Karen Luke, the original Executive Director for Leadership Oklahoma City, Inc., is the 25^th Anniversary Celebration Award recipient.

Karen joined Leadership Oklahoma City in 1988, in the midst of the sixth class. The organization had made do with part-time staff since its founding, but the Board of Directors recognized the need for a fulltime professional director who could provide continuity and craft a solid foundation for the community leadership program.

As Director, Karen built the endowment fund which continues to fund a significant percentage of LOKC’s work. Working with the board and other volunteers, she oversaw the organization of the Signature Program, a configuration that is used today for all five LOKC programs. She facilitated substantive volunteer training at the local and national levels, codified the office procedures, and brought the concept of servant leadership to the program.

Karen retired from a fulltime staff position in 1993, having grown Leadership Oklahoma City from a fledging organization to a thriving one, on solid financial ground with a reputation for excellence.

After leaving Leadership Oklahoma City, Karen worked as the Director for Central Oklahoma 2020, a community visioning process that resulted in numerous improvements in our community. In 1995, she was asked by then Mayor Ron Norick to co-chair the task force to memorialize the Oklahoma City bombing, a job that expanded exponentially in both scope and need. The journey from 9:02 to the rest of their lives was shepherded for many by Karen Luke.

In addition to these three life-changing tasks, Karen has graced dozens of others with her energy, intellect, and compassion. Central Oklahoma in 2007, and especially Leadership Oklahoma City, owe much of their vibrancy to Karen Luke.