Meet our staff

Annette Wisk Jacobi has dedicated her career to improving the lives of Oklahoma’s children and families. Since December 2017, she has had the privilege of serving as the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) Executive Director. Before her work with OCCY, she spent over 20 years working within public health’s child abuse prevention arena; before that, she worked for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. After receiving her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, College of Law and certification from the University of Oklahoma Center on Child Abuse and Neglect’s Interdisciplinary Training Program, she started in this line of work. Before law school, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Family Relations/Child Development from Oklahoma State University.

Outside of her day-to-day role with OCCY, Ms. Jacobi serves as a member of the federal Quality Improvement Center for Domestic Violence and Child Welfare National Advisory Committee, as Board Treasurer for the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds, as a Master in the William J. Holloway Inn of Court, and Chairperson of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board. She has received the Empowering Adults-Protecting Children Government in Action Award, the Oklahoma Bar Association Trailblazer Award, the Oklahoma Lawyers for Children Buddy Faye Foster Service Award, and the Exceptional Merit Award presented by the Oklahoma Public Health Association.

Ms. Jacobi lives with her “Colorado Buffalo” husband, Steven, in Oklahoma City. She and Steven spend time perfecting the art of empty nesting while bragging about their “Jayhawk” daughter, Gabrielle, and “Johnnie” son, Jack. 

(405) 606-4900
annette.jacobi@occy.ok.gov

Mark James is the Assistant Director of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY). Currently, he oversees the work of the Office of Juvenile System Oversight, Child Death Review Board, Post Adjudication Review Boards, and the Juvenile Competency Forensic Evaluator services. 

Mark has over 25 years of experience working with OCCY and the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). Mark began his service with the state as a Juvenile Justice Specialist at the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC) in Tecumseh, OK. Within OJA, he also served as Social Services Supervisor at COJC, served in the OJA Placement Unit, and was the Deputy Superintendent at COJC. At OCCY, Mark previously managed the Post Adjudication Review Board program.

Mark earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma. Mark and his wife, Jennifer, have five children and live in Shawnee.  

(405) 606-4900
mark.james@occy.ok.gov

Marcia Goff Johnson is the Legislative Liaison for the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. She is the primary point of contact between agency leaders and members of the Oklahoma State Legislature.  Additionally, she provides legislative-based resources and information that further OCCY's mission.

Marcia has more than 30 years of experience working in state government – the last 25 years of which were at the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  She retired from the House in 2021 after serving ten years as the Research Director.

(405) 606-4912
marcia.johnson@occy.ok.gov

Rob Agnew's career journey led him to the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, where he has been the Public Information Officer since March 2020. With a solid foundation in Public Relations and Journalism and a Master’s in Public Administration/Political Science from the University of Central Oklahoma, Rob plays a vital role in OCCY's public communication, managing graphic design, social media, and website functions to enhance agency outreach. His achievements at UCO include leadership roles, academic excellence, and recognition as the College of Liberal Arts Public Relations Student of the Year in 2007.

Rob's professional experience spans award-winning public relations in entertainment and sports, digital media for local newspapers, and insurance underwriting, contributing to his versatile skill set in public communication. A proud U.S. Army combat veteran, he brings a disciplined approach and a community-focused mindset, using his creativity and strategic insight to ensure effective and impactful messaging for OCCY and the communities it serves.

(405) 606-4923
robert.agnew@occy.ok.gov

Lakesha Mackie brings her expertise to her role as the Executive Administrative Assistant at OCCY, where she supports the Executive Director and Assistant Director. With a solid background as a legal secretary in diverse environments, Lakesha is well-versed in the intricacies of administrative functions. Her previous role as an Administrative Services Coordinator at the Oklahoma Tax Commission for nearly a decade highlights her proficiency in managing organizational operations effectively. 

Her academic credentials include a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University and an associate's degree in Paralegal Studies from Brown Mackie College, reflecting her commitment to professional growth. Lakesha also holds the designation of Certified Public Manager (CPM), further enhancing her qualifications in public administration. Beyond her professional commitments, Lakesha actively engages in community service, contributing her time to the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., and orchestrating cotillion events.

(405) 606-4913
lakesha.mackie@occy.ok.gov

Cherra is the Office Coordinator for the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY). Cherra joined the OCCY team in November of 2012. Since joining the OCCY team, she has served as the agency's administrative assistant and community development planner.

She serves the executive leadership team daily by maintaining documents and records for the agency's vehicle fleet and is the agency's LEARN training administrator. When she does not answer phones or greet visitors at OCCY, she supports all staff-related technical issues.

Cherra is passionate about the services that OCCY provides to the community. Her own lived experiences have empowered her to overcome numerous obstacles in life.   She believes that if you work hard, you can achieve great success. Cherra studied Business Administration and received a certificate from Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center. Before working at OCCY, she worked as an administrative technician and assistant at the Oklahoma State Department of Health for over six years.

(405) 606-4924
cherra.taylor@occy.ok.gov

Elizabeth Kaup is the Program Manager for the Child Death Review Board. Before her employment with the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, Ms. Kaup was employed with the Department of Human Services with both the Office of Background Investigations as a Background Investigator and as a Child Welfare worker in Child Protective Services. In 2004, Ms. Kaup started her career in social services with the Office of Juvenile Affairs at Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC).

Ms. Kaup held various positions at COJC, most recently as the Independent Living Coordinator for the Independent Living Program. Lizz received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Criminology in 2004 from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Science in Human Resources Administration in 2014 at East Central University.

(405) 606-4938
elizabeth.kaup@occy.ok.gov

Joseph McGrath is a Case Manager for the Oklahoma Child Death Review Board, handling data collection and statistical quality control.  Before working for the board, Joseph was in Education, specializing in Language Arts instruction for at-risk youth and international students.  Joseph has taught English as a Foreign Language abroad and has led workshops in Oklahoma training EFL tutors and instructors.

Joseph received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Langston University and attended graduate school at the University of Oklahoma, studying composition, rhetoric, and literacy.

(405) 606-4900
joseph.mcgrath@occy.ok.gov

Elly Kohs is a Case Manager for the Child Death Review Board. Elly recently graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law, earning her Juris Doctorate degree and a certification from the University of Oklahoma Center on Child Abuse and Neglect’s Interdisciplinary Training Program (2023). While in law school, she interned for the Center For The Rights of Abused Children, a private law firm handling adoptions and deprived cases, and the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office-Juvenile Division. Before attending law school, she earned her Bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Central Oklahoma (2020).

Elly has also volunteered for Royal Family Kids Camp, a summer camp for foster youth, for seven years. Outside work, Elly enjoys reading, baking, yoga, and long walks. She also loves spending time with her husband, Ryan, and their dog, Harley.

(405) 606-4900
elly.kohs@occy.ok.gov

Christina Whatley is a Case Manager for the Child Death Review Board.  She previously served as the Post Adjudication Review Board Coordinator for Oklahoma County. As the coordinator, she managed all seven Oklahoma County PARB Boards, including the specialty boards such as domestic violence and transition-age youth. She schedules the meetings and provides case information to volunteers.

She has been with OCCY since 2006.  Christina has worked for OKDHS in foster care and has extensive knowledge in deprived case reviews.

(405) 606-4910
christina.whatley@occy.ok.gov

Kamryn Ford is a graduate student in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health. Originally from New Hampshire, she has professional experience as a hospital mental health technician and as a graduate research assistant, contributing to cancer and COVID-19 studies. With strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, combined with proficiency in SAS programming, Ms. Ford brings a valuable blend of expertise and dedication to OCCY.

Oyindamola (Oyin) Okuwa is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Oklahoma. Originally from Nigeria, she has extensive experience in research and academia, including roles as a Junior Research Fellow for a national think tank, a Graduate Research Assistant, and a Graduate Instructor. Oyin brings to OCCY exceptional research, critical thinking, and writing skills, with expertise in mixed methods research and proficiency in STATA and NVivo software. In addition to her professional qualifications, she is multilingual, speaking Yoruba, English, and intermediate French.

Payton Marr serves as the Freestanding Multidisciplinary Team (FSMDT) Training Coordinator at OCCY, providing training opportunities for FSMDT members and professionals across Oklahoma. Previously, he worked at Youth Villages as a LifeSet Specialist, helping young adults aging out of foster care develop independent living skills, and later as the Program Representative for the LifeSet Program, managing referrals and collaborating with community partners. Before that, he served as a Permanency Planning Worker for Oklahoma Human Services.

Payton earned his Master of Science in Family and Child Studies: Family Life Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). Since 2022, he has volunteered with the HALO Project in various capacities to support foster and adoptive children, serves on HALO’s Young Professional Board, and is a facilitator for HALO’s Teen Board. He also volunteers at Palomar’s Camp Hope, providing mentorship and camping experiences for children exposed to family violence.

In his free time, Payton enjoys gardening, running, competitive trivia, and spending time with his spouse, Makenzie, and their dogs, Ollie and Polly.

(405) 606-4919
payton.marr@occy.ok.gov

Keith Pirtle, MSW, is the Post Adjudication Review Boards Program Manager at OCCY in Oklahoma City, OK.  He supports and monitors the 47 local Post Adjudication Review Boards and the State Post Adjudication Review Board.  He also provides training, technical assistance, and support to the 315 PARB volunteers across Oklahoma. 

Keith was formally the Principal Investigator and Senior State Project Director for Oklahoma’s Systems of Care and has had a long career developing new programs and providing technical assistance and quality assurance on the local, state, and national levels.  His vision is to help the PARB Program reach its full potential statewide through improved support, quality assurance, training, and partnerships with child welfare and juvenile court judges.

(405) 606-4922 
keith.pirtle@occy.ok.gov

Shelbi serves as the PARB Coordinator for Oklahoma County. She coordinates the activities of the Oklahoma County PARBs by assigning them deprived cases for review and supporting the volunteers in various capacities. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education from Oklahoma City University and is dedicated to social work and community outreach. Previously, she served as a Family Specialist at Circle of Care, gaining valuable experience in case management for deprived cases. In her free time, Shelbi enjoys walks with her dog, reading, cooking, and making music with her husband, JD.

(405) 606-4900
shelbi.tatarian@occy.ok.gov

Richard Yahola's career journey led him to the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, where he serves as the Juvenile Competency Coordinator. With a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from East Central University and over three decades of experience in counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and program management, Richard brings a wealth of expertise to his role. At OCCY, he works to enhance outcomes for youth by coordinating competency evaluations and advocating for trauma-informed practices within the juvenile justice system.

Richard’s professional experience includes leadership roles with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, where he oversaw Career Planning Centers, implemented innovative systems for vocational assessments, and strengthened partnerships with tribal vocational rehabilitation programs. A licensed professional counselor and supervisor, he has also taught university courses on ethics, crisis counseling, and vocational evaluation. Recognized for his contributions to counseling and rehabilitation, Richard is a published author and a trusted mentor, dedicated to empowering individuals and improving services for underserved populations across Oklahoma.

(405) 606-4900
richard.yahola@occy.ok.gov