WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to create, inspire, and support leaders whose commitment to service and excellence energizes them to positively shape our future. In other words: Oklahoma leaders making Oklahoma the leader!

Leadership Oklahoma’s signature initiative is an annual 10-month program that begins in the fall with a mandatory overnight two-day retreat at St. Crispin’s. Class members then embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure that takes them deep into the state’s inner workings and everywhere across the state, from the great plains of the panhandle to the hardwood forests and pine-covered mountains of the Ouachita Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma.

Approximately 50 candidates from all areas of the state are chosen to participate in the Leadership Oklahoma experience.

Each year’s curriculum is based on the state’s current affairs and it typically includes military issues, sovereignty, tourism, criminal justice, state government, education, economic development, agriculture, and energy.

OUR VISION

Why do we exist? Because we believe a dynamic network of Oklahomans is powerful enough to make a difference and provide hope for the future by working together to make our state a better place to live and work.

Participants become familiar with the social and environmental complexities that afflict Oklahoma which in turn stimulates collective problem solving for the greater good of the Sooner State. Discussions with state leaders deepen their understanding of the opportunities, needs, issues, and resources inherently available in the wide range of Oklahoma industries.

As class members navigate through each month of the program, their perspectives shift as they learn first-hand the issues facing our state. Given the amount and quality of time spent together, strong bonds are formed as well as a natural, living network with an underlying impetus to move our state forward.

In the spring, participants become part of an exclusive network of Leadership Oklahoma supporters and are invited to continue their involvement through several programs such as an annual membership or by becoming an Ambassador or Lifetime Member.

HISTORY

In 1986, six inspired Oklahomans believed there was a need for leadership and action at the state level. Clayton Taylor, Hershel Lamirand, and David Miller from Oklahoma City, and Dale Teeters, Rusty Richards, and Suzie Woody from Tulsa regularly met in Stroud at the Quarter Horse Inn to share ideas and collaborate on what would soon become the statewide leadership program called Leadership Oklahoma. The “Quarter Horse Six,” as they became known, created six regions: the state was divided into four quadrants, Tulsa County, and Oklahoma County.

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Early in 1986 a group of Oklahoma leaders inspired by the belief that there was a need for more leadership at the state level met to discuss what to do. From that meeting came a proposal to have a statewide leadership program. People at the meeting left probably thinking that nothing more would be done but was not the case. On September 27, 1987, Leadership Oklahoma (LOK) Class I was started. After eight class sessions the 52 members Class I graduated on May 1, 1988. LOK became incorporated and established its own tax-exempt status that same year and history was in the making. We have now entered our 38th year with 1,876 Graduates from 200 Communities. In 2001, Youth LOK was developed and has now completed 25 Classes with 1,300 Graduates and 280 Schools.

The primary program of Leadership Oklahoma is its annual educational, issues-oriented ten-month class program. LOK selects 52 people from various regions of the state to experience the adult program. Beginning with the mandatory retreat at St. Crispin’s in September, the class will travel to various parts of the state learning about the challenges facing Oklahoma graduating the end of April or first of May. Typically, topics covered include military issues, tribal government, tourism, criminal justice system, state government, education, economic development, water, immigration, agriculture and energy. The adult curriculum committee adds to and edits the topics over time to cover what is happening in the state.

Leadership Oklahoma graduates comment they want to remain connected to the organization. What they really mean is the connection to their classmates and other LOK alumni. Each Leadership Oklahoma class has the chance to learn more about the issues facing their communities and other communities all around the state. The real payoff is when participants become inspired by what they have learned and find ways to get more involved in improving our state.

Leadership Oklahoma is making a difference. It provides hope for the future as we work together to make Oklahoma a better place in which to live and work.