Her Story
About Tonya
Tonya’s professional drive is rooted in a personal history of overcoming obstacles. Losing both parents at a young age instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility and a "no-excuses" mindset that has fueled her success ever since. She is her own toughest critic and most persistent competitor, constantly pushing herself to evolve and achieve at the highest level.
That "work hard, play hard" mentality carries over into everything she does. Outside the office, Tonya is usually looking for a new trail or a fresh perspective. Whether she’s off-roading with the Jeep community, hunting, or camping, she’s happiest when she’s outdoors and moving.
Her philosophy is straightforward: be a good person, work harder than the person next to you, and never let someone else’s "no" stop you from doing what you know you can. Grounded in authenticity and strength, Tonya brings that same intensity to her personal life as she does to her role at Cotality.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tonya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I’ve always been wired to compete, but mostly with myself. Whether I was wearing a badge or building a brand, my baseline has always been about seeing how much further I can push the needle than I did the day before.
That internal drive—that need to outwork my own last achievement—is really what keeps me moving. It’s a mindset that carried me through ten years in law enforcement and one that I lean on every day in marketing. I don't just want to hit a goal; I want to see if I can beat it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Early on, I was told to be flexible and 'learn to bend.' That advice has been a lifesaver for me. Moving from law enforcement into the marketing world wasn't exactly a straight line, and being able to adapt—rather than fighting the change—is what allowed me to actually thrive in such different environments.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If I could give one piece of advice to women starting out, it’s this: don’t let anyone else define your ceiling.
Back when I was a police officer, I lost count of how many times I was told, 'You can't do that.' But the truth is, you can—you might have to work twice as hard to prove it. I’ve spent my entire career in male-dominated spaces, from law enforcement to tech-heavy marketing, and I’ve learned that barriers only stay up if you accept them. If you refuse to acknowledge the limitations people try to put on you, there’s really nothing you can’t achieve.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Honestly, the biggest hurdle is still just navigating a male-dominated space. It’s a challenge I’ve been dealing with since my first day in law enforcement, and it’s still very much present in the marketing world. Breaking through those barriers isn't a one-time event; it’s something you navigate every day. It takes a lot of persistence to establish yourself and, more importantly, to ensure you’re actually heard and taken seriously in rooms where women are still the minority.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
It might sound a bit old-school, but I’ve always believed that everything starts with just being a good person. Whether I’m at home or leading a team at Cotality, I try to let kindness be the baseline. I’ve seen enough of the world to know that you can be as successful or as competitive as you want, but if you aren’t grounded in how you treat people, none of it really sticks. For me, that’s the real foundation.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Oklahoma
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.