Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Oklahoma City for 2024. As the capital and the largest city in the state, Oklahoma City is known for many diverse industries. The bustling economy includes companies and organizations dedicated to advancing the fields of healthcare, telecommunications, energy, biotech, aerospace, and hospitality. Government and business services, including PR, research and development, and employment services, thrive there.
Among the talented professionals who continue to move OKC forward is this year’s honoree Mandy Fuller. A leader in the energy sector, Fuller serves as a Vice President and Chief Audit Executive for Devon Energy Production Company, a leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company.
We also recognize the accomplishments of technology leader Annette White-Klososky, a Founding Partner of Future Point of View, a prominent technology-strategy firm. White-Klososky is the lead facilitator of the Executive Advisory Boards, and her forums include executive members representing companies with over 40,000 employees and $23 billion in total annual revenues.
Finally, we honor Erin Zaranec, an executive committed to helping people live longer, healthier lives as a Development Director with the American Heart Association, the oldest and largest voluntary organization in the US dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Oklahoma City for 2024.
1). Karen Billen
VP, Sales, Express Employment Professional
Karen Billen joined Express in 1996 as a Staffing Consultant and has since climbed the ranks to hold various leadership positions. Her track record showcases her proficiency in sales coaching and program development, significantly contributing to the company's growth. Karen's strategic vision and innovative approach have been instrumental in enhancing sales performance.
Now serving as Vice President of Strategic Sales and Account Development, Karen leverages her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to drive Express forward. She focuses on expanding business, fostering impactful partnerships, and seizing opportunities to expand the Express footprint across diverse locations, service lines, and product offerings.
What distinguishes Karen is not only her professional expertise but also her deep commitment to Express Franchisees. She ardently supports their success, providing guidance and encouragement to help them thrive. Karen's leadership goes beyond achievements; she inspires others and cultivates a culture of excellence and collaboration.
Karen Billen's journey embodies leadership, resilience, and dedication. Her story illustrates the power of passion and perseverance, leaving an extraordinary impact on Express and its community. As she continues to inspire and lead, Karen remains a symbol of excellence and the essence of the Express spirit.
2). Linda Arredondo
Chief Information Officer | EVP, Express Employment Professionals
Linda Arredondo is the Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President at Express Employment Professionals. She first joined the company in 2020 as chief information officer and senior vice president. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Express Employment International supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the US, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
With over 20 years of successful IT leadership experience, Arredondo has demonstrated expertise in all information management and technology domains. She possesses an expert level of knowledge in change management, project management, service management, and strategic planning. As a key member of the executive leadership team, she facilitates close alignment between IT and the business to meet and exceed strategic organizational goals and objectives.
Prior to joining Express Employment Professionals, Arredondo served as the director of information technology for her Tribal Nation. At the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she provided IT leadership across all areas of the Nation, including executive, government, and judicial branches, healthcare, enterprise, gaming, and hospitality. Arredondo earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from St. Gregory's University.
3). Miriam Campos
VP, Head of Community Impact, BancFirst
Miriam Campos is VP and Head of Community Impact in Oklahoma City for BancFirst. BancFirst has grown to more than 100 locations in 60 Oklahoma communities. They are committed to investing in the future of their communities by offering personal and commercial products, trust, insurance, and investment services.
With over 13 years of experience in the financial industry, Campos has held several positions spanning retail banking, business banking, and community development. Previously, Campos was a vice president, and community manager at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Before that, she was a business development at Arvest Bank. Earlier in her career, she worked with Sleep Disorder Centers as a human resource coordinator. Campos’s relationship-building experience has led her to serve as a connector in the business community through financial resources, education, and establishing relationships within the community at large. Campos has over 20 years of hands-on community engagement experience and continues to work tirelessly to make a positive impact in Oklahoma City.
Campos earned a Doctorate of Business Administration in Leadership from Liberty University, an MBA in Business Administration and Management, and an undergraduate degree in organizational leadership from Southern Nazarene University.
7). Amanda Colyer
Regional Director, Helmerich & Payne
Amanda Colyer is a Regional Director for Helmerich & Payne (H&P) International Drilling Co. Colyer focuses on driving and leading the change management effort for the enterprise as it undergoes a digital transformation. H&P has been a trusted partner and leader in drilling productivity, reliability, and technological innovation.
Colyer began her career as a process and application engineer prior to joining H&P in 2013. She started as a Performance Engineer providing optimization solutions for customers until she took on the role of rig performance and data analytics manager in 2015 transforming the team into a data-driven support function that is still critical to the company today. in 2017, she moved into operations as a drilling superintendent in the mid-con division in Oklahoma City as the first female in an operations management role within US Land for H&P. Following this she spent a few years in Houston as part of the sales and marketing group working as a strategic account manager. She rejoined the operations team moving back to Oklahoma City with her significant other in April 2021 taking on the role of regional director of northern operations covering Oklahoma, North Dakota, and the Rockies.
Colyer is originally from Illinois and graduated from The University of Tulsa in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and received her Master of Energy Business in 2014. Colyer has been an active member of most of the engineering societies involved in energy but has had a passion for the Women’s Energy Network (WEN) since she joined in 2017. She has been an active board member of the WEN Greater OK Chapter since 2022 and served two years on the IADC Mid-Con board. She is passionate about bringing a unique perspective to the energy industry and creating a diverse and welcoming environment in everything she is involved in. She is a heart-forward leader focusing on encouraging and supporting but also challenging those around her to move everyone forward down the path of continuous improvement.
11). Kara Beringer
Regional Director, The CoStar Group
Kara's career began in Oklahoma after graduating college with a B.S. in Business Management from East Central University in Ada, OK. Shortly after graduating, she relocated and spent 13 years, collectively, in Dallas and New York City before returning to her home state in 2022. Kara’s tenure in larger markets has given her the ability to bring diversity to her leadership style and an array of experience that impacts any market very quickly.
During her 9-year tenure in NYC, Kara distinguished herself as a leader of high-performing sales teams, consistently earning top-ranking awards for her performance. While her expertise primarily lies in medical sales leadership, Kara was recruited to The CoStar Group in 2023 as the Regional Director of Sales over the Oklahoma and Arkansas markets. The CoStar Group is the premier provider of commercial real estate information, analytics, and news. The objective is to ensure the team she leads provides the necessary tools to keep the commercial real estate market informed so they can make sound decisions.
Kara excels in delivering product portfolio solutions that align with customer priorities while effectively translating organizational goals into tangible results. Kara's approach is characterized by her ability to form meaningful relationships and strategic alliances through trust, tenacity, and diplomacy. She possesses an eye for process mapping, enabling her to identify customer gaps and provide tailored insights and solutions. She built successful sales processes for United Health Group which attributed to high sales growth across the entire organization. Her innovative approach is tried and true. She fosters cultures of excellence cross-functionally and builds thriving teams and is excited to continue to make a positive impact within her organization and the Oklahoma City market!
14). Kristy Ventimiglia
US Division VP, Sales Enablement, Gallagher
Kristy Ventimiglia is the US Division Vice President of Sales Enablement at Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting firm. In this role, Ventimiglia delivers Gallagher's exceptional thought leadership, resources, and unparalleled capabilities for companies, empowering them to face their future with confidence.
Ventimiglia began her career in employee benefits in 2003, accumulating over 15 years of experience as a human resource professional. Her background includes working with oil and gas, technology, and nonprofit entities. Since joining Gallagher Benefits in 2011 as an employee benefits consultant, she has worked with clients to provide strategic consultation in plan analysis and design strategies. She previously served as the president of HR Solutions.
A frequent seminar speaker in employee benefits, Ventimiglia is licensed as a health and life agent and holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Human Relations. Her strengths include creating solutions and strategic benefit plan design.
15). Annette White-Klososky
Founding Partner, Future Point of View
Annette White-Klososky began her professional career 20 years ago. Today, she is the Founding Partner of Future Point of View. They believe that world-class organizations of the future will have an integrated technology strategy model that focuses on using technology to make them stronger but also safer, whether from a competitor, market disruption, or a malicious actor set on stealing data or intellectual property. White-Klososky is the lead facilitator of Future Point of View’s Executive Advisory Boards, a leading peer advisory group for executives and entrepreneurs. Her forums include executive members representing companies with over 40,000 employees and $23 billion in total annual revenues.
White-Klososky is a sought-after consultant and executive coach in all facets of organizational culture and leadership development. She focuses on aligning the strategic direction of the organization with the strategic development of its people. With an ability to diagnose the issues within an organization, align the people and processes, and help initiate the results needed to meet the strategic objectives of the organization, she is known for helping organizations cut through the issues and learn to communicate effectively within teams. White-Klososky has led Executive Peer Advisory Boards since the '90s and continues this work today as a Founding Partner at Future Point of View, Chapter Chair at The Women Presidents’ Organization, and State Chair at 50/50 Women on Boards.
White-Klososky first got her start in 2003 as a partner at Executive Development Associates as a senior leadership development consultant and operational executive. From there, she went on to EWF International, her most recent position prior to joining Future Point of View. White-Klososky utilizes her 20 years of experience working to influence change and positive results within organizations today. White-Klososky graduated from the University of Oklahoma with an undergraduate degree in public relations.
View the complete list of awardees.
16). Keisia Sobers-Butler
VP Population Health, Clinical Operations & Health Equity - Oklahoma Complete Health, Centene
As the Vice President of Population Health, Clinical Operations, Health Equity, Community Navigation, Rural/Telehealth Services, and Tribal Partnerships at Centene Corporation (Oklahoma), Keisia Sobers-Butler oversees the development and implementation of innovative strategies for Medicaid, Marketplace, Medicare, and special populations. Centene is a Missouri-based multi-line managed care enterprise that provides healthcare programs and services for under-insured and uninsured individuals and families.
She cultivates partnerships, drives execution, and develops others. Leading high-performing remote teams, she ensures exceptional member and clinical services and experiences while ensuring compliance with CMS, NCQA, and other accreditation standards. Additionally, she leverages technology such as texting, telehealth, and other vendor software integration, to enhance communication, engagement, quality outcomes, and self-management for medically complex members. Furthermore, she serves as an adjunct faculty at the University of Central Oklahoma, sharing her expertise and insights with the next generation of nurses.
Before joining Centene, Sobers-Butler was a senior director at Driscoll Health Plan. Earlier in her career, she worked with Texas Children's Hospital in case management. She graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership, from Prairie View A&M University with an MS in Nursing Education, from Southern University at New Orleans with an undergraduate degree in business administration, management, and Operations, and from Texas Woman's University with an undergraduate degree in nursing.
20). Jeanean Jones
Executive Director, Health Alliance for the Uninsured
With more than 25 years of professional, visionary, enthusiastic, relational, and results-oriented nonprofit leadership, Jeanean Yanish leads the Health Alliance for the Uninsured. She is a PhD candidate at UCO and Swansea University in the UK and has a passion for helping those in need. Through her role as Executive Director, she helps provide physician specialist services and millions of dollars of medication assistance annually for more than 100 free and charitable clinics in Oklahoma. Through her doctoral work, she is the founder of the Live Love Laugh Leadership International Conference and Speaker program focused on the whole person – mind, body, and spirit health and leadership integration.
Jones’s past expertise in leadership, fundraising, and strategic planning as a nonprofit professional includes the Green Shoe Foundation, Oklahoma Christian School Foundation, and The Salvation Army. She was selected as the Journal Record’s Healthcare Hero Recipient, Edmond Chamber’s 2017 Woman of the Year finalist, and the Journal Record’s 2018 Woman of the Year’s Woman Making a Difference recipient. She has expertise in turning visions into successes by serving people and giving back to her community. Jeanean served on the boards with Rotary International, the Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association statewide chairman, and as an agency director with the United Way of Central Oklahoma.
Jones is a PhD candidate with Swansea University and has a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and an undergraduate degree in public relations from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
22). Angela Person
Director, Research Initiatives & Strategic Planning, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture
In her role as Director of Research Initiatives and Strategic Planning, Angela Person supports the OU Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture (GCA) in leveraging its resources to drive the development of thoughtful, sustainable, and experiential solutions to the design problems of the future. The GCA aims to cultivate high-performing industry professionals, measurable community impact, and peer-reviewed research and creative activity at the leading edges of their allied disciplines – architecture, construction science, environmental design, interior design, landscape architecture, regional and city planning, and urban design.
Person is also a lecturer at the University of Oklahoma. Her courses are writing intensive, offering students opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to specific topics in course blogs and research papers tailored to their interests and chosen careers. Examples of courses recently taught by her include Environment and Society (upper division) and Intro to Human Geography (lower division).
Person earned her PhD from the University of Oklahoma while studying in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability. She also has an MA in Museum Studies and a BS in Environmental Design from the same university.
25). Sezin Kadioglu
Director, Professional Science Master's Program, University of Central Oklahoma
Sezin Kadioglu is a dedicated educator with a passion for inspiring and empowering students in their academic journey. With a wealth of experience in teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development, she brings a dynamic approach to the classroom that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. Whether leading engaging lectures, facilitating stimulating discussions, or designing innovative assignments, she is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Currently serving as the Director of a Professional Science Master's program, Kadioglu is committed to nurturing the next generation of scientific professionals. She enriches her teaching with current insights and best practices, ensuring that her students receive a comprehensive and up-to-date education that prepares them to excel in an ever-evolving world.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Kadioglu is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, reflecting her dedication to operational excellence and process optimization. This unique blend of technical proficiency and strategic management knowledge helps her to translate academic insights into real-world solutions and to equip students with the multidisciplinary skills and practical knowledge needed to excel in today's complex engineering landscape.
26). Ruth Davis
Director, Global Sales Operations, Motorola Solutions
Ruth Davis is the Director of Global Sales Operations of Motorola Solutions. Motorola Solutions is solving for safety. They build and connect technologies to help protect people, property, and places. Their solutions enable the collaboration between public safety agencies and enterprises which is critical for a proactive approach to safety and security.
As a partnership leader and automation enthusiast with over 10 years of diverse experience in finance, sales, marketing, business process automation, and strategic planning, Davis has spearheaded business transformations for multiple startups. Her initiatives have led to increased revenue, expedited operations, and streamlined processes. She is a self-taught Salesforce Admin, WordPress Developer, and Excel Expert, always striving to expand her skill set. Additionally, she is on a mission to read 60 books in a year.
Before joining Motorola Solutions, Davis was a director of business development at Tech Qualled. Before that, she was a director of compliance at The Culinary School of Fort Worth. Earlier in her career, she worked with Welk Resort Group as an assistant front office manager.
Davis graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with an MBA and from the College of the Ozarks with an undergraduate degree.
28). Erin Zaranec
Development Director, Heart Ball, American Heart Association
Erin Zaranec is the Development Director for Heart Ball of the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. They are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, they fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health, and share lifesaving resources.
As a solutions-driven storyteller, Zaranec is building her career in the nonprofit sector. She loves creating content, storytelling, and engaging with the communities an organization serves. Experienced in relationship building, stewardship, fundraising, and public speaking. She develops a comprehensive strategic plan encompassing fundraising and business development goals to revitalize Heart Ball, an event last held in 2019. She leads and engages community leaders serving on an Executive Leadership Team. Additionally, she creates customized mission-based content for prospects and sponsors ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 and more.
Earlier in her career, Zaranec was a social media director at KentWired. From there, she went on to Downtown Cleveland Alliance, before eventually rising to campaign development manager at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, her most recent position prior to joining the American Heart Association. Zaranec graduated from Kent State University with an undergraduate degree in public relations.
29). Renata Kukowski
VP, College, Fanatics, Inc.
Renata Kukowski is the Vice President of College sports at Fanatics, Inc., a global digital sports platform. Kukowski leads a variety of NIL initiatives that have grown to support more than 10,000 college athletes at over 60 universities and across eight sports in product categories such as jerseys and apparel. Additionally, she supports Topps in developing and executing collegiate trading card product launches and strategies. Furthermore, she serves on the core team supporting the new Nike-Fanatics college licensing partnership.
Kukowski is also an adjunct professor or the University of Oklahoma. She developed the curriculum for and teaches Licensing & IP in Sports at the Michael F. Price College of Business, an elective within the college's Sports Management undergraduate degree program. Additionally, she serves as the faculty advisor for Girls Club, an OU student organization for women interested in pursuing careers in sports. Furthermore, she developed the curriculum for and teaches Licensing & IP in Intercollegiate Athletics in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education's Intercollegiate Athletics Administration graduate program.
Before joining Fanatics, Inc., Kukowski was a senior vice president at Top of the World. Earlier in her career, she worked with the National Football League as a blue chip program participant. Kukowski graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an MBA and from the University of Oklahoma with an undergraduate degree in journalism, business administration, public relations, and marketing.
View the complete list of awardees.
31). Mandy Fuller
VP, Internal Audit, Devon Energy
Mandy Fuller is the Vice President of Internal Audit and Chief Audit Executive for Devon Energy Production Company, L.P. where she has worked since 2000. Her teams oversee Corporate, Information Technology, Joint Venture, Vendor, Midstream and Field Office audit functions, as well as Enterprise Risk Management and Data Analytics activities related to Internal Audit. Prior to her current role, Fuller was the Manager of Financial Analysis and Reporting, and has held leadership roles in Financial Analyasis and Accounts Payable.
Fuller received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in Organization Management. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and holds a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). She currently serves on the board of Positive Tomorrows and is a Commissioner for the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission. She is a member of the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. She has also served in a number of roles on the Womens Energy Network of Greater Oklahoma board including serving as President in 2021.
Fuller and her husband, Roger, have two daughters. Morgandy is attending Optometry School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Merritt is a Freshman in high shcool and an avid volleyball player.
32). Joy Baresel
President & Real Estate Advisor, Engel & Völkers Oklahoma City
Joy Baresel is the President and Real Estate Advisor at Engel & Völkers Oklahoma City, a European-based premium real estate brand. Engel & Völkers Oklahoma City, ideally located in Midtown, provides leading services for buyers and sellers of premier properties in Oklahoma City and its surrounding areas. Baresel also served as a license partner.
Specializing in historic and luxury properties, Baresel expertly connects home sellers and home buyers to dream properties. With experience in home renovation, she brings both technical expertise and creativity to her work. She excels at identifying and optimizing a home’s value, beauty, and appeal. As a talented marketer, she ensures a home’s best features are properly showcased to find the right buyer. Her artistic eye, experience in historic and luxury real estate markets, and knowledge of construction set her apart, allowing her to deliver an outstanding client experience.
Baresel was recently inducted into Engel & Völkers Private Office Network, an honor she shares with only 122 advisors in the Americas. She is a member of Who’s Who in luxury real estate, CLHMS Million Dollar Guild designation. In 2018, she ranked in the top five for all of Oklahoma City and number one for 2019. Baresel graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine/Studio Arts.
33). Kimberly Preston
Senior VP, Credit Administrator, Arvest Bank
Kimberly Preston is the Senior Vice President Credit Administrator of Arvest Bank, a community-based financial institution serving more than 110 communities in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Established in 1961, Arvest Bank is committed to meeting the needs of its retail and business customer households by continually investing in the digital tools and services customers expect.
Preston is a Credit Union enthusiast with a passion for curating a friction-free member experience. There is nothing she loves more than analyzing current operational policies, procedures, and practices to revise systems and provide more streamlined solutions for her team and their membership. During her day-to-day, she strives to provide her team with the knowledge, skills, and tools to deliver the best member experience possible. With a strong background in lending, she is also able to work closely with their dynamic lending team to strategize and implement loan growth strategies.
Preston first got her start as a commercial credit analyst at First Fidelity Bank. From there, she went on to Commercial Federal Bank, before eventually rising to regional SBA banker at Simmons Bank, her most recent position before joining Arvest Bank. Preston graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with an undergraduate degree in finance.
34). Rejeana Allgood
VP, Payer Strategy, INTEGRIS Health
Rejeana Allgood is the Vice President of Payer Strategy at INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. INTEGRIS Health is the state’s largest Oklahoma-owned health system and one of the state’s largest private employers, with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician clinics, mental health facilities, fitness centers, independent living centers, and home health agencies throughout much of the state. Allgood is responsible for integrating and aligning the managed care payer strategy with strategic objectives and for the delivery of the value of healthcare delivery services and provider networks into effective managed care contracts and successful relationships with customer stakeholders.
Allgood has more than two decades of experience in healthcare administration and management. Her experience includes having served in Texas as division vice president of payer strategy and contracting for CommonSpirit Health, an alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. Before her work in Texas, she worked in Oklahoma with Mercy, a multi-state Catholic health system, as the executive director of payer relations and contracting. She also served as director of revenue integrity at Norman Regional Health System, where she had oversight of hospital revenue recovery, audit reviews, and managed care contracting. Additionally, Allgood led decision support services and managed care contracting analytics for OU Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, where her duties included strategic planning, financial data analysis, and building financial pro formas for multi-million dollar business cases.
Allgood graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Organizational Communication and earned her Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Allgood is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), a former member of the Oklahoma Hospital Association Council on Finance and Strategic Information, and a past president of the Oklahoma Hospital Managed Care Association.
36). Nacuya Rucker
Senior Executive Communications Business Partner to the COO, GitHub
Nacuya Rucker is the Senior Executive Communications Business Partner at GitHub, a Microsoft company and home to 100M+ developers, all building the software society depends on daily. Rucker leads executive communications for the company's chief operations officer (COO), building thought leadership communications programs from the ground up and creating narratives that meet exciting industry moments, including generative AI.
She leads internal and external content development and strategies, covering a wide range of communication needs. These include the routine rhythms of the business messaging, such as town halls and change management/reorganization communications. Additionally, she orchestrates keynotes with robot cameos and handles sensitive company-wide announcements. She is a strategic communications and stakeholder engagement leader with nearly a decade of experience building high-impact communications programs and teams. Fueled by a passion for driving change, Rucker seamlessly integrates communications, design thinking, and innovation to shape progressive organizations and leaders focused on making a real-world impact. An ardent advocate of strategic comms, her experience spans multiple industries, including healthcare, higher education, the social sector, and now tech.
Before joining GitHub, Rucker was an innovation leadership team at Iowa State University. Before that, she was a communications specialist at UF Health. Earlier in her career, she worked with the University of Florida as an English language institute language assistant. Rucker graduated from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications with an undergraduate degree in public relations and from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in political science.
40). Rachel Franklin
Associate Chief Physician Executive, Care Delivery Models, OU Health
Rachel Franklin is the Associate Chief Physician Executive of Care Delivery Models at OU Health, the state's only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics, and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma's largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care.
Franklin has 24 years of experience. She is dedicated to promoting health equity and access to patient-centered, high-quality, team-driven, and value-based care for all Oklahomans, across the spectrum of life and throughout the healthcare experience. In her role, she provides executive leadership to transform care delivery at OU Health, ensuring that the community receives the highest standard of healthcare services.
Before joining OU Health, Franklin was an associate professor and clerkship director at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Earlier in her career, she worked with Oklahoma City Clinic as a partner. Franklin graduated from the University of Oklahoma with an MD in Medicine.
41). Catherine Hunter
Chief of Pediatric Surgery, OU Health
Catherine Hunter is the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Program Director at OU Health. She also holds the Children’s Hospital Foundation Paula Milburn Miller Chair in Pediatric Surgery. OU Health is the state's only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics, and centers of excellence.
Hunter first got her start in 2004 as a general surgery resident at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. From there, she went on to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, before eventually rising to associate professor, vice chief, and associate program director of pediatric surgery at the University of Oklahoma, her most recent position before joining OU Health.
She graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York and completed her General Surgery Residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California; followed by a Pediatric Surgery Fellowship and Research Fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, California.
View the complete list of awardees.
42). Maria Russo
Chief Information Officer, OU Health
Maria Russo is the Chief Information Officer of OU Health, the state's only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics, and centers of excellence. In this role, Russo’s oversight expands to both hospitals and clinics. She plans and implements major IT initiatives across the newly integrated enterprise, such as the implementation of the new Electronic Health Record system. She will also oversee IT service delivery across the organization.
Russo has extensive experience in healthcare IT, having served as a healthcare IT consultant at Arthur Andersen, First Consulting Group, Ernst & Young (EY), and Deloitte Consulting, where she managed large-scale Electronic Medical Records implementations, developed strategic plans for healthcare organizations, and ran managed IT departments. She has also worked as an executive in healthcare IT for several large health systems.
Before joining OU Medicine, Inc., Russo was the Chief Information Officer for Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and served as the University’s Assistant Vice Chancellor and Deputy University Chief Information Officer. She had previously served as the executive director for Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region, where she led a team supporting the electronic medical record system. Russo earned an undergraduate degree in management information systems from Saint Joseph's University.
45). Mary Elizabeth Mach
VP, Western Region Director, Garver
Mary Elizabeth Mach is the Vice President and Western Region Director at Garver, an employee-owned multi-disciplined engineering, planning, and environmental services firm with more than 1,200 employees across the United States. Mach started at Garver as a project manager and has also served as a water lead, managing and leading a team of professionals completing water, wastewater, and reuse projects in Oklahoma.
Passionate about improving communities and all phases of water that support them, Mach has a broad range of experience in the engineering industry, including technical, managerial, and leadership roles. As a professional in the water sector, her project experience spans from conceptual through construction and start-up of drinking water, wastewater, and reuse projects. She is adept at presenting technical information to non-technical audiences and collaborating with environmental, regulatory, and governmental stakeholders. Her focus is on delivering successful outcomes through collaboration to positively impact and substantially contribute to the development of the communities in which Garver works, lives, and raises families.
Mach earned a Master of Environmental Engineering in Environmental Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an undergraduate degree in biosystems engineering from Oklahoma State University.
47). Melissa Hunt
Executive Director, The American Institute of Architects
Melissa Hunt is the Executive Director of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the leading professional membership organization for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners. Its headquarters is in Washington DC with approximately 200 employees and 300 local chapters. The AIA serves its members through advocacy, information, and community.
Hunt began her professional career by serving in the United States Air Force. She decided to take the discipline and organizational skills she learned in the military into nonprofit management. She began working as an administrative assistant for AIA in 1995 and was quickly promoted to her current position in 1996. Hunt has been serving in this capacity ever since, helping the organization promote the importance of good design through events like the AIA architecture tour, Decadent Design, design awards programs, and more.
In addition to AIA, Hunt serves as executive director for the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She serves on the Council of Architectural Component Executives in Washington DC and is a City Council Member for the City of Moore, Ward 2.
49). Lydia Carlis
Chief Learning & Impact Officer, Acelero Learning
Lydia Carlis is the Chief Learning and Impact Officer of Acelero Learning. She first joined the company in 2020 as chief program and people officer. Acelero Learning was founded in 2001 by a former Head Start teacher and Children Defense Fund staffer, with a clear mission – to work with local communities to improve the quality of Head Start programs. Carlis leads and shapes the programmatic vision for Acelero and Shine Early Learning through her work with the Executive Team and the following programmatic teams: Early Learning; Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; Family Services & Health; Human Resources; Monitoring, Systems, and Analysis; and Professional Development.
Carlis formerly served as a principal consultant for eyemaginED on a variety of P12 projects designed to bring an equity lens to schools and education-facing organizations’ curriculum, instruction, leadership, and organizational development. Before eyemaginED, Carlis worked with AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation for eight years, most recently as AppleTree's first chief of research and innovation. In her role, Carlis oversaw the design, development, implementation, and validation of the Every Child Ready instructional model. She began her education career teaching general education, special education, and English as second language to preschool through seventh graders in DC Public Schools and Hawaii Public Schools.
Carlis holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Howard University, a Master's degree in Bilingual Special Education from The George Washington University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Special Education from The University of Maryland, College Park.
50). Tiffany Eitzmann
VP, Content & Research Development, Ackerman McQueen
Tiffany Eitzmann has extensive work experience in various roles and industries. Eitzmann currently serves as the Vice President of Content and Research Development at Ackerman McQueen, where she oversees creative and strategic needs. Ackerman McQueen builds their clients' brands and businesses through strategic, emotional storytelling across every conceivable medium. They're a vertically integrated agency with deep expertise in strategy, creativity, and media focused on one goal: move people through the story.
Before this role, Eitzmann worked as a strategy, content development, copywriting, and research professional at Ackerman McQueen and as a media strategist, where she developed brand and content distribution strategies and optimized earned media strategies. Prior to joining Ackerman McQueen, she worked as a communications specialist for the Chickasaw Nation Video Networks and as a news research intern for OPUBCO Communications Group.
Before entering the advertising and communications field, Eitzmann had internships at Chesapeake Energy, Vaught & Conner, PLLC, and Helms Underwood and Cook. She also worked as a verified freelance journalist at Ebyline, Inc. and as a features and entertainment writer for The Oklahoman. Eitzmann holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Classical Studies from Duke University.
View the complete list of awardees.