Luxiere - Oklahoma Lifestyle & Real Estate // Edition 40

Glenna

TANENBAUM

ON HER LIFE OF GIVING

GULFSTREAM G-280

16

BUSINESS: A THRIVING HYBRID CULTURE

Although the company wasn’t her idea, Jen Jones had the expertise and contacts, and today Cordea Consulting is a striking success story in health care IT.

STORY BY KATI HANNA

38

PROFILE: PROJECT WINTER WATCH

Ryan Cristelli knows he can’t do it alone, but he’s dedicated his time and tremendous drive to rallying the community so OKC’s homeless can survive the cold.

STORY BY MICHAEL KINNEY

WOMAN OF INFLUENCE: DEBBY HAMPTON

From the Red Cross to the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits to the United Way, Debby Hampton never stops working in the service of her fellow citizens.

STORY BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

48

ON THE COVER: GLENNA TANENBAUM

Community leader, committed philanthropist, creative powerhouse and all-around game-changer for the fabric of OKC — the multitalented Glenna Tanenbaum remains dedicated to giving back, and clearly loves every moment of it.

STORY BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

60

DRAWING ON CHILDHOOD

An appreciation for her Chickasaw heritage and her lifelong love of children’s literature have colored Madelyn Goodnight’s outlook, and inform her joyous illustrations.

STORY BY MICHAEL KINNEY

AN ODE TO BEAUTY

The Olivers purchased their home before Jennifer had even seen it — but after a thorough remodel and thoughtful decoration, it matches their joyful energy perfectly.

STORY BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

Setting the Standard.

As Oklahoma’s first board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained laser and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Kimberly Jerdan wants you to reach your skin, hair, and nail health goals from a comprehensive medical and aesthetic approach. Specializing in general, surgical, and aesthetic dermatology needs, Dr. Jerdan is trained in skin of color and sees patients of all ages.

• OKLAHOMA CITY • (405) 212-2880 •

1211 NORTH SHARTEL, SUITE 802

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This is — as will hopefully become clear — a special, even unique edition for us. In it, we examine the subjects of homelessness and poverty that deeply affect our community. Luxiere is no stranger to highlighting the good works of nonprofits and the people who make them tick, but in this edition we were moved, literally called, to dive deeper into the issues in ways we haven’t before. So we did. This edition is also a celebration of doers and dreamers who are making things better for the least fortunate among us through philanthropy, leadership and action.

In these pages you’ll meet community leader and long-time do-gooder Glenna Tanenbaum, whose philanthropy started when she was in elementary school. She and her husband Dick are literally changing lives and having an absolute blast doing it, while also enjoying enormous business success. They’ve just purchased two iconic Art Deco-era buildings downtown and are creating an exquisite residential and retail mixed use reimagining called The Harlow.

Debby Hampton, president and CEO of United Way of Central Oklahoma, is our Woman of Influence. Her 30+ year career has taken her from leading disaster relief efforts for the American Red Cross to raising millions for Oklahoma nonprofits to navigating her family’s personal tragedy. Her grace is an inspiration.

One of the largest philanthropic events in Edmond, the Red Day Run 5K, has been going strong for eight years. Brad Reeser, president of Keller Williams Realty Central Oklahoma, started its precursor event to celebrate Mo Anderson’s birthday and do some good in the community at the same time. His initial thought — to keep it simple — soon flew out the window, and we think you’ll enjoy reading about what happened next.

Aley and Ryan Cristelli have created the Pine Pantry and Project Winter Watch, respectively. Aley’s Pine Pantries dot the metro and are “leave what you can, take what you need” free food pantries. Ryan’s effort, Project Winter Watch, is dedicated to outfitting the

homeless with the necessary gear to stay alive during Oklahoma’s sometimes brutal winter months. Writer Michael Kinney brings you their story.

You may know Kendra Scott as the Classen Curve jewelry boutique which often sprouts a line of eager devotees waiting for entry, especially during the holidays. What you may not know is that Kendra Scott the woman has been dedicated to giving back for decades. We celebrate her in a story about businesses giving back. You’ll also meet Sarah Bytyqi and Peter Fulmer, two realtors who’ve teamed up to end homelessness in Oklahoma, and Dr. Castel Santana, whose new clothing line PGato gives back in celebration of his late grandmother’s life and largesse.

Of course, we also bring you a knock-your-socks off gift guide and take you into the splendid, joy-filled home of Jennifer and David Oliver. Enjoy this issue, friends. May you find meaning and something to smile about on every page.

Until next time,

STACY D. JOHNSON Publisher, Owner

LUXIERE MAGAZINE

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

email: stacy@ luxiere.co phone: 405.808.1332

KATI HANNA Writer

JORDAN MOBLEY Photographer

MICHAEL KINNEY Writer

COOPER ANDERSON Website

JESSE DAVISON Designer

KENNON BRYCE Photographer

VALENTINA GUTIÉRREZ Videographer/Writer

SARAH STRUNK Photographer

JUSTIN MIERS

Photographer

STEVE GILL Copy Editor/Writer

CHRISTINE EDDINGTON Writer

PHOTO BY KENNON BRYCE

6 Locations in Edmond & OKC - FREE Pick-up & Delivery Service Call us at 405.340.3907 - www.legacyokc.com

This look is available at Eden Boutique in Paseo.

A THRIVING HYBRID CULTURE

Jen Jones, founder and owner of Cordea Consulting

BY KATI HANNA

Oklahoma City is home to so many different successful entrepreneurs. Jen Jones, owner and CEO of Cordea Consulting, started her IT health care consulting firm 15 years ago in Oklahoma City, and now provides consulting to hospitals, clinics and health care organizations across the country. Her firm continues to grow year over year — she currently employs more than 150 people across the United States. Jones is a servant leader who cares deeply about her team and her clients, which is evident in the loyalty and reputation she and her team have built.

You lead a remote team of more than 150 people and have been quite adept at cultivating an environment where people are successful. What are some of the things you have done to create such a thriving culture?

Cordea’s model has always been structured around a hybrid virtual/in-person culture, so anyone we hire is screened to ensure working remotely is a good fit.

We operate with two distinct teams with a bridge between them. Our Core Team is focused on running the business, and the whole team meets every morning for a virtual “huddle.” This keeps a cadence for our team and allows everyone to stay connected. Our Consultant Team is focused on delivery for our customers, and they often travel to client sites. They straddle the Cordea culture but also are immersed in their respective clients’ cultures.

We have created a unique model where consultants meet with our Core Team delivery executives on an engagementbased schedule. This ensures they are supported in various ways, including offering content expertise; sharing tools, templates and lessons learned; and sometimes acting as a sounding board or second set of eyes for key deliverables. Our delivery executives also frequently meet with clients and our consultants to ensure delivery is progressing as expected. We use a variety of tools and tactics to orchestrate the needs of all.

How did you get the idea to start Cordea Consulting?

Interestingly enough, I didn’t exactly come up with the idea. I was asked by a former client to engage as a consultant on a large project. Not long after I started, they asked me to

supply other resources — and before I knew it, something really special had come to life. I had a synergistic team of people in place and referrals coming in from other parts of the country.

What makes Cordea Consulting different?

We have a few key ingredients to our success. Our sales team is extremely knowledgeable in our extremely distinct and narrow field of expertise. They “speak the language” of our customers, allowing a simple transaction to solve their problem.

Our recruitment team is also incredible at what they do. They will not submit candidates who don’t meet the requirements or would not be a good fit for an organization’s culture, and our clients really appreciate that. In fact, they are so good that we have been asked by clients many times what our patented screening process is.

Our delivery executives also make Cordea stand out because they are seasoned in all aspects of similar engagements. They bring a lot of credibility and confidence to our clients and consultants; they serve as a tremendous value-add.

Lastly, we often get compliments on our billing — legible invoices, ability to modify to ensure seamless processing, quick responses, etc. Not all consultancies do this well, but we have taken the time to hone our process.

Where do you see Cordea Consulting in 5 years?

We are actively working to expand into other areas of healthcare. We are marketing and selling into the payer space, life sciences, health tech start-ups, etc. I want to ensure

we are equipped to serve those customers with the same level of expertise and service delivery that we offer on the provider side.

What was the best piece of advice you were given when you were first starting out?

I had several supporters early on and each brought a different perspective. Some common themes were not to get discouraged, not to sweat the small stuff and just keep after it.

What is the biggest sacrifice you have made in leading a business?

I don’t feel like I have sacrificed much. Quite the opposite, in fact. I feel I have really been given a lot over the years! At times it can be tough to juggle family, friends and business, but I have a pretty clear set of priorities and a fantastic support network.

What is the biggest overall lesson you’ve learned in running a business?

Show grace and listen.

What are you most proud of in what you do?

I’m proud of the deep and longstanding relationships that have developed with our core team, customers and consultants. It’s not always easy to build trust in the business world, so our track record of lasting partnerships speaks volumes.

You have traveled extensively. Of all the places you have visited across the globe, which holds the most special memory for you?

Most definitely the Amalfi Coast in Italy. My mother grew up going there as a child of an Air Force lieutenant colonel stationed in Germany. I heard about the sights, smells and family stories driving the windy roads. I went while living in England, again upon completion of my MBA from Pepperdine and then again to get married. We are actually currently planning our 10-year anniversary celebration next June. We will get to take parents and my kids!

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at work?

I have two young daughters, and they keep my husband and me very busy! We spend time at school and family events, and also like to travel. We’ve taken several trips this summer and have a few more scheduled this fall and winter.

What is the one “luxiere” you can not live without?

I think both family and travel are “luxieres” I can’t live without. Having a healthy, happy family is truly a luxurious gift, and the happy smiles and inquisitive looks are contagious when we travel and experience new things. •

Kati Hanna is a partner with The Mettise Group, a consulting firm focused on growth-stage companies and leaders. The Mettise Group completes a holistic evaluation of organizations and leaders to quickly and efficiently deliver an operating system that focuses on opportunities, best practices and solutions.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS

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ON CLIENTS’ TIME

Hayes Legal Group’s personal approach to law

BY STEVE GILL

Consulting an attorney is, to put it diplomatically, not an activity that many people enjoy. Which is understandable given that the circumstances are often stressful, complicated, emotionally charged (and frequently expensive) … it can be frustrating. Amy Hayes is working to improve the process — “make uncomfortable situations more comfortable,” as she puts it — by launching a practice that draws on her expertise but also stresses a personal approach, especially in terms of accessibility. For OKC residents who need help, on their time, Hayes Legal Solutions is ready.

“We are a boutique firm that does family law, LGBTQ family law, real estate and small business contracts,” says Hayes, who has practiced law in OKC for 20 years in firms large and small. Like so many professionals, she went a new direction because of the pandemic, but hers was not a career switch due to layoffs or a decision to make a job out of a long-treasured hobby; she decided to launch her own practice based on the lessons of the last three years.

“I sincerely want to change the way law is practiced in Oklahoma — and by that, I think that we have all learned a lot from COVID,” she explains. “COVID taught us that people don’t necessarily need a lawyer during traditional business hours, and it opened folks to doing Zoom consultations and things like that. I do a lot of nontraditional hours, I meet with people on their schedule instead of mine, and also offer concierge legal services for high net worth divorces and small businesses. What that means is I can craft a package where I’m helping people, and they’re not worried about being billed in six-minute increments. It allows me to customize.”

It’s a personal approach that’s also a practical one: Focusing on an individual client’s particular goals helps Hayes use her expertise in both business and family law to

negotiate workable settlements or solutions, rather than solely pursuing satisfaction in a courtroom (which can be time-consuming and commensurately expensive).

“I look at things from a business and a legal perspective, and I treat clients’ money like it’s my money,” she says. “Whether it’s going through a divorce or helping a small business get started, I want to make sure that everything is customized and services are available when they’re needed instead of the traditional 8 to 5 — I’ve kind of blown that out of the water.”

Hayes is also proud of her specialization in family law issues that affect the LGBTQ community, an area of focus that’s not especially common for OKC attorneys. “Really, there’s not a lot of precedent out there,” she says. “I recently attended a conference in L.A. to learn more about this everevolving area of law. In Oklahoma, we’re [comparatively] behind the times, so the best way to stay ahead is to look outside of the state and look at how other states are handling things, and then you can bring those arguments to Oklahoma. So as a state, we’ve got to create law, and the way we create law is through [getting] these issues in front of a judge. Or, alternatively, if you don’t want a judge to decide your fate, work it out between the lawyers in mediation and get these situations handled.”

The purpose of retaining a lawyer is to have someone to help navigate life’s stressful, complicated situations … so ideally speaking, shouldn’t that person be experienced, easy to communicate with and convenient for consultations?

“For better or worse,” says Hayes, “lawyers have a reputation of wasting peoples’ money, whereas very seldom will you find a lawyer who wants to add value to your life. I kind of look at things differently; I want to make sure that my services add value.” And that starts with being available whenever clients need her. •

Happy Holidays from Us.

REGIER COX & ASSOCIATES

Founded in 1996, Regier Cox and Associates is a public accounting firm comprised of approximately twenty professionals from various backgrounds who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from public accounting and other professions. Our firm provides tax compliance and planning services, in addition to bookkeeping, compilations, reviews, and other attestation projects. We strive to provide personalized services with the highest level of quality to our clients.

WINTER IS COMING

The

heart behind Project Winter Watch and the crusade to protect our most vulnerable neighbors when the cold settles in

BY MICHAEL KINNEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN CRISTELLI & BEN DOERNER

Ryan Cristelli says he has only one skill. The 43-year-old Seattle native and Ada High alumnus has a talent for storytelling.

As a seasoned creative director, he has developed content for NASA, The Chickasaw Nation and Under Armour, to name a few — all designed to engage the hearts and minds of humanity. This skill allowed Cristelli to build a nice, comfortable life for himself and his family. In many ways, he was living a dream.

A few years ago, however, a news article would wake him from his earned contentment — leading to sleepless nights and a renewed sense of what it truly meant to love thy neighbor. Becoming increasingly aware that each night becomes a gamble for those who don’t have a roof over their head or a bed to call their own during the unforgiving winter months, Cristelli took a deep dive into the plight of the unhoused community in Oklahoma City. He found that he couldn’t turn away.

Man braces for a cold night after receiving a “kit” from PWW

“When you become involved with folks who are experiencing homelessness,” Cristelli says, “you don’t ever view the winter and summer the same way again. You don’t go past an alleyway without looking down a fence line. You look for a gathering of crumpled fabric and ask if that is trash or a human being.”

More than six years ago, Cristelli created Project Winter Watch — dedicated to outfitting the homeless with the necessary gear to stay alive during Oklahoma’s often brutal winter months. In that time, Cristelli estimates it has helped thousands of women, men and children who live on the streets in Oklahoma City. Those who have no shelter from the ice, snow, wind and rain, or temperatures near or below freezing.

“What Project Winter Watch can’t do is solve the problem,” Cristelli says. “That’s going to be something bigger. But what Project Winter Watch does is it provides the right gear that meets the cold when it has to. It has to be a zero-rated, compacted, weatherproof sleeping bag that you can boogie out when it’s time to go. Insulated gloves, insulated socks, hand warmers and tarps. It’s triage for maybe another day, a week, another month, another season, until maybe they meet up with that resource that’s going to be that move to permanent housing. Maybe it’s that treatment they need or reuniting with a family member. The cold doesn’t care how they got out there. It takes all the same.”

A DIFFERENT DIRECTION

This is not where Cristelli saw his life heading some seven years ago. He had just married his wife, Aley, and he was working for a local creative agency.

But when he started helping out his wife, who started the Pine Pantry, Cristelli started to see a different side of life he had never been privy to or thought much about before. The Pine Pantry is a small pine closet that sits outside local businesses, at which people can drop off food, socks and other items for those in need, who can then come by and pick up what they need. Since Cristelli was often the one who would set up or fix the pantries, it allowed him to connect with those whom they set out to serve.

“When I would go stain the thing or have to hammer back down a shelf, I would talk to folks,” Cristelli says. “In the course of talking to the folks that are hungry or maybe dealing with any number of issues, I learned that my notions — of what those things are and why those things are — were completely wrong and maybe a bit naïve. I wanted to think that everybody had a place to go. And there was always going to be a roof one way or another. But that wasn’t the truth.”

Cristelli also found many preconceived stereotypes and beliefs he had formed about people who were homeless disproved.

“People were battling things I didn’t know they were battling,” he says. “The idea of what mental health starts to look like. What addiction looks like. There is not a one-solution thing. Then I felt very small; I wasn’t up to any of this. I felt very insignificant.”

Cristelli didn’t know what to do about it, and just kept on living his life as he had always done. But in 2016, he was hit hard with the reality of the dangers of living on the streets. While still helping his wife at the pantry, he read in a news article she sent him that four people in Oklahoma City had died during a February cold stretch.

“I couldn’t believe that people died because the cold took them from us,” he says. “All that [feeling] of insignificance rushed back.”

This time Cristelli decided to do something. He interrupted a text thread with his friends. The complaining about college football and lawns was replaced with Cristelli asking if they wanted to donate some money to an idea without a plan.

“I don’t know what I’m doing. But I have a full tank of gas and $58 in my wallet,” Cristelli remembers texting. “I’m going to run to Academy (Sports). If you guys want to pitch in a few bucks, I’m just going to buy some sleeping bags and figure something out.”

Cristelli ended up with around $350 from his friends and was able to fill up a shopping cart full of gear. But once he got outside to his car, the realization hit. He had no idea what he was doing or where to even begin.

“I didn’t have any of this knowledge that takes years to acquire about where our unhoused neighbors are. I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Cristelli says. “All of a sudden, I just turned into a pool of emotion and I just headed south. I saw people that I had assumed were in crises or whatever and I handed out those bags. I felt accomplished.”

However, his accomplishment was doused pretty quickly. He found that he had made the same mistakes many people across the country make when trying to do something good for those they see struggling on the streets.

“What I would come to find out from that first gift, through six years and handing out thousands and thousands of bags, gloves and socks being given out, is that science has to work behind it,” Cristelli says. “I was buying these bags ready for -30. But they weren’t water resistant; they’d turn into a bag of concrete when they got wet. A lot of folks have to move rapidly, and a bag that is as round as a basketball hoop and three or four feet tall — you can’t move with those things. Those touch-points don’t work. It was a hindrance to them. Decent gloves and socks weren’t going to work either.”

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Instead of letting the wayward attempts dissuade him from helping again, Cristelli wanted to learn more and find out how he could do better. His wife introduced him to outreach programs that had the knowledge and expertise he was seeking.

“But then I had to get money,” Cristelli says. “I had worked in advertising going on 20 years and I knew there was a bit of science to activating folks. But I didn’t want to play on emotion; I wanted to just tell the truth.”

So he took his iPhone and began documenting what he saw. After making sure the people were OK with being filmed or exposed, he started doing what he does best. Storytelling.

“I take their words and turn them around and start making posts about these folks,” Cristelli says. “And it started to change a bit of the narrative around how I thought and talked about our unhoused neighbors. I had friends who were seeing these folks for the first time. They would tell me, ‘I didn’t know. How can I help?’ It just started to work.”

The kits that Project Winter Watch puts together consist of a sleeping bag, gloves, socks, hand warmers and tarps. Each kit is valued at around $100.

Cristelli said it’s impossible to tell how many kits are handed out each winter, but conservatively he puts it about several thousand. He estimates that Project Winter Watch has taken in somewhere around $400,000 in donations in the past six years.

“When things are really cooking, I’m making weekly purchases over $8k, and that does not count the products purchased by our givers,” Cristelli says. “Project Winter Watch is nothing without our givers. I’ve said this many times, and it lives in my deepest fibers: I’m nothing more than caffeine and adjectives without every person that chose to make a gift and protect someone they’ll likely never meet. It’s everything.”

Project Winter Watch has grown from a bunch of friends

donating to a Venmo account (rynosu ) to Cristelli becoming the go-to guy for outreach and resource centers, and local hospitals. They need his help. They include collaborations and relationships with Feed His Sheep, The Ice Angels, Sandwiches With Love, Second Chances Thrift Store, Norman Regional Hospital, The Homeless Alliance, VA’s outreach program and the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma.

This past winter, when a two-week stretch saw temperatures fall to single digits and Oklahoma City had run out of shelter space, Project Winter Watch became a hub of local outreach.

“It’s an all-points bulletin on social media,” Cristelli says. “You could see that cold snap coming and know it’s going to be the worst in forever. It’s going to do a lot of damage. So here is what we have to do. If you are a resource, an outreach program and going out, let me know. Let’s get you kitted. If you are somebody that is a provider for the project, now is the time. Of all the times, now is the time. Here is the Amazon Wish List and here is the Venmo and Cash App. Every day, three times a day, there would be a row of cars snaked to the front of the storage unit with people from the VA (Veterans Affairs), the mental health association and City Rescue. Cars would pull up, and we ask what they need and then get it to them. You keep that conveyor belt going, then fill up your own car, then go out.”

According to Cristelli, during those two weeks, UPS and Amazon would have nothing but Project Winter Watch items to deliver. During those two weeks alone, the organization handed out 800 sleeping bags.

“Part of me froze, broke off and died,” Cristelli says. “It’s just so hard and so scary. I had the luxury of having layers and a home. You go out and you see and you do it again. You don’t understand the fairness in the world. I can’t make a lot of sense of it. You see the fear and hope in the faces of all these amazing people with the outreach programs going hard, all the time.”

THE WORK CONTINUES

During the annual Point in Time Count, Oklahoma City registered 1,339 countable people who were experiencing homelessness in 2022. That was down from 1,573 in 2020. The counters include anyone staying in overnight shelters or transitional housing and living on the streets. However, since the count took place in March instead of its normal time in January, officials at the Homeless Alliance said it does not necessarily mean homelessness is down.

When Cristelli started, the feeling that was driving him was accomplishment. But after that winter, he said he is now driven by fear.

“I’m terrified we’re going to lose somebody,” Cristelli says. “But that’s OK. It’s whatever gets you to do it. On a night when I can’t sleep, I will pack up 30 packs, and I go out and meet 30 people and provide all these things. It’s the 31st person I see on the way back that I think about because I don’t have anything. I will go to the storage unit, grab some packs and come back to that same spot and they are gone. That’s all I think about. But it’s the 31st person that gets me going the next day.”

Cristelli had thoughts about expanding his operation into the summer, when the dangers are different, but no less deadly as temperatures rise above 100. But the toll his work takes physically, mentally and emotionally during the winter forced him to really think about what he was getting himself into.

When Aley asked him, “Are you going to be ready to meet the winter doing this?” he had to have an honest conversation.

“I found out I don’t have it in me,” Cristelli says. “I had to be honest with myself. I just don’t have it in me. What I realized is I’m not built for this. I’m so in awe of the people who are. I will work my guts out in the winter. But I don’t know how to do both.”

Cristelli is the first to admit that running Project Winter Watch is taxing, draining and stressful. As the winter months get closer each year, he knows that there will be people whom he won’t see because they didn’t make it through the past winter, which he dreads.

But he also knows he can’t stop. When he talks about the people who have told him they would not be alive if not for the help Project Winter Watch provided, Cristelli gets emotional and tears well up in his eyes.

“When people tell me those things, I feel grateful,” Cristelli says. “Then I feel activated to keep going and doing these things — because it matters.”

He plans for the project to continue for as long as he can hold up, because he knows what the work means to those in need and those who choose to give.

“It’s about shifting the way we see our neighbors. In our very best moments, it’s our selfless giving that is our best,” Cristelli says. “It gives people the opportunity to be who they hope they would be.” •

Contribute to Project Winter Watch via Venmo to: rynosu

People line up to receive winter gear at an empty parking lot in anticipation of inclement weather

Sleeping bag, socks, gloves and hand warmers are among the items included in the “kit”

THE HOLIDAYS

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NICK BERRY

THE COLOR & THE SHAPES

BY VALENTINA GUTIÉRREZ

After more than 50 years with a brush or palette knife in his hand, OKC artist Nick Berry still brims with enthusiasm for his craft. Though his influences range from French Impressionism to the expressionism of LeRoy Neiman, his love for vibrant color and joie de vivre remain constants. In our conversation, Berry discussed his creative process, his appreciation for OKC’s Howell Gallery, the new direction his art has taken since the pandemic and more.

When and how did your interest in art begin?

I was born in Oklahoma City in 1955. As far back as I can remember, I always had a passion for drawing. I remember in kindergarten, I enjoyed drawing vignettes of family members and sketching the big-finned cars of that time. In high school at the age of 15, under the direction of my art instructor at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, I painted my first serious painting. It was painted with Dutch Boy wall paint. My art instructor, Walter Wilson, recognized my love of painting, and gave me the keys to the art room. He told me, “You can work in here during off hours as long as you turn off the lights and lock up before you leave.” He, together with Gloria Schumann (a prominent portrait artist who painted my portrait during that same year) and my Christian faith, have been the three inspirations in forming my artistic career.

Tell us about your creative process; what is the part you enjoy the most?

I enjoy all of it! When I paint from my photography, I think of my camera (my iPhone) as a sketch pad. I love the photography process. The joy of finding new, spontaneous and candid scenes when I travel is very exciting. I am constantly photographing to find inspiration. My goal is not to copy a photograph or a live scene, but to interpret it. When I am lucky enough to set up my easel on location to paint en plein air, my inspiration comes to me automatically. There is nothing like a beautiful scene to make me want to paint. I love to dive in headfirst and get to work.

Traveling is the central part of your work — what inspires you the most about traveling?

Traveling offers me a new painting experience every time. These trips can be similar to drilling an oil well: Some art trips can produce photography that I can work from for many years like a good well, or another trip can be like a dry hole or produce very little.

My paintings are my scrapbook; each one has a story to tell. Each one depicts a memory.

I love new scenery, architecture, landscaping and the native people that I visit. I have learned as long as I understand I am a guest, wherever I go whether it be the United States, Canada, Europe or Central America, I will be treated as a friend. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to paint scenes from these different places, and I hope my work gives the viewer as much pleasure as I have received in painting it.

How would you describe your work?

My work is very emotional. I want it to reflect my faith and my love of life. I have been called a colorist, impressionist and a realist. I begin my painting by sketching with a small brush using oil paint. This is followed by using a palette knife and small brushes to apply bright and bold oil paint to the canvas. I want my viewer to be enlightened and inspired by my work.

When COVID hit, I wanted to do something different. I started painting what I thought of as representational abstracts. I saw a painting by Hans Hofmann, and that inspired me to paint a new series of contemporary paintings. I am now doing both styles, and am enjoying doing them equally. It is fun being able to diversify my art.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

My work is influenced by my Christian faith. Portrait artist Gloria Schumann taught me the importance of faith in God combined with one’s individual talents [which] creates personal direction. Watching her work while I sat for a portrait study, she taught me a lifetime of knowledge that I will always cherish. I admired her work immensely and considered her my mentor. She taught me my current philosophy, “An artist achieves through his soul and the soul achieves through faith.” In the 1970s and ’80s I was influenced by the brilliant colors and expressive style used by LeRoy Neiman and Nicola Simbari. The French Impressionists were definitely an influence, with Renoir and Monet being at the top of the list.

I have been fortunate to be a part of the Howell Gallery. Linda and Ken Howell and their daughters, Laura and Leigh, have promoted my work and have given me moral support and friendship since 1989. The opportunity to show in their beautiful gallery for 33 years has been a highlight in my life.

Where do you see your work in the future?

I always saw myself as an impressionist painter, but in the last five years I have ventured into the field of Southwest and contemporary art and have loved doing so. Since COVID, I have started painting in a more abstract fashion. Now I am painting traditional, Southwest and contemporary art. I can’t wait to see what comes next. It is easy to say that love of life and bright color will always be a part of my work. •

“SANTA FE LIFE”

WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

DEBBY HAMPTON

President and CEO of United Way of Central Oklahoma

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

Debby Hampton is one of those people who, when she tells what kind of kid she was growing up, it makes perfect sense. The woman is a born leader and connector. She’s just wrapped her 12th year as president and CEO of United Way of Central Oklahoma, after having spent 16 years as CEO at American Red Cross of Oklahoma. In between, she spent four years leading the charge at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

She will tell you — sans irony — that she has loved every job she’s had. “I know that sounds really, really cheesy, but I’ve been lucky. I mean, really lucky,” she says. “I’ve had days that I knew were going to be really hard. But I’ve never had a day that I didn’t want to go to work.” In fact, this woman loves her work so much that, when asked how she unwinds and recharges, she explains (with a straight face) that she does so by … working. She’s almost apologetic about it. “It’s embarrassing to say that I don’t have a lot of hobbies. I do like to travel more now than I used to …” she says. “I work where I love, and it’s not really work. I always say it’s kind of my hobby as well as work.”

Born in Lubbock, Hampton grew up in Del City, her father’s Air Force career having brought the family there. Hampton’s mom came to the United States from Germany after marriage, not speaking a word of English. The family household was unusual for Oklahoma, in that it was very much an “English as a second language” home. “My brother and sister are older, and they were born in Germany. And so for me, having the military base so close, and a lot of kids that had kind of similar experiences, it felt very, very comfortable.”

True to form, young Debby was socially very active in school. “I was totally not involved in sports at all. I’m horrible at sports … I’m very competitive … but it was more the social piece. That’s probably why I love fundraising; it’s why I love the nonprofit sector. It was all about relationships. For me, it was getting to know everyone at Del City High School. It was important for me to know as many people as possible, all the different groups. So I was friends with the drama kids, the athletes and all the kids. It just kind of makes sense that I’m where I’m at now. But I didn’t know at the time. I didn’t even know what a nonprofit was.” But she clearly remembers raising money for different school events and projects, and loving it. The die had been cast.

Natural inclinations aside, Hampton’s family and upbringing sharpened her conviction that helping others is, really, the most important thing we can do. And if there was a little jewelry in the mix, all the better. “My father, after the military, was working for Mercy Hospital and I remember him coming home with this little pin. Back in the day United Way gave you a pin when you gave your Fair Share, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. And I wanted one,” she says, laughing. “But he taught me even at that young age about giving back, and about why it was important to help others.”

Motivated, social, smart and empathetic, Hampton also happens to be a person who thrives in chaos, a quality that was honed to near-perfection during her years leading disaster response teams at the Red Cross. “I prefer to be in the trenches,” she says. “I am that girl. I mean, I always have been.

And I think that’s 16 years of working with the Red Cross. The more chaotic it gets, I tend to get a lot calmer, but move a lot faster.”

Before Hampton, who holds a degree in psychology, joined the Red Cross, she worked for a counseling center as a mental health case worker. “I loved that job. I loved the clients. But back in that day, the caseloads were so high, it was very, very difficult. I had about 130 clients on my caseload. To this day I think that if we could just tackle behavioral health, gosh, the impact it would have on all other areas of health and social services.” The struggle of people who suffer from mental illness pervades every part of society. There is no demographic, no place in the world, left unscathed, including Hampton’s own family.

Michael and Debby Hampton, married some 34 years ago, were blessed with two sons, Christopher and Jonathan. The boys were extremely close growing up, despite being temperamental opposites. “John was the extreme extrovert. Which is ironic because he’s a CPA,” she says. Christopher, a beautiful boy, suffered from severe anxiety and depression, a struggle he was painfully embarrassed about, even telling his parents that he wished he had cancer instead. The Hamptons thought he was just shy, at first.

“By the time we realized that there were issues related to behavioral health, he was probably in middle school. We were able to get him treatment, but then he started self-medicating, right out of high school, and became addicted to opioids. So then we had the secondary issues.”

She pauses, eyes filling, and takes a slow, deep breath. “I tell people all the time, it is a brain disease. We did all types of treatment for Chris. You do anything for your child. We took him to treatment centers all across the nation. I saw his brain scans. And you could just see the difference in Chris’s brain versus that of a so-called normal brain.” Years of treatment and therapy seemed to help. “Chris ended up doing really, really well. He had been sober for a year and then passed away very unexpectedly, in 2017.”

As she’s slowly been navigating the depths of unfathomable loss and grief, Hampton’s capacity for empathy has become more pronounced. “Suffering such a loss is — you just think differently. I look at people and I know every single person has a story … And after we lost Chris, I can’t tell you how many people have approached me because their child is suffering from anxiety or depression, and they want to talk about it. And they know that I understand … I always thought I was empathetic prior to losing a child. But it’s a whole different layer. And it’s a whole different level. You don’t want people to hurt.”

And so Hampton works. She gets up every day and works to mitigate — and perhaps one day help solve — the most painful and difficult parts of the human condition. It’s what she was born to do.

YOUR FUTURE

IS

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GLENNA TANENBAUM

Community leader, philanthropist and creative powerhouse

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIE CARTWRIGHT

EDITOR’S NOTE: Moments before we went to press, Richard and Glenna Tanenbaum announced another game-changing project for Oklahoma City – they have purchased the former BancFirst Building, built in 1921, and the 1924 Medical Arts Building, which will be converted into a mix of 265 apartments and retail, to be called ‘The Harlow.’ According to a recent news article, Richard estimates the development will cost $60 million with construction starting in March 2023 and opening a year later.

Being Glenna Tanenbaum is clearly a lot of fun. Sitting next to her conveys a contagious rush of excitement from her vivacious, exuberant energy. There’s also a teensy dab of the rebel in her, which has an extra allure all its own. One might say the Force is strong in this one. She’s an unabashed giver. Time, talent, resources — if a cause she believes in needs it, she and her husband Dick will get it, find it or fund it themselves. Philanthropy was instilled in her at a young age, and it’s central to her ethos.

“My grandfather, my mother’s father, taught me about Judaism,” she says. “He read the Torah for our junior congregation. So every Saturday he would come and read the Torah for the kids. And I learned to be a kind person, giving, thoughtful … you know, all the things. Love everyone regardless of what they’re like … and, you know, just be a good, kind person and do what you can for people around you.

“Then I went to Casady, and in the sixth grade Father Barnes asked for volunteers to go down to Walnut Grove. It’s now under the bridge that you cross over when you go into Bricktown … we would go down after school for a couple of hours and meet with these young kids, just to get them off the street. We taught them everything from making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to simple things that they could cook or bake.”

Father Barnes wanted to keep children safely off the street, and he wanted to introduce the Casady kids to community service. “So there was dual purpose, and I absolutely loved it. And my father used to say to me, always, ‘You have to give back to the community that takes care of you.’”

From Casady School, Tanenbaum went to Mount Vernon College, and then to the University of Arizona, where she had planned to be an art history major but soon realized that interior design was her thing — so she transferred to the University of Oklahoma, an experience she loved.

Her husband, Richard (Dick) Tanenbaum, CEO at Gardner Tanenbaum, is perhaps best known for his business acumen, but his sense of humor is likely a close second. As Glenna is chatting about the arts and fashion scene in New York City, from which she has just returned, Dick pops in with a colleague whom he mischievously introduced as his proctologist. He proceeds to introduce the other folks in the room as IRS agents, cracking everyone up.

The family business, Gardner Tanenbaum, is a roaring success. The Tanenbaums’ two children, Becky Tanenbaum Mallace and Stephen Tanenbaum, are principals at the firm and Glenna has applied her interior design to its portfolio of projects for decades. Perhaps her coup de maitre is the interior design at The Presley Apartments, the historic former Lincoln Plaza Hotel reimagined as more than 300 multi-family apartments. Its interior spaces are sophisticated, exciting and a little bit rock ’n’ roll, a difficult balance to strike — unless you’re Glenna Tanenbaum.

Since 1997, Dick has overseen the growth of the company’s commercial portfolio, expanding it from 800,000 square feet to more than 8,000,000 square feet. He has completed nearly 50 projects totaling more than $500,000,000, making Gardner Tanenbaum one of the largest developers in Oklahoma. In 2020, Mr. Tanenbaum negotiated one of the largest commercial real estate transactions in Oklahoma history, selling the Boeing Oklahoma City campus for more than $124.7 million to West Coast investors.

Glenna and Dick light up when they’re in the same room, even for a brief (if hilarious) moment. They clearly delight one another, and like many successful couples, they complement each other.

“We’re opposites in a lot of ways, and we have learned to like what each other likes. Except not football. I’m sorry, I’m

not a sports fan. Not any sports, to be honest with you. But I love the arts. All the arts. So Dick has learned to really love the arts,” she says.

The pair met in Houston, where Glenna had moved after college, and where Dick’s family had moved from Cuba. Their clans were part of a close-knit group of three families. “So the three families had every Jewish holiday together — Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur — and they were always big feasts,” she says. Glenna was part of the young singles contingent, and had met Dick’s brother, but didn’t meet Dick until later. “His brother invited him to a party of a best friend of mine who was leaving Houston. And that’s how we met. He called me the next day and we went out.” And that was that.

He was exotic to her. “I had never met anyone like him! A Cuban! He was fascinating. And he never shut up,” she says, laughing. She credits him with helping her find her voice. “After we were dating a few weeks, he said to me, ‘You know, you hardly ever talk.’” Glenna told him she couldn’t get a word in edgewise, but soon enough she learned to jump in and speak her mind. She’d never been a wallflower, but she’d also never encountered such a force of nature as her future husband.

Her volunteer (and the couple’s philanthropic) career has scaled right along with their business. When they moved back to Oklahoma City 25 years ago, she began volunteering in smaller roles, starting with the Orchestra League. “I got involved with Show House. And that’s how it all got started … I would do our fair share, and we would give our fair share of money. And then Dick, obviously, just kept doing better and better. And we became able to do more and more.”

Today, their gifts are life-changing for the organizations they support, as is the leadership and expertise Tanenbaum brings to the table. She moved into board positions after becoming president of the Orchestra League in 2005. “And that was the beginning of my board works here in Oklahoma City. Other boards started asking me to volunteer because I love governance. People don’t like governance, but I love governance. I love reading bylaws.”

She also loves figuring things out, which has made her invaluable to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, Oklahoma City Jewish Federation, Kramer School of Nursing, IMPACT Oklahoma, Oklahoma Women’s Coalition, Kirkpatrick Foundation and many more. For her dedication and the couple’s largesse, Glenna Tanenbaum has received scads of high honors.

What else? She’s a well-grounded person who doesn’t get too rattled. For her, a good Pilates class will fix just about anything. She’s the first to tell you that she’s the very same person she’s always been — the vast successes of Gardner Tanenbaum haven’t changed her. She’s still a committed champion for the arts and education. She claims to be retired, but a moment or two later mentions that she’s building luxury homes and getting immersed in the philanthropic scene in Cabo San Lucas, where she and Dick now live halftime or more.

In short, she’s the exact sort of person we need more of in OKC. •

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DRAWING ON CHILDHOOD

Illustrator Madelyn Goodnight’s lifelong love of children’s literature

BY MICHAEL KINNEY

As a child growing up in Oklahoma, Madelyn Goodnight loved books. Whether her parents or aunts read them to her or she pored over them herself, Goodnight said the memories of her youth — from the Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy and Herman Parish or the Frog and Toad collection by Arnold Lobel — are filled with children’s books.

“I’ve got so many great books from when I was a kid,” Goodnight says. “That was a core memory. I also loved How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen; that was a favorite. There are so many. A lot of those books when I was younger really impacted me on a subconscious level and an emotional level. I loved reading those books. I just liked the children’s books genre. I still read them even now; I still go to Barnes & Noble and I’ll pick through all of them.”

Despite that warm familiarity, Goodnight could never have imagined the feeling she got almost two decades later when she walked into her neighborhood Barnes & Noble in Oklahoma City and saw Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! — featuring her name on the cover — for the first time.

“It was crazy. It was so exciting. I loved it,” a giddy Goodnight says. “I think I called my mom and my sister and my two best friends and like freaked out in the children’s section of Barnes & Noble. It was so, so cool. It was just a dream come true. I definitely recorded it on my phone, for sure.”

Despite being an avid reader and having aspirations at one time to become a professional author, Goodnight’s career path strayed away from writing — she has become a prolific illustrator, graphic designer and fine artist. She still has a passion for stories that focus on Native American children’s perspectives, but instead of writing them down, she uses her artistic side to bring those stories to life in the form of illustrations.

Goodnight’s first book was The Pear Tree by Luli Gray, published in 2019 by Oklahoma City’s Penny Candy Books. That led to Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson in 2021. She now has six children’s books in publication, with five more on the way — that includes Traci Sorell’s Powwow Day, which was recently selected for the Society of Illustrators

2022 original art show — and is also working on the Netflix children’s series “Spirit Rangers.” But no matter what the project is, she takes the same approach.

“I think as an illustrator, whenever I hear about a new book or someone approaches me with a manuscript, I just think [that] as long as the story speaks to me and has a really great message, and I like the heart in the middle of it, I can almost always just see it playing out in my mind before I even start sketching,” Goodnight says. “I think that that’s one of those in-your-gut type feelings, that whenever I do a book I can just kind of see [it] in my mind before I ever put pencil to paper.”

Goodnight earned a degree in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design, and worked as an illustrator and graphic designer in Brooklyn before moving back to Oklahoma City with her twin sister during the pandemic. However, those job descriptions feel limiting to her ample portfolio of skills.

“I think as I have gotten more into art, I just feel so curious about a bunch of different types of media,” Goodnight says. “Even in my career, I do a lot of different things: I do freelance

illustration, I do logo design, I do children’s books, now I’m doing fine art. So, I do quite a bit all at one time. But I think that just makes it fun, and I love jumping around. I’ve even kind of dabbled in ceramic and rug-making textiles.”

Some of Goodnight’s latest creative output is now on display at the Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur, in an exhibition that will run through Feb. 28, 2023. This is her first solo showing featuring fine arts since she graduated college in 2018. When she was approached about the project last year, officials told her to do whatever she felt, so Goodnight decided to use the opportunity for some self-exploration.

“I’ve got five pieces in the show, and they’re based on my child’s experience,” she says. “I took a lot of inspiration from my Chickasaw heritage. They mainly depict animals that have Chickasaw cultural meaning, they’re all native to Oklahoma. I also tried to do lots of flora in the paintings that are all native to specifically Oklahoma. So it was kind of an ode to my childhood and my cultural heritage, and the type of style and aesthetics that I like to use now.”

Whether it is her fine art, book illustrations or any of her artistic endeavors, Goodnight simply wants people to feel good when they come across her work. Just like the books she read as a child, she wants to leave a lasting impression.

“I think if people can kind of see my work and it reminds them of a happy memory or maybe their childhood,” Goodnight said of her hopes for an audience reaction. “I think I pull a lot from my own childhood. I pull a lot from my own cultural background. So, I think that at any point if people look at my work and feel a sense of nostalgia, or it reminds them of a memory that they really hold close or dear, I think that would mean the world to me.” •

OPPOSITE: Flycatcher experimental pieces

ABOVE: Cowgirl Valentine’s Day card illustration

See featured artist Madelyn Goodnight’s work at the Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma from November 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023

THE BUSINESS OF GIVING BACK

Making philanthropy a part of corporate identity

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

Generosity is on the rise, and here’s the proof. Companies large and small, business owners, industry leaders and friends are finding ways to make the world a better place while earning a living.

DISRUPTING FOR GOOD: OKLAHOMA REALTORS AND ACTIVISTS SARAH BYTYQI AND PETER FULMER

On an unseasonably warm autumn afternoon, over strong coffee and chocolate chip cookies on the wide veranda at Bradford House, Verbode founder Sarah Bytyqi and Parasol Real Estate founder/broker Peter Fulmer are charming their way through a serious conversation about homelessness and sharing their plans to eliminate it in Oklahoma City.

Bytyqi has, for years, advocated, volunteered and fundraised to house, clothe and nourish the unhoused, even raising more than $22,000 in a blockbuster one-woman winter-gear drive a couple of years ago. She serves on the board of Homeless Alliance, and as she puts it, “If we as realtors — so-called housing experts — can’t do this, who can?” Fulmer served as board president for Pivot and is a regular volunteer at City Care Night Shelter, where he recently led an initiative to secure individual bins for each man to store possessions. He decided years ago that you’ve got to solve a person’s homelessness before you can solve any other challenges.

The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors (OKCMAR) just appointed Bytyqi and Fulmer as co-chairs of a newly minted committee, which started as a mere task force, thanks to an offhand question asked by Bytyqi in another professional organization’s meeting: “So how come we don’t have an ongoing effort as it relates to homelessness in this organization or any organization of professional Realtors, like it seems to be critical that this is not a topic of conversation

anywhere ever. What are we doing as a professional membership?” The fellow she said this to, Gary Jones, happens to be the government affairs director at OKCMAR. One thing led to another, a task force turned into a full-fledged sub-committee of the government affairs committee, secured some funding … and here we are.

“We are developing an interior and an exterior educational and awareness campaign focused on the unhoused,” Fulmer says. Bytyqi explains that the task force polled the 6,000+ person membership of OKCMAR and 67 percent of respondents said that the number one issue facing our community is homelessness. “We had 23 people sign up to be on our committee,” she says. “That’s unheard of.” Fulmer and Bytyqi are quick to credit OKCMAR for being forward-thinking and supportive, embracing the sub-committee’s mission and offering staff assistance.

Now the committee is working with Candor, an OKC public relations firm, to develop messaging designed to dispel misconceptions about homelessness and its root causes. For example, 85 percent of all homelessness is created by a catastrophic loss of family. Not laziness, not poor choices. A person earning the federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hour) would have to work 70 hours a week in order to afford an apartment. “That’s where homelessness comes from,” Bytyqi says.

Fulmer sums it all up. “My goal for this thing is to humanize the unhoused. That’s my first goal. And the other thing I want to achieve is to try to increase proximity between our general membership and the unhoused, because I believe that proximity is the key to everything that ails us. Being around people that you don’t understand creates understanding, and understanding is the key to acceptance and helping people.”

THE OG: KENDRA SCOTT

In Oklahoma, Kendra Scott has contributed more than $567,000 to organizations, charities, causes and individuals since 2017 through its multi-faceted philanthropic strategy. In fact, Kendra Scott’s personal and corporate philanthropy philosophy has been integral to her mission since her namesake company was founded.

“Philanthropy is part of our DNA, and since day one, Kendra Scott the brand has been guided by our core values of family, fashion and philanthropy. As a company made up of 96 percent females, we are passionate about supporting organizations that serve women and youth across the nation. Our philanthropy and regional marketing teams work year-round to build relationships with local, national and international philanthropic organizations, and I am immensely proud to see the impact our Oklahoma team has been able to make,” Scott says.

Alexandra Urice, the company’s regional marketing and philanthropic manager, explains that there are virtually no limits to the company’s largesse, much of which is very much locally driven. “Essentially, we invite nonprofits or local community groups into our store where they can host a Kendra Gives Back event. It can be really whatever our staff employees, our customers find important to them. And 20 percent of the proceeds will directly go back to the organization,” she says.

Other components of the Kendra Scott philanthropy strategy include its Shop For Good Collection benefiting nonprofits including Girls, Inc., Folds of Honor, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and others; the Color Bar, which travels to pediatric hospitals and hosts complimentary custom jewelry events to patients and caregivers; and the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, which empowers hundreds of female founders and entrepreneurs each year.

Kendra Scott the company does try to stick to its official corporate giving priority areas — health and wellness, education and empowerment and entrepreneurship — but, as Urice says, “Kendra Scott, as a whole, really empowers our employees to feel empowered to really reach out and connect with the community.”

To get a sense of the sheer scale of Kendra Scott’s Kendra Gives Back program, Urice pulled a partial list of participating Oklahoma organizations, and it’s a whopping nine pages long. This is a company that walks its talk. What we’ve shared here is just the tip of the iceberg. Way to sparkle, Kendra Scott!

THE LOCAL NEWCOMER: PGATO — SPORTSWEAR FOR A CAUSE

Dr. Castel Santana’s grandmother, Martha Alaniz, was a cool, feisty, well-traveled, adventurous, compassionate lady. She performed on a soap opera, attended bullfights and was unrelentingly generous to those in need. Her passion was feeding the hungry. Alaniz, to the amusement of her grandson, also actively disliked cats, especially when they were in her yard — often yelling obscenities at them. “She would often be heard around her house yelling ‘Aye P#!che Gato!’ one of her favorite phrases, that made me laugh since I was a young kid,” Santana says. (The P-word, which will not appear here in its entirety, packs about the same punch as the F-bomb.) “But then late, when nobody was watching, she would feed the cats, too,” Santana says.

Upon her death in January 2022, Santana knew he had to do something to celebrate her memory, and the clothing line PGato was born. Santana, whose thriving medical practice would be enough to keep most folks busy, decided to launch a line of golf-inspired clothing. A capsule collection right now, executed primarily in classic black and white, the brand will launch seasonal collections, limited edition wearables and even NFTs.

PGato operates under a business model similar to Toms shoes, which is to say that giving back is baked into the company’s DNA. “I love golf. I wear golf shirts and golf wear all the time. And … golf is a great way to raise money … We’re giving back 10 percent of all proceeds to the community. That’s going to be feeding the homeless, clothing the homeless, working on housing, those sorts of things.” •

Learn more about the remarkable efforts of this thoughtful company at www.kendrascott.com/philanthropy

Learn more about Dr. Santana and PGato at www.pgato.com

Purpose. Passion. Progress.

THE OLIVER HOME

AN ODE TO BEAUTY

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

When Jennifer Oliver first set foot in the house she and her husband David now call their forever home, they’d already bought it. The couple was in the process of selling their glorious home on Guilford Lane but hadn’t yet found a home to move into.

“We were out in California when we sold the house on Guilford, and we didn’t know where we were going to go. Nothing was for sale,” she explains. Family friend Bill Shdeed was with the pair in California, and he’d heard about a home that was available but would never be listed publicly. “I was like, I’m fine to sell our house but I don’t know where we’re going to go. And Bill said, ‘Well, I’ll tell you where you’re going to go.’ So we sent my mother over here, and she did a video walkthrough. Then David got on a plane and came back and bought it. I never saw the house in person.”

Oliver laughs as she tells this story, walking through the home she has almost completely transformed. A battalion of carpenters and craftspeople followed her vision, and the result is beautiful, personal, warm and eclectic.

This home is filled with treasures from Oliver’s mother’s attic and her own storage unit. She has curated this home with heirlooms like a sweet, pink marble-topped console gifted to her by her father, and her china collections, and treasured vintage lamp shades. And the Versace rug she bought years ago, her very favorite, which was a perfect fit for the spot in front of the custom breakfront between the kitchen and dining room. She added new Schumacher and Pierre Frey wall coverings and chandeliers: Murano glass, seashell and crystal, often in multiples to suit the scale of the home. “I’m not really a ‘less is more’ kind of girl,” she says, beaming.

It’s a space that matches the energy David and Jennifer bring into the world: joyful, a tad eccentric and undeniably welcoming. A perfect forever home.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH STRUNK

When Jennifer Oliver set about transforming the home, including the custom-blue library, she had two challenges: First, the home’s colorway was dark and very traditional, with layers of finishes on surfaces that required care to remove, and second, she wanted to be sure her husband David could see the colors. He’s red-green color blind, and ultimately assured Jennifer that she couldn’t design the home around his visual challenge. Instead, he requested that he be able to “see” his dressing room and bath, and gave her carte blanche on the rest of the home.

Walking through the home is fun — it’s joyful and sophisticated, thanks in part to the expert design work of Elaine Price and Mindy Brown from ME Home and the construction work of Jay Diamond and Joe Neilson from Rosewood Building Company.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH STRUNK

In the grand dining room, which feels like a genteel European salon, two Christmas trees created by Norwalk’s Ryan Johnson flank the entry. Overhead, the gorgeous cloudscape mural, original to the home, adds elegant whimsy. The massive chandeliers had initially been placed slightly off-center, requiring cutting into the mural and then painstakingly restoring the affected areas. It took an artist’s deft hand to accomplish, and is breathtaking to behold.

Jennifer says her biggest challenge in this room was “not to make it look like Neiman Marcus,” while still displaying her collection of Gallé, Lalique and other treasures — perhaps the most special of which is a Chihuly-esque piece David and Jennifer bought in South Dakota on their first-ever camping trip last summer.

LEFT:

Seashell and crystal chandeliers in the sun room plus more magnificent Schumacher wall covering. Jennifer had originally thought she’d create a traditional solarium with black-and-white tile but realized it wouldn’t work with the room’s dimensions. Her next thought was a paneled de Gournay wall covering, but there really wasn’t enough wall space to do the pattern justice. She landed on what she laughingly calls her “Golden Girls room,” her tribute to Blanche. And an elegant tribute it is.

BELOW:

The Versace rug is the last pattern the designer created before his shocking 1997 assassination in Miami. A friend had acquired a number of Versace pieces, and Jennifer bought this one, perhaps knowing without knowing that one day she would create the perfect spot for it. The marble counter top was moved from the kitchen when Jennifer realized just how much purple it had in its veins, a perfect foil for the Versace and an excellent reason to finish the cabinetry in an exuberant lilac.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH STRUNK

PHOTOGRAPH BY JUSTIN MIERS

PHOTOGRAPH BY JUSTIN MIERS

ABOVE:

This wallpaper, from ME Home, is the inspiration for the home’s entire color palette. “Mindy brought me this wallpaper. I fell in love with this wallpaper. I literally carried it around in my purse from March until I got installed in October. David was like, ‘I think we need to have an intervention.’” But Jennifer’s love was unwavering. At last, the Pierre Frey paper arrived, but in the wrong colorway — hunter green and red. It was bundled back up, shipped away and when the right colorway arrived, a sample was sent to the Murano Glass Company in Venice, which created the custom chandelier to match.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH STRUNK

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH STRUNK

BY SARAH STRUNK

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art Museum Store offers a wide range of products to fit your needs. From Chihuly Studio Glass and Fine Art, Jonathan Adler furniture to paintings by local artists and everyday household items, the OKCMOA Museum Store provides a onestop shop this Holiday Season.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO SHOP ONLINE TODAY!

EXCLUSIVELY FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS

Did you know that Museum Members receive an in-store and online 10% discount? Drop by the only store in Oklahoma that carries Chihuly Studio and Fine Art. We apply your discount to every item in the store, including all Chihuly merchandise – an offer exclusive to the OKCMOA Store.

RED DAY RUN

Keller Williams’ philanthropic race for the community

BY MICHAEL KINNEY

Brad Reeser had a simple idea: The president of Keller Williams Realty Central Oklahoma was looking to honor Mo Anderson, a valuable member of the KW family. However, what Reeser wasn’t sure of was what to do. His original idea was to raffle off a car and donate the money to a needy charity.

“I thought we could end it pretty quick and [it] wouldn’t take a lot of work,” Reeser says with a chuckle. But we had some agents that said, ‘We want to do something else.’”

Luckily for thousands of people across Edmond and the surrounding area, Reeser decided to listened to his agents. His simple idea morphed into the annual Red Day Run, one of the biggest philanthropic events in Edmond, and one that benefits a spectrum of local charities.

“I could never have imagined this,” says Reeser. “This is pretty amazing that we would be here.”

The idea of turning Anderson’s birthday into a day of giving sprouted from Keller Williams’ annual RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) Day, in which agents, leaders and associates from across the globe use the second Thursday in May to serve in a wide range of volunteer efforts, working with community and nonprofit partners to improve their cities and neighborhoods. This company-wide tradition began in 2009. But Reeser’s office personnel wanted to do something different; they wanted to create something all their own.

“We started as the Keller Williams Central Oklahoma’s version of Red Day, which is an international day of giving back that Keller Williams International does,” says Chase Reeser, who is an agent at his father’s office. “And that’s what we used to do until 2014. Then we decided we needed a way to really up our impact on the community and give a bunch of money. So we started a 5k.”

This year, the 5k run was held Oct. 1 in downtown Edmond, and set a new record for participants with 1,846 runners. That was almost 350 more than the previous year, which came as a surprise to organizers.

“We kind of got started really late in the game. I think we announced and got rolling in May,” says Chase Reeser. “All the expectations were it was going to be a much smaller year; that we were not going to give out as much money as we did last year. We were surprised. We were happily surprised.”

In the eight years that the Red Day Run has been around, it has raised more than $1.12 million. That includes $225,00 that was collected this year.

“Is there one other business that has given a million dollars to charity over the last eight years?” Anderson asked at the annual Red Day Run Breakfast. “I think you will find there is none, except one. Brad, I want to tell you again how much it means to me that you were willing to get this started in your market center.”

Getting the Red Day Run to that milestone was a goal for Kim Baker when she took over as race director this year.

“I think most importantly, I wanted to be able to reach the million dollar mark,” says Baker. “I wanted to be able to raise enough money to be able to say we’d given away a million dollars, because there’s no other organization in Edmond that’s giving away a million dollars in eight years. So, I wanted to make sure that we could have the race and have it be successful.”

According to Baker, 90 percent of the proceeds go directly to eight main charities, but they split it up on a tier system. When runners register, they have the chance to vote for the charity they’re most moved by. The votes are counted and the money raised is distributed on a pro-rated basis, with the top votegetter getting the largest share.

This year’s leading vote-getter was Wings: A Special Needs Community. The organization specializes in helping adults with special needs. Its share of the donations came to $56,200.

Right behind Wings was the Edmond Public Schools Foundation, which collected $45,000. According to CEO Deana Boston, the collaboration with the Red Day Run has been crucial to its goal to improve the lives of students in Edmond Public Schools.

“It’s huge for us,” Boston says. “Collaboration with the community is one of our big focuses as a foundation. But specifically, what we’re doing is raising money to support students in the school. We have three focus areas [in] mental health and student support. Our goal is $1.25 million just for that over five years. It’s all about partnerships for us, and leveraging the money that the Red Day Run provides us to turn that into a 5 to 1 to support our schools.”

The other six charities receiving a portion of the proceeds are the Halo Project, Edmond Mobile Meals, Peppers Ranch, Project 66 Food Pantry, Folds of Honor and OKC Dream Center. Since the charities are locally based, it gives the entire event a more personal feel for those involved.

“I think it just shows the huge commitment that people in Edmond have for each other, for their own community, for their neighborhoods,” Chase Reeser says. “It’s one of the things that I think is really cool — because the first couple years, we actually gave away the [proceeds] to big national franchises. And while yes, that was super impactful, we didn’t

feel like the community aspect was really there. And these are people whom we see at the grocery store.”

While 90 percent of the money raised went to the main group, the remaining 10 percent is spread out among Tithe Charities. Groups such as the Edmond Fine Arts Institute, Angel Foster, Project 31, Filling Tummies and North Care received $2,000 checks.

“Edmond is known to be a fairly wealthy community in the Oklahoma City metro area. And so sometimes need is often unseen,” Baker says. “But the reality is there is a huge need in our community. There’s a need for food, there’s a need for housing, there are mental health services needed and seniors who are stuck in their homes. So the charities that we have gotten to participate with us, we’re trying to make sure that we have enough charities that are touching sort of all the different needs in the community and serving them.”

Even though organizers reached a new milestone this year, they are not ready to slow down. When 76-year-old Anderson spoke at the Red Day Run Breakfast, she challenged everyone involved to keep growing the event. Her dream is to one day see it reach the point where they are giving away $1 million a year to charities.

“There’s nothing better than giving money away,” Baker said. “I truly believe it’s better to give than it is to receive. And there is nothing better than being able to give these charities money and let them take it and put it to good use, serving the very real needs in our community.” •

CHERRYWOOD got its name from a street. A street that when turned down the warmth of coming home overwhelmed me. When I opened the doors to Cherrywood two years ago, I wanted to help others find that feeling. With over 30 agents across 2 offices, a property management and renovation team we can truly do it all to make your home dreams come true this holiday.

LUXURY LIVING AT

ABOUT THE PROMENADE

Discover the newly redeveloped Gaillardia Promenade, impeccably designed with community in mind. Enter through the gates of Gaillardia and enjoy the lush landscaping and lake near the main entrance. Gaillardia Promenade is familyfriendly, with surrounding green spaces and sidewalks throughout. Do not miss this final opportunity to build your dream home within the gates of Gaillardia.

SOLD $1,295,000 UNIT 6449 | ONE-STORY FLAT | 3,100 SQ FT  3 BED | 2.5 BATH | 2 LIVING | 2 DINING | PRIVATE CITY VIEW BALCONY SOLD $1,050,000 UNIT 6409 | TWO-STORY TOWNHOUSE | 2 BED | 3 BATH STUDY | 2,684 SQ FT | PRIVATE PATIO SOLD $1,195,000 UNIT 6437 | ONE STORY FLAT | 2 BED | 3 BATH STUDY | 2759 SQFT | PRIVATE BALCONY SOLD $1,250,000 UNIT 6415 | ONE STORY FLAT | 2 BED | 3 BATH | 2759 SQFT STUDY | PRIVATE CITY VIEW BALCONY SOLD UNIT 6417 | ONE-STORY FLAT | 2,759 SQ FT | 2 BED | 3 BATH | STUDY

DOWNTOWN SKYLINE VIEWS SOLD UNIT 6419 | ONE-STORY PENTHOUSE | 4,400 SQ FT | 2 BED | 3.5 BATH | STUDY

PRIVATE CITY VIEW BALCONIES SOLD UNIT 6421 | ONE-STORY FLAT | 2,355 SQ FT | 2 BED | 2 BATH | 2 PATIOS

SOLD UNIT 6425 | ONE-STORY FLAT | 2,355 SQ FT | 2 BED | 2 BATH | OUTDOOR KITCHEN SOLD UNIT 6453 | ONE-STORY PENTHOUSE | 4,568 SQ FT | 3 BED | 3.5 BATH

Graceful iron gates invite you into a tree lined median which runs the length of one of Oklahoma City’s finest gated communities, Elmhurst Court. Each home is individually designed toward your vision with the utmost quality and highest standard of living in mind. Superior finishes throughout each residence and generous outdoor spaces will ensure the comfort and lifestyle which you have imagined as the home of your dreams.

As a longtime resident of Oklahoma City, David Oliver has an exceptional understanding of the Oklahoma City real estate market dynamics and its diverse communities. His success is attributed to his dedication to go above and beyond for his clients, always striving to exceed their expectations. David is a savvy marketer with a keen understanding of what it takes to position a property locally, and paired with an award-winning residential brokerage, the exposure he offers is unparalleled.

Who says life inside the box is boring?

Bold contemporary design meets western style and comfort in this one-of-a-kind residence along the 5th Fairway of Oak Tree’s West Course. The imposing nature of the front exterior is softened by the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows lining the back of this home, boasting 3 beds, 3 1/2 bathrooms, a sharp study, splendid storage, and an unbeatable location.

Welcome to Forest Creek

With over 20 years of customer service experience and a M.Ed in Adult Education Training, one will quickly learn that Lacretia is a jack of all trades. Her leadership roles throughout her life have prepared her to handle any situation while remaining in tune with others’ needs. Leading with excellence and serving others is what drives her. Lacretia perpetually aims to educate, empower, and encourage people to be the best version of themselves and she finds joy in doing so as a real estate advisor for Engel & Völkers.

Only 10 minutes south of historic Norman, you’ll find a New Urbanism Community unlike any of its kind in Oklahoma.

Selah offers 540 acres of front porch living, fresh air, food, and a focus on reconnecting family and community with nature.

When winter hits, it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! During the chilly months, we have modified our patio behind Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen to allow for 9 beautiful igloos, each equipped with seating for up to 8 guests, a fireplace for some extra coziness, food and beverage packages, and enough holiday cheer to create memories that will last forever! As always, we also have 4 firepit seating areas for up to 12 people available to reserve. With multiple packages to choose from, there’s something for every family! Reservations can be made at www.PryorsPizzaKitchen.com

Mollie Gatto, Director of Sales 405.426.0895 | mollie @ swhok.com

The Selah Realty team is the exclusive, go-to-source for all things Selah. Call for a personalized tour.

www.SelahOK.com

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There’s no place like Home for the

Thank you to the wonderful people I’ve worked with this year —clients, colleagues and industry professionals.

You’re the best part of what I do. Happy Holidays from our home to yours!

BRIGHT Merry+

Happy Holidays from

Your favorite home is letting down its guard. For the first time ever, experience the stunning visuals offered by this transitional masterpiece. It’s everything you dreamed it would be.

405-312-7161

TSOOPTICAL.COM | 405-341-6941 | 3840 S BLVD. EDMOND, OK 73013