In the spring of 2016, NextGen Leadership-Oklahoma sent out a call to young leaders around the state offering a retreat experience to meet executives who are making a transformational difference in Oklahoma and to discuss their ideas of what Oklahoma should be focusing on going forward to make it the state of choice for Millennials. This group met July 29-30, at the Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center near Sulphur, OK. Their names are listed in the acknowledgements. This is their report.
1. 1
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
WHAT IF?
&WHY NOT?
DREAM IT, DARE IT, DO IT.A report
A Millennial Vision
for a
Transformational
Oklahoma
2. RECOGNIZING AND ENGAGING
YOUNG OKLAHOMA LEADERS
TO CONNECT AND CREATE THE
NEXTGEN OKLAHOMA.
TWO-DAY
LEADERSHIP
CHALLENGE
CONFERENCES
Network with thought leaders,
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promote new ideas and bold
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ONE-DAY
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TALENT-BUILDING
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Presented strategically around Oklahoma to
encourage maximum participation and connect
young leaders in your area
ANNUAL NEXTGEN UNDER 30
RECOGNITION DINNER
AND CEREMONY
oklahoma
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oklahoma
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You are cordially invited to
NEXTGENUNDER30 Alumni Reception
for NextGen Under 30 Alumni, Friends & Guests
Thursday, May 5th, 2016 - 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
4:30: Shaping the Next Decade – Policy & Politics with the
State Chamber, Bradley W. Krieger, State Chamber Chairman
5:30: Cocktail Networking Reception
Guest Speaker Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb
Gaillardia Country Club
5300 Gaillardia Boulevard
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
RSVP by Thursday, April 28th by replying to swiftdon2@cox.net
Have a say about the future of your Oklahoma.
DREAMIT,DAREIT,DOIT.
LEADING THE MILLENNIAL TRANSFORMATION IN OKLAHOMA
LEADERSHIP
RETREAT
JULY 29-30, 2016
For young professionals of all ages
2 days at the Chickasaw Retreat &
Conference Center in Sulphur, OK
Featured presenter Mike Knopp,
Executive Director Oklahoma City
Boathouse Foundation.
Small group conversations with five
Oklahoma executives who led
transformations!
Find YOUR leader voice!
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Presented By:
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Informal networking
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4. 2
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
oklahoma
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Background
NextGen Leadership-Oklahoma is a leadership engagement and recognition project
encouraging the state’s next generation of leaders to be involved now.
The NextGen Under 30 recognition program is a centerpiece of the project. Since 2011
NextGen Under 30 has recognized 197 young leaders, primarily in central Oklahoma,
who have had an impact in their workplaces and communities.
In 2016, NextGen Under 30 launched its most ambitions recognition effort, going
statewide. This effort generated an unprecedented number of nominations in 16
categories of business, industry, education, not-for-profits, and government. The result:
a panel of judges selected 296 young leaders as exemplary by distinguishing themselves
for their contributions to their communities and workplaces. This testifies to the scope
and depth of young leadership talent in Oklahoma.
We want them to stay, prosper, and contribute to a vibrant future.
In the spring of 2016, NextGen Leadership-Oklahoma sent out a call to young leaders
around the state offering a retreat experience to meet executives who are making a
transformational difference in Oklahoma and to discuss their ideas of what Oklahoma
should be focusing on going forward to make it the state of choice for Millennials. This
group met July 29-30, at the Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center near Sulphur,
OK. Their names are listed in the acknowledgements. This is their report.
5. 3
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
MILLENNIALS
born 1981-1997
23%
30%
TOTAL
POPULATION
VOTING AGE
POPULATION
PRIMARY WORKING AGE
Hear our voice
We are Millennials, and we are here. We want to create our future, not just inherit
it. We want to engage, to make a difference, and to do it now.
We didn’t pick the label for our generation, and it’s somewhat artificial, because we
are not a one-size-fits-all group. However, we know those who analyze
demographics need labels, so we’ll go along. We, Millennials (a.k.a. Generation
Y, or Gen Y), were born between 1981 and 19971
. Nationally, we make up
approximately 23 percent of the total population, 30 percent of the voting age
population, and 38 percent of the primary working age population2
. As a total
cohort group, there are more of us than the Baby Boomer generation that is
entering retirement years. And we are twice the size of the generation before
us–Gen X.
In 2014, we Millennials were 28% of Oklahoma’s population, ranking it 12th in
the U.S. for Millennials.3
We make up 23.9% and 22.8% of the population in
Oklahoma City and Tulsa respectively.4
MILLENNIALS
born between 1981-1997
MILLENNIALS
born 1981-1997
23%
30%
38%
TOTAL
POPULATION
VOTING AGE
POPULATION
PRIMARY WORKING AGE
POPULATION
MILLENNIALS
born 1981-1997
23%
30%
38%
TOTAL
POPULATION
VOTING AGE
POPULATION
PRIMARY WORKING AGE
POPULATION
6. 4
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Why listen to Millennials?
Every state is competing for Millennials. Oklahoma is no exception. They need to pay
attention to our priorities and issues as part of their overall strategic planning.
We are not the majority of CEOs and business leaders, but we will be someday.
While they are usually the ones leading think tanks, strategic planning sessions, and
policymaking groups, we have something to say about those discussions and the
direction of policy. Our future is at stake, and we are one of the largest stakeholder
groups. We realize others are talking seriously about many issues affecting Oklahoma,
but we haven’t been
present at the table.
What we value and
the way we see
our future might
be different from
the focus of those
planning sessions; so,
listen up.
We realize there is
much more to the
conversation than
what we had time to discuss at the “Dream It, Dare It, Do It” retreat. But we wanted to
dream together. We asked, “What if, and why not?” “How?” is for another day. We
offer these thoughts and ideas fully realizing that this is not the end of the discussion,
but maybe, it is the beginning of many more like it involving many more like us.
7. 5
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
CHANGE
Inclusive
educational
reform
collaboration
DIVERSE
respect
BALANCE
UNITY
Rich
Culture
INNOVATION
ECONOMY
Entrepreneurship
ENVIRONMENT
Life
Stylefamily
What Matters
to Millennials?
As one of our discussion teams stated during the summary section of our deliberations,
When we think of Oklahoma, we think of change. Everyone wants to have a
pendulum swing, but what we really need more of is balance: how we can take
the established generation and the up and coming generation and bring them
together. [Note: indented text is verbatim quotes from the group summaries.]
And another group commented,
Our team believes that in order to keep Millennials in Oklahoma we need to
unify as a state to make an effort to be progressive and inclusive, which would
change the current perception of Oklahoma.
The prominent words in our word cloud would include change, inclusive,
educational reform, collaboration, diverse, respect, balance, unity, innovation,
entrepreneurship, economy, rich culture, life style, and family.
8. 6
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Transformation
Change, to us, means transformation. Oklahoma is evolving, and we need to assure
that the evolution is also purposeful. We want to influence the direction of change so
that the next Oklahoma comes from the best of who we are and what we have to offer.
Oklahoma’s heritage of innovation and resilience has served us well. We will build
on it, seeking the balance of tradition and transformation. Indeed, our tradition is
transformation.
The transformation we have
in mind reinvents some of
our institutions, such as
education and government,
to create a new culture of
learning and collaboration. This
transformation will push us to
rethink some of the paths we
are now on and be willing to
take the road less traveled.
9. 7
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
How others perceive
Oklahoma.
We want to live in an Oklahoma respected by others. This thought came up in several
ways, as one group expressed it,
We also envision a diverse and inclusive state that respects all individuals and
viewpoints. We also want to create a positive image for Oklahoma by fostering
an active and educated citizenry that is engaged in making decisions for our
future.
To attract Millennials to Oklahoma, they must see Oklahoma as an inclusive and
inviting state in all aspects. Whether it is political affiliation, the mix of cultures, life
style choices, variety of entertainment, religious and spiritual preferences, economic
opportunities provided by both small and large business, or a blend of urban and rural
experiences, all must be mutually inclusive and work toward a unified wholesome life
experience. One of our teams concluded,
In order to elevate our state as a whole and to establish our unique identity, we
need to invest in the arts, our culture, and our people.
Oklahoma must be seen as a unified whole, not a patchwork of special interests
jockeying for privilege.
10. 8
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Priorities
We started with a blank page. No one suggested what we should mention as our issues
or ideas. We were simply asked to bring our big idea about what we wanted Oklahoma
to become.
We were asked to think in, what if? language. The wilder the ideas, the better.
Nothing was out of bounds. What if? language allowed us to think of what is
possible. It focuses on solutions instead of limitations. We decided to focus on our ideal
NextGen Oklahoma.
When we compiled our thoughts, our ideas clustered into the following categories.
Some of our ideas applied to more than one category.
• Education
• Economic opportunity
• Urban-rural integration
• Energy and environment
• Health and wellness
• Entertainment, the Arts, tourism
• Political reform
What If?..
11. 9
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Education
Education is that one issue we absolutely have to get right. Hands down, and across the
board, quality education throughout the entire spectrum of pre-K through university is
our number one concern. Our chief want is for Oklahomans to be highly educated and
skilled. This goes for technology education as well as for life-long learning.
Our overarching question
was: “What if we
restructured
or redesigned
our educational
system?”
The issue goes way
beyond teacher salaries.
We should rethink and
reinvent the system.
Everything is on the
table–everything.
More money alone won’t
attract better or more teachers. We need to focus on what teachers love to do and
provide them the opportunity to do it: educate children.
We should ask:
• What if Oklahoma had the highest paid teachers in the
nation?
• What if teachers from other states were waiting in line to
teach in Oklahoma?
• What if children had more say about their education?
• What if teachers had more direct input into educational
reform?
12. 10
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Secondarily, we asked, “What if educational curricula were more
relevant and well-rounded?”
Education is not something one does to a person; it is an experience one has that helps
them enlarge their expectations of living. An educated person has the knowledge to
make daily life decisions as well as plan for the future. Being educated goes beyond job
skills. It’s about being able to make a life that is meaningful and purposeful.
We should ask:
• What if education stressed more practical topics such as balancing a
checkbook, credit scores, and mortgages, and so forth?
• What if every student knew how to use social media safely and
appropriately?
• What if high school students were educated about student loans?
• What if we generated more investments in S.T.E.M. education?
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)5
• What if the arts could be studied along with S.T.E.M. instead of being
cut completely?
• What if the arts, music, and physical fitness were part of the regular
curricula?
• What if students learned critical and creative thinking?
• What if we taught children about meal planning and budgeting in
elementary school?
• What if we could get college courses at a vocational school?
13. 11
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Beyond the issue of funding, “What if legislators made public
education their top priority?”
Again, we absolutely must get education right in Oklahoma. We Millennials are both
recent products of the system and future consumers of it as we start our families or
pursue additional education ourselves.
Getting this job done will take a political will by politicians of both parties that must go
beyond what we have seen to
this point. What if our political
leaders not only supported
innovations in the educational
process, but insisted on them?
We believe it is time to take
creative, but possibly drastic,
measures to turn around
Oklahoma’s educational process.
It’s not about throwing money at
the problem; it’s about generating ambitions, and maybe outrageous, ideas. So, what if
teachers and students, who are in the classrooms every day, had more input into what
schooling should be, more so than administrators who have an entirely different set of
responsibilities?
We should ask:
• What if there was a board of teachers that could influence
legislation?
• What if legislators were required to teach in the classrooms?
• What if Oklahoma abandoned teaching to the standardized test and
taught to the individual needs of the student?
• What if children had more opportunity to contribute to society as
part of their education?
• What if public policy and private efforts converged to maximize their
impact on generating new ideas and approaches to educating?
• What if rural schools were consolidated?
• What if college were free?
14. 12
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Economic Opportunity
We want to prosper. We want a state where communities of all sizes have a viable
economic foundation. The NextGen Oklahoma will support entrepreneurship and
business start ups in any community, large or small, urban or rural. The NextGen
Oklahoma will be a hotbed of innovation making existing businesses stronger. The
NextGen Oklahoma will be a diversified economy that can weather downturns in any
individual business sector.
We should ask:
• What if Oklahoma were the entrepreneurial capital of the world?
• What if we had stronger partnership between business and education
to strengthen the workforce?
• What if there was a greater collaboration between for profit
businesses and nonprofit organizations?
• What if the economy were more diversified?
• What if the foundation of the economy were small businesses?
• What if small business was supported statewide?
• What if startups had more support?
15. 13
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Urban-Rural Integration
Economic opportunity fits hand-in-glove with
the connection between urban centers and
rural Oklahoma.
Most of the U.S. population lives in urban
and suburban centers. 80.7% of the U.S.
population lives in urban areas.6
50.9%
of Americans live in 4.6% of the nation’s
counties.7
In Oklahoma, upwards of 58%
of the population is concentrated around
Oklahoma City and Tulsa.8
We Millennials might head for the urban
centers when younger, but we often head to
the suburbs or farther out into the exurbs and
rural areas when we start families. Many of
us grew up in rural communities and prefer to
remain there.
Regardless of where we live, we want the
best of both the urban and rural experiences
at the same time.
In the cities we want safe pedestrian access to
work, shopping, and entertainment. We want
plenty of green spaces for parks and exercise.
In the rural communities we still crave the
amenities of city living such as entertainment
and access to media. We want quality health
care and quick access to other communities
and urban centers.
We should ask:
• What if there were better public
transportation connecting rural and
urban areas?
• What if we had public transportation
in the rural areas?
• What if there were more green spaces
in our cities and inner cities?
• What if there was less traffic
congestion in our cities?
• What if all parking was free?
• What if we spent less time waiting in
lines?
• What if rural areas of the state were
as inviting as urban areas?
• What if rural areas had more access
to high speed internet?
• What if (urban) businesses gave
employees the ability to work
remotely from their rural homes?
• What if rural areas had easier access
to critical care hospitals?
• What if rural schools were
consolidated?
• What if there was more tourism in
rural areas?
• What if there were different ways to
utilize natural resources (in rural
areas)?
16. 14
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Energy-Environment
We see our Oklahoma as pristine: land, air, and water that is pure and life giving. This
has implications in all aspects of living and doing business in Oklahoma.
The energy sector, especially oil and natural gas, has been a mainstay on the Oklahoma
landscape since before statehood. Now, wind energy is becoming an economic force.
Oklahoma is the number four generator of wind
energy in the U.S.9
Millennials support more environmentally friendly
energy resources as well as an overall emphasis on
making and keeping Oklahoma environmentally
clean. We want our Oklahoma to strive for a
balance in renewable energy and oil and gas
production, and we expect all energy production to
be environmentally responsible.
In addition, the NextGen Oklahoma will be a world leader in environmentally friendly
practices. Urban landscapes, rural land use, universal recycling will all reflect our
dedication to protecting our land, water, and air quality.
We should ask:
• What if oil & gas accounted for less a share of tax income?
• What if we had more renewable energy sources?
• What if we took our energy infrastructure in greener direction?
• What if recycling was more accessible for all sectors and individuals?
• What if recycling bins were located next to or near to trash bins?
• What if recycling was a free service?
• What if we used incarcerated people to staff recycling centers?
• What if oil companies were required to invest in greener energy?
• What if we were not required to be on an energy grid, but could have
self-contained energy for homes and businesses?
• What if we revised (improved) water rights and had better water
conservation?
17. 15
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Health and Wellness
When it comes to wellness, Oklahoma has some work to do. The United Health
Foundation ranks Oklahoma 45th in the general health of its citizens.10
We need more community wide wellness experiences like the movements in Oklahoma
City to develop the Oklahoma River riverfront area and in Tulsa to preserve the Turkey
Mountain wilderness area for walking and hiking. In addition we see the next Oklahoma
where all communities will provide venues for walking, biking, and other forms of
recreation available to all sectors of the population.
On the other hand, research is becoming more a
part of the Oklahoma health scene. Programs like
the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation make
us proud to be Oklahomans (https://omrf.org). It
makes us wonder why Oklahoma could not do even
more.
A responsive and high quality health care system
throughout the state that is flexible and easy to use
is important to a quality life style. As mentioned
in the urban-rural integration section, having access to quality care in the rural areas
would definitely be a plus.
In addition, we can
envision a state where
wellness for all ages is
stressed in every school,
every business, every
state agency, and in every
community.
18. 16
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
We should ask:
• What if Oklahomans were the healthiest people in the U.S.?
• What if we had a world class, statewide healthcare system?
• What if senior citizens had more access to senior health centers?
• What if we could grow organs?
• What if Oklahoma were the leading center of biomedical sciences?
• What if outside researchers relocated to Oklahoma?
• What if individuals who need an organ transplant received one?
• What if we could abolish child hunger in Oklahoma?
• What if we planned for the increase in homeless populations in
relation to our growth?
• What if there were more
farmer’s markets with
organic products?
• What if all organizations
emphasized the wellness of
their employees?
19. 17
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Entertainment, The Arts
and Tourism
Entertainment and recreation is a vital part of a vibrant community. The arts and quality
entertainment attracts people of all generations. Oklahoma has a vibrant sporting
community with world-class venues and the Thunder NBA franchise. We deserve an
arts community to match. We especially would like to see more emphasis on the arts in
public schools again.
We should ask:
• What if we created more performing arts programs outside of school?
• What if Oklahoma were a prime tourism state?
• What if we conducted a national survey to see what the perception of
Oklahoma is?
• What if our media campaigns promoted a statewide positive image
for Oklahoma?
• What if we capitalized on the hiking aspect of Oklahoma?
• What if we promoted, “Oklahoma Strong” as part of the Oklahoma
image?
• What if Oklahoma City and Tulsa had the same appeal as Nashville?
• What if Oklahoma had a “South by Southwest” type of program to
learn about Oklahoma roots for film, music, and the performing arts?
• What if Oklahoma grew the film industry in the state?
20. 18
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Political Reform
We Millennials are solution oriented. We believe in working together, collaborating to
accomplish significant and meaningful goals. We expect our leaders to demonstrate a
spirit of leading that lives up to those expectations.
We expect institutions to work on
our behalf if they are to gain our
trust. We look both to business
leaders and political leaders to
improve our lives.
The political leaders of the NextGen
Oklahoma will be more focused
on developing policies that reflect
a more unified and inclusive
approach to governing. Public interest must be more important than special interest or
self-interests. In short, we want a political system that works to create the Oklahoma
in which we want to live and prosper. We will exert our influence to produce a more
solution-oriented governing process at all levels of governance.
We should ask:
• What if we could talk about issues without fighting about issues?
• What if OK had the highest level of voter participation in the
country?
• What if we had automatic voter registration?
• What if we could vote online?
• What if elections were non-partisan?
• What if we increased voter education and every voter understood the
issues?
• What if redistricting was handled by an independent group?
21. 19
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Concluding
Thoughts
As Millennials and young leaders, we are a significant
population segment. Unlike our predecessor
generations, we are more connected and more
highly educated. We expect to be included in making
decisions now about issues that will directly affect us.
We are not willing to wait it out until someone gives
us permission to lead. Our time is now. We are eager
to engage and to lead the Millennial transformation in
Oklahoma.
NextGen Leadership Retreat photos - July
29-30, at the Chickasaw Retreat and
Conference Center near Sulphur, OK.
22. 20
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
The What If? process
The purpose of the What If? process is to generate ideas and to explore possibilities. The analysis of
ideas is deferred to another time. Therefore, the questions that should be asked are not intended to be
solutions. They are intended to be jumping off places for discussion and further exploration.
In context of the Dream It, Dare It, Do It retreat, participants were asked to think of the preferred state
they would like to see in Oklahoma in order for them to invest their lives here. Expectations must be set
before focused action can be taken.
As part of the What If? discussion,
participants were challenged to
think of how Oklahoma could
be a state where all residents
could find the quality of life they
expect. Therefore, in finding a
state that is ideal for Millennials,
how would that state also be the
state of choice for all generations
that inhabit it? Win-win is the
only acceptable scenario. In reality,
when some win and others lose,
the cumulative result is less than
optimum.
23. 21
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
The Millennial Transformation
What if? & Why not?
Millennials are an emerging bundle of creative energy. They are a force.
There’s no holding Millennials in check. They are here . . . now. And they are ready to
engage. They are ready to change the world. To make it better, more inclusive, more
human, more humane, more harmonious.
They live in a world of What if? & Why not?. They are ready to lend their creative
energy to creative change. No more same ol’ same ol’.
Technology put the litany of best practices at their fingertips. They learn from the best
on their own terms. They recycle that generational knowledge into transformational
ideas and reinvent their world as they go.
Now what?
What’s next for NextGen Leadeship Oklahoma?
NextGen Leadership Oklahoma recognizes and embraces the power of the Millennial
transformation. We are inspired by the Millennials’ creative energy.
We should ask:
• What if Millennials scattered across Oklahoma had a way to channel their
collective creative energy so that everyone could benefit from it?
• What if Millennials stepped up now to take their place in leadership circles
instead of waiting another decade or longer to even try?
• What if the spirit of Millennials expressed itself in such a way as to make
everyone, of all generations, feel renewed and optimistic?
NextGen Leadership Oklahoma will look for creative ways to encourage and promote
the Millennial spirit in every city and town in Oklahoma that is ready and willing to
embrace it.
• What if Oklahoma became the state of choice for Millennials and future
generations?
• Why not create that Oklahoma starting now?
24. 22
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Retreat participants and
contributors to this report
Ta’Na Alexander, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Brenna Bagnaro, Roderick H. Polston Attorneys
Macey Barber, AtLink Services, LLC
Dallas Barber
Jillian Bishop, Oklahoma Restaurant Association
Trent Brewer, Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits
Britnee Bryles, Jasco
Gina Campbell, Koch Communications
Bryce Chitwood, Artesian Hotel
Corey Dozier, Jones PR
Ashley Elkins, Myriad Botanical Gardens
Kelley Gann, Freestyle Creative
Cameron Gillispie, Chickasaw Nation
Keegan Grooms, First Liberty Bank
Josh Jennings, Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center
Alaina Jones, Risha Grant LLC
Shannon Lavicky, Hall Capital, LLC
Rebecca Lightfoot, Chickasaw Nation
Devin Loehrs, WeGoLook.com
Amy McCarter, Cherokee Nation Business
Adam McCreary, Cherokee Nation Business
Joy Moon, Chickasaw Nation
Chris Mott, WeGoLook.com
Anna Raney, Roderick H. Polston Attorneys
Kenny Reinbold, Express Employment Professionals
Drake Scifers, JustRewards App
Jaylea Thompson, Vision Bank
Ryan Waters, WeGoLook.com
Laura Wilcox, Jones PR
Darian Woolbright, Keller-Williams Elite
25. 23
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
Acknowledgments
The Executive Leadership Circles participants
Jennifer Anderson, VP Marketing and Communications, Express Employment
Professionals
Robyn Elliott, Secretary of Communications and Community Development, the
Chickasaw Nation
Tom McDaniel, President, American Fidelity Foundation, Chair Oklahoma City MAPS-3
Citizen’s Advisory Board
Ken Parker, CEO, NextThought
Marion Payden, CEO, Leadership Oklahoma
Robin Smith, CEO and Co-founder, WeGoLook.com
Retreat featured presenters and facilitators
Mike Knopp, Executive Director, Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation
Risha Grant, diversity advocate and consultant, Risha Grant LLC and
Diversityconnex.com
Cyndi Dorber, dance instructor, A Dance with Me.
Lorinda Schrammel, Training and Development Manager, Oklahoma State Univeristy,
and President-elect Tulsa chapter–Association for Talent Development.
Special thanks
Lynda McWatters for coordinating registration and assisting with preparing the
retreat materials and on-site coordination.
Peter Preksto, for setting up and monitoring the on-line registration and promotional
processes.
Diana J. Smith, Designsmith, Inc., for graphic design of the promotional information
and the conference workbook.
The Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center for their gracious hospitality.
Especially Josh Jennings, general manager, and Twyla Johnson, sales manager and
event director.
26. 24
N E X T G E N L E A D E R S H I P O K L A H O M A
1
Fry, Richard, “Millennials overtake Baby Boomers as America’s largest generation,” FactTank, April 25,
2016, Pew Research Center, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/25/millennials-overtake-ba-
by-boomers/
2
Frey, William H., “Diversity defines the millennial generation,” Brookings,
June 28, 2016, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2016/06/28/diversity-defines-the-millenni-
al-generation/
3
Maciag, Mile, “A State-by-State Look at Where Each Generation Lives,” Governing, July 31, 2014,
http://www.governing.com/topics/urban/gov-generational-population-data-maps-by-state.html
4
Felder, Ben, “Cover story: Millennials are changing the city forever,”
Oklahoma Gazette, January 7, 2015, http://okgazette.com/2015/01/07/cover-story-millennials-are-chang-
ing-the-city-forever/
5
STEM Education, Oklahoma State Department of Education, http://sde.ok.gov/ sde/stem
6
Berg, Nate, “U.S. Urban population is up. . . But what does ‘Urban’ really mean?” CITYLAB, March 26,
2012, http://www.citylab.com/housing/2012/03/us-urban-population-what-does-urban-really-mean/1589/
7
Goddard, Sara, “Where do most Americans live?” Taegan Goddard’s Wonk Wire,
Sept. 4, 2015, http://wonkwire.com/2015/09/04/where-do-most-americans-live/
8
Demographics of Oklahoma, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Oklahoma
9
“Wind Energy: Electricity and Economic Potential in Oklahoma,” StateImpact, https://stateimpact.npr.
org/oklahoma/tag/wind-energy/
10
America’s Health Rankings. United Health Foundation, December 10, 2015, http://cdnfiles.ameri-
cashealthrankings.org/SiteFiles/Reports/2015AHR_Annual-v1.pdf
Endnotes
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