Applications Now Open!
Get ready to dive into the heartbeat of innovation and empowerment! We invite you to apply for the much-anticipated Leadership Native Oklahoma 2025, where we’ll explore the dynamic forces and trends steering Native American businesses, tribes, and ally enterprises into the future.
Our immersive classes go beyond the conventional, offering interactive learning opportunities that will leave you enlightened and inspired. Expect one-of-a-kind introductions with outstanding community and tribal leaders, providing insights that will redefine your perspective on leadership and community impact.
LNO 2025 is more than a program; it’s a supportive environment where leaders engage in transformational dialogues. Share your insights and learnings while connecting with leaders who gladly impart not just what they know and value but also what every LNO member needs to know and understand.
This is your chance to be part of a movement that’s redefining leadership in Native American communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to be at the forefront of tribal innovation!
| Applications Open | November 15, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | January 15, 2025 |
| Acceptance Emails Sent | February 5, 2025 |
| Application Fee of $650 Due | March 5, 2025 (Must be paid prior to first class) |
| LNO Class of ’25 Duration | LNO Class of ’25 is 5 months long, 1 class per month |
| LNO Class Length | Full Day 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM |
| Class Begins | First Class Begins March 2025 |
| Class Schedule | Classes are held the 4th Monday of the Month March – July |
| Class Graduation | August 2025 |
Sponsor LNO 2025
Help shape tomorrow’s native Oklahoma, today!
Grow your business outreach by choosing one of the five LNO Class of 2025 sponsorships!
See below for details.
Questions? Email [email protected]!
Eagle
- Six (6) Seats at LNO Graduation Dinner and Complimentary Drinks for 6
- Logo on Screen and Marketing Materials
- Podium Time
Bear
- Four (4) Seats at LNO Graduation Dinner
- Logo on Screen
- Logo on Marketing Materials
Bison
- Two (2) Seats at LNO Graduation Dinner
- Logo on Screen and Marketing Materials
Wolf
- One (1) Seat at LNO Graduation Dinner
- Logo on Marketing Materials
Elk
- Logo on Marketing Materials
- –
Leadership Native Oklahoma (LNO) is a statewide organization encompassing Native American Citizens from every region of the state ensuring a diverse group of leaders. LNO is a unique opportunity to foster cohesiveness from a group of tribal leaders and future tribal leaders from different backgrounds. The hours spent together will create a bond like no other organization across the state. Based on respect and interaction, to identify, evaluate and implement projects that are of value to Native American businesses in Oklahoma. This organization is a program of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma.
MISSION STATEMENT Leadership Native Oklahoma (LNO) is committed to improving Oklahoma’s future for our communities, Native and non-Native alike, by encouraging, installing, and facilitating a support network of dynamic leaders with a tribal perspective in mind. Stimulating the need for increased awareness and commitment to all areas of tribal involvement, Native and non-Native Oklahomans will work to shape Oklahoma’s future for all citizens.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Explore some of the most powerful forces and trends shaping Native American businesses, tribes and global businesses in the 21st century
- Offers interactive learning opportunities, one-of-a-kind experiences, and high-level introductions to outstanding community and tribal leaders
- Optimizes opportunities to engage with leading innovators and directors of tribal and state government
- Provides in-depth discussions of leadership theory, competencies and best practices led by tribal leaders and leadership experts
- Creates a supportive environment to dialogue among leaders who gladly share what they know and value as well as what the LNO member needs to know and understand
- Brings together established leaders of diverse backgrounds and professions to form better understanding and forge long-lasting relationships and collaborative opportunities
PARTICIPANT RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT
- Enhances their knowledge far outside their areas of expertise with broader, more state-wide and global connections
- Prepares them for more advanced leadership in the ever-changing marketplace and increasingly diverse society
- Establishes strategic relationships and opportunities to share information with leaders from a broad spectrum of disciplines and interests
- Refreshes their leadership skills portfolio
Prior Years and Events
LEADERSHIP NATIVE OKLAHOMA 2022
2022 LNO Graduates
Sara Akins 39 Design OKC
Robert Anquoe Wallace Design Collective
Rosa Ballou
Kendra Bennett Reagan Smith, Inc
Darren Brown Dances With Cameras
Savannah Burwell Chickasaw Nation
Charles Byers CMI Outdoor
Jordan Caldwell Critical Fault
Kathleen Elliot Muscogee Creek Nation
James Essert
Warren Harjo Muscogee Creek Nation
Anna Jefferson
Walela Knight Blue Cross Blue Shield Oklahoma
Cheryl Lockstone Anishinabe Design, Inc.
Lakisha Maed Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Joni Mohawk
Vivian Morris Oklahoma Policy Institute
Hayden Musgrove Rickets Fennell & Associates, LLC
Sarah Roberts Tinker Federal Credit Union
Craig Parrish Olsson
Brandi Ross The Akana Group
Kala Sharp ONEOk
Rebecca Singer Mill Creek Flooring
Juliann Stevens City of Owasso
Ronald Stewart Tulsa Fire Department
Jamie Thomas New Fire Native
Jen Tomasik The Akana Group
Bobby ‘Trae’ Trousdale
Nicholas Wahpepah Southern Plains Tribal Health Board
Jeffrey Williams Strata Leadership
LEADERSHIP NATIVE OKLAHOMA 2021
Alesha Wilson Broker/Owner Buy and Sell Oklahoma LLC
America Meredith Publishing Editor First American Art Magazine
Angela Bunner Employee Relations Manager Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos
Autumn Huddleston Owner Shawnee Cake Poppery
Bob Baker Chairman 24 Our Care
Brian Kirk, MPH Tribal Planner Division Director Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
Christopher Roman Nose Communications Officer Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
Cindy Chambers Bank Officer IBC Bank
Clara Bushyhead Public Relations Manager Lucky Star Casino
Cynthia Billy Exec. Director of Economic Development Wichita Tribe Industrial Development Commission (WTIDC)
Dustin Reid Sr. Manager for Strategic Delivery Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Emmanuel Bezzell Director of Operations Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos
Ethan Cox Youth Leadership Manager Chickasaw Nation
Leon Johnson Business Sales Consultant II Dobson Technologies
Jacquelyn Ashford Owner Native Health Advisors
James Ashford State Director Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma
Jennifer Lamirand Attorney Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C.
Jennifer Rector Strategic Communication Management Ridgeback Studio and U.S. Cellular
Johnney Johnson Tribal Government Relations Associate Director Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Kandace Howell Community Outreach Specialist Office of Congresswoman Kendra Horn
Kristin Moseley Trainer/Coach/Therapist Self Employed
Maegan Miner Business Development First Title
Melissa Harp Laboratory Supervisor Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center (CNOHC)
Millie Bigler Mechanical Designer FSB Architects & Engineers
Monica A. Champ Chief Development Officer Tulsa Community College Foundation
Na-komas Blackford Workforce Training Coordinator/IATTC Program Lead OSU Institute of Technology
Paula Huckabaa Community Outreach Coordinator Alzheimer’s Association
Randy Haas Founder and Principal Consultant The Sharpstone Group LLC
Robert Lee Burkybile III Executive Director Modoc Nation
Robin Hughes President RMH, Inc.
Ruth Zaldivar Director of Human Resources Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos
Sharice Cummins Accounting Assistant Delaware Nation Industries
Sharon Dodson Workforce Development Manager Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Stephen Sutton Director of Public and Tribal Funds Regent Bank
Tasha Fridia Board of Managers Quivera Enterprises LLC
William Southard Owner/CEO Catero, Inc.
LEADERSHIP NATIVE OKLAHOMA 2019
2019 LNO Graduates received awards October 8th during the Gathering at Choctaw Casino
LEADERSHIP NATIVE OKLAHOMA 2018
2018 LNO Graduates
Amanda Earsom, CEO All Element Solution
Amber Anderson, Research Epidemiologist OU Health Sciences Center
Anita Lena, Family Support Partner Oklahoma Family Network
Anna Jefferson, Author
Ayla Medrano, Manager Creative Circle Gift Shop & Gallery
Brandi Payton, Clinic Administrator Cherokee Nation Health Services
Brandon Gambill, VP Marketing & Sales R&G Business Services
Brent Rush, Community Engagement Advisor Enbridge Energy
Brent Wright, Vice Commander 138th Fighter Wing, Oklahoma National Guard
Carmin Tecumseh-Williams, Tribal Affairs Liaison Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Catherine Graddy, President/CEO WesaSolutions, LLC
Cathleen Guthery, Senior Associate FSB
Christy Red Eagle, Marketing Specialist Osage Casinos
Clayton Potts, Budget Analyst The Osage Nation Congress
Cory Littlepage, Founder/CEO Tribal Diagnostics LLC
Dana Miller, Tribal Government Relations Director Oklahoma Health Care Authority
David Bible, District Manager Metrie, Inc.
Debbie Lindsey, Business Development M3 Technology Solutions
Deborah Dotson, President Delaware Nation
Derek Fine, Insurance Agent Rich & Cartmill, Inc.
Dr. Crystal Moore, Professor Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Erika Davis, National Sales Manager Choctaw Casino & Resort
Greg Willie, Independent Insurance Agent
Jacob Teehee, Director of Business Development Chloeta Fire, LLC
Jody Colbert, Executive for Warrior Women Society/ Owner Mother Earth Florist
John Joyce, Attorney/Shareholder Joyce & Graddy
Jordan Kelley, Operator ServPro Eastern Oklahoma
Julian Guerrero, Executive Director for American Indian Education State of Oklahoma
Karen Knight, Executive Director of Tribal Relations United Healthcare
Kari Wagner, President/CEO Mid Star Lab, Inc.
Linda Arredondo, Director of IT Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Lindsey Laurenzana, Executive Assistant Auteur Management Solutions
Lindsey Treadwell, Community Relations Manager Mercy Hospital Ardmore
Matt Littleton, Project Manager Arrowhead Builders, LLC
Mechelle Aitson-Roessler, Assoc. VP for Enrollment Rose State College
Micah Shelton, Account Manager Sullivan Insurance Agency
Michele Meza, Quality Manager Compliance Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Mike Stopp, Chief of Staff for Honorable Markwayne Mullin
Rachel Crawford, Regional Director Native Initiative American Heart Assoc
Roberta Botello, Asst. to VP for Public Affairs University of Central OK
Ryan Wilson, Attorney Crowe & Dunlevy
Sarah Brown, Attorney and Municipal Judge Town of Depew
LEADERSHIP NATIVE OKLAHOMA 2017
2017 Graduates
Graduates received a stone plaque created by Makrete Cast Stone Products during The Gathering Business Summit at the Hard Rock Resort & Casino.
Brandon Caruso, Loan Originator, Today Lending
Brian Hendrix, Deputy Assistant of Native American Affairs State of Oklahoma
Charlotte Burris-Leonard, President BCW Group
Christina Vaughn, Native American Law Attorney Crowe & Dunlevy
Ginger Sloan, CEO Encore Professional Medical Services
James Bearden, Owner, Non-Trivial Solutions
Jason Holuby, Architect, Native American Market Principal for Frankfurt, Short, Bruza
Jennifer Reeder, Manager American Indian Diabetes Prevention Center (OUHSC)
Josh Riley Sr., Policy Analyst Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Justin Arledge, Vice President, Sullivan Insurance Agency
Justin Wood, Former State Representative & Current Director of Tulsa Big Brother/Big Sisters
Lesa Steele, MBDA Business Specialist REI Oklahoma
Lillie Keener, President Blue Star Integrative Studio
Lucinda Myers, Tribal Relations Specialist & Government Relations Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Mark Masters, CEO Chloeta Fire/COO Tribal Emergency Management Association
Mike McBride III, Crowe & Dunlevy
Mitch McClain, President MGM Design Group
Morganne Lyon Bourbonnais, Business Development Manager Dobson Technologies
Norma Neely, Director American Indian Institute University of Oklahoma
Rob Griffin, Business Development Manager Dobson Technologies
Robert Gifford, Senior Attorney Gungoll, Jackson, Box & Devoll, Tribal Court Judge for Kaw & Iowa Tribes
Sarah Rana, Director of Youth & School Based Programs Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice
Scott Sewell, President/CEO THT Electronics Company
Stephanie Bills, Associate Superintendent Metro Technology Centers
Suzette Barta, Extension Educator for Community & Economic Development OSU Extension
2016 Inaugural LNO Class
Front row left to right: Brian Hartley, Linda Sacks, Kay Turner, Linda Andre, Felecia Freeman
Back Row left to right: Shane Fernandez, Annetta Abbott, Bailey Walker, Michelle Prine, Dean Turner, Brent Greenwood (creator of drums), Adam McCreary, Will Lowe
