44 minute read
DESIGN
from October 2022
by 405 Magazine
Hands-On Design
Inside the family home of DIY enthusiast Kiley Gauthier
BY EVIE KLOPP HOLZER PHOTOS BY BETH JANSEN & CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER
Custom artwork by Denise Duong stands out against the purple Designers Guild wallpaper from Ketch Design.
KILEY GAUTHIER CAN’T
resist a good home improvement project. It’s a temptation deeply rooted in her childhood, dating back to age 10, when her grandfather started bringing her along to renovate rental properties.
“I still remember working in hot houses with no air conditioning; pulling up carpet, tacks and nails so he could refinish the hardwood floors,” she said. “We would be pulling up linoleum and mowing yards that hadn’t been mowed in weeks. He always found some way for you to work hard and earn money.”
What began as a way for Gauthier to get some money also gave her invaluable hands-on, do-it-yourself experiences. Today, when inspiration strikes, she’ll take on any task, large or small, to make her surroundings more useable and beautiful.
“Over Memorial Day weekend, while other people were having fun at the lake, I was on a 20-foot ladder, staining a pergola, and painting and putting together this giant daybed porch swing,” Gauthier said. “I am always doing something. It’s just my nature.”
After fully renovating their three previous homes, Kiley and Stephen Gauthier began building their dream home in Nichols Hills in January 2020. The Gauthiers decided to build after living in homes that didn’t have the best layout for their family. They didn’t need a great room or large formal living room; rather, they yearned for cozy spaces — a banquette just off the kitchen, and a built-in nook nestled underneath a large window upstairs (now two favorite areas in the home). The house was move-in ready a little more than one year later, in February 2021 … but with Kiley Gauthier leading designs, the place may never be fully finished.
TOP LEFT: The banquette just off the kitchen features a Mr. Brown London Atlantis Oval Dining Table and Maya Rattan Dome Chandelier, both from Urbane Home and Lifestyle. TOP RIGHT: A playful peacock pattern by Rifle Paper Co. lines the downstairs bath. ABOVE: The Moroso sofa and chairs add soft textures to the living room.
This stunning kitchen is one of six featured on the Oct. 23 Kitchen Tour around Nichols Hills.
“I think Stephen thought I would stop with all of the projects if we built something from the ground up, but that didn’t really happen,” she said, adding that her husband jokes about her obsession with HGTV, design magazines and Pinterest.
Most recently, she has had the master bedroom draped with fabric samples while she considers reupholstery options. Leaning heavily on design advice from her creative friend Beth Jansen, Gauthier has filled her home with inviting rooms that blend modern and cottage designs.
The Gauthiers also knew they didn’t want an expansive backyard when planning their new home.
“We wanted something more energy-efficient, with an acceptable square footage plan,” she said, “and we wanted a really awesome outdoor living space that we could use 75 percent of the year.”
This goal was achieved by incorporating a gas fireplace, infared heaters and a drop-down screen into the outdoor
Kiley Gauthier wanted to create cozy spaces throughout her home, like this reading nook upstairs.
Emma Gauthier’s bedroom is punctuated by pinks and artwork by Ryan Cunningham.
living room design. The room is walled on three sides with the automatic screen on the fourth wall, providing protection from the outdoor elements.
A small pool, surrounded by turf and pavers, provides a beautiful view yearround, along with Gauthier’s intentional planting of evergreens. The raised planter beds and charming greenhouse remind Gauthier of her upbringing, which instilled a love of gardening in addition to home design.
“My grandfather had a farm and an acreage. I would work in his gardens and pick tomatoes,” she said.
The Gauthier family will open their backyard and home on Oct. 23 for the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance Kitchen Tour, an annual fundraiser in the Nichols Hills area; see ocmsalliance.org for details. In preparation for the tour, Gauthier has several projects in mind — but nothing she can’t tackle herself.
In plain clothes, the 2022 HER honorees could easily blend into a crowd. You might see them in a grocery checkout line or walking down a city sidewalk or shopping inside your favorite boutique without noticing anything unusual about them. However, put them in a ballgown and ask them a few personal questions and you’ll soon see that these everyday women are anything but ordinary. They are transforming lives. They are shaping our community. They are breaking down barriers and inspiring others to follow. With the HER award, we honor six local leaders, encouraging their work and thanking them for boldly standing out. Read their stories, and we think you’ll agree: These extraordinary women make living in the 405 even better.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Dr. Mautra Staley Jones
SHE’S HAVING A MOMENT,
exuding excellence and gaining national attention for our state — and she’s doing it all her way. The last few years have been a whirlwind for Dr. Mautra Stanley Jones. Earlier this year she was appointed president of Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), making her the first woman and first woman of color to lead the institution. She joins just 5% of women of color at the helm of higher education institutions in the U.S.
This comes fresh off the heels of being named the 86th National Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. Jones has three school-aged children: two sons and a daughter.
This lifelong education advocate and civic leader proudly boasts that she is “Sooner born and Sooner bred,” and will continue to elevate Oklahoma along her life’s journey.
Under her leadership as president, OCCC has forgiven nearly $4 million in student debt for its Fresh Start Initiative (which impacts more than 4,500 OCCC students) and awarded $1.8 million to help first-generation college students, and was named one of MovieMaker’s 40 Best Film Schools of 2022 — the only Oklahoma school to make the list.
When discussing her life and recent accolades, Jones credits education and a giving mindset, something she learned from her “We are building resources, removing barriers and making educational opportunities accessible. We get to serve people from all journeys and all walks of life.”
grandmother while growing up in Ardmore. “She taught me so many principles [and] values and morals and set the stage for what my life’s work would be — because despite the things I went through as a child, not really understanding why some of the challenges existed, she always taught me hold my head up high and be someone full of pride and joy and confidence and optimism,” said Jones, “and how to work hard and dream big dreams. Everyone is the same and I shouldn’t be intimidated or scared. I saw her give service to our community; I remember us always being in some sort of a space where we are giving of ourselves.” She believes she is “just walking in my purpose. In my current role at OCCC, it really feels like it has come full circle.” Jones started her job as president on March 1 — her late mother’s birthday. “It was really a way to honor her legacy and the dreams deferred and the things she didn’t get to accomplish. A lot of the students that I serve, their backgrounds and experiences mirror mine. I’m able to give of myself and my talents and everything that I have worked hard for, and fully invest in the students that we serve at OCCC. We are building resources, removing barriers and making educational opportunities accessible. We get to serve people from all journeys and all walks of life.”
This year she will be one of 11 named into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame. “Education has been the great equalizer. It has opened so many doors and opportunities for me, and I don’t take it for granted,” said Jones, and her life’s work backs up that belief as she passes the gift on to as many others as possible.
INDUSTRY LEADER
Cathy O’Connor
SHE’S THE KIND OF PERSON
you want on your team. Whether it’s raising and competing champion Arabian horses alongside her daughter, preserving historic buildings or shaping the future of a great American city — Cathy O’Connor is going to win.
With or without knowing it, most OKC residents reap the benefits of O’Connor’s life’s work on a daily basis. For the past four decades, she has been front and center in leading the charge to transform the 405. From 10 years as assistant city manager to 10 years as president of The Alliance for Economic Development, she has had one mission. “My biggest motivation is trying to make Oklahoma City the best place it can be for the people who live here and want to come visit,” O’Connor said.
In a public post praising her, Mayor David Holt said, “Economic achievements like the lowest unemployment in city history are the product of a unified effort that includes some of the most talented people any American city has ever seen. And across multiple decades, Cathy O’Connor has been THE MVP of OKC economic development.”
Just a few of the notable projects O’Connor has had a hand in include the Convention Center and Omni Hotel, Boeing facility, renovation of the Skirvin Hilton, 21c Museum Hotel and West Village and the Innovation and Boathouse “My biggest motivation is trying to make Oklahoma City the best place it can be for the people who live here and want to come visit."
Districts. “The projects that I have worked on are really important for quality of life. They make Oklahoma City a more interesting place; a place that people want to come visit, which helps our local economy — and they create good jobs for people,” said O’Connor. But the one she’s most proud of? Ending the food desert in northeast Oklahoma City, a process she began working on in 1998 and refused to abandon. “It took a lot of effort, perseverance, teamwork and things coming together at the same time to get that deal done.” What was once a vision is now the bustling and vibrant Homeland grocery store at NE 36th and Lincoln.
Upon the triumphant completion of several of her largest projects, O’Connor was considering going into business with a private firm when COVID-19 hit, and an opportunity arose to help small businesses survive. O’Connor and her team created an emergency response small business assistance program in less than a month after the start of the pandemic and successfully distributed nearly $60 million to OKC businesses. “It took somebody like me to make sure it was going to happen, so I’m glad I stayed.”
Recently O’Connor finally did move on to the next phase of her remarkable career. She founded COalign Group, a company that will help cities develop or redevelop economic development strategies and policies. O’Connor explained, “I have been able to complete some projects that I had a lifelong desire to finish. And when I had finished them, I decided it was time to give somebody else a chance to lead economic development in Oklahoma City and see what they would like to do with it.”
Because that is what champions like Cathy O’Connor do. They barrel through glass ceilings and empower others to do the same.
COMMUNITY VISIONARY
Alisa Trang Green
HER LIFE IS A STORY SO INSPIRING
it feels fresh out of the pages of a novel. A tale of grit and caring with a happy ending in progress — and Alisa Trang Green as its heroine.
Born in a Vietnamese refugee camp, Green was one of five siblings. Her family moved to Oklahoma City, where they raised her. “I went to public school here, college here (UCO), married someone from here, my kids (two daughters) now go to school here,” Green said “So I’m an Oklahoman.” Despite hard work and multiple jobs, her parents and family often depended upon nonprofit organizations and programs to help them get by.
When deciding on a career, Green ultimately knew she wanted to learn from and
help others. “Why make other people rich when you could be enriching other people, you know?” she said casually. Green is quick-witted and approachable; seamlessly accompanying her beauty and poise is an unexpectedly goofy side.
In 2013, Green founded Dress for Success. “It came about because I did research into what the community was lacking,” she said. At the time of its founding, Oklahoma was the number one incarcerator of women in the entire world. “What kind of programs do we have here to help with reintegration?” she wondered.
Services provided by OKC Dress for Success include upscale outfits for job interviews, as well as professional and personal training programs that teach job skills, healthy relationships and balancing home life and work life. Green’s favorite services the organization provides are its retention programs, which allow her to connect with the women and follow their journey.
A tragedy in June 2020 could have been the end of OKC’s chapter of Dress for Success. In the middle of the night after the Black Lives Matter march had concluded in downtown OKC, the building and all its contents were lost in a fire.
“My first instinct was: This is a time we can take a stand,” Green remembered through tears. “Because I know that people are going to try and divide us right now. And that is completely opposite of what we stand for. We built this organization on unity and we needed the community to get to where we are. We lost everything. We literally had to start completely over. I wasn’t mad; I think I was sad. I knew people were hurting. But I knew the community was going to rally around us. When I tell you I love Oklahoma City so much, it’s because they understood the assignment.”
With the help of volunteers including Taber Homes, and thousands who donated and shared the story, Dress for Success was able to completely rebuild in five months with a brand-new location in downtown. “We came back bigger and better,” Green recalled. “We had to practice what we preach. How can we tell the women that they can start over if we’re not going to be able to start over?”
Along with her accomplishments at Dress for Success, Green serves as president of the Dragonfly Home board and sits on the City Rescue Mission board. While she flourishes as a prominent member of the philanthropic community in OKC, she remembers her family’s roots. “Without nonprofits and churches and people helping them, they wouldn’t have been able to raise five kids and put them through college,” she said. It is a full-circle narrative that brings out the best in our country and city and is represented in one woman’s beautiful life.
HUMANITARIAN
Jayra Camarena
TO FEEL HEARD, VALUED AND
loved — these are just three of the many ways Latina women are being embraced at La Luz. Jayra Camarena founded the nonprofit in 2018 to light a path forward for Latina victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The child of an immigrant who grew up with a tumultuous home life, Camarena approaches each woman’s situation with deep compassion and understanding.
“I grew up in a domestic violence home, and for a long time I didn’t quite understand why I had some challenges growing up,” Camarena said. “It’s been a journey; [the healing] is still happening now.”
Camarena was able to identify and address her own trauma while volunteering at a domestic violence agency in California, her home state. After moving to Oklahoma in 2013, she became more engaged with victims as a domestic violence advocate. Then, a few years later, she felt an even greater calling.
“In 2015, I became a Christian and also turned 30. I started questioning, ‘Who am I? How do I live life? What is my purpose?’ I felt God was telling me to start the nonprofit. I honestly did feel that in my heart. It wouldn’t go away, but I didn’t feel like I was enough to start it,” she said.
It was at that time Camarena realized her own need to feel heard, loved and valued. In order to love others, she had to first learn how to love herself. "I started questioning, ‘Who am I? How do I live life? What is my purpose?’ I felt God was telling me to start the nonprofit. I honestly did feel that in my heart. It wouldn’t go away."
“The voice of my father telling me I was nothing would come to me,” Camarena said, fighting back tears. “I needed healing from the damage he had caused. Understanding that God is my father and having a father who left me was the hardest journey through this … After a year, the sensation that I needed to do this hadn’t gone away, so I had to act in faith. I just prayed, ‘Lord, this is what you want. Make it happen.’ Every step along the way, this has been my prayer.”
Every step, Camarena said, God has guided her way. Today La Luz is the only culturally specific, faith-based service provider in the state working exclusively with domestic violence and sexual assault victims. The nonprofit focuses on crisis intervention, court support, advocacy and support groups. In addition, La Luz addresses cultural issues — such as fear of deportation, mistrust of police, language barriers and pervading attitudes of machismo — that can complicate situations. That cultural connection makes La Luz a valuable resource for the Latino community statewide.
“In rural areas, victims are calling us, even though there is a service provider in their area,” Camarena said, adding that she often connects victims to local Spanish-speaking resources. “If it’s hard for us, and we speak the language, it’s 100 times harder for someone who doesn’t speak the language or understand the court process; it’s fearful.”
As Camarena and her small staff help others navigate life’s most challenging times, they do so with love. To feel heard, valued and loved — this is what Camarena strives to give women every day. This is where La Luz shines.
RISING STAR
Emma Butler
EMMA BUTLER VIVIDLY RECALLS
the photo that changed her life. It was of a young girl with cornrows. Her braids, once tight against her scalp, had grown out to create a thick layer of unkempt hair underneath. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer assigned to help this child, Butler began asking questions.
“I asked, ‘Where are we sending her to get her hair done?’ Someone responded, ‘Probably just a DHS worker who is Black,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, please tell me that’s not true,’” said Butler, who also works as a problem-solving paralegal. “It didn’t seem fair to me that Black DHS case workers were being charged with this. They’re already overworked and underpaid, and many were paying out of pocket. I started emailing around and found out there were no products, no tools, no solutions for these families.”
Butler saw that photo in January 2018. At the same time, as if by fate, Butler met DHS worker Christy Horn, who confirmed the lack of hair-related resources, especially in rural communities.
“Christy had been working with foster parents who didn't know what to do. They were scared to ask people, afraid they would be canceled or ridiculed,” Butler said. “They had the means, they just didn’t know who to ask. So, on top of the stylists, products and tools, there was a need for judgment-free education — a safe space for parents to engage in this type of conversation.”
With equal drive to quickly provide a solution, the two women launched the Hair Initiative just two months later. They held workshops with stylists, barbers and braiders. They developed educational materials and collected must-have items for giveaway bags. They engaged legal advisers and asked Angels Foster Family Network to guide their way. Before 2018 was over, they had traveled 1,500 miles, crisscrossing the state to educate caregivers on proper cleaning and grooming practices.
“At the base level, it’s about hygiene. At the human level, it’s about dignity,” said Butler. “You should be able to run a brush through your hair. You should have a shampoo that works for you.”
Through the years since its founding, the Hair Initiative has helped more than foster families. To date, it has served populations within Palomar Family Justice Center, Hope for the Future, OU Children’s Hospital and the Boys and Girls Club, among others.
“It’s really great how community members come to us and say, ‘Hey, this is our problem with hair.’ We are just taking the same tools and redistributing them in “I think when you look in the mirror and you like what you see, you act differently and you carry yourself differently — and that changes how you interact with the world.”
a way that’s meaningful to the people we are dealing with,” Butler said, adding that everyone, everywhere, deserves the dignity of a good hair day.
“Society puts so much pressure on how we look. It’s unfair that some people have access to hair hygiene items for themselves while others don’t,” she said. “I think when you look in the mirror and you like what you see, you act differently and you carry yourself differently — and that changes how you interact with the world.”
MEDICAL HERO
Dr. Elaine Hamm
DR. ELAINE HAMM IS INSPIRED
by the people who stare at her every day, “whether they know they are there or not,” she said. Select photos of family and friends surround her home office computer — each with their own story about a devastating diagnosis, each connected to a therapeutic drug Hamm is currently pushing forward in hopes of a cure.
With a Ph.D. in microbiology and previous work experience with universities, startups and pharma companies, Hamm excels at the intersection of science and business. In 2018, she founded Ascend Bioventures, a pharmaceutical accelerator company.
“I have pictures of a friend who has MS; my own father who died of Alzheimer’s; and a colleague of mine whose child can't hear,” Hamm said. “Because there is so much failure and it is an industry driven by profit, you have to find your reason ‘why’ and keep that at the forefront. I need to work on things that I truly, deeply care about and can put a face to.”
Hamm has reviewed more than 400 diagnostics and therapeutics, and she says she is most drawn to developing the “big game-changers.” One project, currently on the cusp of human trials, could solve hearing loss by regrowing inner hair cells inside the cochlea. Another project is a revolutionary gene therapy for Alzheimer’s. In addition, she’s working on a better drug for multiple sclerosis, one that addresses the condition instead of just masking the symptoms.
“With Ascend, we are trying to find really interesting new drugs that have great potential and to find a home for them,” she said. “In the end, I’m just a nerd who likes solving problems. I have a new problem coming across my desk every day and I’m just like ‘All right, let’s dig in. Let’s do this.’”
Alongside her everyday work (and ongoing hobby of fostering dogs), Hamm enjoys speaking to students and mentoring rising entrepreneurial stars. She is especially passionate about encouraging more diversity and inclusion in science.
“It's a male-dominated industry — I'm not going to pretend that it isn't — but I want little girls to see me and think, ‘Yep, I could do that too,’” she said.
Hamm considers herself a realist, so being an example of a woman succeeding in science is important to her. Equally important is mitigating her expectations with each new project. While Hamm hopes for the best possible outcomes for all of the drugs she develops, she’s also continually bracing for curveballs.
“With drug development, the stage I focus on, only 10% go on to become a new drug. So there are a lot of failures,” Hamm said. “I don’t sit [comfortably] in the successes because I’m always looking forward to the next obstacle. We’ve helped a lot of guinea pigs hear, but getting from here [this stage] to humans is a substantial mountain to climb.”
As Hamm makes that ascent, she glances at the faces taped along her computer screen. Silently and perhaps unknowingly, they cheer her on. Whatever the challenges, they are worth it. Whatever the failures, Hamm will keep going.
A Breast Cancer Q&A
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BRCA GENE
BY LAVINIA CRESWA
CTOR AND DIRECTOR Angelina Jolie bravely announced in 2013 that she had undergone a double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene, a mutation that can indicate a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Since then, countless other women have followed in her footsteps and proceeded with preventative surgeries. But how do you know if this decision is what’s best for you? I sat down with Jennifer Vasquez, a nurse practitioner at OU Health, to talk about genetic testing and the breast cancer (BRCA) genetic mutations. Vasquez spearheaded OU Health’s program offering Myriad MyRisk Hereditary Cancer Tests to its patients, and is currently working on her doctoral project on genetic mutations.
So, do some people have cancer in their genes? Approximately 10% of cancers are from a hereditary genetic mutation. The Myriad MyRisk Hereditary Cancer testing is a multi-gene panel and checks for 48 different mutations that may put a patient at higher risk for various types of cancers. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two of the genes on that panel; both of these mutations carry a very high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
What is the process to be tested? Patients will scan a QR code and fill in a cancer quiz which reviews their personal and family history to determine whether they are at higher risk of a genetic mutation. If the quiz indicates they are higher risk, testing is then done with either a blood or saliva sample and then sent to Myriad Genetics. Myriad does a prior authorization with the patient’s insurance and will contact them if they have any out-of-pocket cost. Results are usually returned
within two weeks. I will schedule a follow-up visit to go over the results, and those who are positive for a mutation will go for formal genetic counseling and receive a referral to the appropriate clinic.
If the cancer quiz deems someone positive for being at higher risk, why is it important that they are screened for genetic mutations? A lot of people have a fear that since they have cancer in their family, they will get cancer, too. This testing can check to see if they carry a hereditary genetic mutation. If they test positive, this is a way to be proactive and reduce the risk of ever getting cancer.
When someone is positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2, how likely is it that they will develop cancer? Extremely likely. These women are at an 83% to 87% lifetime risk that they will develop breast cancer, and 40% to 63% lifetime risk that they will develop ovarian cancer.
Should all women who are positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 follow Angelina Jolie’s lead and proceed with surgery? The guideline for women who are positive for these genetic mutations is to do risk-reducing, preventative surgery once childbearing is done. This is usually between the ages of 35 to 45. These surgeries include a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy to remove the ovaries. If a woman is not finished having children, active monitoring for these cancers is important. Yearly breast MRIs starting at age 25 and adding a yearly mammogram to that at age 30 is typical. Women who are not actively trying to become pregnant are placed on an oral contraceptive pill to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
MISSING MOM
Most women choose to undergo reconstructive surgery following their mastectomies. When women proceed with a hysterectomy, it will put them into menopause, but hormone replacement therapy is an option. Being proactive and prepared for these surgeries, rather than waiting until there is an active cancer and other treatment is involved, makes these procedures and their recovery much easier.
Oklahoma native Cayla Lewis proceeded with her double mastectomy and reconstruction earlier this year. “My mother, Debi Lewis, passed away shortly before her 50th birthday after battling breast cancer for three years,” Lewis said. “My doctor recommended that I get tested for the BRCA gene mutation, which revealed that I was, in fact, BRCA1 positive. I did not have a cancer diagnosis. I am what is considered a ‘previvor.’ Surgery was not a decision I came to easily. I spent a year researching and reading other people’s stories and looked at this gene mutation as a ‘when, not if’ situation. I am working every day to feel at peace with this very, very big decision, but I feel in my heart I would be doing my mother a disservice by not removing the risk of what took her away from us.”
Emoly Walters
Sage Sotheby’s International Realty
REAL ESTATE IS A DYNAMIC MARKET
and one without a predictable standard. It can fluctuate as rapidly as people’s needs and demands change. This requires an appropriately licensed real estate agent that understands market trends and, more importantly, develops personal relationships with each client to work on the best options for buying or selling a home or property. “I am excited at every opportunity to work with buyers and sellers,” said Real Estate Professional Emoly Walters. “Selling is an art form requiring a different strategy for each property and client.”
A fifth-generation Oklahoman, Emoly earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Central Oklahoma, with additional studies abroad. “Oklahoma is home, and I continually discover more things to love and enjoy about living here,” said Walters. “In turn, my experiences have equipped me to understand my clients better and help them find a new place to live in our state.”
Emoly is a go-getter and problem-solver who enjoys working in real estate, with a passion for new construction. During her tenure selling luxury homes, she has also developed an approach to presenting properties on the market and welcoming buyers with seamlessness and transparency.
For over six years, Emoly has served clients with Sage Sotheby’s International Realty. “I have to be able to move in and out of market shifts, “said Walters. “It’s a unique experience to help guide people to a place where they belong. My hope is for every client to enjoy life within a community they love here in the 405.”
6430 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.640.8923 emolywalters.sagesir.com
Jennifer Kragh Group
Sage Sotheby’s International Realty
JENNIFER KRAGH AND HER TEAM specialize in a customized approach to selling, with listings in the Oklahoma City metro and across the state. Kragh applies her special blend of expertise, reach and service to properties of every description: luxury, historic and classic homes, beautiful old-guard enclaves, high-end communities, acreage estates and everything in between. Her secret weapon lies in her keen ability to tell each property’s story beautifully, via impeccable styling and staging, top-notch, multiple-platform marketing skills and bold business acumen. Sage Sotheby's“My business is relationship based. Each individual is unique, with unique needs. Most of our clients are referrals or repeat clients, and it is my great honor to assist them,” Kragh says.
Sotheby’s International Realty brings power and reaches greater than any other Real Estate company in the world with more than $204 billion in annual global sales. The company’s unmatched reputation gives your listing the best-in-class exposure it deserves, and it assures buyers they are working with experts they can trust no matter where they are in the world. Jennifer Kragh applies her blend of passion, local knowledge and tenacity to every phone call, meeting, showing and transaction.
She’s assembled a strong team: key players Megan Tabor, sales agent and Crystal Liles, executive assistant, embody the same superior level of discreet, cheerful white-glove customer service. This team understands that strong relationships are vital in real estate. They work with integrity and kindness, giving each client’s unique needs the highest priority.
Whether buying or selling property in the urban core, throughout the Oklahoma City metro, or beyond, the Jennifer Kragh Group is precisely who you want in your corner.
Align Interventional Pain
EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES PAIN.
Unfortunately, not everyone has pain that resolves after injuries and surgical scars heal. When pain lingers, an interventional pain specialist may be able to help. Dr. Morgan Pollard and her experienced staff at Align Interventional Pain help patients determine the sources of pain and create a minimallyinvasive treatment strategy to manage without traditional surgery or pain medications. Dr. Pollard helps her patients alleviate or eliminate many painful conditions and helps patients enjoy their lives again.
Dr. Pollard was born and raised in Oklahoma. As a competitive golfer, she earned a golf scholarship to Baylor University. She returned home to attend the University of Oklahoma for medical school before completing her residency and fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She returned to Oklahoma and started her practice in 2020. Align Interventional Pain is a woman-run, privately owned, interventional pain practice offering patients innovative strategies to restore quality of life. When asked about being a woman in interventional pain management, Dr. Pollard says, “Both women and men suffer from chronic pain, but more than 75% of interventional pain specialists are men. I’m proud to represent women in this specialty.”
With offices in Edmond and Enid, Dr. Pollard and her staff enjoy getting to know their patients and collaborating with them to find the treatment options that best suit their needs. As one patient states, “It is rare to find a Doctor who is both professional and considerate. Dr. Pollard and her entire office staff have treated me with respect and compassion.”
501 E. 15th St. Suite 300A Edmond, OK 73013 405.906.4020 alignpain.com
Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design
KEVEN CALONKEY CARL is a dedicated, talented and Nationally Certified Interior Designer. The winner of 18 Excellence in Design Awards from the American Society of Interior Design, she is a consummate professional. Keven’s clients regularly compliment her professionalism and attention to detail. “An interior should reflect the client’s tastes, family, travels and should illustrate what is exclusive to them. I love working with people to select a blend of patterns and colors,” says Calonkey Carl. Keven has a natural vision for classic design and is a master of scale and composition but stresses that each space is unique. “Interior design starts with the desires of the client and then I create a beautiful and functional space for them,” she says. “Additionally, I like to suggest a whimsical element in a space to add to the joy of life.”
Calonkey Carl takes this same zeal to her role as Owner and President of Mister Robert Fine Furniture and Design. Here she leads a team of talented designers and support staff who share her vision of service and professionalism. “Our team makes all the difference at Mister Robert.” A savvy businesswoman, the Mister Robert brand is drawing the attention of local and national publications. In 2022, Home Accents Today Magazine named Mister Robert a “Rising Star” in Retail Furniture. 5F2A8829x2 Additionally, the Dallas Market Association has nominated Mister Robert for an ARTS award for expertise in Home Accents. Locally Mister Robert was again voted by the readers of 405 Magazine as the Best Furniture Store in the metro area. Under Keven’s leadership Mister Robert remains a destination store for people seeking to invest in quality and extraordinary furnishings. “With our 20,000-sq. ft. showroom, we have many instock items which customers can purchase off the floor. Most new customers are impressed by the varied selection and size of our showroom” says Calonkey Carl. Mister Robert remains in its one and only location, 109 E. Main Street in Norman. “Our customers come from all over the state, and they always say that coming to downtown Norman is worth the trip.”
109 E Main St. Norman, OK 73069 405.321.1818 misterrobert.com
Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma
FOR DR. VICTORIA BALL, a healthy, happy life is directly related to the health of your teeth. In her practice at Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma, she focuses on maintaining the health of patients’ natural teeth.
After shadowing her hometown dentist, Dr. Ball said her eyes were opened to all the ways dentists can help their patients. While at dental school, she investigated several specialties, but she kept coming back to endodontics.
Dr. Ball is the first female private practice endodontic owner in the 405 who has achieved board certification and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.
Her practice is at the forefront of utilizing advanced technology, including state-of-the-art Zeiss PROergo microscopes and 3D cone beam scans to diagnose and treat every patient.
The 3D cone beam scan provides a detailed view of the anatomy of the tooth to detect curvatures and calcifications or blockages within the tooth’s nerves, while the microscopes help to detect small hairline cracks or fractures that may not yet be detectable on a 3D scan.
When used together, this equipment helps to provide the best diagnosis and long-term prognosis for each patient’s case.
“I’m excited about new technology, and how it has changed our profession and the way we treat our patients,” Dr. Ball said.
2916 Astoria Way #100 Edmond, OK 73034 405.285.5042 ceoklahoma.com
Bajaj Plastic Surgery
FOR OVER 15 YEARS, Dr. Anureet Bajaj and her staff have focused on building lasting patient relationships through supportive plastic surgery in Oklahoma City. Dr. Bajaj is revered for her surgical skills and minimally invasive procedures; she specializes in facial rejuvenation, body sculpting and aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery.
In 2007, Dr. Bajaj established a microvascular breast reconstruction program at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital with the assistance of her father. For 10 years, she was one of the few plastic surgeons in Oklahoma who performed the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for breast reconstruction.
“When I moved to OKC, most surgeons told me I wouldn’t be able to perform DIEP flaps in private practice because they were too time-intensive and complicated. However, we established St. Anthony Hospital’s program and became a high-volume center,” Bajaj said.
More recently, Dr. Bajaj has directed her energy to developing a comprehensive aesthetic surgical practice that has the ability to empower and support her patients. Dr. Bajaj and her experienced staff work to build a relationship with their patients from the initial consultation onwards. “As a surgeon, I enjoy speaking with and engaging with my patients,” said Bajaj. “I want to hear your story – that is one of the most important aspects of having a successful surgical outcome -- listening to your stories helps me determine the right options for you.”
From consultation to operation to recovery, Dr. Bajaj and her staff continually strive to improve the patient experience.
8106 North May Avenue, Suite B Oklahoma City, Ok 73120 405.810.8448 bajajplasticsurgery.com
Florals: Poppy Lane Design Rentals: Mood Party Rentals Event Planner: Chelsey Flint Events Photographer: Kaitlin St. Cyr Photography
Aspen Ranch
NESTLED IN THE HEART of Oklahoma, Aspen Ranch is a stunning 160-acre venue yielding a picturesque setting of spacious lawns, beautiful ponds and surrounding fields to host unforgettable weddings, large affairs and special events. Every facet of this venue has been thoughtfully designed with a timeless aesthetic, which creates a unique memory for any event.
Aspen Ranch is more than a venue, however. This family-owned and operated business strives to employ the best people, and the women of Aspen Ranch reflect this commitment. Owner and Operator Tiffany Smith has a passion for rescuing animals. Aspen Ranch has been a growing home for rescues, and it dedicates 30% of event proceeds to the care of the ranch animals. Animal Care Manager Sharlett Huff oversees the daily needs of over fifty adopted rescues, including donkeys, pigs, horses, goats, dwarf ponies and Bob the cat.
Social media has been a driving force for the ranch. Social Media and Communications Manager Karlee Boots tirelessly manages multiple accounts dedicated to featuring weddings, events and the ranch animals. Karlee has helped Aspen Ranch amass over 20,000 followers across its social media platforms.
Mother and daughter Deborah Kaiser and Shannon Kinzer work to make every event unforgettable with attention to detail, customer service and ensuring that each venue is immaculate and welcoming. Finally, Business Manager and animal lover Sheila Wilson rounds out the all-star lineup of women who guide the business to success.
Aspen Ranch credits defining moments, exclusivity and offering an elevated experience as elements which set its business apart from the rest. Aspen Ranch is more than a venue – it is a place to celebrate life’s most memorable moments with the most important people in your life.
Worden & Carbitcher Law Firm
“THE FUTURE BELONGS TO those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Fashioning an effective team comes down to one main component: unity.
In a team, unity of vision, purpose and passion keeps the team centered on its shared mission, while allowing each team member to develop and grow as an individual. And with a solid mission in place, individual perspectives are free to take shape and create diversity within the team without breaking the unification.
That’s what Founding Attorney, Andrea Worden, has created at her law firm, Worden & Carbitcher. She had a dream of building a team of women who would provide the kind of legal service she would want for her own family.
While the women of W&C come from very different backgrounds, Ms. Worden and Ms. Carbitcher came together through their shared appreciation of their Native American heritages and a passionate commitment to criminal justice. The firm’s defense attorneys provide legal expertise in DUIs, expungements, drug possession and trafficking, misdemeanors, juvenile crimes and more.
The firm’s family law attorneys — Jillian Mershon and Stephanie Fryar — have represented clients from all over the state of Oklahoma in all areas of family law, including divorce, adoption, paternity cases, guardianship, custody, VPOs and probate.
Ms. Worden believed in the beauty of her dreams from the very beginning. Her big dreams have blossomed into a flourishing team of attorneys with over 50 years of combined legal experience, as well as a freshly renovated office building, and, most recently, Norman’s only downtown coworking/co-studying space for women: tēk workspaces. Tēk is located in the Worden & Carbitcher office building and offers its members free coffee, wi-fi, snacks, access to the firm’s conference room and a beautiful space to work/study.
115 E. Gray St. Norman, OK 73069 405.360.8036 wordenfirm.com
Michelle Early Insurance Agency
For inspiration, Early fondly reflects on the accomplishments of her mother, who worked for Southwestern Bell at 18 and eventually was promoted to an executive position. Her mother also earned a master’s degree in business administration while raising three prosperous children. “I was adamant that I would rise to the same level of accomplishment,” said Early. “I have had so many amazing mentors throughout this journey, including my mom.”
Excellent customer service is crucial, and a simple and tailored approach is used to educate each client. “As your neighborhood insurance provider, we enjoy assisting clients in choosing the protection that best matches their needs,” said Early. “I can help you better understand your coverage options, including car, home, renters, life, business insurance and more, thanks to my 20 years of knowledge and experience.”
Early and her team of experienced and licensed agents provide customers with the products and services they deserve and expect. “We are old school, and we still do things like answering our phones and returning calls immediately,” said Early. “We value face-toface interaction and visit clients’ homes or businesses for appointments.”
Early Insurance Agency is there for people who need it the most when experiencing the loss of a home or loved one, or an accident. “Our passion is to get people back to normal as fast as possible and without worry,” said Early. “Everyone is our ideal customer because everyone needs insurance.”
17342 N May Ave Edmond, OK 73012 405.936.9200 earlyinsuranceagency.com
RefineU Medspa
REFINEU MEDSPA PROVIDES Oklahoma City with a wide variety of the most recent, well-liked, non-invasive aesthetic procedures and injectables for every body type and skin tone. RefineU’s highly qualified staff helps clients identify the products and services that will help them achieve their ideal body or regain a more youthful appearance.
Raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma, owner Janelle Wagner brings over 25 years as a devoted nurse practitioner and aesthetic medicine specialist to RefineU. Janelle and her staff provide clients with the most diversified state-of-the-art technologies and developments in cosmetic medicine. “The demand for aesthetic treatments is increasing in all cultures and ages,” said Wagner. “More people are seeking preventative care and seeking procedures at a younger age. For many patients, injectables in combination with skincare and laser treatments allow them to delay or replace surgery or more invasive procedures.”
Since 2019, RefineU has continued to provide patients with products and services focused on individualized care. “We have an amazing team that dedicates themselves to creating an exceptional patient experience based on obtaining optimal results for each patient,” said Wagner. “We are so lucky to be able to do what we love daily. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”
The skilled RefineU team provides every patient with a unique treatment plan that helps them achieve the best cosmetic outcomes. RefineU’s experienced staff takes the time to learn about your needs during an initial consultation to ensure that the care you receive is designed with excellence in mind.
13301 N. Meridian Avenue Ste. 300A Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.369.8840 refineuokc.com
Specialized Recruiting Group
THE SPECIALIZED RECRUITING GROUP,
a division of Express Employment Professionals offers an individualized approach to professional placement that focuses on recruiting and professional consulting at the highest levels of business leadership and C-suite positions.
Led by Bettye Taylor, a 29-year veteran in the recruiting arena, her team facilitates a tailored employment solution so that candidates who are looking for employment are matched with one of the hundreds of leads in their network of companies throughout Oklahoma.
The process of seeking a career opportunity can be stressful for a candidate. Many find themselves unsure of how to adequately present their skill sets and the online process can feel so impersonal as if you’ve fallen into a “black hole,” never to hear back. SRG is different. It has direct access to the decision makers so they can best represent your attributes and can discuss your qualifications and skill sets on a human level, beyond just your resume.
The Specialized Recruiting Group is a tenured team and under Bettye’s leadership can help find employment opportunities across the following industries: Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, Engineering & Manufacturing, Creative Professionals, Human Resources & Operations, Legal and the Non-Profit sector. Reach out today to set an appointment.
Bettye Taylor, CPSS Regional Director 405.717.8382 expresspros.com/okcsrg/
Gemma Harris
Operations Director & Entrepreneur
WHETHER PHOTOGRAPHING THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE, leading the run club for Sweet Yield Studio, or rowing for the Riversport OKC Masters team, Gemma Harris has earned the title of “OKC’s Renaissance Woman.” Harris brings over 20 years of experience managing an array of industries across the U.S. and abroad. For the last six years, she has been the Operations Director for Airosurf Communications, which provides innovative wireless solutions for businesses and rural Oklahomans.
In 2020, Harris launched The Hold Space OKC to provide consulting services focused on human resources, business management, accountability coaching, culture development and embracing the delicate art of “holding space” for people. “It is designed to work with you at your own pace and rhythm,” said Harris. “This variation invites you to be present and intentional by nurturing your mindset to become your own biggest cheerleader as an owner, manager or solo professional.”
405.906.6099 airosurf.com theholdspaceokc.com
Holiday Wishes GIFT GUIDE 2022
Showcase your best holiday gift idea(s) in this catalogstyle promotional section for local retailers. Available in our November and December issues, this section will reach readers during the heaviest shopping season of the year.
For more information about this issue and to discuss a comprehensive advertising plan that includes our other platforms, contact your 4O5 account executive.
DINING
GOOD TASTE 66 THE DISH 68 THE DRINK 70 LOCAL FLAVOR 72
Baking up Bliss
Harvey Bakery & Kitchen delivers excellence beyond the pastry case. p. 66
