strategy and implementation — often all at once. One of the most defining periods came during a stretch of rapid momentum for the city. With the arrival of the Thunder and the rise of the “Big League City” campaign, Oklahoma City was entering a new phase of national attention and local investment. In a span of just a few months, multiple major initiatives were underway at the same time, including an OCPS school bond, a City bond election, the Big League City campaign, and a county bond issue for the purchase of GM to expand Tinker. “That time period set the stage for the future,” Reid said. As the city continued to grow, so did the complexity of the work. By the early 2010s, Reid said she began to notice a shift. “Oklahoma City hit this momentum inflection point,” she said. “Things were moving faster – keeping track of Oklahoma City’s growth and everything that was happening was almost impossible.” Alongside campaign work, Reid helped shape many of the Chamber’s most visible events, including the Annual Meeting and State of the City. She was part of more than 30 Annual Meetings over the course of her career and worked on milestone moments like hosting the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2010 and State of the City events where major announcements, including plans for a new arena, were unveiled.
She also pointed to Inner City Visit as a standout experience, offering a chance to shape how ideas and policies come to life in real time. “Being able to present an aspiration or idea from one of the cities we visit, and then see how our community, or companies on the trip put those things into effect in Oklahoma City makes that effort really valuable.” Throughout it all, Reid said the people have been one of the most meaningful parts of her experience. “This work is a team sport,” she said. “I have been lucky to be inspired by our leadership, and to have worked alongside incredibly dedicant colleagues and servant leaders.” That long-term perspective, she said, is critical in understanding the work. “Tenure matters, because the work we do is complicated, and the perspective of how it all fits together is important,” Reid said. Now, after spending nearly her entire adult life connected to the Chamber, Reid is preparing to step back — but not step away completely. She said she’s looking forward to more flexibility and the opportunity to focus on the things she’s passionate about, including traveling, creating, and consulting. “I’m not ready to completely leave the scene,” she said. When asked what she would tell her younger self just starting at the Chamber, Reid paused. “Stick with this,” she said. “The hard work is worth it. You will get to be a part of something great.”
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