Staff

Shiloh Kantz joined OK Policy in February 2010.  She is a wife and mother of three children, Grantham, Ethan and Delilah, and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.  Prior to joining OK Policy, she worked as a controller  for an Oklahoma small business group. Shiloh was promoted to Director of Operations and Development in June 2015, then Deputy Director in 2018. She began serving as the organization’s interim executive director June 2022. Following a national search, Shiloh was named executive director in October 2022. With over a decade of policy and advocacy experience, she is committed to 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.  Shiloh is a Rockwood Leadership Institute 2023 National Leading from the Inside Out Fellow, a member of the State Priorities Partnership Steering Committee, and a member of VEST, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities to achieve positions of power and influence for women leaders in the workplace. Contact Shiloh

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Policy Director Carly Putnam

Carly Putnam joined OK Policy in 2013. As Policy Director, she supervises policy research and strategy. She also serves as the KIDS COUNT coordinator for OK Policy. She previously worked as an OK Policy intern, and she was OK Policy’s health care policy analyst through July 2020. She graduated from the University of Tulsa in 2013. As a student, she was a participant in the National Education for Women (N.E.W.) Leadership Institute and interned with Planned Parenthood. Carly is a graduate of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Nonprofit Management Certification; the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council’s Partners in Policymaking; The Mine, a social entrepreneurship fellowship in Tulsa; and Leadership Tulsa Class 62. She currently serves on the boards of Restore Hope Ministries and The Arc of Oklahoma. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and doing battle with her hundred year-old house. Contact Carly

Criminal Justice Policy Analyst Cole Allen

Cole Allen joined OK Policy as a Policy Fellow in August 2022, and he was named the Criminal Justice Policy Analyst in October 2023. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree in International Studies as well as a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with minors in Religious Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. During college, Cole was a research assistant at the Center for U.S.-China Issues and the Center for Cyber Governance and Policy. He also interned for the U.S. Department of State Diplomat in Residence for the Central United States. Cole hopes that his work at OK Policy will help make Oklahoma a more just and equitable state for all its residents. When he is not working, Cole enjoys cooking Italian food, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and following OU athletics. Contact Cole.

Housing Senior Policy Analyst Sabine Brown

Sabine Brown joined the Oklahoma Policy Institute as Housing Senior Policy Analyst in January 2022. She previously worked at OK Policy from January 2018 until September 2020 as the Outreach and Legislative Director, and received a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. Before joining OK Policy she served as the Oklahoma Chapter Leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Sabine also earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Health Science from the University of Oklahoma and was a physician assistant prior to discovering advocacy work. She grew up in Germany but has called Oklahoma home since 1998. Contact Sabine

Fiscal Policy Analyst Aanahita Ervin

Aanahita Ervin joined OK Policy Institute as a Fiscal Policy Analyst in May 2024. She calls Oklahoma City and Mumbai, India home having been raised in both cities. She earned her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 and her Master of Public Policy from the Sanford School at Duke University in 2024. She began her policy journey wanting to merge science with policy to help address climate change. She soon realized her wide array of interests in criminal justice reform to food insecurity and how they are inextricably linked to poverty. Fiscal policy undergirds all policies because without financial backing, policies have no power. Aanahita is excited to use her skills to positively transform Oklahoma’s fiscal policy landscape to better serve everyday Oklahomans. When not working, she enjoys admiring Oklahoma’s sunsets, cooking meals, and taking rejuvenating naps. Contact Aanahita

Youth Justice Policy Analyst Jill Mencke

Jill Mencke joined OK Policy as the Youth Justice Policy Analyst in September 2022. Jill earned her B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Oklahoma in May 2020. After graduation, she worked as a family preservation specialist, providing intervention services to families experiencing issues in the home. She saw the impact intervention programs and support services can have, and is dedicated to creating more avenues for prevention and support for Oklahoma families and their youth. Jill enjoys attending local concerts, hosting movie nights, and her Siamese cat, Buddy. She was born and raised in Oklahoma and resides in Norman. Contact Jill

Tribal-State Policy Analyst Vivian Morris

Vivian Morris joined OK Policy in August 2021 as a Tribal Policy Fellow through the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities State Policy Fellowship Program. She was named the Tribal-State Policy Analyst in August 2023. Vivian is Alabama (federally recognized as Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town) Mvskoke-Seminole, and Diné (Navajo). Vivian grew up in rural Oklahoma, on both the Mvskoke (Creek) and Seminole Nation reservations. She completed her Master of Public Administration degree with a Public Policy concentration from the University of Oklahoma in May 2022 and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Studies and Women and Gender Studies, with a minor in Native American Studies from the University of Oklahoma. Previously, Vivian served the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town Election Committee where she oversaw the tribe’s election process and policy development and worked as a Tribal Government Relations Health Promotion Coordinator at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (SoonerCare). Vivian was a member of the 2022 AICCO Leadership Native Oklahoma class, recipient of the 2022 OU-WGS Alice Mary Robertson award, and Metriarch’s 2023 Breakthrough Maven award. Vivian is passionate about racial and economic equity and access to justice for all Oklahomans. In her free time you will likely hear her elongating her As and Es. Contact Vivian

Immigration Policy Analyst Gabriela Ramirez-Perez

Gabriela joined OK Policy as an Immigration Policy Analyst in August 2021. Raised in Oklahoma City, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with minors in German, Arabic, and International Security Studies. During college Gabriela had internships at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma, the Office of former Congresswoman Kendra Horn, and she took part in events to help educate first-generation Latinx students on how to attend college. Gabriela looks forward to using her skills at OK Policy to work towards a more equitable future for all Oklahomans. Contact Gabriela

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Research Director Anthony Flores

Anthony Flores joined OK Policy as a Data Analyst in March 2023 and was named Research Director in August 2024. He graduated in his home state of Oklahoma with a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Oklahoma. While at OU, he researched the impact of child benefits, including their effect on improving child poverty, economic growth, and carceral outcomes. His experience in supporting his family after the deportation of his father informs his research and allows him to empathize with those experiencing our criminal justice system’s financial and emotional consequences. Anthony works to contribute to reform so future Oklahomans may participate in a criminal justice system based on principles of restorative and rehabilitative justice. Outside work, he loves learning more about our world and people’s experiences, playing piano, and creating art. Contact Anthony

Senior Data Engineer & Architect Brancen Gregory

Brancen Gregory joined OK Policy in March 2021. Brancen served as OK Policy’s Research Director for nearly two years before beginning their current role where they focus their expertise on building and sustaining the organization’s data infrastructure and data extraction tools. Raised in Tulsa, Brancen graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, minoring in Philosophy and Religious Studies.  After graduating, they worked as a Clinical Data Analyst for the Muskogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Brancen has also spent time freelancing as a graphic designer, web developer, and analyst. In all their endeavors, they strive to bring an interdisciplinary and analytic perspective. Contact Brancen

Senior Data Analyst Andrew Bell

Andrew Bell joined the Oklahoma Policy Institute in March 2021. Born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas, Andrew moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master’s in Public Administration in 2021. He has worked in many roles within the field of social science and public policy, including public opinion polling and research on probabilistic risk communication at the OU Center for Risk and Crisis Management. Since joining OK Policy, his work has focused on data related to the Oklahoma County District Court, the Oklahoma County Detention Center, as well as other data sets in the criminal legal system. Andrew is also involved in developing OK Policy’s research tools and data management operations. Contact Andrew

Data Analyst Ashley Harvey

Ashley Harvey joined OK Policy as the justice data analyst for Open Justice Oklahoma in September 2018. A native Oklahoman, she received her B.S. and M.S. from Oklahoma State University-Tulsa in Human Development and Family Science. She previously worked as a research assistant for OSU’s Center for Family Resilience evaluating various community and grant funded projects. As an Albert Schweitzer Fellow, she developed and implemented a family strengthening initiative within Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center. Ashley is an alumna of OK Policy’s 2017 Summer Policy Institute. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from OSU, where her research interests include family and community impacts of the justice system. She lives in the Tulsa area with her two children. Contact Ashley

Data Analyst Polina Rozhkova

Polina Rozhkova has been a Data Analyst at OK Policy since March 2023. She earned a Master of Public Policy with a focus on data analysis and computational social science from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Economics from Gettysburg College. At Oklahoma Policy Institute, Polina analyzes data and conducts research on youth in the criminal legal system, the criminalization of individuals with substance use disorders, and the evaluation of Oklahoma’s parole process. Before joining OK Policy, Polina worked with LiveFree Illinois, a faith-based organization in Chicago dedicated to transforming public safety and mitigating the harm caused by the criminal justice system in Black communities. She conducted research that was used to advocate for police accountability policies and address Chicago’s unsolved homicide problem. She has a background in classical ballet, having studied it for 14 years, which has instilled in her a strong dedication to discipline and continuous improvement. In her free time, Polina is interested in any activity that involves Momo (cat). Contact Polina

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Development Director Michelle Pooch

Michelle Pooch joined OK Policy in May 2022. She was born and raised in small-town Iowa where her community shaped her commitment to public service. After completing her B.A. in sociology at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, she served families throughout rural northeastern Oklahoma as a Resource Coordinator for the State while completing her M.P.A. degree at OU-Tulsa. Michelle brings nearly a decade of experience in political and nonprofit fundraising, most recently serving as the Director of Development and Communications for Restore Hope Ministries, an urban ministry dedicated to hunger relief and homeless prevention. Contact Michelle

Operations Manager Amber Hasty

Amber Hasty joined the Oklahoma Policy Institute as Operations Manager in December 2024. Before joining OK Policy, she worked in operations for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, where she helped coordinate logistics for the distribution of more than 50 million pounds of food annually for those in need. She also has experience in the nonprofit health sector managing a program that helped uninsured Oklahomans find access to medication and primary care. Born and raised in Oklahoma City, she has always had a deep passion for serving her community. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, and creating art that is inspired by the world around her. Contact Amber

Development Associate ViaFaith McCullough

ViaFaith McCullough joined the OK Policy Team in July 2024. She is an advocate for peace and justice from Oklahoma City. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Philander Smith University in May 2021. Before joining OK Policy, she served as executive director of a local education-centered nonprofit. She is a graduate of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Nonprofit Management program. In addition to being a former early childhood educator, ViaFaith brings over eight years of experience working with advocacy, community, and faith-based organizations to advance education, anti-poverty, health care, and racially equitable policies. ViaFaith is excited to use her skills and passion for equity to expand opportunities for Oklahomans. Contact ViaFaith 

Communications Director Dave Hamby

David Hamby has more than 25 years of experience as an award-winning communicator, including overseeing communication programs for Oklahoma higher education institutions and other organizations. Before joining OK Policy, he was director of public relations for Rogers State University where he managed the school’s external communication programs and served as a member of the president’s leadership team. He served in a similar communications role for five years at the University of Tulsa. His professional experience also includes service at Oklahoma State University and the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce in Arkansas. After earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from OSU, he worked as a reporter for three years for a daily newspaper in Arkansas. Contact Dave

Digital Communications Associate Annie Taylor

Annie Taylor joined OK Policy as a Digital Communications Associate/Storybanker in April 2022. She studied journalism and mass communication at the University of Oklahoma, and was a member of the Native American Journalists Association. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma. While pursuing her degree, she worked in restaurant and retail management, as well as freelance copywriting and digital content production. Annie is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation, and holds a deep reverence for storytelling in the digital age. She was born and raised in southeast Oklahoma, and now lives in Oklahoma City with her dog, Melvin. Contact Annie

Communications Associate Kandis West

Kandis West is a communications professional with more than 15 years of experience. Most recently, she served as the Communications Director for the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus. She spent nine years in the Olympia/Tacoma area of Washington organizing compensation campaigns for teachers for the Washington Education Association. Kandis has a proven track record of increasing community engagement, public awareness and media exposure around the most pressing issues that impact citizens. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism. She lives in her hometown of Midwest City with her husband, three daughters and many beloved pets where she is passionate about native plants, permaculture and gardening. Contact Kandis