Meet Our Team

Monica Basu is a senior program officer who works on community health, social service agency capital campaigns and higher education initiatives. Basu joined GKFF after holding various management positions in private sector industry. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke University and a Master of Science in health care delivery from Dartmouth College. Basu is a native of India, grew up in four countries and speaks seven languages.

Joua Beikman joined GKFF in 2024 as the executive administrative coordinator for the Vibrant and Inclusive Tulsa (VIT) team. She has over 16 years of operational experience from FedEx Ground, where she honed her skills in process improvement and client services. A native of Oklahoma, Beikman lives in Broken Arrow with her husband and two children.

Kelsi Burrell joined GKFF in 2022 as an administrative coordinator before advancing to her current role as a program associate with the Vibrant and Inclusive Tulsa team. Burrell's work centers on neighborhood initiatives that amplify North Tulsa’s strengths and connect residents with resources for sustainable development. Her background includes operational roles in private behavioral health practices, where she cultivated a deep understanding of community-focused care. Inspired by her passion for healing and connection, Burrell is also actively engaged in wellness practices and enjoys exploring Tulsa’s vibrant arts scene.

Kimberly Butler is a senior program officer at GKFF who focuses on maternal child health initiatives. Prior to joining GKFF, Butler was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala working with women and children on issues of health and nutrition. Following the Peace Corps, she worked with women and children at Rosie's Place in Boston. Butler graduated from Wellesley College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts and completed her master’s degree in public health at the University of Oklahoma in 2009.

Cynthia Jasso Burke is a senior program officer at GKFF who leads the foundation's Elevate East initiative, a comprehensive neighborhood development strategy seeking to expand pathways to economic prosperity in strategic east Tulsa neighborhoods. She joined GKFF in 2020 after spending time in education, first as an educator and then moving into leadership roles at Teach For America, where she led the region's fundraising and communications efforts. Jasso Burke has been recognized for her volunteerism and service by the Tulsa World, Association of Fundraising Professionals and Oklahoma Hispanic Institute. She is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate from UCLA. She is a mom, wife and an avid K-Drama fan.

Itzel Lugo is an administrative coordinator for GKFF’s Vibrant and Inclusive Tulsa (VIT) team. With over 10 years of experience in the retail industry, Itzel has a strong foundation in organizational skills, operational efficiency and customer service. Itzel is a first-generation immigrant born in Mexico City and raised in Tulsa, where she proudly considers herself a native. She is passionate about helping others and driving positive change. Itzel is excited to combine her strength and passion to support the community that helped shape her.

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Josh Miller is a senior program officer at GKFF, specializing in comprehensive neighborhood revitalization, civic enhancement and economic development. Miller has contributed to the creation of over 2,000 mixed-income housing units in Tulsa and co-managed the development of the Gathering Place. Before joining GKFF, Miller held a director of compliance role within the University of Oklahoma's athletic department, followed by a position as vice president of the Folds of Honor Foundation. His academic credentials include a BA, M.Ed, and JD from the University of Oklahoma. Miller and his wife, Nicole, are high school sweethearts and proud parents to Lily and Vance.

Brandon Oldham is a senior program officer on GKFF's Vibrant and Inclusive Tulsa team where he works to leverage his expertise in recruiting, human resources and development. A proud north Tulsa native, Oldham brings significant experience to his role, having served as the Assistant Director of Student Life at the University of Oklahoma and the Mayoral Aide to Mayor G.T. Bynum at the City of Tulsa. He is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor's degree in public relations and a master’s in education from the University of Oklahoma, where he also helped shape student engagement and leadership programs. He remains actively involved in community-driven projects and is committed to fostering positive change within Tulsa.

Sophia Pappas is the managing director for the Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST). She leads a team responsible for the ongoing implementation and sustainability of an initiative to tackle poverty by improving outcomes in the earliest years of a child’s development. Pappas builds on expertise from managing large programs and creating policies within New York City’s Department of Education along with knowledge about health, financial and social programs within non-profits and public agencies gained in her time in Tulsa. Starting off as a pre-K teacher at a public school in Newark, New Jersey, Pappas moved on to author "Good Morning, Children" (Gryphon House, '09) and train early childhood teachers. She served across mayoral administrations at the New York City Department of Education from 2011-2017, where she oversaw teams ensuring pre-K programs offered high-quality classroom instruction and family engagement. Pappas attended Georgetown University and Harvard Kennedy School earning a Master of Public Policy. Her time as a pre-K teacher grounds her in the importance of high quality early education. What she learned from children, families, fellow teachers and school administration shapes how she leads and what gets her up in the morning.

Sara Ross joined GKFF in 2017 and is a program officer on GKFF’s Equal Opportunity Team. Ross manages GKFF’s Social Services Safety Net grant portfolio and the Summer Impact Program. She also works closely with GKFF’s Accelerator Grants process. Prior to joining GKFF, Ross worked at the University of Oklahoma (OU) as a student assistant for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies. She graduated from OU in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations and in 2017 with a master’s degree in Human Relations/Human Resource Diversity and Development.

Amy Monsour Santee is a chief program officer at GKFF. She joined the team in 2006 and is responsible for the foundation’s investments in areas related to female incarceration and criminal justice reform. Santee helped launch several new initiatives in Tulsa including Women in Recovery, Center for Employment Opportunities and, most recently, Still She Rises. She also manages Tulsa Community Foundation’s Oklahoma Justice Fund, a funding collaborative working to boost economic mobility and reduce incarceration across Oklahoma. Santee currently serves on the boards of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, Still She Rises and Oklahoma Justice Fund. She is also appointed to the Tulsa County Criminal Justice Planning and Policy Council and CEO advisory council. Santee graduated Order of the Coif from University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2001, where she served as research editor of the Oklahoma Law Review. Prior to joining GKFF, she practiced real estate law at the firm of Conner & Winters and served as in-house counsel at WilTel Communications. Amy is married to Stephen Santee and has two children, Sarah and Jack.

Suzanne Schreiber is a senior program officer who works on special projects for GKFF, including Tulsa’s Gathering Place LLC and various policy initiatives. Originally from New Mexico, Schreiber practiced law for several years and clerked for both the Northern District Court of Oklahoma and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. She graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law and the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in political science and law and society. Schreiber also serves as a State Representative for Oklahoma’s House District 70.

Katelynn Sorenson joined GKFF in 2022 and is a program coordinator for the foundation's criminal justice and domestic violence programs. She brings a diverse background in operational roles across higher education, nonprofit and financial services sectors. A 2015 graduate of East Central University with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling, Katelynn’s commitment to social service is driven by her upbringing in rural Oklahoma. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two rescue dogs.

Jeff Stava is a chief program officer who leads the Vibrant and Inclusive Tulsa team at GKFF. Stava's work includes talent and business recruitment, neighborhood placemaking, culture arts and beautification. He oversees Gathering Place, Guthrie Green and the Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie Centers. In addition Stava serves as Chief Operating Officer of Tulsa Community Foundation. He is a 1991 graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in operations management. Outside of work, Stava cherishes quality time with his family and sunsets on the lake.

Ben Stewart, a Tulsa native, is a senior program officer and managing director who works on talent initiatives at GKFF. Prior to joining GKFF in 2010, Stewart worked in venture capital for the Oklahoma Life Sciences Fund, lived abroad in Argentina and worked with social entrepreneurship groups Ashoka and Endeavor. He is a 2007 graduate from the Honors College at the University of Oklahoma with bachelor's degrees in international business, entrepreneurship and Spanish.

Annie Koppel Van Hanken is a chief program officer who oversees GKFF’s early childhood education, common education and arts initiatives. Before joining the Foundation in 2002, Van Hanken worked in inner-city Los Angeles at a community-based youth development center. She serves as board president for Tulsa Educare and is a member of the national Educare Network board of directors. Van Hanken also serves on the board of Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, The Opportunity Project and is a gubernatorial appointee on Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board of Directors. She has a master’s degree in education, with an emphasis on learning disabilities, from the University of Texas at Austin and a dual bachelor’s degree in English and history, with a minor in classics, from Tulane University. Annie adores little children and prefers their company to adults any day of the week.

Sidney Wild is an administrative coordinator on GKFF’s Equal Opportunity team. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2022 and has a background in administrative work within the mental health field. Wild is passionate about supporting GKFF’s efforts to strengthen education programs within the Tulsa community.

LaBrisa Williams-Hurling, a Tulsa native, is a program officer who oversees GKFF’s domestic violence initiatives and the Accelerator Grant program. Before joining the foundation in 2022, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana, where she developed HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs. Williams is also the founder and former Executive Director of the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative and has completed community health-related fellowships with the Aspen Institute and the Ronnie K. Irani Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma. In her free time, LaBrisa enjoys playing recreational hockey.

Alex Bromley is the grants manager for GKFF who focuses on managing the foundation’s grant portfolio. Bromley began in this role at GKFF in 2017 after previously serving as executive administrative coordinator for the Vibrant and Inclusive Tulsa (VIT) team, where she developed a strong foundation in both people and project management. Bromley's background includes extensive experience in development and administration, which she has gained through her work with several nonprofits across the Tulsa area. In her free time, she can be found diving into a good book.

John Budd is the chief operating officer for GKFF who works across programs to identify areas of synergy and improved effectiveness. Budd joined GKFF in 2022 after serving as the first COO for the State of Oklahoma. He also previously served as an EVP and chief strategy officer for Sonic Drive-In and as a partner and managing director for Boston Consulting Group. Budd received his undergraduate degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Northwestern University. Across all of his schools and roles, Budd most values the lessons he’s learned in coaching over 30 seasons of youth sports.

Abbey Doyle is the grants and operations coordinator for GKFF. Prior to joining GKFF, Abbey was a Tulsa Service Year Fellow with Tulsa Changemakers, a youth-empowered program of Leadership Tulsa. Doyle now advises the Tulsa Service Year alumni committee and serves as a board member for The Common Good, a Tulsa-area nonprofit. In addition to board service, she serves as the Southwest PEAK Grantmaking Membership Chair and volunteers as a writing partner with Poetic Justice. Doyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas and enjoys reading, yoga and attending events around Tulsa.

Eddie Hassell is the director of business analytics at GKFF who helps to assess agency effectiveness and implement business intelligence strategy. Hassell has 20+ years of subject matter expertise in financial model development, financial reporting and data analytics. Prior to joining GKFF in 2018, he worked at Family & Children’s Services for 10+ years, where he was the financial analysis and budget director and responsible for developing budgets and forecasts for 70+ programs, acting as the primary financial analyst to the CEO and CFO and helping implement an advanced business intelligence infrastructure. Before his role at Family & Children’s Services, Hassell had a multi-faceted career at Avis Rent-a-Car and Cendant Corporation, progressing from reservations agent to VP of Avis North American call center operations and, later, leading Cendant’s contact center operational efficiency and outsourcing efforts. He is a 1987 graduate of University of Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Tochi Onwuakpa is the financial/budgeting analyst at GKFF who works to apply his extensive expertise in financial modeling, forecasting and performance tracking to support multiple organizations and affiliated LLCs and enhance budget accuracy and streamlining financial processes across the enterprise. Before joining GKFF, Onwuakpa's career included roles as a financial analyst with various organizations in the Tulsa area, in whichhe provided key financial insights and managed comprehensive financial operations and procurement processes. He is a 2022 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a bachelor's in finance. Outside of work, Onwuakpa enjoys staying active through fitness and athletics and finds joy in jazz and theater.

Tania Pryce is the director of grants and systems for GKFF who works to support the full grantmaking process at the foundation. Prior to joining GKFF in 2022, Pryce worked in technology helping organizations access and use information for social good. Pryce also has over 15 years of nonprofit experience working with Tulsa area youth and families and uses her nonprofit experience to assist grantees at the foundation. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking along with quality time with her family.

Ilana Shushansky is the director of continuous improvement at GKFF who works to identify areas for organizational improvement. Prior to joining GKFF, Shushansky was a director at Third Sector, a consulting firm that works to create more equitable social services. Shushansky led their criminal justice practice and worked on housing, workforce, mental health and maternal health projects. She was introduced to GKFF in 2014 as a data analyst for Women in Recovery, one of GKFF's flagship programs. Shushansky began her social justice career in India, co-founding VOICE4Girls, a nonprofit that works with adolescent girls. Shushansky graduated from Emory University and is an IDEX Fellowship and Mine Fellowship alum. She and her wife met doing gymnastics and have two dogs.

Becca Sterling is the senior executive administrator at GKFF. She supports the executive director, coordinates the GKFF board of directors and manages all major foundation events. Sterling previously worked at the University of Oklahoma (OU) as an event coordinator in the College of Continuing Education. She graduated from OU in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a minor in public administration. Outside of work, Becca enjoys quality time with family and unwinding with her favorite reality TV shows.

Lex Anderson is director of risk and compliance at GKFF. Anderson has more than 40 years of senior financial leadership. He began his professional career in public accounting with KPMG. Anderson left KPMG after serving as managing partner of the Tulsa Office to join St. John Health System in Tulsa as chief financial officer, where he served for 14 years. He also served CAP Tulsa as CFO before joining GKFF. Anderson has worked in senior leadership and governance roles for and with both large and small organizations (publicly-traded, investor-owned, governmental and non-profit) across many different industries. He is a certified public accountant and graduated with honors from Drake University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.

Shalene Belford joined GKFF in 2018 as a senior accountant. Belford graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master’s in Accountancy and has several years of experience in nonprofit accounting. In addition to her role at GKFF, Belford is involved with various local Tulsa nonprofits and has previously served as a Treasurer. Outside of the office, she and her husband, Neil, enjoy traveling, reading, learning and spending time with their two young children.

Carolyn Burke joined GKFF in 2023 as an investment accountant. Burke manages the back-office system for the investment team including accounting records, legal documents and LLC compliance. Additionally, she helps with foreign reporting documentation. Prior to joining GKFF, Burke worked in the tax department at Kaiser-Francis Oil Company for 18 years.

Judy Chapman joined the GKFF in 2023 a senior accountant. Chapman actively participates in the implementation of the new accounting system and collaborates closely with the investment team to address GKFF's accounting needs. She holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Tulsa and has several years of experience in accounting and financial system development. Originally from China, Chapman has lived in Tulsa since 2003 with her husband. She enjoys gardening, cooking and spending time with her two college-age children.

Taylor Costley joined GKFF in 2021 as accounting manager. Costley manages a team that handles the back-office and accounting needs of GKFF. She is a Tulsa native and graduated from Bixby High School before attending the University of Tulsa, where she graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting degree and in 2016 with a Masters of Accountancy. Upon graduating, Costley became a certified public accountant in Oklahoma and obtained roughly six years of public accounting experience at a regional firm in Tulsa, particularly in the non-profit and manufacturing industries. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, fiancé and two cats.

Heather Halley is an accounting clerk at GKFF who is responsible for processing payables for the foundation and connected LLCs. With prior experience in public accounting, Halley refined her financial expertise in tax processing at a local accounting firm before joining TCF in 2022 and officially becoming part of the GKFF team in 2024. A proud Tulsa native, hailing from nearby Sand Springs, Halley graduated from Charles Page High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2020. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her fiancée and two cats, exploring new destinations, attending concerts, watching movies and building intricate Lego creations.

Roxanne Luane joined GKFF in 2023 as a senior accountant. After pursuing an accounting career supporting a variety of business enterprises, including her own successful event production company, and focusing on raising her family, Luane returned to college in 2012 to complete her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and shifted her career focus to supporting social and community improvement non-profits. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Luane relocated to the greater Tulsa area in April of 2020 shortly after visiting family and falling in love with the area. Roxanne’s free time is spent renovating her home and enjoying her family who are spread between Alaska, Washington State and Chouteau, Oklahoma.

Lindsay Marler joined GKFF in 2024 as a senior accountant. As a proud native of Oklahoma, Marler earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduating, she worked at Tulsa Community Foundation and gained over 17 years of progressive accounting experience. Marler is dedicated to fostering continuous improvement within organizations, a passion that led her to earn a Lean Six Sigma Certification from UMass Amherst in September 2023. This certification enhances her ability to implement effective strategies and optimize processes. Outside of work, Marler enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

John Robson joined GKFF in 2023 as chief financial officer. He is responsible for all aspects of accounting and financial reporting for GKFF. Robson grew up in Wichita, KS and lived in St. Louis, MO and the Washington, DC area before moving to Tulsa in 1999. As a CPA, he practiced public accounting from 1989 to 1999 where he specialized in the nonprofit and construction industries as an auditor and consultant. Upon moving to Tulsa with his young family in 1999, Robson worked in 3 roles over a 9 year period at Saint Francis Health System as the chief compliance officer, director of finance, and executive director of Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital. In subsequent roles, he served as CFO at a real estate firm and most recently at Universal Background Screening. Robson graduated from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.

Sawm Zaui is an accounts payable supervisor on GKFF's Accounting Team. Zaui was born and raised in Myanmar. She moved to the United States in 2016 and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from DeVry University in 2020. Prior to joining GKFF, Zaui worked for Tulsa Community Foundation as an accounts payable manager. Beyond numbers, Sawm loves cooking, reading, writing and watching movies.

John Ferrari is an investment officer at GKFF who focuses on sourcing, executing and managing investment opportunities on behalf of the foundation. Prior to joining GKFF, Ferrari worked for Lewis & Clark AgriFood, an investment platform focused on investing in agriculture and food companies. Before that, he worked for Growth Catalyst Partners, a lower middle market private equity fund that invests in information, marketing and tech-enabled services companies. Ferrari began his career in the Investment Banking Division at Jefferies. He is a native Tulsan who attended the University of Kansas, where he earned degrees in accounting and finance and graduated with honors and distinction. In his free time, Ferrari enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing and rooting for Kansas Jayhawks sports.

Pon Sakungew is an investment officer who focuses on sourcing, executing, and managing investment opportunities on behalf of GKFF. Prior to joining GKFF in 2024, Sakungew served as a portfolio manager at Ross Perot’s Family Office focused on direct investments in public and private markets. Prior to that, Sakungew was a senior analyst at Highland Capital with a focus on healthcare investing. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from The University of California, Los Angeles. Sakungew is a CFA Charterholder. Philanthropically, he and his wife are supporters of World Vision, a global Christian organization working to help communities lift themselves out of poverty. Outside of work, Sakungew enjoys cooking with his family, playing soccer and riding motorcycles.

Sofia Salazar Muvdi is an administrative coordinator in GKFF's investment team. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Salazar came to Tulsa to pursue her bachelor's degree in psychology as well as one in ministry & leadership from Oral Roberts University. She previously worked as a Children's Ministry Director in a local church and she was also part of the admissions team at Atlas School, another entity in the GKFF ecosystem. Salazar holds a master's degree in Counseling Studies and is passionate about the work that GKFF is doing in Tulsa. In her free time, Salazar enjoys reading and roller-skating on Riverside.

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Gray Strickland, a Tulsa native, is a senior associate who focuses on sourcing, executing and managing investment opportunities on behalf of GKFF. Prior to joining GKFF, Strickland worked in private equity with VantEdge Partners evaluating middle-market consumer services and multi-unit businesses. Before VantEdge, Strickland worked in investment banking with William Blair and Bank of America leading sell-side transactions, capital raises, public offerings and other capital services. Strickland attended Oklahoma State University (OSU) earning degrees in accounting and finance. In his free time Strickland enjoys spending time with his family, golfing with friends and cheering on the OSU Cowboys.

Chester (Chet) Cadieux III, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the chairman, president and CEO of QuikTrip Corporation, a regional gasoline/convenience store operation based in Tulsa and founded in 1958 by Mr. Cadieux’s father, Chester Cadieux II. In addition to serving as chairman of QuikTrip Corporation’s board, Mr. Cadieux has also served as chairman of the Tulsa River Parks Authority board, chairman of The Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the board for Tulsa Area United Way. He is a director on the following boards: Sheetz Inc., Altoona, Pennsylvania; Bank of Oklahoma NA, Tulsa, OK; Tulsa’s Future Oversight Committee; University of Tulsa; and The Committee of One Hundred, Tulsa, OK. In addition, Mr. Cadieux has served as a board member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). Mr. Cadieux graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business from the University of Tulsa in 1989. He began his full-time career with QuikTrip on the graveyard shift just after graduating. He is married with two children, and in his free time he enjoys auto racing, snow skiing and aviation.

Fred Dorwart has practiced law since 1966 and has experience in both litigation and transactional law, principally oil and gas, securities and banking law. He currently focuses his practice on structuring commercial transactions, advising clients on the legal aspects of business matters and coordinating teams of attorneys handling complex litigation. Before forming Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers in 1994, he was the managing partner of Holliman, Langholz, Runnels & Dorwart. From 1969 to 1989, he was a stockholder, director and officer of various manufacturing concerns. He was co-founder of the International Society of the Energy Advocates and a principal draftsman of the 1995 Oklahoma Tort Reform Act. Mr. Dorwart serves as a trustee of the University of Tulsa, chairman of the University Investment Committee, president of the Advisory Board of the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Program, organizer of Tulsa Stadium Trust Improvement District and general counsel to Tulsa Stadium Trust. He is the honoree of the Frederic Dorwart Chair in Energy Law, University of Tulsa School of Law (2009). He was an organizing trustee of the Tulsa Community Foundation, vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Tulsa Housing Authority, president of Family & Children’s Services of Tulsa, president of Operation Aware of Tulsa, president of the Parish Council of Holy Family Cathedral and Oklahoma chairman of the Harvard Law School Fund Campaign. Mr. Dorwart received his Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1966. He received a Bachelor of Science in engineering with distinction in 1959 from the U.S. Naval Academy. Before law school, Mr. Dorwart served as chief engines officer in U.S.S. Newport News, as chief operations officer in U.S.S. Turner and as an instructor in naval tactics at the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island.

Emily Kaiser is a journalist and adviser to media companies with a focus on building diverse, inclusive newsrooms. She invests in media startups with a track record of showcasing underrepresented voices. Ms. Kaiser is chairman of Global Press Institute, which trains and employs women journalists in developing media markets to report from some of the least-covered places on earth. She serves as Associate Director for the New Voices fellowship at the Aspen Institute, which provides media and advocacy training to development experts from around the world. Ms. Kaiser was formerly a journalist with Reuters. Over a 20-year career, she covered financial and commodity markets, corporations and economics, with postings in Chicago, Washington, London and Singapore. She was editor-in-charge of company news coverage across Asia, and has reported from more than two dozen countries. Ms. Kaiser earned her Bachelor of Science in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and studied Arabic at American University in Cairo. Originally from Tulsa, she currently lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, two sons and a rather spoiled beagle.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Leah Kaiser is a longtime resident of Chicago, Illinois where she is a consultant in the nonprofit sector working primarily in the arts and culture field. She reviews grant requests for Chicago-based foundations, assessing program quality and management at applicant organizations representing a wide range of artistic disciplines and cultural backgrounds. Ms. Kaiser has worked with a variety of nonprofit groups in the arts, social service and education fields to research and strategize fundraising opportunities, write grant proposals, reports and capital campaign case statements, and evaluate overall operations. From 1992 to 1997, she served on the development staff at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago where, as part of a four-person team, she helped conduct a $6 million campaign for a permanent facility, repertoire expansion and an endowment.  Ms. Kaiser currently serves on the board of DanceWorks Chicago, an organization that provides artistic development opportunities and mentorship to early-career professional dancers and choreographers. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Harvard University.

Phil Kaiser has co-founded and run several restaurants and a nonprofit music festival. Born and raised in Tulsa, Phil moved to Israel in 1985 where he served in the IDF, earned a BA in Political Science from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, got married and started a family. After opening Jerusalem’s first Internet Bar in 1996 and operating it for six years, Phil and his wife, Miranda, sold the business and moved their family to Tulsa in 2002, where they opened Cosmo Café in 2004 and Laffa – Medi-Eastern Restaurant and Bar in 2013. Also in 2013, Phil co-founded Tulsa’s nonprofit Center of the Universe Festival. Currently, Phil organizes music, art, tech and food events and serves on a number of nonprofit boards and committees centered around Oklahoma and Israel. He and Miranda have three grown children and two cats. They enjoy both traveling and returning to Tulsa, and eating in other people’s restaurants.

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Phil Lakin, Jr. is CEO of the Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF), which he has led since July 1999. He is the only individual to serve as the chief executive of TCF. Mr. Lakin sets the strategic vision for TCF and supervises both long-term and daily goals and initiatives.  Mr. Lakin is passionate about his work with donors, community leaders and elected officials to improve the Tulsa area. He serves as a director of GKFF, Tulsa Beautification Foundation and Tulsa Educare. He also serves on the boards of the Tulsa Area United Way, Tulsa Community College Foundation, Association of Fundraising Professionals (Tulsa chapter) and Tulsa Zoo Management Inc. He is a graduate of Leadership Tulsa (class 27). Mr. Lakin is a native Tulsan and graduate of Jenks High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and finance and his Master of Business Administration from Baylor University. Before joining TCF, he worked for Baylor University’s Office of Development managing development efforts for northeastern Texas and six additional states.

Don P. Millican, has, until his retirement in July, 2024, served as the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company since 2003, and was also affiliated with other Kaiser-controlled entities in various senior capacities. Prior to Kaiser-Francis, Mr. Millican was a partner in the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young, LLP between 1982 and 2003. Mr. Millican also serves as Chairman of the Board of Excelerate Energy Inc. Mr. Millican has recently been named to the Board of Directors of The George Kaiser Family Foundation and is engaged in many other civic activities, having served on the board of Community Action Project, Tulsa Educare, Inc., Neighbor for Neighbor, Oklahoma Policy Institute, Tulsa Neighborhood Networks and Crossover Community Impact. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Oklahoma Christian University, having formerly served as Chairman. He is a Certified Public Accountant. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Texas.

Rev. Owens is the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Tulsa, OK. In addition to his parish work, Dr. Owens serves as the Affiliate Assistant Professor of Ethics and Black Church Studies at the Phillips Theological Seminary and has taught religious studies courses at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa and Texas Christian University. Dr. Owens is deeply involved in diverse spaces within the Tulsa community. He serves on the Steering Committee of IMPACT-Tulsa and is a board member for Tulsa Educare. Additionally, Rev. Owens is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Met Cares Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to facilitate the development of high performing schools in the north Tulsa community. In 1989, Dr. Owens earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin and the Master of Divinity Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998. In the Spring of 2005, he received the cum laude distinction for his doctoral dissertation and earned the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religion and Society from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Rose Washington serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) where she is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing strategies that support the organization’s role as a catalyst leader in local economic growth. TEDC reaches over 500 entrepreneurs and small businesses each year through workshops, development services and loans ranging from $500 to $10 million. Inclusive economic development is paramount in TEDC’s mission. Ms. Washington has served on numerous boards, including the Board of Directors for 36 Degrees North, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, i2E, John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, and Leadership Oklahoma. She has also led both the Tulsa Regional Chamber Board of Directors and INCOG Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee as Chair.  Prior to arriving in Oklahoma, Rose enjoyed a successful career in community and government relations with the University of Southern California, as well as several years in banking and higher education in Mississippi. She holds a BBA in finance and an MBA from Mississippi State University and Mississippi College, respectively. Rose’s crowning achievement is as mom to Mariah Rentie and Morris Rentie III.