2-14-2023
Shane Fernandez was born in Hollywood, California as a first-generation US Citizen to a Danish mother and Filipino/Spanish father. His diverse family dynamic gave Shane the opportunity to travel around the world and experience other cultures and built environments. Shane has lived in both Scandinavia and Asia, and it was his time spent in Denmark and Hong Kong which ultimately led to his inspiration towards improving a region’s sense of place through urban design, architecture, engineering, art, and cycling.
He currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife, Marnie, and their four children: Jade, Tristan, Nicholas, and
Josie
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
.25 years of executive leadership experience in both small business and corporations representing $1-Billion
dollars in annual revenue in STEAM related industries- Architecture, Engineering, Urban Design, Construction
and Art.
. Founder/Founding Member of two nationally acclaimed non-profit organizations
. Named Minority Business Champion for the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas
and Louisiana by the White House and US Business Council
. Significant fundraising leadership- over $30 Million in non-profit, business & political arenas
. Trustee and Committee Chair of the second largest community foundation in the
United States- The Tulsa Community Foundation with $4.2 billion in assets
. Extensive servant leadership experience in numerous political, non-profit and chamber organizations
. Vast expertise in change management, succession planning and crisis management
. Broad knowledge in leading large-scale marketing, branding and place-making initiatives
. National speaker on multi-faceted leadership strategies and tactics pertaining to Diversity and Inclusion
. Entrepreneur- founder of two small businesses active for 20 years
. Volunteers in multiple capacities with numerous initiatives empowering at-risk youth
Chair of the Day
An Oklahoma City native, Ann Ackerman earned an OSU degree in mathematics, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. She began her career as an engineer, but quickly changed to education and spent 25 years in the higher education system. Her positions included Mathematics Professor, Dean and Vice President. After leaving academia, she was CEO for Leadership Oklahoma for 10 years.
Balancing a career with community involvement, Ackerman was the 2019-2020 president of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma’s largest civic club. In addition, she is a board member, trustee or advisor for Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board, Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation, University of Central Oklahoma’s Council of Advisors, Children’s Hospital Foundation Board of Advocates and Friends of the Mansion. She has served as a board member for over 50 civic organizations.
In 2016, Ackerman was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame. Other honors include: American Council on Education Fellow; Leadership OKC’s Paragon Award; one of 2012-2014 Friday’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Oklahoma; and one of The Journal Record’s 2014 Most Admired CEOs.
Believing that the best way to reduce stress is physical activity, Ackerman enjoys exercising and hiking. She also likes to travel with her husband, Wayne Stone.