TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Director, Tulsa Grantmaking
Job Titles:
- the Nordam Group, Inc., VP Culture, Communication & Corporate Responsibility
Job Titles:
- Schnake Turnbo Frank, Inc., Managing Partner, Chairman and CEO
Job Titles:
- TCF As an Accounting Clerk
Brody Poling joined TCF as an Accounting Clerk in May of 2022. Prior to joining TCF, he was a part of the accounting team at a window cleaning business located in Ohio, where he was born and raised. He moved to the Tulsa are in 2022. Outside of work, Brody and his wife enjoy hiking, watching movies, music, and spending time with their family and friends.
Caroline joined TCF in October 2021 as Donor Services and Program Associate. Caroline is a Tulsa native and graduate of Cascia Hall Preparatory School. Caroline earned her BS in Accounting and BBA in Marketing from University of Kentucky in 2016. After graduation, she joined the development team for the Gatton College of Business and Economics at UK, serving as a major gift officer for five years. TCF was the perfect match to bring her back home to Tulsa. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys being involved in her community through volunteer work, Junior League of Tulsa, and advising her sorority.
Celeste Hernandez serves as the TCF Receptionist and joined the team in November 2021. Celeste's educational background spans, Administration, Human Anatomy, and Physiology. Prior to joining TCF, Celeste has been a proud employee of the QuikTrip Corporation and most recently the OU team. In 2001, she obtained her personal trainer certification from the International Sports Science Association. Celeste is looking forward to becoming more involved in the nonprofit sector. Celeste's passions in life are her daughter, physical fitness, learning new languages and cultures, music, and dabbling in the continued study of Neurology and Quantum Physics.
Job Titles:
- TCF As a Program Coordinator
Corazon Pardo (Cori) joined TCF as a Program Coordinator in September of 2019. Cori was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and has lived in Tulsa for 20 years. She has worked in Tulsa for the last 9 years as a social worker helping families in medical, educational and non-profit sectors. Cori is a first-generation college graduate, earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. She is an UMA Center Tulsa Board Member and actively serves the Hispanic Community. She loves spending time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Author, Attorney & Consultant
Holly Raley joined TCF in August 2015 as a Program Officer. Her professional experience includes strategic business development in the areas of: nonprofit, for-profit and small business. She serves on various boards and committees within Tulsa Public Schools and is an active member of the National Charity League. She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and the University of Oklahoma. In her spare time, she enjoys running, snow skiing, wakeboarding and traveling. Holly and her husband, have two daughters.
Job Titles:
- TCF As a Program Coordinator
Irais joined TCF as a Program Coordinator in April 2022. Irais Cortez was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and at the age of 16 years, moved from Mexico to the United States. Irais' work experience includes over 10 years with the legal system and 7 years in the nonprofit sector. In addition, she assists with interpretation/translations for court, medical appointments and other documentation. Irais holds a BA in Political Science, is an active volunteer for the Latinx community and is passionate about helping others and advocating for social justice.
Jeff Stava brings a business background to his work at TCF and George Kaiser Family Foundation. Jeff graduated from Jenks High School in 1987 and obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University in 1991.
Jeff helps set strategic vision for the foundation, oversees the operations and works to increase efficiency while maintaining superior service for donors and nonprofit agencies. In addition to his role as COO, he serves as the executive director of the Tulsa Beautification Foundation (a supporting organization of TCF) where he works on projects including downtown revitalization, economic development, assisting neighborhood improvement projects and various beautification projects around Tulsa. Jeff also oversees George Kaiser Family Foundation's (GKFF) real estate portfolio and is the executive director and trustee for A Gathering Place for Tulsa the George Kaiser Family Foundation's 100 acre, $400mm river front park development.
Jeff is a graduate of Leadership Tulsa (Class 28), trustee and vice chair for the Tulsa Airport Improvement Trust, Immediate past chairman of the VisiTulsa Regional Tourism Executive Board of Directors, vice chair of the Tulsa Metro Chamber Executive Board of Directors, member of the Board of Governors for Catholic Charities and is a member and officer of Young Presidents Organization. In 2013 Jeff helped recruit the BASSMasters Classic to Tulsa. In 2019 Jeff was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame. Jeff and his wife have 2 sons.
Jenny joined TCF as Scholarship Program Coordinator in September of 2021. Before TCF, Jenny established the Volunteer Program for the Discovery Lab children's museum. As a product of Tulsa, she graduated from Union Public Schools and earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from NSU. Jenny taught at a Title I school in Tulsa for several years. She then spent the next five years in Denver, Colorado as the director of a non-profit office serving the youth, young adults, and families of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. She also serves on the board of directors for the St. Nektarios Education Fund which partners with local communities in Kenya and Uganda to provide education to children in remote villages. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys traveling, checking out Tulsa's local haunts, and spending time with her friends, family, and two rescue dogs; Ellie and Honey Bun.
Jessica Lee serves as the Grants Administrator for TCF. She is the primary contact for donors when they advise grants through TCF funds to nonprofit agencies receiving distribution payments. Before joining TCF, Jessica worked for over 10 years in the banking industry serving in various roles. Jessica is a native Tulsan and attended Rogers State University. Outside of the office Jessica enjoys concerts, boating and spending time with her husband, and their three children.
Jordan Roberts was born and raised in Oklahoma. She previous worked for Kaiser-Francis Oil Company for 11 years before moving to Tulsa Community Foundation. In her spare time she enjoys watching her son play baseball and spending time with family.
Job Titles:
- Conner & Winters LLP, Partner
Keon Miller joined TCF and the George Kaiser Family Foundation as the HR Specialist, in April of 2022. Keon graduated from Sand Springs. He then earned his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis on management, from Oklahoma State University. Before coming to TCF, Keon worked 10 years in management and human resources in the manufacturing and retail sectors. When not in office, Keon enjoys spending his time with his three children and outdoors, whether in the yard or at the lake.
Job Titles:
- Ardent Health Services, Regional President, Oklahoma
Kristin was born and raised in Texas, before moving to Tulsa to attend college. Kristin obtained her Bachelors of Science in Accounting and her MBA from the University of Tulsa. It was during college that she fell in love with Tulsa and its big town appeal, but small town feel. She has worked for public accounting firms and a publicly held company in her career and is excited to work for this great organization. She enjoys travelling, cooking, and spending time with her family. She and her husband have four children.
Lindsay Marler joined TCF and George Kaiser Family Foundation in January 2007. She has held various roles during her tenure and currently serves as the Accounting Manager for TCF. She manages higher level accounting functions for the organization and also any special projects that come her way. Lindsay considers it a privilege to assist with civic enhancement projects as they come to fruition, such as Gathering Place and Guthrie Green. Lindsay is a native Tulsan and graduated from Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!). She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their two daughters at home or someplace warm, like the lake or a beach.
Liz Parducci joined TCF and George Kaiser Family Foundation in June 2020. She is our Human Resources Manager. Her professional experience includes Operations and New Business Ventures Initiatives for The Walt Disney Company and The Cheesecake Factory, Inc., as well as Human Resources and Training for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Detroit Branch. She has served on various committees at Monte Cassino and Holland Hall schools. Liz received her undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Outside of work, Liz enjoys gardening, yoga, snow skiing and spending time with her family and friends.
The Lorie Lord Breast Cancer Foundation works to honor Lorie and continue her legacy of caring for others by relieving the financial burden caused by oncology treatment.
Lorie was an active member of her community and devoted to her family. She volunteered at her church Kirk of the Hills, worked with Junior League for 19 years, was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She was a homeroom mom for all three of her children, Ashley, Chase and Hunter. She led Girl Scouts, sponsored cheerleading, and raised funds for Jenks Trojans. Lorie loved traveling, skiing, hiking, tennis, Bible study group and spending time with her family and friends at Grand Lake.
Michelle Ahmed joined TCF in May 2022 as a Program Coordinator. She is from Southern California and still considers herself "new" to the area, since she has only lived here for three years. Michelle has a BA in Sociology and has been in the social work field for 8 years. She is excited to take on her new position here at TCF and explore what more Tulsa has to offer. Her favorite role outside of work is being mom to her 5-year-old son. She also enjoys exploring new places, trying new food and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Chief Development Officer
Mike serves the community by assisting donors and the nonprofit sector with the creation of charitable funds and program solutions. He oversees TCF's donor and delivery services, gift recognition, asset development, special events, promotional efforts and marketing activities. He also develops and administers select special projects to promote collaboration, improve outcomes and advance the Tulsa region.
Mike's career includes broad corporate, nonprofit and development experience in the fields of oil and gas exploration, small business management, university athletics, major event management and sports administration. He most recently was Executive Director of the Tulsa Sports Commission, a nonprofit organization where more than $100 million in economic impact was generated to benefit the Tulsa region. He holds board positions with several organizations including The University of Tulsa, Camp Loughridge, Park Friends, Oktoberfest, Inc. and Tulsa Tough. A long-time Tulsan and graduate of The University of Tulsa, Mike enjoys sports, the outdoors and traveling. Mike and his wife, have two sons.
Mindy Flenniken joined TCF in January of 2016 as a Administrative Specialist. She grew up in Kansas and graduated from Plainville High School. Shortly after, she moved to Oklahoma where she went on to earn a B.S. in Finance from Northeastern State University. She and her husband of 25 years have two sons. Mindy is excited to work for an organization that, at its heart, helps so many others. Mindy enjoys spending time with her family, baking, running and reading.
Job Titles:
- Public Service Company of Oklahoma, President and COO
Job Titles:
- Prescott Group Capital Management, LLC, Founder
Phil Lakin, Jr. has led Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF) since TCF's formation. Phil works with TCF's Board of Trustees to set the strategic vision for TCF and supervises both long-term and daily goals and activities. Phil is passionate about his work with donors, community leaders and elected officials to improve the Tulsa area. Phil serves the City of Tulsa as the Tulsa City Councilor for District 8, comprising much of south Tulsa. Phil is past president of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, the 10th largest Rotary club in the world, and serves on the boards of many national and regional not-for-profit entities.
Phil is a native Tulsan and graduate of Jenks High School. He earned his BBA in economics and finance, as well as his MBA, from Baylor University. Before joining TCF, Phil worked for Baylor University's Office of Development, managing development efforts for northeastern Texas and six additional states. He and his wife Adriane have three sons. Phil has hiked or climbed to the summits of 69 of the 70 14,000' mountains in the continental United States.
Job Titles:
- ONEOK, Inc., President and CEO
Job Titles:
- Metropolitan Baptist Church, Pastor
Job Titles:
- TCF As an Accounting Clerk
Sawm joined TCF as an Accounting Clerk in April 2021. She was born and raised in Myanmar (Burma). Sawm moved to the United States in 2016. In 2020, she successfully obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from DeVry University. Sawm is thankful to be a part of the TCF family and proud to be able to live a life of service to others. Beyond numbers, Sawm and her husband enjoy cooking, reading, watching movies, and spending time with family.
Shalene Belford joined the TCF accounting team in April 2018. She has several years of experience in non-profit accounting and graduated in May 2021 from the University of Oklahoma with a Master's in Accountancy. In addition to her role at TCF, Shalene is actively involved with local Tulsa non-profits, and has served on boards and committee groups. Her passion to help non-profits grow and succeed on a financial level is what drew her to Tulsa Community Foundation, and her work here is fulfilling professionally and personally. Outside of the office, Shalene and her husband Neil enjoy traveling, reading, learning, spending time with friends/family, and being tormented by their furbabies Holly, Toby, Bernadette, and Sapphi. Shalene and her husband have two children.
Job Titles:
- USA Freestyle, Chief Strategy Officer & President USA BMX Foundation, Chairman
Job Titles:
- Payroll and Benefits Administrator for TCF
Staci Erwin is the Payroll and Benefits Administrator for TCF and the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Staci and joined TCF 2021. She is a Tulsa native and attended Jenks Public Schools and earned her bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from Oklahoma State University. Before coming to TCF, she worked in all areas of HR and Payroll in the manufacturing, safety, and call center world. Staci's pride and joy are her twins who keep her busy outside of work. She enjoys spending time with her family and her very loved Labradoodle.
Job Titles:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, President
Job Titles:
- BOK Financial Corp., EVP & CFO
Job Titles:
- TTCU Federal Credit Union, CEO