˿Ƶapp Foundation Names 2025 Executive Team, Welcomes New Trustees
Published
The ˿Ƶapp Foundation announced its 2025 executive team, with Sarah Hansel as chair and Susan Savage as vice chair, and welcomed seven new members to the Board of Trustees. These leaders will advance the Foundation’s mission to support ˿Ƶapp students and workforce development.
The named a new executive committee for 2025 and appointed seven new members to its Board of Trustees.
Founded in 1970, the ˿Ƶapp Foundation develops key relationships and financial resources for the College. The Foundation supports ˿Ƶapp’s vision of offering greater access to quality higher education and support for students, faculty, and staff by providing scholarships and resources for program excellence. The ˿Ƶapp Foundation Board of Trustees supports this mission through leadership, advocacy, and community engagement.
This year’s chair of the ˿Ƶapp Foundation is Sarah Hansel, attorney and director of Hall Estill Attorneys at Law. Susan Savage, CEO of Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. and former mayor of Tulsa, will serve as vice chair. Susan Neal, consultant and civic leader, will serve as secretary/treasurer. Dr. Eleanor Payne, retired educator & former ˿Ƶapp faculty member, transitions to past chair.
“The ˿Ƶapp Foundation pushes the College toward its goal of providing affordable and accessible education for all,” said ˿Ƶapp President and CEO Leigh Goodson, Ph.D. “These community leaders bring their expertise, vision, and a commitment to our students, helping to solidify ˿Ƶapp as a leading institution for higher education and workforce development.”
The ˿Ƶapp Foundation Board of Trustees also welcomes seven new members:
- Bruce Adkins, President of the Regent Bank Tulsa Market
- Shelby Beil, President and CEO of Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
- Caleb Bigham, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of BOK Financial
- Gordy Guest, Senior Principal and CEO of Cyntergy AEC
- Brian Kurtz, President and CEO of Downtown Tulsa Partnership
- Jamie Payne, VP of Saint Francis Health System and Chief Human Resources Officer
- Eric VanGilder, Preconstruction Director of Flintco
“˿Ƶapp Foundation Trustees are passionate advocates for education and the ability it has to shape our community,” said ˿Ƶapp Vice President of Advancement and ˿Ƶapp Foundation President Kari Shults. “Their leadership ensures we can provide scholarships, internships, and programs that empower students to pursue their academic goals without the burden of financial stress.”
The ˿Ƶapp Foundation raised more than $4.6 million for the 2023-24 academic year. More than $472,000 was raised at 2024’s Vision Dinner, the annual fundraiser that supports student scholarships, internships, and other critical programs.