8:30 AM
Registration & Light Breakfast
Check-in, grab coffee, and network with fellow attendees. Explore interactive digital billboards on rural innovation, civic engagement, water infrastructure, and housing.
9:05 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Speaker: Ken Levit, Executive Director of George Kaiser Family Foundation
An introduction to the Summit and 1050 Forward’s vision for micropolitan communities.
9:15 AM
Recognizing the 1050 Forward Fellows,
Advisory Board & Special Guests
Speaker: Joy Hofmeister, Executive Advisor of 1050 Forward
Celebrating the impact of the 1050 Forward Fellowship Program and recognizing this year’s Fellows and special guests.
9:30 AM
Keynote & Interactive Session: Impact Networks
Speaker: Amy Dzialowski, Vice Mayor of Stillwater & Senior Principal, Geosyntec Consultants
Learn how Impact Networks drive collaboration and turn ideas into action, followed by an interactive table exercise.
10:15 AM
Micropolitan Momentum: Navigating State Funding
Moderator: Kris Steele
Panelists: Roger Thompson, Kevin Wallace, Terry Simonson
Learn strategies for leveraging state funding, forming public-private partnerships, and collaborating across communities to maximize resources.
11:00 AM
Break
Take a moment to refresh and visit the digital billboards in the lobby.
11:15 AM
Closing the Gap in Oklahoma’s Housing Market
Speaker: Shawn Schaefer, Director of the Urban Design Studio at The University of Oklahoma & Owner, Places LLC
An overview of Oklahoma’s housing crisis and strategies for addressing affordability and supply.
12:00 PM
Lunch
Enjoy lunch in Click Hall.
12:15 PM
Lunchtime Keynote: Innovation & Rural Economic Growth
Speaker: Matt Dunne, Founder & Executive Director of Center on Rural Innovation
A look at how rural communities can harness innovation and technology for economic growth.
1:00 PM
Break
1:15 PM
Breakout Sessions
(Choose one of three sessions)
-
Led by: Molly Pyle, Director, Center of Rural Innovation
Explore effective strategies for supporting tech entrepreneurship and ecosystem building in rural communities, drawing from successful models implemented in Oklahoma and nationwide. Participants will assess their community’s entrepreneurial ecosystem using the Center on Rural Innovation's framework, identifying key gaps and opportunities for growth. Through peer discussions and guided asset mapping, attendees will leave with actionable insights and a clearer roadmap to enhance their local ecosystems, ensuring local entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need at every stage of their journey. -
Led by: Duane Smith, Executive Director, Oka’ Institute
Dive into the critical connection between water infrastructure and economic vitality in micropolitan and rural communities. Led by Duane Smith—one of Oklahoma’s most respected water experts—this session will explore how smart, sustainable water planning can unlock regional growth, attract new industry, and improve quality of life. Drawing on decades of experience in state and tribal water policy, and his current leadership at the Oka’ Institute, Duane will share practical strategies and success stories from across Oklahoma and beyond. Participants will discuss local infrastructure challenges, identify key priorities for investment, and consider how collaborative water planning can serve as a foundation for long-term economic development. -
Led by: Tyler Parette, Executive Director, Housing Forward
This facilitated discussion will delve into the key barriers hindering housing development and the critical need for a variety of housing types in every community. Participants will explore successful strategies implemented by other communities across the country to incentivize development while preserving the unique character of each place. Through collaborative discussions, attendees will identify actionable steps to address local housing challenges, ensuring that their communities can offer diverse and sustainable housing options for all residents.ion text goes here
2:45 PM
Break
3:00 PM
Civic Spark: Igniting Community Engagement
Panelists: David Mason, Greg McCortney, Angie Stout
Moderator: Brigette Zorn
A discussion on boosting civic engagement, leadership development, and community-driven decision-making.
3:45 PM
What Comes Next & Adjournment
Speaker: Joy Hofmeister, Executive Advisor of 1050 Forward
Reflections on the day, key takeaways, and next steps for continuing this work beyond the Summit.
Dr. Lee Denny
Interim State Director
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
Following graduation from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and D.V.M in Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Denney returned to her hometown, Cushing, OK, and established a mixed animal practice. She served rural eastern Payne County for over thirty years as a veterinarian and community leader. During that time, she also taught anatomy and physiology at Central Technology Center. She was elected as City Commissioner from 1994 to 2003 and again in 2020 to 2023. During her tenure she was elected Mayor and Vice-Mayor.
Once her children entered college, Dr. Denney ran and was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2004. She was an influential leader as the Speaker Pro-Tempore, becoming only the second woman in state history to hold that position. She was incredibly instrumental and well respected in the legislature on education issues from grade schools to higher education. She was recognized for her work by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education with the Distinguished Service Award.
Following her time in the Oklahoma legislature, Dr. Denney served as Department Head of the Veterinary Technology Program at OSU-OKC.
In 2017, Dr Denney received a Presidential appointment to serve as the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Oklahoma. In this role, she was a leader in improving rural community economies and agriculture. Dr. Denney was later named as Interim State Director for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. She currently serves as Payne County Treasurer while still practicing. She regularly fills needed companion animal shifts in her spare time, often serving traditionally underrepresented communities.
Dr. Denney has two children, Will Denney and Kate Kupiec and 5 grandchildren.
Matt Dunne
Founder and Executive Director
Center on Rural Innovation (CORI)
Matt is the founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation, which he launched in 2017 to reverse the nation’s growing rural opportunity gap and create economic prosperity for small town residents across the country.
Prior to founding CORI, Matt began his career by serving 11 years in the Vermont House and Senate, enacting the state’s first broadband grants, brownfields revitalization funding, and downtown redevelopment program. He helped grow a Vermont-based software company to over 100 people and was Associate Director of the Rockefeller Center on Public Policy at Dartmouth College.
In 1999, Matt was appointed director of AmeriCorps*VISTA under President Clinton, where he led PowerUp — one of the first national efforts to bridge the digital divide — and launched an Entrepreneur Corps to focus on micro-finance in high-need communities.
In 2007, he started Google’s Community Affairs division out of a former bread factory in White River Junction, Vermont, where he led all local US philanthropy and engagement, including the Google Fiber rollout and orchestrating educational and development initiatives in Google’s data center communities across rural America. Matt has also held an appointment at the MIT Media Lab.
Matt holds a B.A. from Brown University, and is a lifelong Vermonter who lives on the 100 acre farm where he was raised.
Amy Dzialowski
Vice Mayor of Stillwater & Senior Principal
Geosyntec Consultants
Amy, Vice Mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma, has been a member of the Stillwater City Council since May 2018. In her role, she shapes policies on infrastructure, land use, economic development, and more.
Additionally, Amy serves on the board of Mya’s Promise, a nonprofit focusing on early childhood opportunities for children with special needs. She recently spearheaded the Playability Project, a collaborative effort to build an inclusive playground.
Amy is a Senior Principal at Geosyntec Consultants, Inc., with over 22 years of experience in public-private partnership development and community planning. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Science in Urban Planning from the University of Kansas.
Joy Hofmeister
Executive Advisor
1050 Forward
In addition to her work at 1050 Forward, Joy is President of JLH Group, focusing on public-private partnerships, leadership development, and national education policy. Joy is also a professor of practice for visionary leadership in education at the University of Oklahoma doctoral program.
From 2015 to 2023, Joy was elected Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, managing a $9 billion annual budget and overseeing 541 school districts. Joy chaired the Oklahoma State Board of Education for eight years, enhancing school accountability, mental health support, and academic rigor.
Joy has been a trustee for the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System, managing $20 billion in assets, and chaired the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education. She is a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow and a Rural Community Leaders Fellow at West Texas A&M University. Before her public service, Joy was an entrepreneur and franchisee of Kumon North America for 14 years. Joy holds a Master of Education from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas Christian University, magna cum laude.
Ken Levit
Executive Director
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Prior to taking on the leadership role at GKFF, Mr. Levit served as president of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa from 2001 to 2006. From early 1998 through 2000, Mr. Levit was special counsel to George Tenet, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Mr. Levit practiced corporate law at the firm of Crowe & Dunlevy in Tulsa from 1995 to 1998. Levit is involved in numerous civic activities. He served as co-chair of Teach for America-Oklahoma and as a member of the Teach for America National Council. Levit served on the Tulsa Regional Chamber Tulsa’s Future Steering Committee, led the board of the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, and is a board member of the Tulsa River Parks Authority. In 2001, Levit chaired the interim study for the State of Oklahoma on Homeland Security. In 2008, Levit was a founding member of the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority and, prior to that, helped establish the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) board of the State of Oklahoma.
In 2024, Mr. Levit was appointed to The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education by Governor Kevin Stitt. Mr. Levit earned his law degree from Yale Law School in 1994 and received his undergraduate degree from Brown University in 1987.
David Mason
Mayor
City of Enid
David was born and raised in Southwest Oklahoma. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Masters in Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He taught school for 12 years in a variety of subject areas, including: Architectural Drafting, American History, American Government, Psychology, and Sociology.
David eventually left education and entered the insurance industry as an agent for one of the large national carriers. He was promoted to District Manager for the same carrier, requiring him and his three sons to relocate to Enid, Oklahoma in 2006. During his time as District Manager, David was in charge of the sales growth and compliance of 29 agencies.
After moving to Enid, David met his wife Melanie and they have just celebrated their 12th anniversary. They have five sons, two daughters-in-laws, and two grandsons, Sam and Charlie.
David has served on the CASA Board, Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, 911 board, President of the Enid Rotary Club, District Governor for the State Rotary Club, and has served on the Grand National Executive Board of Directors. David also served as Ward 6 Commissioner.
Greg McCortney
President
G&A Consulting
Greg McCortney is an American politician who served in the Oklahoma Senate representing the 13th district from 2016 to 2024.
Born in Ada, Oklahoma, McCortney was a Christian minister and the owner of healthcare businesses before he was elected to the Ada City Council in 2011. In 2012 and 2013, he was elected mayor. He left the city council in September 2016 and joined the Oklahoma Senate that November.
He was elected majority floor leader in 2021 and was elected by the Republican caucus to succeed Greg Treat as President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate in 2024.
Catherine O’Connor
Founder
COalign Group
Prior to founding the COalign Group, which provides expertise in real estate development and specializes in navigating complex financing structures, entitlements and municipal processes, Cathy served as President of the Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City In her role as President of the Alliance, Cathy was instrumental in furthering development throughout Oklahoma City and promoting job creation. She led the efforts to create the NE Renaissance Urban Renewal Area and Tax Increment Finance district that resulted in the development of a new grocery store to serve northeast Oklahoma City. She has also led the efforts to develop several key projects including the Omni Convention Center Hotel to complement the new MAPS 3 Convention Center, redevelopment of the Skirvin Hotel, the GE Global Energy Research Facility and several projects at Tinker Air Force Base. She also led the team that developed and implemented the Small Business Continuity Program in response to the COVID 19 pandemic to help support small businesses in Oklahoma City.
Ms. O’Connor is active in a variety of community organizations and currently serves as the President of the Economic Club of Oklahoma, and on the board of directors of the Integris Health System, The State Fair of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society, The Foundation for the Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation. Ms. O’Connor is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City and Leadership Oklahoma. Cathy received the Dean A. McGee Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 and received the Stanley Draper Award for Community Excellence in 2009 from the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership.
Tyler Parette
Executive Director
Housing Forward
Tyler Parette is the Founding Executive Director of Housing Forward, a nonprofit focused on the preservation and expansion of housing throughout Oklahoma. Tyler joins Housing Forward after his tenure as the Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer at Aeon, a Minneapolis-based non-profit developer, owner, and operator of affordable housing. While at Aeon, Tyler oversaw resident services, data-driven policy initiatives, and was instrumental in fostering partnerships that enhanced the resident experience and promoted long-term stability.
Previously, Tyler served as the Director of Outreach and Engagement at Housing Solutions in Tulsa, where his work with individuals experiencing homelessness earned him the distinguished honor of being awarded the key to the city.
Tyler’s extensive experience in housing-related efforts with the City of Tulsa and at the Oklahoma State Legislature provides him with a deep understanding of Oklahoma’s policy-making processes. This expertise enables him to effectively lead Housing Forward's statewide policy work, driving initiatives that support housing preservation and expansion across Oklahoma.
Molly Pyle
Director
Center of Rural Innovation
Molly supports rural communities as they develop and grow strong entrepreneurial ecosystems, creating scalable tech startups in rural America. Prior to joining the team, she worked with social impact startups at MIT Solve, worked with international women leaders in STEM and entrepreneurship with the State Department, led the Incubator and Accelerator programming at Singularity University.
She also co-created and led Singularity’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and contributed to the design and execution of International Summits for executive and startup audiences of 2,000-plus attendees per event across 15 countries.
Molly holds an M.S. in social work from Columbia University focusing on social enterprise administration, international social welfare, and services to immigrants and refugees, along with B.S. degrees in social work and international affairs from Florida State University. She grew up in the historic small town of Saint Augustine, Florida.
Shawn Schaefer
Director of the Urban Design Studio at The University of Oklahoma & Owner, Places LLC
Shawn Michael Schaefer is Associate Director of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design, and a faculty member of the Gibbs College of Architecture. Professor Schaefer holds professional degrees in Architecture and Urban Design.
He is licensed to practice architecture and interior design in the State of Oklahoma and is board certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the American Institute of City Planners (AICP) as a city planner and as a Certified Urban Designer (CUD).
Mr. Schaefer is a founding Principal of PLACES LLC, Oklahoma’s first urban design consulting practice.
Terry Simonson
Special Counsel
Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office
Served three (3) Mayors of Tulsa in positions of Chief of Staff, General Counsel, Administrative Assistant, Director of Legislative Affairs, and Court Administrator (Mayors Inhofe, Crawford, and Bartlett). Served seven (7) Tulsa County Commissioners in positions of Deputy County Commissioner, Director of Governmental Affairs, and Public Information Officer (Commissioners Smaligo, Miller, Perry, Peters, Keith, Sallee, and Dunkerley). Served two (2) Tulsa County Sheriff's in positions of Chief of Staff, Director of Governmental Affairs, and Contracts Administrator (Sheriffs Glanz and Regalado). Currently serving as Special Counsel to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to support the distribution of opioid settlement funds across Oklahoma. Serving as advisor, consultant, and convenor with locally elected and appointed officials as well as statewide organizations, associations, and nonprofit agencies. Private general practice of law for seventeen (17) years.
Duane Smith
Executive Director
Oka’ Institute
Considered one of the Oklahoma’s foremost authorities on water, Duane Smith specializes in regional and tribal water planning.
As Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for 13 years, he garnered unique experience in the administration of Oklahoma water law and implementation of state and federal water programs. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Oka’ Institute where he promotes water sustainability research and initiatives.
At Oka’, the impact of his exemplary leadership has been far-reaching. Last year, Mr. Smith became just the third person awarded an honorary doctorate of science from Kenya’s JOOUST [joost] University for his contributions to international water management and policy as part of an ongoing exchange program between Oka’ and Africa’s Pi Institute.
Kris Steele
Executive Director
The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM)
Kris leads TEEM, a nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration in Oklahoma by providing educational opportunities, character development courses, job training, and employment placement assistance for individuals reentering the community. Steele also serves on the Pardon and Parole Board and as a Trustee of the Sarkeys Foundation. As chair of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, he works to enhance public safety by increasing access to treatment and addressing the root causes of crime.
Before joining TEEM, Kris served Oklahoma as a State Representative from 2000 to 2012 and was the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 53rd Legislature. During his tenure, he led significant reforms in health care, human services, and criminal justice. Motivated by a state audit revealing Oklahoma's high incarceration rates, Steele examined successful re-entry programs and researched crime rates. Since 2012, his work at TEEM has been instrumental in transforming the lives of Oklahomans who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. Steele holds a B.A. in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and an M.A. in education from East Central University.
Angie Stout
Assistant City Manager
Ada, OK
Angie is the Assistant City Manager of Ada, overseeing city management and advancement. She’s served in this role for almost a decade, managing daily operations and over $50 million in capital projects. Angie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from East Central University, a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Oklahoma, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
She is a licensed attorney and a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Angie is committed to improving city services through outcome-based leadership and community partnerships.
Roger Thompson
Executive Director/CEO
Oklahoma Osteopathic Association (OOA)
Roger is a dedicated public servant with a distinguished career in the Oklahoma State Senate. He leads the OOA in its mission to support and advocate for osteopathic physicians, enhance the quality of healthcare and promote the principles of osteopathic medicine.
He has been a tireless advocate for healthcare, education and economic development in the state.
His extensive experience in legislative leadership roles, including serving previously as the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has equipped him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the healthcare sector.
Kevin Wallace
Owner
Executive Strategy Consultants LLC
In November of 2014, Kevin Wallace was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for District 32. He was appointed Vice-Chair of the Wildlife Committee and also served on A&B Natural Resources and Regulatory Services; Agriculture and Rural Development; Business, Labor and Retirement Law and Insurance committees.
In 2017, he was appointed to a leadership position as Chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Committee where he went on to be the longest serving Chairman for the A&B Committee in state history. During his tenure, Kevin Wallace also served as a Chairman for the Joint Committee of A&B, Co-Chairman of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) Committee, Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Tribal Relations, House Chairman of the Joint American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Committee, Co-Chairman of the Oklahoma Sportsmen’s Legislative Caucus, and served on the State and Federal Redistricting of North Central Oklahoma Subcommittee.
In 2022, Wallace was elected to the Executive Counsel of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucus, which represents caucuses across all 50 states. Kevin’s passion for improving the next generation and his commitment to education also led him to create the William Wallace Foundation in memory of his father, who only had a third-grade education. Kevin is also a member of Leadership Oklahoma, Class 32.
Kevin finished his tenure in the Oklahoma legislature in November 2024. He then started Executive Strategy Consultants, LLC, a government relations, economic development and state incentives consulting firm.
Brigette Zorn
Senior Advisor
1050 Forward
Brigette is a strategic advisor, writer, and fifth-generation Oklahoman with a career rooted in politics, philanthropy, and health care. A graduate of Oklahoma City University, she also holds a master’s degree in health administration and has led communications and fundraising strategies at both the national and local level.
She began her career on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., but has spent the past decade serving proudly in her home state. In Oklahoma, she’s held leadership roles at United Way of Central Oklahoma and later as a nonprofit executive director. She has also helped direct creative content and development strategy for a large multi-state health system, where her work supported a historic $100 million campaign—the largest in the organization’s history—by building programs and messaging that inspired deep community investment.
Today, Brigette advises bold initiatives and courageous candidates on how to communicate with clarity and purpose. Her consulting work includes projects in venture capital, publishing, health care and philanthropy. She is also a senior advisor at 1050 Forward, where she works to strengthen Oklahoma’s civic and economic future—starting with its powerhouse micropolitan communities..