Major announcements include a new Maternal Health Center, a STEM university, and an AI training platform for rural students and entrepreneurs

Bentonville, Ark.— Heartland Forward, a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank dedicated to serving states and local communities in the middle of the country, brought together approximately 350 policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, philanthropists and thought leaders from across the country for their flagship event, Heartland Summit. The two-day convening was filled with notable announcements and frank conversations about shared challenges, strengthening connections and creating positive action for the heartland.

“Heartland Summit 2025’s groundbreaking sessions—from Investing in Women to Drive Economic Growth and Empowering Mind, Body and Community to the forward-looking American Competitiveness: Fueled by the Heartland—each explored timely themes and featured extraordinary speakers who are driving change across the heartland,” said Ross DeVol, CEO and Chairman of Heartland Forward. “The energy, insights and collaborations sparked at Summit will help ensure that the heartland is not just keeping pace with the future, but boldly leading the way.”

Each of the event’s major announcements will drive Heartland Forward closer to achieving its goal of generating $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030.

Key announcements include:

• Maternal and Child Health Center for Policy & Practice: In partnership with Centene Foundation and Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas and Walmart, Heartland Forward unveiled a new center that will help heartland states dramatically improve maternal and child health outcomes. 

• Gen Z Gallup Poll: Heartland Forward, Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation revealed a new study showing heartland Gen Z are embracing AI — but feel largely unprepared for an AI-driven future due to gaps in education and workplace policies.

• Stemuli: Heartland Forward launched a new partnership with edtech company Stemuli to develop an AI-powered learning platform that delivers geographically relevant, gamified AI training directly to rural students and entrepreneurs in the heartland, so they are best prepared for tomorrow’s AI economy. 

• rootEd Arkansas Decision Day: Joined by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, five outstanding students announced their post-graduation plans during this special presentation from our rootEd Arkansas program — which places dedicated college and career advisors in rural high schools. 

• Secret Sauce Communities: Heartland Forward showcased Chattanooga, Tennessee, Wichita, Kansas and Fargo, North Dakota— three communities whose “secret sauce” is fueling remarkable economic vitality. 

• Pulse of the Heartland: Heartland Forward officially launched a new platform providing policymakers, journalists and community leaders with real-time insights into the heartland’s economic trends and latest news.

“This year’s Heartland Summit brought together changemakers from across the country to meet in the middle, engage in visionary conversations and change the narrative about the heartland,” said Angie Cooper, president and COO of Heartland Forward. “From our vibrant small towns to our dynamic, growing cities, the middle of the country is a powerful engine of American potential. After two days of bold ideas, unexpected collaborations and meaningful dialogue, one thing is clear: when the heartland thrives, the entire nation moves forward.”

The Summit kicked off with legendary venture capitalist John Doerr and entrepreneur Steve Nelson discussing the challenges facing the American health care industry, reframing them as opportunities for growth. Doerr discussed AI-focused innovation, speaking to how AI has the ability to help solve some of our biggest challenges, particularly in health care.

Also at the Heartland Summit, Tom Walton and Steuart Walton shared plans for a STEM-focused University. Members of the Walton family will launch a new higher education institution designed to reimagine STEM education for the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. 

Heartland Summit also hosted a series of intimate salon dinners, each hosted by Heartland Forward partners, that sparked powerful conversations around the key issues shaping the heartland’s future. 

The dinners explored topics including: 

• the impact of mental health on our communities
• investing in women as a driver of economic growth
• strengthening American competitiveness
• embracing AI to prepare for the future of work
• adopting a whole health approach to life and community
• advancing community-driven solutions for justice reform
• accelerating rural economic development
• infusing venture capital into Heartland communities

For photos from the Heartland Summit, click here. 

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.

About the Heartland Summit

The Heartland Summit was co-founded by Olivia and Tom Walton and Steuart Walton in 2018 to kick-start economic growth and help change the narrative about the middle of the country. The Summit is a forum for frank conversation about our shared challenges, creating positive action and strengthening connections.