Visions
WATCH THE HONOREE VIDEOS DONATE TO VISIONS NOMINATE A 2026 VISIONARY
The Visions Awards honors those who act as agents of change in the community, providing leadership to enrich and enliven those whom they serve. These individuals are thoughtful, passionate, tenacious and creative in seeking out solutions to problems that affect change. They inspire others with their conviction and drive, give a voice to those without, and act with the highest integrity to provide Oklahomans with resources otherwise not available. Visions recognizes these great individuals as passionate champions of service to Oklahoma.
2025 VISIONS HONOREES
KARI WATKINS
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
President's Award
HEATHER GAGLIO
Green Shoe Foundation
Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
PAGE BEATTY
Impact Oklahoma
Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award
ED LONG
Oklahoma Impact Investing Collaborative
Innovation Award
GREG CONTRERAS
Youth Emergency Shelter
Pat Potts Visionary Award
BOB HARBISON
Smart Start and Sunbeam
Lifetime Achievement Award
2025 VISIONS COMMITTEE
Wes Haddox (co-chair), Gayle Maxwell (co-chair), Camille Burge, Brooke Clark, Deena Fisher, Cassie Fluitt, Kelly Gray, Kyle Impson, David Meadows, Shannon O’Doherty, Sarah Roberts, Rachel Smith-Streck, Bob Spinks, Rose Viveros
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS 2025 SPONSORS
Visionary Sponsor
Patron Sponsors
Ambassador Sponsors
Host Sponsors
Bethany Children’s Health Center
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
Compellier/Russ & Celina Harrison
First National Bank of Oklahoma
Focus Federal Credit Union
Peggy Kates
MetaFund
Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Partner Sponsors
Leigh Ann and Paul Albers
Avedis Foundation
Ken and Page Beatty and Family
Lori and Jeff Blumenthal
CandleCraft Collective
CMR
Jennifer and Jeremy Colby
Ronna and Lawrence Davis
Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma
Insurica
Cathy and Frank Keating
Charlotte Lankard
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Shannon and Travis O’Doherty
Lisa and Tom Price
Chuck Wiggin
Friend Sponsors
Vivsha Amin
Ginny Bass Carl
Jennifer Beale, Alliant Insurance Services
Amy Curran
Ann-Clore and Walt Duncan
Dr. Gloria Griffin
Impact Oklahoma
Debbie Schramm
Laura Sheriff
CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
THE SHIRLEY SHANKER VISIONARY VOLUNTEER AWARD
Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofits, rolling up their sleeves day after day to provide that important set of helping hands. Named after an Oklahoma legend of volunteering, the late Shirley Shanker, this award honors the ongoing work of a champion volunteer in the nonprofit sector.
THE PAT POTTS VISIONARY AWARD
Named in honor of the founder of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, this award will go to an individual executive leader who through focus, tenacity and leadership has inspired the success of a singular organization in carrying out its charitable mission.
THE INNOVATION AWARD
This award will go to a visionary leader(s) or volunteer(s) in the charitable sector who has burst on the scene with a new, dynamic and innovative idea that inspired groundbreaking changes bringing newfound success to the mission of an organization or pioneering, exciting program that changes lives.
THE INASMUCH SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
This award will go to a nonprofit employee that has exhibited excellence throughout the past year. It could be any nonprofit practitioner (e.g., executive director, program director, support staff, etc.) who has worked tirelessly to make a difference in the everyday work of a charitable organization. This employee has demonstrated a dedication to mission above and beyond his or her call to duty, changed lives of those they serve and shown leadership to peers. Sometimes working with limited resources in difficult circumstances, the recipient of the Special Recognition Award is a selfless and tireless employee that exemplifies service to community and constituents. Wherever possible, this is a person that isn’t regularly recognized for their service, so that we may honor those everyday heroes that make Oklahoma and our citizens thrive.
THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award will go to an individual (s) who dedicated a lifetime of philanthropy and volunteer leadership to charitable causes and has been instrumental in the success of one or more charitable organizations.
THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD
This award will go to an individual (s) as a special recognition of the President and CEO.
PAST VISIONS HONOREES
Click here to watch previous Visions videos on our Vimeo channel
2025
Greg Contreras, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Ed Long, Innovation Award
Heather Gaglio, Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
Bob Harbison, Lifetime Achievement Award
Kari Watkins, President’s Award
Page Beatty, Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award
2024
Kody Suanny, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Mary Mélon-Tully, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Frankie Garcia Leon, Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
Judy Kishner, Lifetime Achievement Award
Senator Kay Floyd, President’s Award
Charlie Swinton, Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award
2023
Gail Lapidus, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Chris Bernard, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Jacqueline Young, Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
Gov. Bill Anoatubby, Lifetime Achievement Award
Edie Roodman, President’s Award
Tricia Everest, Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award
2022
Ron Bruner, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Joli Sanders, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Sherry Harlin, Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
Tom McDaniel, Lifetime Achievement Award
Sarah Roberts, President’s Award
Glenda Love-Williams, Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award
2021
Bob Blackburn, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Ranya Forgotson, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Whitley O'Connor, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Casey Bakhsh, Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
Dr. Robert Block, Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. George E. Young, President’s Award
Sally Nichols Starling, Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award
2020
Michael W. Brose, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Lance Lang, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Maria Rosales-Lambert, Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
Melvin Moran, Lifetime Achievement Award
Frank W. Merrick, President’s Award
Lori Blumenthal, Shirley Shanker Volunteer Award
2019
Joanna Trimble Smith, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Jean Winfrey, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Christie Luther, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Paula Gates, Inasmuch Special Recognition Award
David & Jean McLaughlin, Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Citty, President’s Award
2018
Kevin Evans, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Stacy McDaniel, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Anne Roberts, The Lou C. Kerr Special Recognition Award
Dr. Kay Goebel, Lifetime Achievement Award
James R. “Jim” Tolbert, Lifetime Achievement Award
Beth Shortt, President’s Award
2017
Danny Cavett, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Toby Jenkins, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Shannon Luper, Special Recognition Award
H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt, Lifetime Achievement Award
Bob Spinks, President’s Award
2016
Lauren Branch, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Desiree Doherty, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award winner
Mary Frates and Dan Straughan, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award finalists
Sharon Gallagher, Special Recognition Award
Larry Pulliam, Lifetime Achievement Award
2015
Rodney Bivens, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Jennifer Abney, The Rodney Bivens Innovation Award
Nina Daylor, Special Recognition Award
Wanda Swisher/Rita Moore, Lifetime Achievement Award
2014
Albert Gray, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Tim McLaughlin, Visionary Impact Award
A. Jaye Johnson, Special Recognition Award
Ken Fergeson, Lifetime Achievement Award
2013
Miki Farris, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Bob Ross, Visionary Impact Award
Pat McKinstry, Special Recognition Award
Lew Ward, Lifetime Achievement Award
2012
Pam Newby, Pat Potts Visionary Award
Christy Counts, Visionary Impact Award
Ron Norick, Lifetime Achievement Award
2011
The inaugural event honored our founders, Pat and Ray Potts, and celebrated OKCNP’s 30-year history.
Please contact our Resource Development department with sponsorship inquiries.
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for Visions, please select the sponsorship level below.
- VIP seating for eight (8)
- Presenting sponsor recognition
- Organization featured in Members book
- Podium introduction during Visions event
- Organization profile in Visions program
- Special recognition at all OKCNP training courses
- Premium logo placement in all event print and digital media
- Logo or name placement on all event signage
- Named recognition in event program
- Recognition at the PLATINUM level of the Chairman’s Circle
- One (1) year Business Associate membership
- Access to member pricing for all OKCNP training courses
- VIP seating for six (6)
- Premium logo placement in all event print and digital media
- Logo or name placement on all event signage
- Named recognition in event program
- Recognition at the GOLD level of the Chairman’s Circle
- One (1) year Business Associate membership
- Access to member pricing for all OKCNP training courses
- VIP seating for four (4)
- Logo or name placement on event signage
- Premium logo placement in all event print and digital media
- Named recognition in event program
- Recognition at the SILVER level of the Chairman’s Circle
- One (1) year Business Associate membership
- Access to member pricing for all OKCNP training courses
- VIP seating for four (4)
- Named recognition in event program
- Logo or name placement on event signage
- Recognition at the BRONZE level of the Chairman’s Circle
- One (1) year Business Associate membership
- Access to member pricing for all OKCNP training courses
- VIP seating for two (2)
- Named recognition in event program
- Logo or name placement on event signage
- Recognition at the COPPER level of the Chairman’s Circle
- VIP seating for one (1)
- Named recognition in event program
- Recognition at the PRESIDENT’S level of the Chairman’s Circle