Meet the Neighbors: Maegan Dyson, Conway
Chief Development Officer, Conway Regional Health Foundation
Moved from: Newport, Arkansas | Neighborhood: Conway
Maegan Dyson lived in Newport, Arkansas until she was nine, but grew up on the lake in Greers Ferry. Eventually, she moved to Conway to attend the University of Central Arkansas. As a freshman, she joined the large co-ed cheerleading team, which is how she met her husband Wes and many of her good friends. Dyson earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s in business administration at UCA, and the longer she stayed in Conway, the more she fell in love with the city and found her community.
“I love that Conway still has that small-town feeling even though it’s grown tremendously in the 22 years I have lived here,” Maegan said. “I also love that the people of Conway are generous. They support local businesses, nonprofits and the colleges here and you can tell they truly feel passionate about Conway and the people here.”
Dyson works for Conway Regional Health Foundation as the chief development officer. Though new to health care administration, she has been in fundraising for almost 15 years and loves forming relationships with people in the community to give gifts to areas in need. “I get to help make a direct impact on the community I live in and am raising my children in; I get to be a part of positive change for the people we serve, and that’s something I didn’t know I wanted to do ‘when I grew up’ until I fell into it,” Maegan said.
In her free time, Dyson can be found at soccer and football games for her sons Asher and August, or staying active by attending circus classes at Gemini Fitness. Dyson is also a marathon runner. In 2022, she ran the Boston and Chicago marathons, and is currently preparing for her ninth marathon and third world major in Berlin.
“There are a lot of great places to get long runs in without a lot of traffic in Central Arkansas and I also feel safe running by myself, which is something runners can’t say in every part of the country,” Maegan said.
INSIDE SCOOP
Beloved Local Businesses: Xen Thai and Ramen; Cross Creek Sandwich Shop; The Rogue Roundabout; Three Poppies Florals + Gifts + Design; Grey Layne; Gemini Fitness
Leaving a Lasting Impression: “Thanksgiving rolling into Christmastime is still really busy, but Conway feels a little bit like a Hallmark movie,” Maegan said. “You see events or need drives supporting local nonprofits, Downtown looks a little magical with carriage rides and hot chocolate for kids and a giant Christmas tree that everyone takes pictures in front of.”
