Wednesday, Aug. 6 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER e UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA
AGENDA WELCOME Teresa Rose Chair, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Executive Director, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
SPEAKER SPONSOR
KEYNOTE Dr. Jim Hess President, Oklahoma State University FIRESIDE CHAT KEYNOTE Nellie Tayloe Sanders Oklahoma Secretary of Education
MODERATOR Rhonda Baker Director of Education, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber PANEL DISCUSSION: INNOVATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION Dr. Jamie Polk Superintendent, Oklahoma City Public Schools Dr. Josh Delich Superintendent, Edmond Public Schools Dr. Robert Romines Superintendent, Moore Public Schools CLOSING REMARKS Teresa Rose Chair, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Executive Director, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma ADJOURN
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KEYNOTE
Jim Hess President, Oklahoma State University
Dr. Jim Hess became Oklahoma State University’s president in April 2025, bringing over four decades of transformative educational leadership. Born in Henryetta, Oklahoma, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Northeastern State University and his doctorate at OSU.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hess has consistently prioritized student success while driving institutional growth. At OSU-Tulsa, he doubled enrollment and launched the popular Big Orange Bus shuttle service. At the OSU Center for Health Sciences, he expanded the OSU Physicians Group tenfold and championed innovative graduate programs that made OSU-CHS the only institution in Oklahoma’s higher education system to achieve consecutive enrollment growth for a decade. His pioneering work includes establishing innovative graduate programs in Healthcare Administration, Global Health, Medical Sciences, and Forensic Sciences. One of his most significant achievements was securing OSU Medical Center as the nation’s only osteopathic teaching hospital. Despite his administrative roles, Dr. Hess maintained his commitment to teaching by carrying a full graduate course load each semester. Inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2023, Dr. Hess combines visionary leadership with authentic student connection, making him uniquely positioned to lead OSU’s continued growth as a premier land- grant institution.
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KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION: INNOVATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Nellie Tayloe Sanders Oklahoma Secretary of Education
Nellie Tayloe Sanders serves as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, appointed in January 2024. She is driven by the belief that America’s greatest resource is the untapped ingenuity of its children. Her experience as a dyslexic thinker navigating a system that didn’t reflect her strengths shaped her commitment to creating an education system that discovers and nurtures the unique potential in every student.
A native of Washington, D.C., Sanders graduated from Salve Regina University and began her career with Condé Nast Publications working for various magazines like House & Garden, Brides and WIRED, she honed her ability to solve complex challenges with innovative thinking. Later, at the Center of Family Love, she raised over $25 million to provide opportunities for individuals with developmental differences. Sanders believes no child born under the American flag should be denied the opportunity to rise and become the tallest figure of their time. She is committed to creating an education system that reflects the greatest promise of America—one that celebrates individual potential, freedom, and boundless opportunity for all.
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Dr. Jamie Polk Superintendent, Oklahoma City Public Schools
Dr. Jamie C. Polk, Superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS), is a respected leader recognized for her strategic approach to advancing educational systems and fostering student achievement. With over three decades of experience in education, Dr. Polk is committed to creating equitable, data-driven structures that enhance learning outcomes for more than 33,000 students across the district. In her previous role as Assistant Superintendent of Pre-Kindergarten through 4th Grade at OKCPS, Dr. Polk implemented systematic processes that utilized data analysis to
inform decision-making and drive targeted improvements. These efforts resulted in substantial gains on the district’s A-F State Report Card, significantly reducing failing grades through focused interventions and collaborative support systems. Her ability to build capacity among educators and align resources with student needs reflects her dedication to sustainable improvement. Before joining OKCPS in 2019, Dr. Polk served in Lawton Public Schools, where she established herself as a results-oriented leader. As Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for Pre-K through 12th Grade, she applied a strategic planning framework to close achievement gaps, earning national recognition for her schools, including the prestigious National Title I Distinguished School award. Her initiatives centered on equity, operational alignment, and continuous improvement, ensuring measurable progress for all student groups.
At Oklahoma State University, we are building the next generation of leaders in technology-based careers across our state. OSU partners with industry leaders to deliver skills-focused credentials that address workforce needs across Oklahoma. Our practical, high-impact programs drive economic growth while providing accessible, high-return career opportunities for all Oklahomans. OSU TRANSFORMS EDUCATION FOR HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS
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PANEL DISCUSSION: INNOVATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION PANEL DISCUSSION: INNOVATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Dr. Josh Delich Superintendent, Edmond Public Schools
The Edmond Board of Education is excited to announce Dr. Josh Delich as the 23rd Superintendent of Edmond Public Schools. He was selected following a nationwide search for the district’s next leader, and was approved unanimously during a Special Board Meeting Monday morning. Dr. Delich brings 21 years as an educator. He joins EPS from Minnesota where he has held leadership roles with that state’s two largest public school districts for the past six years. He has also been a high school and middle school principal, classroom teacher, lead content teacher and coach. Dr. Delich was
born in Columbia and grew up in Minnesota. He is a graduate of Concordia University, earned his Masters in Education summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Arlington and his Ph. D. magna cum laude from the University of North Texas. He began his career as an educator in Texas, teaching sixth through eighth grades and serving as a lead content teacher. Dr. Delich then moved into administrative roles in both Texas and Minnesota. Most recently, he has been an Associate Superintendent in Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools, Minnesota’s largest public school district, with 38,000 students. He was also Assistant Superintendent at St. Paul Public Schools, Minnesota’s second largest district with 33,000 students.
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PANEL DISCUSSION: INNOVATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Dr. Robert Romines Superintendent, Moore Public Schools
Dr. Robert Romines accepted the position of Superintendent for Moore Public Schools in May 2013. He is a product of Moore Public Schools, born and raised in Moore and from a long line of educators. Dr. Romines began his career as an elementary teacher in 1994, then became a principal in 1998. In 2008, he was promoted to Director of Elementary Education and was appointed as the Assistant Superintendent responsible for Personnel and Elementary Education in 2010.
Dr. Romines has been a staunch advocate for mental and emotional health. He has led important conversations with students, staff, and his administrative team to develop a districtwide initiative for mental and emotional health. Dr. Romines has led through many tragedies, from weather related, mental/emotional health concerns including suicide, and other events that resulted in loss of student and/or staff members’ lives, throughout his term as Superintendent. Superintendent Romines led efforts to continue education in Moore Public Schools and provide some type of normalcy for a hurting and/or stressed community.
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IAMF_StateoftheSchools-Ad.indd 1
7/30/25 1:25 AM
PANEL DISCUSSION: INNOVATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION SPONSORS
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SEPTEMBER 25 Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Chamber’s State of the Region event will highlight the progress and development happening across the central Oklahoma 10-county region. The event will include a discussion of projects that are connecting cities within and outside the area, help draw attention to issues of importance and encourage collaboration between communities.
SIGN UP TODAY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 25 State of the Region 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center October 8 Chamber Forum 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Petroleum Club Downtown OKC
October 22-24 Nashville Intercity Visit November 19
State of the Economy 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum December 17 Annual Meeting 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
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SPONSORS PANEL DISCUSSION: INNOVATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
SPEAKER SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSORS
INVITATION SPONSORS
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
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TABLE SPONSORS
Arvest Bank BancFirst OG&E/CLEAResult
Rose State College The Alliance for Economic Development of
Oklahoma City, Inc. The Boldt Company University of Central Oklahoma Willowbrook
Crossland Construction Co., Inc. Express Employment Professionals Francis Tuttle Technology Center GH2 Architects, LLC Hogan Taylor MA+ Architecture, LLC Manhattan Construction Co. Metro Technology Center Moore Norman Technology Center Nabholz Construction Co. Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors Oklahoma City Thunder
MAILING SPONSOR
The Oklahoman Direct/LocalIQ
BRONZE SPONSORS
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum United Way of Central Oklahoma
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