September Power Luncheon – Bridging the Gap with Tech and Diversity

OKWIT Power Luncheon

Bridging the Gap with Tech and Diversity

The Tulsa metro area is not only striving to be a leading technology hub for this nation, but is proving to be a contender. Tulsa was named one of only three cities in the world to be named a winner of the 2018 Engaged Cities Award, part of a philanthropic program underwritten by three-term mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg. Bologna, Italy and Santiago de Cali, Colombia were the other two winners.

To ensure that we as a community, made up of citizens, students, employees, and business owners, are fulfilling the requirements to be a leading city not only in the state of Oklahoma, but for the county – we must reflect on what we provide, where we are, and how big of a bridge is needed to be built in order to close the gap on technology skills and team diversity.

Join the OKWIT Power Luncheon as we bring you experts from both the government side and the business side to discuss key elements of being a nationally known technology hub, such as:

• The need for a trained and diverse technology workforce.
• The importance of affordable and accessible technology education.
• The need for focus on diversity in technology both in corporate and in government and current efforts underway.
• How technology and diversity are paired to improve communities.

How will your workforce transition as our region transforms? Be on the frontline of this conversation and register for this luncheon today. Gain insights to engage your workforce into being the next leader.

Our amazing luncheon line-up includes –

Panelist: Christina da Silva, Community Development and Policy for the City of Tulsa

Originally born the Republic of Panama, Christina da Silva immigrated to the US when she was about 5 years old, first moving to Nebraska and living in various parts of the US. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2010. Currently Christina works full-time as Director in the Mayor’s Community Development and Policy department, focusing on public health initiatives and outreach for Tulsa’s immigrant community. She is coordinating the City of Tulsa’s “New Tulsans” Initiative which is focused on developing a city-wide strategic plan focused on removing barriers for immigrant integration. Christina is also a graduate level student at Oklahoma State University in the Human Development and Family Sciences department, where she also provides support for research projects at OSU Center for Family Resilience. In 2018, Christina was named “People to Watch” by the Tulsa World.

Panelist: Jayme Bynum, IT Director, Infrastructure at SemGroup Corp

Jayme Bynum is currently the IT Director for Semgroup Corporation responsible for Infrastructure and Customer Services. She has over 25 years’ experience leading teams in support, development and execution of technical initiatives. With the majority of her career in the midstream energy sector, she has had responsibility for several IT disciplines including Client Services, Data Center, Network, Development, Security, Compliance and Application Development. Jayme has a history of success in partnering with business leaders to provide innovative, efficient and cost effective use of technology to meet business objectives. Jayme has a BS degree from Oklahoma State University in Management Science and Computer Systems. She supported her community through service and board memberships.

Panelist: Todd Gourd, CIO of Information Services at Cherokee Nation Businesses

Todd Gourd has devoted more than 20 years to supporting innovation, managing modern information technology and serving as a leader in the IT field.

Gourd currently serves as the Chief Information Officer of Cherokee Nation Businesses, the parent company of all Cherokee Nation–owned businesses. Gourd has executed multiple roles during his tenure at CNB, including president of the tribe’s durable medical equipment company, vice president of information services, senior manager of IT enterprise infrastructure, manager of IT systems administration, and IT network administrator.

In his role as CIO, Gourd is responsible for providing strategic vision and leading the IT department. The department has more than 140 IT professionals who support all business divisions of CNB

Gourd, a Cherokee Nation citizen, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Langston University and serves on the board of directors for Rogers County Volunteers for Youth and Junior Achievement of Oklahoma’s Tulsa Region.

Moderator: Kuma Roberts, Executive Director of Talent Attraction, Retention & Mosaic at the Tulsa Regional Chamber

Kuma Roberts currently serves as the Executive Director of Talent Attraction, Retention & Mosaic at the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. Prior to taking on her new role, Kuma served as program manager for education aligning the business community to the resource needs of our public school system. It was in this role that Kuma developed her desire to work in the realm of social justice and business development.

In her role as Interim Executive Director Kuma identifies the needs and programs for growing, retaining and attracting a skilled and diverse workforce to achieve the Tulsa region’s short and long range business development objectives. She serves on various local boards including: Leadership Tulsa, TAUW Women’s Leadership Council Education Co-Chair, Tulsa Area Human Resources and Workforce Tulsa Youth Council. She is a proud member of Leadership Tulsa Class 51 and was recently appointed to the inaugural City of Greater Tulsa African American Affairs Commission. Kuma is passionate about education, equity, social justice and her community.

*Seated lunch will be provided. Please inform us of any food issues by emailing info@okwit.org before Friday, September 14.

This event is made possible by our corporate sponsors, Devon Energy, Pinnacle Business Systems, Coretopia and our event sponsor Cox Business.