NASCA Press Release: Grace Peck Announced as 2026 20 Under 40 Award Winner

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2026

Contact: Elizabeth Whitehouse, Executive Director, executivedirector@nasca.org

NASCA Press Release: Grace Peck Announced as 2026 20 Under 40 Award Winner

Little Rock, AR — The National Association of State Chief Administrators is proud to announce Grace Peck, Security Analyst at the Arkansas Office of State Technology, as a 2026 NASCA 20 Under 40 Award recipient.

The NASCA 20 Under 40 Award recognizes 20 exceptional young leaders from across the country who are making significant contributions to state government. Our 2026 honorees represent the very best of public service – exemplifying innovation, collaboration, and a dedication to improving the lives of those they serve every single day.

In her role as Security Analyst, Peck leads the day-to-day protection and operational oversight of critical state infrastructure. The systems she helps safeguard support thousands of Arkansans, and her reliability ensures continuity and resilience across the services that agencies and residents rely on.

Peck approaches every challenge with a customer service mindset, building trust through responsiveness, transparency, and respect. Whether she is guiding an agency through an urgent issue, coordinating with technical teams, or preventing a small problem from becoming a major disruption, she brings calm thinking, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility. That blend of technical skill and human connection has made her indispensable.

Upon nominating Peck, Leslie Fisken, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, applauded her dedication to strengthening the State’s cybersecurity measures.

“Grace’s work ethic, dedication, and commitment are unmatched. She is already shaping the future of cybersecurity in Arkansas, not through titles or recognition, but through the trust she earns every day.”

Fisken continued, “She is emerging as a future leader who will help define Arkansas’s cybersecurity landscape. For these reasons, Grace is not only deserving of a 20 Under 40 award, she embodies the qualities this recognition exists to honor.”

An innovative and people-first leader, Peck’s dedication to excellence represents the qualities reflected by the NASCA 40 Under 40 Award. NASCA celebrates her selection as a 20 Under 40 recipient, and we look forward to her continued work advancing excellence in state government operations.

Founded in 1976, NASCA is the nation’s only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving chief administrative officers or CAOs. NASCA provides a forum for state chief administrative officers to exchange information and learn new ideas from each other and private sector partners. NASCA engages states in transforming government operations through shared knowledge, operational excellence, and thought leadership.

For more information on NASCA, please visit NASCA.org.