AWARDS

While serving on the governor’s cabinet, Pollard established two councils: the Science and Innovation Council and the Aerospace, Autonomous Systems and Defense Council. Under her leadership, these councils published a five-year strategic plan for science and innovation for the state.

Additionally, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) established 3 state-funded accelerator programs with national partners and with $82M in Small Business Credit Initiative funding (SSBCI), established the Oklahoma Venture Capital Investment Program and the Oklahoma Business Lending Program, to provide funding resources to Oklahoma businesses.

The OKWIT 2022 Trailblazer award was bestowed upon Pollard at the annual OKWIT Gala on November 5 at Gaillardia Golf & Country Club.

In both her beliefs and actions, Erika Lucas epitomizes the characteristics of a trailblazer in technology and beyond. She is the Co-Founder of StitchCrew (2016) and VEST (2020), Partner OKC Thunder Launchpad Accelerator (2018), investor, podcast host, community champion, TEDxOU speaker, opportunity provider for entrepreneurs and change-makers, evangelist for inclusivity and equality, technology enthusiast, and more.

She began her career facilitating the establishment and in-country operation of several international manufacturing companies in Mexico. Before launching StitchCrew and VEST, she was a Partner at a Private Equity Firm with investments in the U.S. and Europe. Before that, Erika was the Global Director at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Erika Lucas is a difference-maker and most certainly a prime example of a trailblazer for women in STEM.

The OKWIT 2021 Trailblazer award was bestowed upon Lucas at the annual OKWIT Gala on October 15 at Coles Garden in Oklahoma City.

In 2019, Bekah launched the CTRL + SHIFT Code School in Oklahoma City to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking begin new careers and escape their abusers. The six-month program at the CTRL + SHIFT Code School will forever change the lives of survivors.

“I am a woman in tech and I’d love to see more women in tech in our community in Oklahoma City, and I think it’s a great opportunity to really change lives for survivors and their families,” said Mercer.

You can apply to the program or get more information about it on the CTRL + SHIFT website.

The OKWIT 2019 Trailblazer award was bestowed upon Mercer at the annual OKWIT Gala on January 25 at VAST located on the 50th floor of Devon Tower.

Watkins’ affinity for IT peaked in high school, with classes in word processing, desktop software, and computer programming. Despite her natural inclination towards technology, Watkins didn’t actively pursue IT as a career, starting out as a licensed securities representative at a bank, then managing accounts for a group medical practice. Through these experiences, she was always looking for a more efficient and effective way to get things done and continuously found technology to be a key part of the solution.

“I would often find myself putting together the business case, developing the specs, researching solutions, buying and installing equipment, implementing the solution, and training others to use it,” Watkins said.

All of this led to the position that she now carries, as an integral leader and CIO for UCO’s IT department.  Not only is she breaking glass ceilings for all women in tech, but as a woman of color, she’s a true trailblazer when considering that woman of color only comprise 3% of the jobs in IT – let alone reach top management.

The OKWIT 2018 Trailblazer award was bestowed upon Watkins at the annual OKWIT Gala on November 30 at the Oklahoma City Petroleum Club.