Jodi Lewis

When people ask what I attribute my success to, my answer is simple: I have never believed I needed to be the smartest person in the room. Instead, I've worked hard to surround myself with people who are experts in their fields.

One of the greatest leadership lessons I've learned is that my job isn't to know everything—it's to connect the right people, ask the right questions, and create an environment where expertise can flourish. I'm comfortable saying, "I don't know, but I know who does". Whether I'm working with attorneys to understand legislation, financial professionals and CPAs to navigate budgets and endowments, or other specialists tackling complex challenges, I've built trusted relationships with people whose knowledge strengthens every decision we make. My role is often to listen, learn, synthesize that information, and communicate it effectively to an executive committee, board of directors, or community stakeholders.

I also believe my background gave me a unique foundation. Growing up in rural Oklahoma as the daughter of an agricultural education teacher taught me the values of hard work, humility, and service. Serving as a state FFA officer and earning an agribusiness degree from Oklahoma State University gave me an appreciation for agriculture, rural communities, and the people who sustain them. Because I'm from Creek County, I wasn't viewed as someone from Oklahoma City telling rural communities what they should do—I was one of them. That credibility opened doors, built trust, and allowed me to form authentic relationships across the state.

Finally, when I stepped away from my career for seven years to raise my sons, I made a very intentional decision to remain engaged in the nonprofit community through volunteer leadership and board service. Those years strengthened my leadership in different ways and allowed me to continue growing my network, my perspective, and my commitment to service. When I returned to the workforce, I wasn't starting over. I was building on relationships and experiences I had continued to cultivate.

Looking back, my success has never been about having all the answers. It's been about building genuine relationships, earning trust, staying curious, and recognizing that leadership is less about being the expert and more about bringing the right people together to accomplish something greater than any one person could achieve alone.

My advice is to choose a career that gives you meaning, while understanding the unique sacrifices and rewards that come with nonprofit work.

One of the greatest rewards of nonprofit work is that you often get to see the difference you're making. You don't always have to wonder if your work matters because you can see lives changed, communities strengthened, and organizations grow. That's an incredible privilege.

That said, I also believe in being candid with young professionals. Nonprofit work is often a financial sacrifice. In many cases, you won't earn what you might in the private sector, and sometimes not even what you could in the public sector. You have to decide what matters most to you.

The other advice I give, especially through the micro-mentoring I do with young women, is to give yourself permission to define success on your own terms. There is no single blueprint for a meaningful life. Too often, young women feel pressure to follow someone else's timeline or expectations. My encouragement is simple: don't spend your life trying to live someone else's version of success. Build a life that aligns with your values, your gifts, and your purpose. When your life reflects who you truly are, not who others expect you to be, you'll find both fulfillment and the confidence to lead with a purpose that is uniquely yours.

Growing up in rural Oklahoma shaped the values I carry with me every day. If I had to summarize them, I would say they're a combination of grit and grace.

Grit means I don't quit until the work is done. It means paying attention to the smallest details because those are often what transform a good experience into a memorable one. It means looking for opportunities to connect people, opening doors whenever I can, and rarely ending a conversation without asking, "How can I help?"

Grace reminds me that leadership is ultimately about people. None of us is perfect, and everyone is carrying something we may not see. I try to lead with empathy, extend the benefit of the doubt, and treat others with kindness and respect, even during difficult conversations or challenging circumstances.

I believe enthusiasm matters. I genuinely wake up every day believing I get to do the best job in all of Oklahoma. That sense of gratitude influences how I show up, how I represent Leadership Oklahoma, and how I serve our members.

On the personal side, work-life balance is always a work in progress, especially in a role that requires significant travel and many evening commitments. My family and I are intentional about protecting the time we do have together. We make it a priority to have dinner together whenever possible, enjoy family game nights, and travel whenever we get the chance.

While this season of life doesn't leave much room for hobbies, I love reading, Pilates, and cooking. And because I'm someone who thrives on routine, I begin every morning the same way, with time in God's Word and prayer. That quiet time centers me, reminds me of what's most important, and gives me the perspective I need to lead with both grit and grace throughout the day.