“This presentation will center on the extent of child and family homelessness in Oklahoma City and the impact of child homelessness on educational success and workforce development.”
Susan (Griffith) Agel, President of Positive Tomorrows* and the 2016 Journal Record Woman of the Year, has worked to advance the mission of nonprofit organizations nearly all her professional life. Employed at Positive Tomorrows since early 2009, Susan has led the nonprofit to accreditation by AdvancED (North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement), increases in enrollment and a strong financial standing. In 2014, Positive Tomorrows was honored as one of the state’s top nonprofits at the Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence awards dinner held by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.
Most recently, Susan was selected by the Journal Record business newspaper’s Chain of Distinction for being named a “Most Admired CEO” for three years (2016, 2014 and 2013). She has been named one of the paper’s “50 Making a Difference” twice, this year and in 2012. In 2014, Susan was honored with the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award by Newton High School, Newton, KS.
A member of Leadership Oklahoma City’s Class XXIV, Susan is a member of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness. She also serves on the national board of administration for the Free Methodist Church of North America and is a member of Oklahoma City Rotary Club 29.
Susan was a member of the collaborative which created the ReMerge prison diversion program and is currently serving on the Count Me In 4 Kids collaborative, working to improve conditions for children at-risk of entering foster care. In 2011, Susan was recognized by the FBI with its Director’s Community Leadership Award for Oklahoma. The award recognizes individuals and organizations making extraordinary contributions to crime prevention, violence prevention, and education.
Susan served as founder and executive director of the Deaconess Hospital Foundation for 10 years, 1993-2003. Later, Susan raised funds for City Rescue Mission, developed the initial grants program for Butterfield Memorial Foundation, and assisted in communications and marketing efforts at The Children’s Center.
She holds an M.A. in communications from Wichita State University and a B.S. in journalism from Kansas State University.
Susan is married to Eli Agel, a retired chemistry teacher. They have two grown children: Kaitlin, a veterinarian in Dallas, and Amanda, married to Drew Ward, assurance manager at Ernst and Young, residing in Tulsa. Amanda and Drew are parents of three young sons, Eli, Abe and Paul.
*Positive Tomorrows is a private elementary school and nonprofit social service agency serving the needs of homeless children and their families. (www.positivetomorrows.org)
Todd Lechtenberger currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for First Med Urgent Care, which currently consists of six urgent care medical facilities across the Oklahoma City metro area.
Prior to joining First Med, Todd’s professional background encompassed 20+ years of investing and capital markets experience as Principal, Chief Investment Officer, Trader and various other positions at Bear Stearns, Wexford Capital, and TSL Capital.
Todd currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Positive Tomorrows, Chairs the Investment Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for The Catholic Foundation. Todd is also an active member and serves on the Board of Directors for YPO, is actively involved on the Board of Advisors for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, and is a member of the Downtown Rotary Club 29. Mr. Lechtenberger formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma State Chamber and was active with the Oklahoma Business Roundtable and the Oklahoma Venture Forum.
Todd is married to his lovely bride Andrea and they have two beautiful young daughers, Ella, who just turned five, and Grace, who is two. Being an older father with two young kids has helped keep Todd young at heart and his back aching.
What a wonderful eye-opening meeting. Thank you for a powerful message. I plan on getting involved with this organization.