OKPOLICY.ORG
The Oklahoma Policy Institute Board of Directors has named Shiloh Kantz — the organization’s longest tenured staff member — as its executive director to lead the organization as it fulfills its mission to deliver non-partisan research, data analysis, and advocacy efforts to make state policies work on behalf of all Oklahomans.
Kantz has served the organization since 2010 after being the first employee hired by longtime Executive Director David Blatt. She began her role at OK Policy as office manager and later was promoted to Director of Operations and Development in 2015.
In 2018, she was named Deputy Director and has served as Interim Executive Director since June following the departure of former Executive Director Ahniwake Rose for a position with a national organization.
Kantz is a wife, mother of three children, and an active community volunteer, and she is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
“After conducting a national search that culminated with several highly qualified and impressive candidates, the Board of Directors has proudly selected Shiloh Kantz to lead our talented and committed staff team,” said OK Policy Board Chair Jeff Berrong of Weatherford.
“Shiloh has been with OK Policy every step of the way over the past 13 years as we have become Oklahoma’s preeminent policy think tank focused on budget and tax issues,” Berrong said. “She has worked tirelessly both behind the scenes and out front leading staff. When it comes to policy development, she can see the big picture while also keeping a firm grasp of the nitty-gritty details that make a non-profit organization operate successfully and smoothly. We’re excited for her vision of OK Policy moving forward.”
Kantz said she is committed to continuing OK Policy’s non-partisan focus on helping all Oklahomans have the opportunity to live healthy lives, raise thriving families, and live in safe communities.
“State policies should be effective and fiscally responsible while also supporting the well-being of all Oklahomans, regardless of the size of their bank account or the circumstances of their birth,” Kantz said. “Good ideas don’t come pre-packaged with the stamp of any particular political party. Oklahoma’s progress will depend on folks from different backgrounds and political affiliations working together to ensure the long-term success of Oklahoma and the folks who call our state home.”
OK Policy was founded in 2008 as an independent nonprofit focused on advancing equitable and fiscally responsible policies to expand opportunity for all Oklahomans through nonpartisan research, analysis, and advocacy. The organization operates a grassroots advocacy program — Together Oklahoma — and Open Justice Oklahoma, which is its program focused on improving the understanding of Oklahoma’s justice system through data analysis to identify problems, craft solutions, and measure reform outcomes. OK Policy is also the state affiliate for the KIDS COUNT program from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
OK Policy’s Board of Directors include: Jeff Berrong of Weatherford, Chair; Caroline Guerra Wolf of Tulsa, Vice Chair; Beverly K. Carmichael of Tulsa, Secretary; and Rebecca Thompson of Tulsa, Treasurer, along with board members Susan Bynum of Tulsa, Chuck Garrett of Tulsa, Ashley Harris Philippsen of Tulsa, Kelsey Karper of Oklahoma City, Rodger T. Kerr of Altus, Roger Knak of Fairview, Erika Lucas of Oklahoma City, and Dr. Joe Siano of Norman.
For more information about OK Policy and its programs, visit OKPolicy.org.
