Rose Washington Inaugurated as 2021 Tulsa Regional Chamber Board Chair
At its annual meeting in January, the Tulsa Regional Chamber inaugurated Rose Washington, CEO of TEDC Creative Capital, as the 2021 chair of its board of directors. During the virtual event, Washington outlined her focus for the organization in 2021, which is to prioritize inclusive, equitable and collaborative growth for people, small businesses and the wider community.
Specific strategies include developing more equitable opportunities in workforce and leadership development; providing more access, assistance and guidance for area small businesses; and providing more chances to connect and build village-making skills in our community.
“From every individual, to every company, to our entire community, DE&I should not just be something we aspire to do well,” Washington said during her inaugural speech. “Diverse, equitable and inclusive should be who we are.”
Washington succeeds outgoing Chair Roger Ramseyer, who reflected on the chamber’s efforts in 2020 and emphasized there is much to be optimistic about as northeast Oklahoma embraces for recovery.
“2020 was a year unlike any other in our lifetimes, but we’re also seeing innovations, entrepreneurial initiative, and new ways of working as a result of the pandemic, many of which bode well for the Tulsa economy,” said Ramseyer.
Also at the meeting, awards were presented to the chamber’s most outstanding partners in 2020: Economic Development Partner of the Year: Carlin Conner; Regional Tourism Partner of the Year: Mike Mears, Magellan Midstream Partners; Government Affairs Partner of the Year: Kevin Gross, Hillcrest Health System; Community Development Partner of the Year: Mercedes Millberry Fowler, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma; Regional Partner of the Year: Tulsa County; Resource Development Partners of the Year: Ginger Kollmann, JPMorgan Chase and John Lindsay, Helmerich & Payne; Community Champion Partner of the Year: Dr. Bruce Dart, Tulsa Health Department; Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Keith Ballard.
