Building A Better World: OKACAA Spring 2023 Conference

Building a Better World OKACAA Spring 2023 Conference

Welcome! We are glad you're here!

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

At A Glance Schedule

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 Peer Group Session #1 - 12:30-2:00 PM Peer Group Session #2 - 2:30-4:00 PM

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

8:30 AM - 10:15 AM -

10:30 AM -4:15 PM -

Breakout Sessions

General Session

Thursday, March 30, 2023 Breakout Sessions

9:00 AM - 4:15 PM -

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MEET THE OKACAA TEAM

"My favorite part of working is visiting the CAAs. Seeing the way each agency tailors their assistance to the unique needs of their own community, and meeting the people who run these programs day in an out inspires me to do great work for our network.

"If I could have an unlimited supply of one thing it would be travel reward points so I could travel around the world much more often!

"My favorite part of working for OKACAA is the people... specifically my co-workers!"

"If I could have an unlimited supply of one thing it would be energy! I love children so much because of their never ending energy!"

"My favorite part of working for OKACAA is the OKACAA Staff and the opportunity to train with my peers."

"I would want to have an unlimited supply of lasagna so that everyone would know just how delicious it is!"

"My favorite thing about working for OKACAA is getting to support Community Action Agencies around the state and working alongside our team here at OKACAA!"

"If I were a breakfast cereal I would be Honey Nut Cheerios - pretty simple, sweet, and dependable! LOL!!!"

"If I gave advice to my younger professional self it would be to always be open and willing to learn. There's a reason for everything you experience, even if it's a lesson in what not to do."

"If I could have any super power, I would want to have invisibility. Sometimes it would be nice to move through spaces unseen!"

"My favorite part of working for OKACAA is that I love that there is always something new to learn."

"If I could have an unlimited supply of one thing, it would be time. Now that I'm older I value time with my family and friends so much more. I would love an unlimited supply of that quality time!"

Head Start Collaboration Office Program Assistant OKACAA Office and Programs Manager Head Start Collaboration Director Director of the Weatherization Training Center Administrative Assistant Executive Director AMANDA EWING ZOE CAMPBELL PAULA BROWN KARLA BENFORD KEITH HUGGINS JANAY DAVIS

Conference Agenda

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Housing Staff Transit Staff

Head Start Directors

Head Start Managers & Staff

CSBG Staff

Public Relations/ Community Liaisons/ Communications Staff

RX for Oklahoma Weatherization

IT Staff

CFO's Fiscal Staff (non-CFO's)

12:30 PM

2:00 PM -Peer Group Session

-

#1:

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM -Peer Group Session

#2:

THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE CONFERENCE SPONSORS!

Conference Agenda

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

8:30 AM - 10:15 AM / General Session

Welcome by Kent Watson, OKACAA Board President

Welcome by Mark McPherson, Mollett Hunter

Address by Brett Kisling, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Address by Denise Harlow, CEO, National Community Action Partnership

Legislative Update and Discussion

Representative Cindy Munson

Senator Roger Thompson

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM / Breakout Session 1

Customer Engagement Fundamentals

National Community Action Partnership

Head Start Slot Conversions

Region VI Office of Head Start

Developing A Homebuyer Program with HOME Funds

Native American Housing Services, Inc.

Uniform Guidance Procurement Regulations

WIPFLI

1:30 PM -

2:45 PM /

Setting Realistic Goals and Targets

Julia Teska

Pyramid Model in Oklahoma - What's New?

OPSR, OK HSCO, OSDE

Introduction to Low Income Housing Tax Credits

Midwest Housing Equity Group

Internal Controls: Segregating Financial Duties in Small Offices

3:00 PM - 4:15 PM / Breakout Session 3

CAPTAIN Training CAP Systems

The Secret to Great Relationships at Work with Children, Families, and Teammates!

Stay the Course

Tax Credits from the Funding Source's Perspective

OHFA

WIPFLI Breakout

Session 2

Thursday, March 30, 2023 Reporting Systems and Strategies: Using Data to Inform Action NCAP The Power of Music Celebrate Successful Early Learning Combining Public and Private Economic Development Select Oklahoma Finance Roundtable: How do CAA's Successfully Hire, Onboard, and Train New Fiscal Employees? CAA Leaders Transit Roundtable: The State of CAA Transit Programs in 2023 CAA Leaders 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM / Breakout Session 4 The Growing Brain HSCO LIFT'S CED Transit Program LIFT Assessing Your Agency's Culture and Retaining Employees Julia Teska 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM / Breakout Session 5 How to Receive CSBG Discretionary Funding ODOC Supporting Families Experiencing Poverty ICF Mobility Program Development with Limited Resources EMBARK Economic Development Roundtable: CAA Development Projects that Shaped Our Communities CAA Leaders Accounts Payable Reporting and Troubleshooting MIP 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM / Breakout Session 6 Leveraging Equity Considerations to Build Your Full Enrollment Muscles ICF Why Main Street Matters Oklahoma Main Street, ODOC Connecting Your Community to Your Story Big Five Community Services Inc. Fixed Assets Management MIP 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM / Breakout Session 7

Conference Agenda

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS CONFERENCE SPONSORS!

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 / 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM

BREAKOUT SESSION 1

Customer Engagement Fundamentals

Head Start Slot Conversions

Region VI Office of Head Start - Maria Cervera

Developing a Homebuyer Program with HOME Funds

Sponsored By: Mollett Hunter Native American Housing Services, Inc. - Sharon Wise

NAHSI became a CHDO in 2002. Since that time, they have been awarded 18 HOME contracts for homeownership; 17 Rental contracts; and 9 Tax Credit/HOME contracts. Learn how they've been successful and hear their tips for CAAs who work in this domain.

Uniform Guidance Procurement Regulations

Setting Realistic Goals and Targets

Pyramid Model in Oklahoma - What's New?

Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness - Carrie Williams

Oklahoma State Department of Education - Kim Donnell

Oklahoma Head Start Collaboration Office - Paula Brown

Come to this session to hear about 3 Pyramid Model projects going on in Oklahoma. You will hear from the Pilot Project with SoonerStart, The Peer Learning Communities through the Oklahoma Collaboration office and the Implementation Project that is part of the new PDG through OPSR!

Introduction to Low Income Housing Tax Credits

Sponsored By: Mollett Hunter

Midwest Housing Equity Group - Andrea Frymire

Learn about utilizing tax credits from the perspective of the Midwest Housing Equity Group. Presentation will include LIHTC 101, how syndication works, fund structures, liquidity requirements, and how to find the team of professionals you need for your project.

Internal Controls: Segregating Financial Duties in Small Offices

CAPTAIN Training

The Secret to Great Relationships at Work with Children, Families, and Teammates!

Stay the Course - Kati Vaughn

A deep dive into emotional intelligence Researcher Daniel Golman believes that “80% of adult success is attributable to emotional intelligence, which is our ability to recognize, understand and express emotions”. It also involves understanding others’ emotions, allowing us to manage relationships more effectively. We will self-assess our skills and habits across the four domains of emotional intelligence, and identify strengths as well as areas for growth.

Tax Credits from a Funding Source's Perspective

Sponsored By: Mollett Hunter

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency - Danette L. Carr

Learn about utilizing tax credits from the perspective of the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, including navigating the OHFA website, where to find the QAP, most common mistakes made in failing to meet the threshold, PPR (what is it? how does it work?) and using open records.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 / 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

BREAKOUT SESSION 4

Reporting Systems and Strategies: Using Data to Inform Action

The Power of Music

Celebrate Successful Early Learning - Sharon Burnett

Join us to address the application of foundational enrichment for early literacy learning through singing, vocabulary development and letter/sound relationships. Music can be your magic equalizer that brings together social emotional-connection to reduce stress and anxiety for teaching basics needed for our youngest readers. Review research and re-discover laughter and love for learning literacy skills using the power of music during transitions, large group, and small group instruction.

Combining Public and Private Economic Development

Sponsored by: Mollett Hunter Select Oklahoma, Kian Kamas

Learn about how Select Oklahoma members combine public and private economic development efforts to market, retain, and attract investment in primary jobs for the State of Oklahoma.

Finance Roundtable: How do we successfully hire, onboard, and train new Fiscal Staff?

Transit Roundtable: The State of CAA Transit Programs in 2023

Sponsored By: Mollett Hunter

Facilitated By: Lindi Conover, NEOCAA

Participants: Erica Pogue, INCA; Laura Corff, United, Randy Heisler, United; Charla Sloan, KI BOIS; Tanya Gleghorn, Big Five

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 / 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM

BREAKOUT SESSION 5

The Growing Brain

Oklahoma Head Start Collaboration Office - Paula Brown

This session will give an overview of the seven modules that are a part of Zero to Three's Curriculum, The Growing Brain, for ages 0-5. Each module is 3 hours and this session will give a brief overview of each module, including objectives and examples of activities.

LIFT's CED Transit Program

Assessing Your Agency's Culture and Retaining Employees

How to receive CSBG Discretionary Funding

Supporting Families Experiencing Poverty

ICF - Robin Bowen

Our Head Start forefathers and mothers believed strongly that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Your programs are uniquely positioned to partner with families on their child’s development while supporting them in gaining increased access to resources that enhance their own well-being and support their journey toward economic stability. As we welcome many new colleagues into Head Start programs, it is important for us to support recipients by reminding them of our own “birth” story. You can use the resources from this session to expand capacity for building trusting and positive relationships with families through knowledge, self-reflection, and supervision. We build on the application of the RelationshipBased Competencies to enhance daily interactions between Head Start staff and families.

Mobility Program Development with Limited Resources

EMBARK - Marilyn Dillon

Modern social service delivery is measured in successful outcomes, but individual success is often impeded by transportation access challenges. The session will outline the partnerships and transportation services EMBARK has developed to support outcome improvements. EMBARK’s award winning mobility and social service partnerships that use person-centered design and the Science of Hope to tailor transportation programs to service as a support mechanism to agencies providing social services. Mobility management services are more than just a trip, and when properly executed, mobility can improve outcomes at a reduced cost. We will discuss how to replicate these efforts in other areas of need and outline the importance of community input into the current efforts to improve statewide mobility.

Economic Development Roundtable: CAA Development Projects that Shaped our Communities

Sponsored By: Mollett Hunter

Facilitated By: Tisha Davis, NEOCAA

Participants: Barbara Loudermilk, COCAA; Kent Watson, Big Five; Rhonda Teague, LIFT

Accounts Payable Reporting and Troubleshooting

Leveraging Equity Considerations to Build Your Full Enrollment Muscles

ICF - Robin Bowen

Good planning ensures access to program services for families through high quality Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) practices and processes. Planning should include Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) support for identifying prioritized populations. These may include families experiencing homelessness, families of children with disabilities, LGBTQ+ headed households, etc. to ensure programs are expanding their reach during recruitment and enrollment. Come build upon previous applications of cross walking the ERSEA Assessment Tool Indicators of Quality and the Equity Considerations for ERSEA related to eligibility.

Why Main Street Matters

Sponsored By: Mollett Hunter

Oklahoma Department of Commerce - Tamara Nelson

For more than 30 years, Oklahoma’s Main Street program has been pumping new life back into the heart of communities across the state. Learn how CAAs and this program can partner together for historic preservation, downtown revitalization efforts and powerful economic stimulation to restore the core assets of communities and enhance the quality of life of Oklahomans.

Connecting Your Community to Your Story

Fixed Assets Management

SPRING CONFERENCE PRESENTER PROFILES

Mary Bonifield

Mary Bonifield was born and raised in Chicago, Mary attended Loyola University of Chicago where she obtained a BA in Communications. She moved to Texas in 2010 for the warmer weather and new opportunities. Prior to working with MIP Fund Accounting, she worked with a business partner implementing and training on Sage's Mas90/Mas200. After 11 years of working with for-profit companies, she decided to switch to the non-profit side. She has been with MIP for 12 years now. Mary currently handles new implementations (including custom forms and reports), training, and imports for MIP Fund Accounting. She also works on database modifications such as, fiscal year changes, segment additions and field length changes. Mary enjoys working with clients from various parts of the world and helping them make their job easier.

Robin Bowen

Robin Bowen, M Ed holds degrees in Child Development, Special Education w/EC concentration, and Curriculum and Instruction and holds an Oklahoma State Teaching License Robin has 30+ years’ experience working in Head Start in a variety of positions and currently serves in the Regional Training and Technical Assistance Network as an Early Childhood Specialist.

Paula Brown

Paula Brown, Oklahoma’s Head Start Collaboration Director, has 38 years of experience in Head Start and the world of young children and families. She previously completed 23 years as the Disabilities Services Manager for United Community Action Head Start and has served Oklahoma as their Head Start Collaboration Director since 2021. She earned her BS in Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 1985 and her Master’s in Special Education from Ashford University in 2013, and is working on her PhD in Human Development & Family Sciences from Oklahoma State University. She has been a Governor’s appointee to Oklahoma’s Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention (ICC) since 1998, currently serves as the chair of the Infant Mental Health Committee for the ICC, has recently been appointed by the Governor to the GICH and serves on the Employment (Education/Training) Sub Committee, is on Oklahoma’s Pyramid Model Leadership Team, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness’s Board of Directors, Autism Foundation of Oklahoma’s Early Childhood committee, and Oklahoma’s Clearinghouse on Early Childhood Success. She is the proud mother of 2 Head Start Alumni. Her oldest, Michael, has developmental disabilities and was one of the first children to be fully included in his school. Her youngest, Daniel, is a Fellow in Pulmonary Critical Care at OU Medical Center. Her Bonus son, Austin is an amazing musician and Dean of Students at Sand Springs Middle School. She is also the proud Grandma/Mee-maw of Jayden age 18, Gabby Age 14, Vivienne, age 2.5 and Harper, 1 year and makes her home in Stillwater, OK with her husband and biggest fan, Bob.

Sharon Burnett

Sharon Burnett is a publisher and co-founder of two early childhood curriculum companies, most currently – CELEBRATE Successful Early Learning. The company creates supplemental big books, little books, music and digital e-Stories based on a foundation of FUN and SUCCESS for our youngest learners. Sharon works with educators in the areas of Infant, Toddler, Threes, Pre-K, and Kindergarten within school districts, Head Start agencies, and Child Care organizations both nationally and internationally. Prior to this time, Sharon founded a private pre- school program, Friendship Developmental Learning Center, which has continued as a strong educational site for young children in the community. Sharon’s extensive knowledge and expertise in early childhood provide a cornerstone in the foundational years to enhance best practices for our youngest children.

SPRING CONFERENCE PRESENTER PROFILES

Danette Carr

Danette Carr attended Oklahoma State University (OSU) where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. Presently, she is employed with the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) as the Housing Development Team Allocation Supervisor. At OHFA, Ms. Carr is responsible for supervising the Housing Development Analysts processing Affordable Housing Tax Credits, HOME, National Housing Trust Fund and Oklahoma Housing Trust fund Applications. Ms. Carr began her career with OHFA in rental assistance 21 years ago.

Brian Cayer has been serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of CAP Systems, Inc. since 2010, and has been an integral part of the company as a system developer since 1989. Mr. Cayer is responsible for defining and articulating the company’s vision, developing strategies through new technology research, and project management with development teams. In addition, he serves as a high-level system architect for essential core design features and elements that provide the foundation for all company-created systems. These systems serve as the software framework for Community Action Agencies throughout the country, focusing on Case Management client database, LIHEAP, Head Start, Organizational Standards, and ROMA Next Gen, to name a few. Prior to CAP Systems, Inc., Mr. Cayer was the Development Director for Processing Management, Inc.

Maria Cervera

Maria Cervera is a Supervisory Program Specialist with the Office of Head Start, Region VI, Administration for Children & Families|, and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Dr. Marilyn Dillon

Dr. Marilyn Dillon is the Mobility Management Administrator and ADA Coordinator for EMBARK, the City of Oklahoma City’s public transportation and parking provider. Marilyn’s early career in the private and non-profit sectors focused on human services provision as well as time spent managing laboratory operations, sales, and transportation logistics across a fivestate region. Marilyn returned to the City of Oklahoma City in 2012 as a Budget Analyst and was promoted to Audit Manager in 2013 before moving to EMBARK in 2016. Marilyn earned a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma City University and an MBA from Colorado State University. Dr. Dillon holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Management from Northcentral University and is certified in Lean Six Sigma. Marilyn serves on multiple Oklahoma Transit Association committees and serves as the Board President of the Oklahoma Mobility Institute, both of these organizations are focused on improving connectivity and mobility access for all Oklahomans. In addition, Dr. Dillon serves on the OKC Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns, the Oklahoma City Healthy Hopeful Community Collaborative Advisory Council, and multiple coordinating coalitions and advisory councils seeking solutions to various social issues. Marilyn was named the 2021 Oklahoma Transit Association’s Transit Professional of the Year and in 2022 Dr. Dillon received the 2022 Community Champion Award from the Lynn Institute. Most recently, Marilyn was named Woman of the Year by the Oklahoma Chapter of International Women in Transportation. EMBARK’s mobility services and programs have been featured at numerous regional and national conferences. The EMBARK Well Senior Health and Wellness Program has been copied in other locations to provide mobility options to address the social determinants of health and the EMBARK Climb Ride Program was honored with the 2022 Innovation Award from the Oklahoma Transit Association for its work to improve family reunification rates within the Oklahoma County child welfare system.

Kim Donnell

Kim Donnell is the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Specialist for Oklahoma's Early Intervention Program, SoonerStart. She has taught in general and special education early childhood classrooms before joining the Oklahoma State Department of Education to support districts implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Kim graduated with a Master's degree in Special Education - Challenging Behaviors and Administration. She specializes in implementation science, coaching, and challenging behaviors.

Brian Cayer

SPRING CONFERENCE PRESENTER PROFILES

Katherine Eilers

Katherine Eilers works primarily with nonprofit clients as a consultant in the areas of financial policies and procedures and financial department process improvement and provides training on Federal grant regulations (Uniform Guidance), procurement, cost allocation, indirect cost rates, and fiscal best practices. Katherine’s past experience includes over 15 years as a financial statement auditor and grants auditor for nonprofit organizations and local governments, including counties, cities, townships, community colleges, and school districts. Katherine’s experience also includes working with organizations in account reconciliation, financial statement preparation, grant reporting, and preparing financial statements for small businesses and agriculture clients in Northern Illinois and Eastern Iowa.

Andrea Frymire

Andrea Frymire is the Vice President – Community Investments for Midwest Housing Equity Group, a nonprofit federal tax credit syndicator. She is responsible for all affairs and activities in an eighteen state region related to community investments including identifying and contacting potential investors. Prior to joining Midwest Housing, Andrea was Partner of Welcome Home Management Services, L.L.C., Dobson Mortgage Corp. and Broker/Owner of Oklahoma Investment Realty, Inc. She provided third party property management, mortgage brokerage services for commercial real estate and business loans, as well as underwriting and analyzing investments for lender approval. She has over twenty years’ experience in the real estate and mortgage industry. Andrea is a graduate of Radford University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate. She holds a Real Estate Broker’s License as well as a Real Estate Instructor License with the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission. Frymire is also very involved in the community serving on a variety of national and state boards related to real estate and affordable housing. In 2015, Andrea assisted in the formation of the Oklahoma Coalition for Affordable Housing. She served as the inaugural President of the Board of Directors 2015-2016. The National Association of Realtors® named her as Chair of their national Commercial Federal Policy Committee and the Journal Record recently selected her for Excellence in Commercial Real Estate. She is a three time winner of the prestigious National Commercial Award for outstanding achievement in the commercial real estate industry.

Tanya Gleghorn

Tanya Gleghorn was born in McAlester, Oklahoma where she grew up and attended school, graduating from McAlester High School. After high school, she worked in as a Nurses Aide and later became an Employment Training Specialist before relocating to California, where she worked for RCCA Services as a Program Manager. She later served as an Adult Education teacher with Woodland School District and as a social worker and QMRP for Woodland Residential Services. Mrs. Gleghorn received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and relocated back to Oklahoma. She began her employment with Big Five Community Services, Inc. starting in 2010 in the Developmental Disabilities Service Division (DDSD), working as a supervisor and Program Coordinator. She served as a DDSD Program Manager and later was promoted to DDSD Program Director over this division of Big Five Community Services. Big Five Community Services appointed Mrs. Gleghorn to assist with the management and supervision of the Transportation and Housing programs, in which Mrs. Gleghorn served as Assistant Transportation Director and Director of Housing for four years. Most recently, Mrs. Gleghorn has served in dual roles as Community Programs Director for CSBG programs and several senior grants that serve a 10-county area and was also appointed as Big Five's Transportation and Housing Director. She is married with two children.

Denise Harlow

Denise Harlow, CCAP, is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Community Action Partnership, a national hub that links the nation’s 1,000+ Community Action Agencies to each another and to federal, state, and local leaders looking to connect Americans to greater opportunity. Prior to her tenure at the Partnership, she was the Chief Executive Officer for the New York State Community Action Association where she launched the Association’s annual Symposium on Poverty and Economic Opportunity and its annual Report on Poverty in New York State. She has also served as the Sr. Vice President for Capacity Building for the New York Council of Nonprofits where she was the project director for the New York State Board Training Consortium. Denise has more than 28 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector, has served on several nonprofit boards of directors, and was an appointee to the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council in New York State. She has extensive experience in board governance, strategic planning, public policy/advocacy, leadership development, and organizational development. She is a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP), a certified Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) Trainer, and a Pathways to Excellence Peer Reviewer. She started her Community Action career as a social worker with the Schenectady Community Action Program. She has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University at Albany where she was also a Fellow on Women and Public Policy at the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society, and holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from Valparaiso University.

SPRING CONFERENCE PRESENTER PROFILES

Sherry Hovey

Sherry has worked with Tribal governments, Government sectors, and Non-profits for over 15 years in a consultant role implementing and training on the MIP Fund Accounting application. Sherry has a niche for problem-solving that has benefited the clients she has had the pleasure to support. She is knowledgeable in the MIP application inclusive of the payroll suite. She leads with compassion which has able her to build strong relationships with clients that are using the MIP application.

Kian Kamas

Kian Kamas serves as the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, leading Tulsa’s comprehensive community and economic development strategy and a team of talented professionals dedicated to increasing economic opportunity for Tulsa residents. Prior to this role, she served as Mayor G.T. Bynum’s Deputy Chief and then Chief of Economic Development. Before her work at the City, Kian spent six (6) years at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, in various roles in Economic Development and Government Affairs. Kian is passionate about creating long-term, institutional change in how Tulsa pursues its economic and community development objectives, and is committed to building a world-class and sustainable operating model that provides Tulsa with strong and stable long-term revenues for this work. She loves crazy ideas and tries to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and a collaborative approach to problem-solving among TAEO’s staff. Kian holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters Degree in Comparative Public Policy from the University of Edinburgh, and has completed the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. She and her husband Lathen have lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 2009, and are raising their son Leith as a proud Tulsan.

Brent Kisling

Brent Kisling is the Executive Director of Commerce. He has an extensive background in economic development. Before taking on his leadership role at Commerce, Brent was Executive Director of the Enid Regional Development Alliance for nearly 10 years.

Cyndi Munson

First elected in September of 2015 and re-elected in 2016, Cyndi Munson became the first Asian-American woman elected to the Oklahoma Legislature. She has concentrated her legislative efforts on providing equal pay for equal work, strengthening the rights of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, assisting Oklahoma’s veterans, and working to make life easier for our loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Originally from Lawton, Cyndi developed her passion for public service at an early age. Her father’s military service taught Cyndi and her sister, Sandra, the importance of giving back. A first generation college student, Cyndi graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she earned a Master of Science in Leadership Education. Cyndi also spent a semester of her college experience studying at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Before her election to the Legislature, Cyndi spent a decade working and volunteering in Oklahoma City’s non-profit community. In her most recent work with Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, she provided leadership programs for thousands of girls in low-income schools, juvenile detention centers, and public housing. Cyndi is a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class 31 and an alumni member of Leadership Oklahoma City’s LOYAL Class VIII. She serves on the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, is a member of the Oklahoma Messages Project Board of Directors, and is the past chair of the Infant Crisis Services Young Professionals Group. In her free time, Cyndi enjoys running, reading, mentoring young women, trying new local restaurants and attending events in Oklahoma City, and spending time with her family and friends. Cyndi is also a member of Crestwood Vineyard Church in Oklahoma City.

Tamara Nelson

Tamara Nelson is an Economic Development Specialist with the Oklahoma Main Street Center within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. With nearly 18 years of experience, Tamara promotes economic development in the current 45 Oklahoma Main Street communities. Within her role, Tamara offers numerous specialized skills including working with community and business leaders to discover untapped assets; growing partnerships, working one-on-one with businesses to enhance their sustainability through e-commerce; business planning expansion and succession planning. Tamara also assists communities in nonprofit start-ups as well as planning and executing events to highlight Oklahoma’s Main Streets promotional efforts. Tamara is the proud mother of Nathan, who is an airman serving in the United States Navy.

SPRING CONFERENCE PRESENTER PROFILES

Rebecca Porter

Rebecca Porter is a longtime employee of LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. and has held many positions within the agency. She began her career with LIFT CAA in 1994 within the Accounting Department but soon was promoted to Assistant to the Executive Director. In 2000, Porter applied for and received the position as Housing Director and remained in that capacity until becoming an Associate Director in 2003. Porter has received numerous achievement awards over the years, such as the Fred Tucker Memorial Award, Ted Allen Memorial Award, and the Guy Davis Leadership Award (all from the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies); the Friend of Affordable Housing Award (from the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency); and Employee of the Year Award (from LIFT CAA). She also holds numerous certifications in community and economic development. In 2014, Porter completed an 18-month program at the Harvard School of Business where she graduated with a certification in “Achieving Excellence in Community Development”. Porter became the Executive Director of LIFT Community Action Agency as of October 1, 2014.

Shellie has 35+ years experience in various roles related to the administration of State and Federal Programs

Her experience encompasses finance and accounting, procurement, contract development and monitoring for programs such as Maternal and Child Health, Terrorism Preparedness and Response and Workforce Development Shellie currently serves as the Program Planner for the Oklahoma Community Services Block Grant Program.

Maribeth is the Director of Organizational Capacity at National Community Action Partnership (NCAP). Maribeth has proudly served the Community Action network since 2010 at the local, state, and national levels, including at a local Community Action Agency where she provided direct services, facilitated agency planning and continuous improvement efforts; serving at the state level as Kentucky’s Director of Family Support where she led the state team responsible for administration and implementation of SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, CSBG, and LIHEAP; and at the national level as the CSBG State Assistance Director at the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) where she supported CSBG Lead Agencies to effectively administer CSBG and address poverty at the state level. Maribeth is a Certified Community Action Professional, certified Results Oriented Management and Accountability Trainer, certified Project Management Professional, and holds a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in law and public policy. Maribeth is an avid animal lover and enjoys hiking and being in nature.

Serving as Chief Operating Officer, Human Resources Director, and Board Liaison for Big Five Community Services, now in my 11th year with Big Five. Retired from public education in Oklahoma after a 30-year career, serving as a teacher, an elementary/early childhood principal, middle school principal, high school principal, and superintendent of schools. Past member of the Oklahoma State Social Studies Curriculum Committee, and have presented lectures at the University of Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in graduate education leadership classes. Graduate of Leadership Ardmore, Ada, and Durant programs. Member of the Durant Rotary Club. Married to Denise Stinson, elementary teacher, two daughters-Emily Stinson, elementary teacher, and Elizabeth Stinson, graduating senior from ECU this spring and will be an elementary teacher this fall. Kevin is a National Certified ROMA Trainer (NCRT) and CCAP Candidate.

Shellie Schlegel Kevin Stinson Maribeth Schneber-Rhemrev

SPRING CONFERENCE PRESENTER PROFILES

Julia Teska is one of Oklahoma’s ROMA trainers and consults with agencies regarding ROMA-related topics. She worked at Northeast Oklahoma Community Action Agency in its Job Training program. She now works for CAP Systems

Senator Roger Thompson was first elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in November 2014 He represents Senate District 8, which is comprised of Okmulgee and McIntosh counties as well as portions of Okfuskee and Muskogee counties. Thompson is the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, vetting all legislation with a fiscal impact on the state, including all budget bills He also serves as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding The committee and its working groups are charged with vetting recommendations for the utilization of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. In addition, Thompson serves as co-chair of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) oversight committee. He’s also a member of the Finance and Rules Committees He was also appointed to serve on the Executive Committee of The Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South) for 2023 Born in Oklahoma City, Thompson lived in Okmulgee County, and graduated from Muskogee High School. He later graduated from the Preston Road School of Preaching in Texas, then attended Southwestern Bible College and Seminary where he received his master’s and a doctorate in theology Even before coming to the Oklahoma Senate, Thompson had long been involved in public service through a variety of organizations He was a lay member of the Professional Responsibility Commission of the Oklahoma Bar Association and served on the Okfuskee County Election Board as well as the Okfuskee County Excise Board. He’s a past president of the Okemah Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, the Oklahoma Lions Club, and the Rock Creek Youth Camp in Norman, Oklahoma Thompson also served as board president and CEO for Good News International Foundation, where he was recognized for partnering with the Secretary of Religion and Science in Ukraine. He also operated a publishing and benevolent outreach in Ukraine after the fall of the Soviet Union. During that period, he also served as an advisory member of Global Christian University In 2022, Senator Thompson was named as one of the 55 most influential Oklahomans over the age of 55 The 55 Over 55 award is the creation of Donald B Swift, founder of ion Oklahoma Magazine, featuring Oklahomans who do not believe their best years are behind them and are leading the way and involved in projects that are creating a better future for the state and its citizens. Thompson is president of the News Leader Company, Inc , which owns and publishes the Okemah News Leader His wife, Pamela, owns Pamela’s Flowers and Okemah Office Supply He’s currently vice-president of the Okemah Community Improvement Association and serves as Economic Development Consultant for Businesses and Municipalities. The Thompsons have been married since 1976 and are the parents of two children They are members of New Beginnings Church in Bristow

Kati Vaughn

Kati's path to founding Stay the Course has been fueled by a lifelong passion for teaching and leading in the classroom. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Harvard University, and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Loyola Marymount University. She brings over fifteen years of teaching, coaching, and management experience with an emphasis on equity and inclusiveness. In addition to person-centered coaching, she leads professional learning experiences focused on culturally responsive teaching, educator wellness, and values-based leadership. Kati currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband, new baby girl, and their two adventurous cats, Brenda and Kelly.

Roger Thompson Julia Teska

SPRING CONFERENCE PRESENTER PROFILES

Mr. Watson is the Executive Director of Big Five Community Services, with its Home Office located in Durant, Oklahoma. A position he has held since 2013. Mr. Watson received a BA in Ed. from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1984 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma in 1987. He has been a licensed member of the Oklahoma Bar Association for more than 35 years.

Carrie Williams

Carrie Williams is the executive director of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation. Prior to joining OPSR, Carrie served as executive director of Rainbow Fleet from 2014-2021. Under her leadership, Rainbow Fleet partnered with Palomar, Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center, to create the Children’s Sanctuary, a safe space for children to play while their parents access critical services related to domestic violence. Recognizing that access to quality, early learning environments is a critical component to school readiness for all children, and that there is a lack of opportunity for students entering the early childhood field to practice what they learn in the classroom, Carrie led efforts to transform Horace Mann Elementary into the Rainbow Fleet Early Education Center. Carrie serves on Oklahoma City Public School’s Early Childhood Task Force with the goal of expanding early childhood programs in Oklahoma City. Carrie served as co-chair of the Process and Implementation Committee of the Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success and is now charged with the administration of the Clearinghouse at OPSR. Carrie serves on Sunbeam Family Services’ Early Head Start Advisory Committee, Rose State College’s Family Services and Child Development Advisory Committee and OSU-OKC’s Early Care Advisory Committee. She is also a founding member Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Advisory Board in Oklahoma under the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Carrie is a member of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 38, Rotary Club of Oklahoma City and was awarded the Journal Record’s Achievers Under 40. She received recognition from the Oklahoma Bar Association for her work as secretary of the Oklahoma Justice Commission. A native of Marlow, Okla., Williams is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma where she studied Journalism. Carrie lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, Brian Williams, and their two sons, Noah, age 11 and Benjamin, age 6.

Sharon Wise

Sharon Wise, a Choctaw Tribal member, is the Executive Director and founder of Native American Housing Services, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to create affordable housing for all citizens of Oklahoma with a focus on Native Americans. NAHSI has a five (5) member Board of Directors comprised of business leaders, low-income representatives and members of the low-income communities in our service area. Ms. Wise has extensive knowledge in federally funded housing programs and continues to increase NAHSI’s portfolio. Ms. Wise was in the home mortgage lending business for 20+ years. She has over 20 years’ experience in the HOME Program. Ms. Wise has formed working partnerships with private, for-profit developers to create affordable housing units in NAHSI’s service area. She has led NAHSI in adding over 600 units of affordable housing to the State.

Kent Watson

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TOGETHER - WE CAN BUILD A BETTER WORLD!

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Building A Better World: OKACAA Spring 2023 Conference