Maddox to lead research, policy and programming to improve health outcomes and economic opportunities for women and families across Arkansas and the American heartland
Bentonville, Ark.— Heartland Forward, a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank dedicated to accelerating economic growth across America’s heartland, today announced the appointment of Zoe Maddox, Ph.D., as director of the Maternal and Child Health Center for Policy and Practice.
“Zoe is the ideal person to lead this critical work for the heartland,” said Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward. “She brings the perfect blend of real-world economic expertise and a deep passion for improving health outcomes for moms and families across the region. Her leadership will be transformative for our Maternal and Child Health Center for Policy and Practice, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the Heartland Forward team.”
Prior to joining Heartland Forward, Maddox served within the University of Arkansas’s Division of Economic Development and Walton College of Business, working on entrepreneurship and outdoor recreation initiatives. Her earlier career included roles in investment management, fintech and investor relations.
“Improving maternal health requires forward-thinking, systems-level approaches,” said Cara Osborne, senior fellow at Heartland Forward. “Zoe brings the multidisciplinary expertise we need to lead that change.”
Announced at the 2025 Heartland Summit, as a $10 million initial investment, Heartland Forward was joined by founding partners Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, the Centene Foundation, Walton Family Foundation and Walmart to launch the Center. Working alongside stakeholders across the heartland and our country, the Center will act as a convener and technical expert, supporting initiatives like reopening labor and delivery units through midwifery-led care and addressing regulatory, staffing and reimbursement challenges in real time.
The Center will be incubated in Arkansas, with plans to initially engage Heartland Health Caucus states, before expanding across all 20 heartland states. Under Maddox’s leadership, the Center will help implement Arkansas’s maternal health plan, building on Governor Sanders’ executive order and the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, and collaborating with health leaders to expand access—particularly in rural communities.
“The heartland isn’t just where I work—it’s where I’ve chosen to build my life and put down roots,” said Zoe Maddox, director of the Maternal and Child Health Center for Policy and Practice. “Healthy families are the foundation of thriving communities, and I’m committed to serving as a trusted partner to help drive lasting improvements across a region I’m so proud to call home.”
Maddox earned her Ph.D. in History from Princeton University and her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She remains an active alumni leader at Princeton. She has quickly entrenched herself in the heartland, becoming an active member of the Northwest Arkansas community, engaging in a number of civic and business organizations.
About Heartland Forward
Heartland Forward is a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank that turns ideas into action for states and local communities. Our mission is to accelerate economic growth, change the narrative about the middle of the country and generate $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030. We do this through applied research, community-driven programs, policy and convenings—focusing on regional competitiveness, talent pipeline and health and wellness.