers.

Qualify: Consortia led by city/county + higher-ed + industry.

Metrics: startups launched, SBIR wins, jobs created, median wage.

Fit: Works alongside AEDC investment tools (Advantage Arkansas, ArkPlus, Create Rebate) and equity credits.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

Yes, but carefully. I believe any changes to the state ballot initiative process must be handled with transparency and sensitivity to the people most affected. The process should make it easier, not harder, for Arkansans to have their voices heard. Before considering any adjustments, we must listen to constituents, not personal or political interests. I support thoughtful reforms that strengthen trust, improve clarity, and ensure every citizen feels represented in the democratic process.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

To date, one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is deciding to jump into this race and run for State Representative. It’s not something I took lightly it’s a decision rooted in years of service, community work, and seeing firsthand what’s possible when people lead with purpose. I’ve built programs that created jobs, expanded access to technology education, and helped everyday Arkansans prepare for the future. But stepping forward to serve my district directly feels different. It’s personal. I’m proud that I said “yes” to representing the people and places that shaped me.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in your state?

I believe every Arkansan deserves an equal and fair path to the ballot box. Voting should never feel like a privilege it’s a right. I would support legislation that ensures early voting is consistent, well-publicized, and accessible for everyone, especially in rural and underserved areas like East Arkansas.

I’ve seen firsthand in local government how small breakdowns in communication confusing rules, limited access, or long lines can keep people from participating. That’s not democracy in action. I’d work to strengthen transparency, require clear public reporting, and make the process easier to understand.

Most importantly, any changes to election laws must reflect the voices of the people, not politics. I’m committed to listening to voters, poll workers, and community leaders to make sure reforms build trust not barriers. My focus is on ensuring that every Arkansan, no matter their zip code, can vote with confidence knowing their voice counts.