CYNTHIA REID REFLECTS ON 33 YEARS OF SHAPING OKLAHOMA CITY’S GROWTH
After more than three decades with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Cynthia Reid is preparing to step into a new chapter — one that looks a little different from the pace she’s known for most of her career. Reid, who joined the Chamber in 1989, left in 1996 and returned in 2000, said she never expected to stay as long as she did. “I don’t think anyone expects to work for the same employer for more than 30 years, but when you enjoy the work and get to be a part of changing the community you call home, the years just fly by.” What began as a role in publications evolved into something
into whatever was needed at the time. With a communications team of just a few people, the work required flexibility and a willingness to adapt. “It was really just diving in,” she said, “wearing a lot of different hats.” When Reid returned to the Chamber in 2000, she returned to a role focused on economic development marketing — a shift that would become a defining part of her career. “I loved that time period because I was really able to dig into some really special projects,” she said. “There was really no limit to the things we could do to impact the work.” The role also gave her the opportunity to see projects move from early conversations to full implementation, adding another layer to her understanding of how the city grows. That approach — jumping in, learning quickly and taking on whatever was needed — would come to define her career. Over the years, Reid played a role in many of the initiatives and campaigns that helped shape Oklahoma City’s growth, from early MAPS efforts to major public votes and economic development projects. Her work spanned communications, events, marketing, campaign “ Oklahoma City hit this momentum inflection point... Things were moving faster – keeping track of Oklahoma City’s growth and everything that was happening was almost impossible. ” - Cynthia Reid
much broader. Early on, Reid
worked as a publications coordinator, managing multiple newsletters and stepping
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