OKPOLICY.ORG
The Oklahoma Policy Institute is expanding its community outreach efforts across the state with three new staff members, and boosting its communications and operations teams through the hiring of a new fellow.
Joining the team are:
- Cameasha Alao as the Central Regional Organizer,
- Tara Grigson as the Northeast Regional Organizer,
- Katie Powers as the Southwest Regional Organizer, and
- Kristin Wells as the Communications and Operations Fellow.
The staffing additions are part of OK Policy’s ongoing efforts to encourage Oklahomans to empower themselves to advocate for policies that help ensure a more equitable state for everyone, said OK Policy Executive Director Ahniwake Rose.
“OK Policy has long worked on issues impacting everyday Oklahomans, particularly our friends and neighbors who have been historically underrepresented in decision making in our state,” Rose said. “We are grateful for our local and national supporters whose investments in OK Policy can help reach Oklahomans statewide.”
The regional organizers will help OK Policy leverage its work on core policy issues by focusing on relationships and partnerships in our communities to help better educate and serve Oklahomans. Additionally, through collaborative work, the team will advocate for change to support thriving families, healthy Oklahomans, and safe communities for everyone. The addition of a communications and operations fellow will allow the organization to work closely with a young professional to aid our communications programs, while providing essential backend support to help the organization. OK Policy is a non-partisan, non-profit organization focused on advancing equitable and fiscally responsible policies that expand opportunity for all Oklahomans through non-partisan research, analysis, and advocacy. Based in Tulsa, the organization was founded in 2008 as a think tank to provide independent, data-driven policy analysis for use in shaping policies that improved the lives for all Oklahomans.
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Staff Bios
Cameasha Alao, Central Regional Organizer
Cameasha Alao joined OK Policy in October 2021 after serving for more than eight years as a child welfare worker with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Cameasha is a graduate of Star Spencer High School (Spencer, Oklahoma), Jarvis Christian College (Hawkins, Texas), where she received a bachelor’s degree in social work, and Oklahoma State University, where she earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration. Cameasha was recognized by the Oklahoma Department of Human Service as the Best of the Best in 2018 for her hard work and dedication to the families and communities she served. Cam will be based out of Oklahoma City.
Tara Grigson, Northeast Regional Organizer
Tara Grigson joined OK Policy in October 2021 as the Northeast Regional Organizer. Tara earned her Master of Public Affairs from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Tara also holds two bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and psychology from the University of Tulsa. While attaining her master’s degree, Tara consulted at the Maine Gun Safety Coalition on a project on firearm suicide. During her undergraduate studies, Tara was an intern at both YWCA Tulsa and OK Policy. Tara will be based out of Tulsa.
Katie Powers, Southwest Regional Organizer
Katie Powers joined OK Policy in November 2021. Her heart is in southwest Oklahoma where she was born and raised. She worked in events management at Cameron University while earning her bachelor’s degree in political science. She was active on her campus both as a staff member and student. After graduating, she worked in events management at the University of Central Oklahoma. Katie will be based out of Lawton.
Kristin Wells, Communications and Operations Fellow
Kristin Wells joined OK Policy in October 2021 as the Communications and Operations Fellow. She previously worked as a digital content producer for News On 6. A native Kansas Citian, Kristin graduated with bachelor’s degrees in media studies and Spanish from the University of Tulsa in 2020. While there, she was accepted into the Global Scholars program, spurring her interests in policy, social movements, global identities, and the importance of education and advocacy.
