the Spirit of Leading

Maggie Bond advocates for people in the disability community to help them live a high-quality life. Her passion comes from her life experience as a quadruplet living with two brothers on the autistic spectrum. Now, she is a program lead for Best Buddies, International, an organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Maggie performs as often as possible, singing in productions and groups. She is involved in the Miss America Organization, having been a contestant in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant competition numerous times representing local titles of Miss Oklahoma City University, Miss Broken Arrow, Miss Tulsa, and Miss Bricktown. She remains active as a contestant coach and mentor to young women.

Maggie joins me on this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast to share her story of servant leadership and her aspiration to continue her mission to improve the quality of life for the millions who live with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Best Buddies International, Oklahoma chapter

Miss Oklahoma Pageant

Maggie with her family at the friendship walk: (LR)- Tyler, Britt, Addy, Mak, Maggie, Carol, CJ, Brad.  Tyler and CJ are Maggie’s brothers who live with autism.

Maggie sang at an event honoring WW2 veterans. (L-R) Maggie, Dennis, a Vietnam veteran, and Vickie. Dennis received a quilt that doubled as a quilt of valor.

Maggie with her two Miss Oklahoma Stars, Mek (left) and Kate (right) at a WW2 Veteran Parade with Junior, a WW2 veteran.

Maggie served as a volunteer music director with “Stars on Stage,” an adaptive musical theatre group for kids who live with disabilities. Right, Maggie hugs Hope, one of the artists.

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Most citizens are put off by the acrimony and pettiness of what has become political discourse. Younger elected leaders are seeking ways to overcome the negativity and have serious policy conversations about important issues.

Rep. Ajay Pittmann (D HD99) and Daniel Pae (R HD62) have emerged as two leaders in this effort. Along with co-chairs, State Sen. John Michael Montgomery (R SD32)  and Jo Anna Dossett (D SD35), the Oklahoma Future Caucus is seeking ways to encourage a more collaborative atmosphere among lawmakers in both chambers.

The future caucus is the state component of the national Millennial Action Project that touts their, “audacious mission: activate young leaders to bridge the partisan divide and transform American politics.” MAP’s stated vision is promoting, “A diverse democracy where the political culture is grounded in empathy and leaders pursue innovative policy solutions.”

The OK future caucus team recently was recognized by MAP with the organization’s Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award recognizing an outstanding state caucus, “for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building.”

On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I catch up with Rep. Pittmann and Rep. Pae together, after first interviewing them individually when they were first elected in 2018, to get their update on the Oklahoma future caucus progress.

Millennial Action Project website 

Oklahoma Legislature website

Rep. Daniel Pae 2023 House contact page

Rep. Ajay Pittmann 2023 House contact page

Click on Daniel’s image to listen to his 2018 Spirit of Leading podcast

Click on Ajay’s image to listen to her 2018 Spirit of Leading podcast

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We can keep score on how we are doing to create more sustainable workplaces and homes. Corey Williams, executive director of the Sustainability Alliance has been working on, and improving, efforts to do so for twenty-plus years. 

On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, Corey talks about her journey since the days when former U.S. Vice-president Al Gore first brought up An Inconvenient Truth about the worsening condition of the global climate and the contributing factors that we can do something about. Corey decided to do something and encourages all who will listen to, “do something, ” with her.

The Scor3card evolved out of that zeal, plus a little serendipity. Now, the Scor3card can document millions of dollars in energy savings for businesses and individuals while helping to lessen the impact of energy demand on the planet.

The Sustainability Alliance 

Our appreciation to the Ross Group for hosting this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast in their downtown Tulsa location.

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Ken Busby has served the arts community as an advocate, staff professional, and executive for three decades. He has been in the trenches and on the mountaintops. Through it all, he has built a portfolio of experiences that make him an attractive counselor and consultant to arts organizations seeking to strengthen their programs.

Ken has been honored by the arts community for his work and dedication. Leadership Oklahoma recognized him as a distinguished graduate of that program in 2015. Recently Ken was listed in the inaugural class of 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans.

Ken is the current Executive Director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, coordinating efforts among state-level Route 66 organizations to promote historical, tourism, and economic development projects.

On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I talk with Ken bout his career and the lessons of leadership he has learned throughout.

Ken served thirteen years as executive director and CEO of the Tulsa Arts & Humanities Council

Route 66 Alliance

Tulsa Arts Alliance

Tulsa Symphony

Tulsa Ballet

Tulsa Zoo

Gilcrease Museum

Our appreciation to the Ross Group for hosting this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast in their downtown Tulsa location.

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Democracy is easily misunderstood. Political debate hasn’t been very helpful in clarifying the essence of what democracy means to how the American way of life makes the transition from concept to everyday practice.

Sometimes an analogy helps.

I think sports gives us that analogy, a way of considering the practical application of how our laws, borne out of political debate, turn into the actual processes and procedures of governance from the city council chambers to the U.S. Capitol House of Representatives and Senate.

In this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I discuss the rules of football as a way of pointing out why the rules of rules of the political process are so important. Listen to how I connect democracy and football. 

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Tim Herbel watched his nephew, born with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, be excluded at school, in the community, and at church and vowed he would spend his life championing the cause for inclusion for people like him. That opportunity came in the form of a not-for-profit coffee shop named Not Your Average Joe.

In this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, Tim tells how he made the journey from preacher to champion for employing, what he calls “Accept-ional” people in a chain of coffee shops currently in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Not Your Average Joe website

Article: “Why Hiring People with Disabilities is Good for Business.”

Website: World Down Syndrome Day

Article: Forbes, “Seven Reasons Why Hiring People With Disabilities is Good for Business”

Store manager, Maggie Bond, helps Kate learn the till at the Broken Arrow store

Volunteer Martha Lewis with her son, Paul and Tim

Tim with daughter Kinsey

Danielle Robinson with News 9’s Amanda Taylor

Kyle Parker (l), NYAJ COO, unpacks product while Mr. John (r) tends the counter.

Recording the Spirit of Leadng podcast at the Midtown OKC NYAJ location

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Most parents are interested in more than grades when it comes to educating their children. They want good kids. By that, I mean children who know how to play well with others, who show respect, who behave appropriately, who demonstrate good character. In sports, it’s called sportsmanship. The Boy Scouts of America boasts their mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime. And the Girl Scouts say they are building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

So, too, public schools are picking up the mantel to intentionally promote positive character traits in their students. Sheril Menefee, a house principal in Muskogee High School has been at the forefront of the schools of character movement throughout her career as an educator. On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I talked to Sheril about her experience ad why she is so committed to it.

Character.org

Muskogee High School

Article: Teaching Values in School: An Interview with Steve Johnson

Spirit of Leading Podcast: OK State Senator Dewayne Pemberton—Schools of character

Celebrating Hilldale Middle School national recognition 2014 with school leaders

Sheril and student lead a character-building assembly.

Sheril (left) leads a group of schools of characters evaluators in an in-service training session.

Garland and Sheril after recording the podcast

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Kody chose a career that suits the needs of many young families who live in small towns like Hobart. She joined Great Plains Youth and Family Services after completing her college studies and eventually was promoted to executive director. On this episode of the Spirit of leading podcast Kody talks about her experience and shares some insights into being a community leader in a small town.

More about Kody Suanny

Great Plains Youth and Family Services

Great Plains YFS staff show their support for their program promoting events to the community.

Great Plains YFS provides after school programs

Staff Mona Wheeler (l) and Kristie Jackson (r) prepares packages with disinfectant wipes, thermometers, and masks throughout the pandemic.  

Kody Suanny (r) prepares to record Spirit of Leading podcast with host, Garland McWatters, in her GPYFS office in Hobart, OK

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Kenneth Corn tells his story of public service on this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast and why he is an advocate of growing small towns. His service has left him with an intense commitment to developing excellence in leadership at all levels of government, especially municipal government where tough decisions must be made in the face of local criticism.

Corn grew up in Poteau, OK, and was one of the youngest men ever to be elected to the Oklahoma state legislature at age 22. He was elected state senator at age 25. He left public service after serving the allotted 12 years in the legislature. After working in the oil and gas industry he accepted the offer to become the city manager of Anadarko, Ok in 2015.

More about Kenneth Corn

Anadarko, Oklahoma

Buffalo mural

Teepees of plains Indians

House common to Wichita tribe

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Matt Hangen believes in the power of locally owned businesses to help people solve some of their own community problems. To prove it, he is trying to put the charity he runs out of business. Water4 is a testimony to how private enterprise can drive community development in places where some charities have failed to sustain their efforts.

In this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, Matt tells his personal story of how he came to be the CEO of the international effort to develop sustainable locally run water distribution systems in sub-Sahara Africa. Water4 was founded by Dick and Terry Greenly, Oklahoma entrepreneurs who operate a successful pump manufacturing business, and has flourished under Matt’s leadership.

Water4

The Water4 team

Matt visits with Akua Annoh as she prepares potato mash for her customers. She operates a successful restaurant, and she is one of the local water system’s biggest customers.

Matt celebrates the opening of a new water distribution system with the staff in Ghana.

Water4 co-founder Dick Greenly with local entrepreneur Nestor Togolese.

Matt competes in Tulsa Ironman 

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