2025 Executive Board
Want to get in touch? Email VPFinance@tdokc.org for any inquiries.
| Board Advisor Susan Donnelly | Susan is a dynamic and experienced leader with 15+ years of experience leading transformative initiatives across public, private, and government sectors. She has shaped statewide strategies focused on employee engagement, leadership development, and cross-agency collaboration—delivering scalable learning and performance solutions for over 100 agencies. Susan holds a Master’s in Education, a BBA in Human Resources, and certifications in Change Management, Lean Six Sigma, Coaching, and Employee Experience. She serves on the board of ATD Central Oklahoma and speaks nationally on culture, leadership, and the employee experience. Outside of her professional life, Susan enjoys hiking, learning about AI, nurturing her plants, finding great local coffee and food, and spending time with her friends, family, husband and two furbabies. Susan’s role is to mentor and support chapter leaders by sharing strategic insight, real-world experience, and thought partnership. She brings deep expertise in change management, talent development, and member experience—helping the chapter build inclusive, high-performing experiences through data-informed, member-centered strategies. |
| Past President Brandi Williams | Brandi is a dedicated and passionate Learning and Development professional with a strong commitment to helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential. Throughout her career, Brandi has worked with diverse industries, including government agencies, professional sports, and higher education institutions. Brandi has been an active member of ATD since 2019 and served on the board in previous roles such as Administrative Assistant, President-Elect and President. As the current President, she believes the Central Oklahoma Chapter offers so many amazing benefits to the individuals and organizations around Oklahoma, not only in talent development but in a variety of other topics that are important to professional development. |
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Past President
Emily Gise | Emily Gise is a dynamic Master Connector and Development Professional known for her dedication to creating enriching and inclusive solutions. As the Program Director for the "Grow with Oklahoma" program, she pioneered the first state-led partnership with Grow with Google. Emily's impressive track record includes building strong relationships with State Agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofits. She excels in training, leadership development, and stakeholder management. Emily is an advocate for equity and access to educational opportunities, and her work earned her recognition as a Next Gen Under 30 Winner and other prestigious awards. With a Bachelor's in Psychology and certifications in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, and ATD Adult Facilitation, she brings a wealth of expertise. Currently, Emily serves as the President-Elect of the Association of Talent Development, Central Oklahoma Chapter, and she is actively involved as a Board Chair for Oklahoma's Summer Summit Workforce Development event series and a board member for St. Jude's Evening of Hope. Her leadership contributed to a record-breaking fundraising achievement of over half a million dollars last year. |
| President Madi Dyer | Madi has 10+ years of experience in high performance organizational development and helps to support her clients in achieving their most important talent development goals. She joined ATD Central Oklahoma Chapter in 2020, served as the VP of Marketing in 2021 and in 2022 began volunteering as the VP of Strategic Engagement. She enjoys volunteering for ATD, reading, painting, and learning languages. She is the mother of two boys, and has been married to her husband Kyle since 2014. |
| VP of Programming Keith Varner | Keith Varner is the Manager of Learning & Development at Love’s Travel Stops. Prior to Love’s, Keith was a Senior Human Resource Manager with the Cintas Corporation, and he spent 30 years in the US Army retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2018. Keith’s background in Human Resources, Recruiting, Operations, and Training serves him well in his current role, where he leads an L&D department focused on providing exceptional, engaging, and efficient training to Love’s 38,000 employees in over 650 locations nationwide. Keith holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a master’s degree in Military History from American Military University, He is a graduate of the CLO Accelerator Course, is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources, and a Certified Workplace Coach. |
| VP of Membership Tenysha Haynes | Tenysha Haynes specializes in organizational and leadership development, diversity, equity & inclusion, and transformational learning. During her 17 years with the state of Oklahoma, Tenysha has transformed job skills training programs, and leadership development programs and created an organizational development service designed to develop whole teams. She is passionate about helping others be their best self, plants, and her family. My ATD membership has reignited my passion for talent development! Having a community that I can learn from, share resources, and get encouragement to reach higher has been invaluable to me personally and professionally. |
 | VP of Marketing and Communications
Sydney Forsee |
Sydney Forsee has almost a decade of experience in media and broadcast production. She currently oversees the Distanced Learning Livestream for Public Strategies’ brand— Work Ready Oklahoma. Previously, Sydney focused on community engagement and participant recruitment for Work Ready, but now leverages her media background to deliver engaging curriculum to participants across the program’s growing 23 sites. With several years in learning and development, she has produced and presented many instructional webinars using adult learning models to enhance client retention and satisfaction. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. Sydney’s involvement in ATD stems from her continued interest in adult learning and workforce development. When she is not working or serving as this year’s VP of Communication & Marketing, Sydney is reading, cooking, spending time with her cats, or exploring OKC’s newest restaurants. |
| VP of Technology Chrystal Hedges | Chrystal is an individual contributor and Manager of Instructional Design at Office of Management and Enterprise Services where she serves over 32,000 state employees in their learning needs. She is passionate and highly driven to create high-quality, purposeful learning solutions. She has 8+ years of formal and informal experience in instructional design, 10+ years of experience leading others and projects and 16+ years facilitating webinars, courses, programs and more. Chrystal values her ATD membership because it provides her the opportunities to connect with other talent development professionals, share ideas and resources and fill her own bucket up with inspiration and creativity! Chrystal enjoys reading, sketch noting, hiking, and glamping with her family! |
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VP of Operations
Jennifer Harrison |
Jennifer Harrison is the Head of Talent Development at a leading tech company. With over 15 years of operational leadership experience, Jennifer has a proven track record in developing and implementing strategies that enhance employee growth and organizational effectiveness. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Phoenix and is SHRM -CP certified. Outside of her professional role, Jennifer is passionate about mentoring and contributing to community initiatives. She enjoys self care and spending quality time with her family. Jennifer is always looking for opportunities to connect with others in the industry and share her insights on talent development and leadership. |
