Commissioners

Ms. Brenda Jones Barwick was appointed Commissioner in 2011, and reappointed in 2016 by Governor Mary Fallin. In 2021, she was reappointed by Governor Kevin Stitt. Brenda is a strong national advocate for women in business, and in 2001 founded the national integrated communications agency, Jones PR. She has developed and implemented a national marketing campaign for the nation's largest women's business group, Women Impacting Public Policy, the voice for women in business in our nation's capital. In 2015, the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) recognized her achievements in advocating for women with the National Headliner Award.

Prior to establishing Jones PR, Brenda was Vice President of Public Relations at Ackerman McQueen. She returned to Oklahoma after 15 years in Washington, D.C., and Switzerland where she worked at The White House and The U.S. State Department for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Brenda has been very active in the community.

Commissioner Jones has served on the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Board of Directors and Executive Committee as a Vice Chair. She was selected to Leadership Oklahoma Class XXV and is an active member in Rotary Club 29. She represented Oklahoma City as a National Delegate to the Public Relations Society International Conference. Inc.magazine ranked Brenda's company in 2015 on the coveted Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America.

Ms. Jones has received the national Clarion Award by AWC and the Paul E. Dannelly Harmony Award for achievements in public relations. Jones PR has won three Best of Show Awards by Public Relations Society of America, Oklahoma City chapter, and several ADDY Awards. She earned national accreditation in public relations in 1999 and her B.A. in Journalism from OU. Brenda and her attorney husband, James, reside in Edmond.

Ms. Carol Hefner was appointed to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women by Oklahoma House Speaker, Charles McCall in 2021.  In November, she was appointed to serve as Chair of the Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Due to her outstanding performance as chair of the event, on June 16, 2022, she was elected vice chair for the Commission. She is the president of HELM Investments LLC,  and vice president of Cedars Commercial Real Estate and Development Company.  Carol holds a license in commercial real estate with Keller Williams Elite Realty as well.

Carol is president of Galimaro Food Development LLC and is founder of the Aliya Hefner Pediatric Fellowship at OU Children’s Hospital where she also serves on the Board of Advocates.  Her civic involvement is vast and has encompassed positions of leadership across the state of Oklahoma for the past 39 years holding board responsibilities in 43 different non-profits which are primarily dedicated to the welfare of women, families and children.  

Her credits include numerous appearances in television, including guest host of Discover Oklahoma and media representation of Oklahoma-based companies. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.  She and her husband, Robert of 38 years, are parents to 5 grown children and 11 grandchildren to whom she is “Nonnie.”  She regards her role as Matriarch to her growing family, her life’s greatest work, and God’s richest blessing.

Ms. Jill Shero was appointed to the Commission in 2021 by Governor Kevin Stitt. She serves as the strategic, grassroots director of Every Kid Counts Oklahoma, a non-partisan education reform organization aimed at amplifying the voices of and providing resources for Oklahoma educators, parents and community leaders who want a better education system for our kids.

For the past ten years, she has worked with federal, state, and local governmental entities.  Previously she worked in D.C. on the Troubled Asset Relief Program or T.A.R.P. In 2015, she was tapped for field work and State Department casework in the office of Congressman Frank Lucas. In 2018, working as political director, she led the passage of Marsy’s Law, a national movement that aims to ensure victims of crime have meaningful and enforceable constitutional rights in the criminal justice system.

Commissioner Shero has an International Business degree, with a diplomacy minor. In 2022 she will earn her Master’s degree in Indigenous Law at the University of Oklahoma. She has a passion to see the commission highlight issues of trafficking in the state.

Ms. Julie A. Dermody was appointed Commissioner in 2021 by Speaker of the House, Charles McCall. She is the Rogers County Election Board Secretary and is responsible for making sure that elections in the County are held correctly. As secretary, she manages and trains an office staff of four along with, approximately one hundred and eighty paid volunteer poll workers.

Commissioner Dermody is also the part time Director of Community Outreach and Special Events for Keystone Chevrolet, and continually monitors their social media presence. She has had a successful sales, marketing, and promotional career with more than a decade of communications experience.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rogers State University with a Major in Corporate Communications and a Minor in Art. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Tulsa Community College with a Major in Liberal Arts and an Associate’s Degree from Oklahoma Jr. College with a Major in Travel and Tourism and a Minor in Business.

Ms. Jana Gridley was appointed Commission in 2021 by Gov. Kevin Stitt. She is Marketing and Brand Manger for Claims Management Resources in downtown Oklahoma City. A seasoned communications professional, Jana has enjoyed working in a variety of industries including subrogation, nonprofit, telecom, publishing and dental consulting, giving her a variety of experience and diverse network within the Oklahoma City metro.

Jana is founder and co-director of Polished Oklahoma City, a network that gathers working women to navigate the workplace and explore faith together in authentic community. Jana is passionate about women leading out in the workplace, community and local church to use their God-given talents. Commissioner Gridley is a graduate from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Political Science and Communication. She lives inf Edmond, OK with her husband and two sons. Jana ia a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City’s LOYAL Class VI and is active in their alumni program.

Representative Rhonda Baker was appointed Commissioner in 2017 by Speaker of the House, Charles McCall. Prior to being elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2016, Representative Baker was a middle school English teacher who had spent nearly two decades in the profession at the middle school, high school, and collegiate level.

As a member of the House, she has served as the vice-chair of the House Common Education Committee and as a member of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education. She also serves as a member of the Children, Youth, and Family services committee, Judiciary Committee of Criminal Justice and Corrections and the Oversight Committee.

Commissioner Baker is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Education. She and her husband Les, also an educator, are owners of a successful small irrigation business, they have three children.

Ms Emmalee Barresi was appointed to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women by Senate President Pro Tempore, Greg Treat. She is a family law attorney with a keen interest in adoptions. Her passion for her own four children motivates her in advocating for her clients, fueling her drive to serve families across the State of Oklahoma. Her passion for the law is rooted in a desire to serve. Practicing in a professional field as an active mother is a balancing act, she wants to encourage all women is achievable. Emmalee was raised in Olathe, Kansas before moving to Edmond for undergraduate studies. She obtained her juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2016. Emmalee prizes time spent with her husband and four children and relishes any opportunity to bake or read a book.

Angela Beatty was appointed to the Commission in 2024 by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. sh currently serves as the Vice President of Programs and Engagement at YWCA Oklahoma City. In this capacity, she provides leadership, management and oversight for all of the agency’s services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, as well as community and donor engagement efforts.

Angela earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma in 2023. She has over 16 years of social service experience working with diverse clients and has focused her work on addressing disproportionate rates of gender-based violence within marginalized communities. Angela has been given the opportunity to participate in several national initiatives and media opportunities and was recently named one of Oklahoma City Metro’s Most Powerful Young Professionals.

She is currently entering her fifth year of providing advocacy insight on the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and her second year on the state’s Child Death Review Board.  Angela truly enjoys training within the community because she firmly believes that violence against women will only rise to a level that a community is willing to accept. 

Ms. Marci Bond was appointed Commissioner in 2020 by Speaker of the House, Charles McCall. She is the Marketing Director for AmeriState Bank in Atoka, Oklahoma and the founder of MarciInTheMiddle.Com, a personal blog encouraging girls and women of all ages to live with purpose and passion.

She has served on the Atoka County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Alumni Association Board of Directors. In addition, she serves as a worship leader and teacher at Victory Life Church and serves on various civic and educational boards in her community.

Mrs. Bond graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications & Public Relations followed by a degree in Secondary Language Arts Education.

Ms. Pat Carr was appointed Commissioner in 2019 by Senate President Pro Tempore. She has mentored women of all ages in business for over 30 years. For the last six years she has mentored women in transition from prison to society through The Education & Employment & Ministry (TEEM.)

Commissioner Carr is the author of an inspirational & motivational book, “All Dreams Matter.” In August of 2019, she co- produced a video in cooperation with The Bridge Assembly of God Church, located in Mustang, OK and TEEM, titled “Because You Can.” The video is FREE for public use and can be seen and shared on YouTube or VIMEO.COM/369933989.

Ms. Carr is a home builder, decorator, image consultant, and motivational speaker. She is a successful business owner and entrepreneur.  She attended Apache High School and Cameron University in Lawton.

Leslie Clingenpeel is an activist and advocate for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. Serving as the executive director at The Spring Shelter, in Sand Springs, OK, Leslie is responsible for leading the organization as well as training and capacity building of service providers across the state of Oklahoma.

Leslie is committed to establishing and expanding resources which offer victim-centered services and trauma-informed programs. Mrs. Clingenpeel has worked in collaboration with the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center through the Office for Victims of Crime to bring training and awareness across the state. She also built and launched a training catalogue and speakers bureau at The Spring and works as a consultant to outside agencies to help establish and develop Human Trafficking responses within their organizational setting.

Leslie serves in leadership as the co-chair for the Oklahoma Coalition Against Trafficking and passionately shares her voice in policy and legislation to better serve victim-survivors. Leslie is credentialed as a Certified Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Professional (CDSVRP) and is known for her work in community education, victim advocacy and community collaboration.

Leslie has a bachelor’s degree in ministry and leadership and a master’s degree in strategic leadership, specific to the non-profit organizational sector.

Mrs. Nancy Crosby was appointed commissioner in 2023 by Governor Kevin Stitt. She is the owner and founder of Like A Boss, LLC., a skincare consulting firm. Mrs. Crosby began her career as an entrepreneur in 2014 with a focus on helping women find greater self-confidence and economic opportunity.

On top of her work as a consultant, she is involved in her community by teaching 2nd grade Sunday School at her church, participating in a local women’s action group, Women Working for Tulsa< and through her volunteer work at several non-profits. Mrs. Crosby is a graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a major in Political Science. She now resides in Tulsa with her husband, three children and two dogs.

Ms. Emily Crouch was appointed Commissioner in 2022 by President Senate President Pro Tempore, Greg Treat. She serves as the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for The State Chamber of Oklahoma, where she leads the government and political affairs advocacy operations on behalf of the business community.

Prior to joining The State Chamber in 2017, she spent two years as the Director of Government Relations for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. She also served as the Public Policy Coordinator for the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and as a field representative for U.S. Senator Tom Coburn’s office in southwest Oklahoma.

Crouch graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Dr. Lee Denney was appointed Commissioner in 2015 by Speaker of the House Jeff Hickman and reappointed in 2020 by Speaker McCall. She is Co-owner of Veterinary Medical Associates, Inc. in Oklahoma and has been since 1979. She served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2004-2016, representing HD-33 in Payne County.  While in the House, she served as the Speaker Pro Tempore working on educational issues and criminal justice.

Commissioner Denney served on the Cushing City Commission and filled the roles of Mayor and Vice Mayor. Currently she serves as President of the Federal Executive Board of Oklahoma and as the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association President. Lee received the New Legislator of the Year 2006 Honor, along with the 50 Women Making a Difference and the Leadership Oklahoma Class VII.

Dr. Denney earned her degree in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University, and then went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University.

Ms. Janie Dillard was appointed Commissioner in 2021 by Speaker of the Charles McCall. House. She began her career with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in 1982 as a secretary for Community Health. A modern-day trailblazer, Janie set her roots in the gaming industry when the Choctaw Bingo Palace opened in 1987. 

As Director of Gaming, she led the Nation’s expansion throughout southeastern Oklahoma. By 2001, she was Executive Director of Gaming, managing the Tribe’s gaming compact with the State of Oklahoma and opening four casinos including the $300 million flagship Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant. Ms. Dillard became Senior Executive Officer for the Division of Commerce in January 2018.

In 2010, Janie was awarded the OIGA Warriors Award for lifetime achievement. In 2011, Janie one of 11 gaming professionals presented with Casino Enterprise Management’s “2010 Great Women of Gaming Proven Leader Award” for her outstanding professionalism, perseverance, drive, commitment, and mentorship.

Ms. Erin Engelke was appointed to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women by Governor Kevin Stitt. She is the Chief Executive Officer for ReMerge  Oklahoma City’s pre-trial diversion program that serves hig-risk, high-needs mothers facing non-violent felony offenses in Oklahoma County. She has served the nonprofit community in leadership roles for over 20 years at  Calm Waters, Sunbeam Family Services, Feed the Children and World Neighbors.

Erin has traveled extensively around the world, including Guatemala, Albania and Peru and has a heart for seeing children and families thrive no matter where they live.  Erin serves as Vice Chair of the Criminal Justice Citizens Advisory Board, Past President and Advisory Council Chair for the Public Relations Society of America, Past President of the Association of Women in Communications.

She is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University with a degree in Public Relations. In addition, she is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Oklahoma City. Erin’s greatest pride is her family – her husband, son and two daughters. In her spare time, she is a keynote speaker, blogger, runner and bakes the world's best chocolate chip cookies.

Ms. Jessica Grogis was appointed Commissioner in 2022 by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. She serves as deputy executive director for the Oklahoma Tax Commission where she has led development and execution of legislative strategy for the agency since 2020. Grogis previously spent five years as the director of communications and legislative liaison for the Oklahoma Commissioner of the Land Office. She was also the director of government relations and business affairs for Oklahoma Roofing & Sheet Metal.

Grogis served as a field representative for U.S. Representative Tom Cole’s office in southwest Oklahoma. Prior to that, she was the recipient of three Inspector General’s Awards for her work at the Office of the Inspector General Management & Planning Division in the United States Department of Justice.

Grogis graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics.  She received her Master of Science in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University.

Ms. Hammons was appointed Commissioner in 2021 by Governor Kevin Stitt. She is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Foreword. Joy has over 30 years in the area of technology. 

Leveraging her extensive experience in leadership positions and a deep understanding of technology and the impact technology has on every business, she created Foreword, a leadership development and strategy consulting firm located in Oklahoma.    

She is a member of several prominent organizations including Women’s Energy Network Oklahoma and Oklahoma Women in Technology.  She has been selected as a civilian participant in military endeavors including the U.S. Army War College Commandant’s National Security Summit and Tinker Honorary Commander’s Program.

Joy serves on the board of the Oklahoma Philharmonic Society. She is an ICF certified Coach and a certified ExO Consultant. Commissioner Hammons holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University.

Ms. Linda C. Haneborg, was appointed Commissioner in 2014 and reappointed in 2017 by Governor Mary Fallin.  She serves as chairman of Linda Haneborg Associates, a full-service communications and marketing firm. As a business owner, corporate executive, women’s and political activist and community leader, she has dedicated herself to empowering women in their careers.

In 2013, she was inducted into Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. Haneborg is past chair of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives and board member of the IFA Educational Foundation. A member of the International Franchise Association and the International Women’s Forum, she also served on the U.S Chamber of Commerce Labor Relations Board and the Wall Street Journal Opinion Leaders Research Panel.

Commissioner Haneborg is a graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology, she completed graduate studies at Southern Methodist University. Having served as an adjunct professor in OU’s School of Entrepreneurship in the MBA program, Haneborg is also a past member of the board of trustees at St. Gregory’s University.

Ms. Hernandez was appointed Commissioner in 2019 by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. She is a civic and community leader who has worked tirelessly to stress the importance of community involvement and direct participation in solving issues facing Oklahomans at the local, state, and federal levels.

She is a public speaker on the importance of women in business, faith, and family. Estela has been a small business owner for almost two decades, and she understands firsthand the hurdles Oklahoma businesses face. 

In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Stitt to the Oklahoma State Board of Education and Oklahoma Career and Technology Education.  Estela earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. She has been married for 21 years and is the proud mother of three children.

Arnella Karges was appointed to the Commission in 2024 by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. In 2018, Arnella was hired by the President Pro Tempore to be the Chief Operating Officer for the Oklahoma Senate. In this role, she manages a staff of over 130 people and executes the day-to-day activities and operations of the Senate.

Prior to joining Senate staff, Arnella was a registered lobbyist for the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association and previously the State Chamber of Oklahoma. In her role as an advocate for these statewide associations, Arnella specialized in energy, natural resources, aerospace, military affairs, technology, telecommunications, transportation and ethics compliance issues.

In previous state service, Arnella worked for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in various roles including Parliamentarian and Redistricting Director for 2009-2011.

Ms. Shiny Mathew was appointed Commissioner in 2020 by Governor Kevin Stitt. She is Partner and Co-Owner of Polston Tax Resolution & Accounting, an Oklahoma-based Tax Law and Accounting firm. Rachel began her career as a tax accountant in 1999. After working as an accountant for many years, she was inspired to become a tax attorney to use her knowledge of complex tax law to help the public navigate the difficulties of tax issues.

On top of her work as a tax attorney, Rachel is incredibly involved in her community. She works with many organizations, including the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, Oklahoma City Charter Review, Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library Endowment Trust, and the Oklahoma City University School of Law Executive Board.

Her love for the people she helps each day has earned her numerous recognitions, including but not limited to: Oklahoma Bar Association Tax Section Chair, Best-Selling Author for “Get In the Game”, Monthly FOX 25 TV Tax Segment Host, Guest TV Commentator on News 9, OCU Law Outstanding Young Alumna Award, and “40 Under 40” Award. She received her Juris Doctor from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Representative Cyndi Munson was appointed Commissioner in 2017 by Speaker of the House Charles McCall. She was elected to represent HD- 85 in September of 2015. Upon her election, she became the first Asian-American woman elected to the Oklahoma Legislature.

Commissioner Munson has spent a decade working and volunteering in Oklahoma City’s non-profit community, including Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma City, Infant Crisis Services. She is an alumni member of Leadership Oklahoma City’s LOYAL Class VIII.

A first-generation college student, Munson graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, where she served in student government at the University of Central Oklahoma. She earned a Master of Science in Leadership Education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. In addition, Munson is a 2006 graduate of the National Education for Women's (N.E.W.) Leadership program through the University of Oklahoma, a program for undergraduate women interested in public service.

Sen. Brenda Stanley was appointed commissioner in 2021 by President Pro Tem Greg Treat. In 2018, she was elected to represent Senate District 42. In 2022, she was re-elected to serve another four years.

Stanley was raised in Duluth, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Georgia College, a Bachelor of Science in administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Education from the University of Georgia.

Prior to her election, she worked as a teacher and school principal for over 40 years until retiring in 2016. In addition, she worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and a project manager at Rose State College.

Currently she is the chair of the Oklahoma Senate's Veteran’s and Military Affairs Committee. In addition to this position, she serves on the Health and Human Services, Finance, Rules, Aeronautics and Transportation committees, as well as the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

She has been a member of Meadowood Baptist Church for over 30 years. She is a member of the Midwest City Chamber, the Del City Chamber, Leadership Midwest City and Choctaw/Nicoma Park Schools Foundation.

Ms. Ollie Starr was appointed Commissioner in 2020 by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. From Claremore, Starr has a heart for service and is an asset to her community. Starr was instrumental in revitalizing the Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club. Established in 1899, the Club began as a past-time club for native women returning home in the summers from seminaries and colleges.

Starr is known throughout the state for promoting issues for elder Cherokees; securing grant money to enable young women to pursue higher education and helping to improve living conditions for Cherokee seniors. In 2017, she received the Cherokee Nation Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame.

Representative Tammy West was appointed Commissioner in 2017 by Speaker of the House, Charles McCall.  She represents HD – 84 and is serving as the majority whip during her third term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

West is a strong supporter of local control of schools. She was elected to the Putnam City School Board of Education in 2009 and reelected in 2014, both times unopposed. She served as president of the Board in 2013. In addition, she was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the State Regents for Higher Education during the 2017 legislative session.

West is an accomplished community and business leader. She completed the Southern Leadership Conference’s Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills program, the premier professional development program for elected and appointed Southern state officials, in 2017. She received the 2018 Rising Star Award by the State Chamber of Oklahoma for her role as a legislative leader in the business community. She was awarded the AARP Legislative Leadership Award and named the Legislator of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Realtors® in 2019.

She was one of 11 select legislators chosen within the Southern region to attend the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS), and she was appointed to the Southern Leadership Conference Education Committee.

Nominated by the Speaker of the House, West attended the 16th annual State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) conference at the prestigious Darden School of Business. In addition, the Speaker also appointed her as a GOPAC member.

West currently serves on the Board of Directors for RISE, Re-entry Investment in
Student Education and is a Prison Fellowship member. She has been effective in enacting legislation that provides for a victim-centered, restorative justice deferred prosecution program, while still promoting public safety and protecting victims. In 2021, Tammy received the “Bulldog Award” from the District Attorney’s Council for her “fight to improve criminal justice” in Oklahoma. West has lived for 40 years in the state house district she represents.

A graduate of Central State University (now UCO) with a degree in business management, she has owned and operated a successful small business, Wellness Plus, for more than 20 years.

Tammy and her husband, Jon, are active members of Council Road Baptist Church and have three grown children and two grandchildren.