Next Level Leadership - Oklahoma Leaders Unplugged

Hosted by Autry Technology Center

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Aug 2025

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About the show

Next Level Leadership – Oklahoma Leaders Unplugged showcases our local leaders, offering a platform for esteemed figures to impart invaluable insights, narratives, and strategies that have helped them pave their way to success. Helmed by Autry’s accomplished leadership training specialist, Lisa White, this podcast delves into the personal and professional odysseys of these remarkable individuals. Join us as we explore the profound wisdom and experiences of these esteemed leaders.

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26 recent

August 26, 2025Episode 2539 min

Rebecca D. Szewczak

Rebecca D. Szewczak, DO, FACOFP is a board-certified family physician and Chief Medical Officer at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Enid, OK, where she practices full-scope family medicine with obstetrics. A 2012 graduate of Rocky Vista University and 2015 residency graduate of St. Anthony Family Medicine, she is passionate about rural healthcare and physician advocacy. Dr. Szewczak mentors OSU medical students and serves on the national Board of Governors for the ACOFP, as well as the boards of the Enid YWCA and Northwest Oklahoma Osteopathic Foundation.

August 1, 2025Episode 2443 min

Stela Jantzen

Stela Jantzen is the executive director of Park Avenue Thrift, a nonprofit thrift store in Enid, Oklahoma, that supports local nonprofits and schools dedicated to making Enid a great place to live. An Enid native, Stela graduated from Enid High School before earning her degree in Merchandising and Marketing from Oklahoma State University. After returning to Enid in 2009, she and her husband, Riley, opened The Felt Bird, a beloved gift boutique in downtown Enid. Driven to make a difference in downtown and help it succeed, Stela began volunteering with Main Street Enid, a nonprofit working to revitalize downtown as the heart of the community. Her dedication led to her being hired as assistant director in 2012. In 2019, Stela found the perfect blend of her love for retail and nonprofit work when she became the executive director at Park Avenue Thrift. Under her leadership, the organization has contributed $2 million over the past five years to more than 50 local organizations that make the community she loves a vibrant and thriving place to be. Stela believes that strong communities are built through collaboration, generosity, and a shared vision for growth.

June 23, 2025Episode 2343 min

Molly Helm

Molly Helm is the chief thinker and writer at Purple Ink, where she works closely with nonprofits and growing businesses. With 25 years of experience in corporate marketing, nonprofit leadership, and communications, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her work. A longtime nonprofit board member, she’s contributed to marketing, governance, and fundraising efforts. Molly was named one of the Fifty Who Make a Difference in Oklahoma and is a Leadership Oklahoma alum.

June 2, 2025Episode 2241 min

Greg Hodgen

Greg Hodgen is the CEO of Groendyke Transport, Inc., one of the nation's top tank-truck carriers specializing in bulk liquid and hazardous materials transport. Since joining the company in 1991, he has held several key leadership roles and led Groendyke through significant growth, including its largest acquisition in 2019 and multiple national safety awards. In addition to his corporate leadership, Greg is deeply involved in industry associations like the American Trucking Associations and NTTC and is active in community service through organizations focused on education, workforce development, and civic engagement.

May 19, 202539 min

Powerful Partnerships

We’re celebrating a major milestone — over 1,000 downloads of the Next Level Leadership: Oklahoma Leaders Unplugged podcast! Thank YOU for tuning in and supporting real conversations with real Oklahoma leaders. To mark the occasion, we’re dropping a Celebratory Special Edition featuring a powerful conversation on strategic partnerships with two incredible guests: Col. Throckmorton Commander of 71st flying training Wing of Vance Air Force Base and Mayor David Mason of Enid.

May 5, 2025Episode 2133 min

Courtney Dennis

Courtney Dennis is the Executive Director of YWCA Enid, a nonprofit supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Northwest Oklahoma. She has over a decade of experience in victim services and has led the YWCA as CEO since September 2020. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Courtney’s expertise spans nonprofit leadership, victim and social services, mental health, marketing, and sales. Courtney is a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class 37, End Violence Oklahoma, Rotary Club of Enid, The Care Campus, and Enid Women in Business. Courtney is also active with Vance Air Force Base, OKGOP, Junior Welfare League of Enid, Leadership Greater Enid, P.E.O. Chapter FS, and Gaslight Theatre. Courtney received the Enid Young Professionals Top 10 Under 40 Award in 2018. In May 2025, she will begin serving as the City of Enid’s Ward 6 Commissioner.

April 14, 2025Episode 2046 min

Max McKnight

Max McKnight is a dynamic professional with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a minor in Economics from Oklahoma State University. With over 20 years of experience in Community Economic Development, Max has significantly collaborated with various chambers of commerce to drive growth and innovation. His passion for workforce development led him to the Oklahoma CareerTech system, where he served as an Industrial Coordinator at Metro Tech. He now excels as the Director of Workforce Training for the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education. In this pivotal role, he spearheads a dedicated team that empowers adults through education and advancing economic development initiatives that shape the community's future. Max McKnight is not just a leader; he is a catalyst for change and growth in the workforce landscape.

March 24, 2025Episode 1944 min

Raquel Gramillo

My name is Raquel Gramillo. I was born in Mexico then my family immigrated to the United Stated when I was 4 years old in search of better life and opportunities. We settled in Enid, Oklahoma where I attended Enid Public Schools until I transitioned to homeschooling. I ventured out into various jobs gaining experiences that helped me understand the workforce better. In 2020, I started my career in healthcare when I joined Great Salt Plains Health Center. I first started as a receptionist then was promoted to front desk supervisor before my one-year anniversary. Then I was promoted again a year later to Practice Administrator where I manage the business and operational side of our health centers in Enid. Despite not having a college education, this achievement demonstrated the hard work, commitment, and a willingness to learn can lead to significant opportunities. This opportunity also allowed me to find my passion for serving the community. Currently, I serve on the on the Steering Committee for the Rural Health Projects Family Resource Center. I’m a part of the current United Way NextGen Program. Recently, I founded the Garfield County Hispanic Coalition which focuses on supporting and uplifting the Hispanic Community in our area. Soon, I will begin my term as a board member for the CARE campus. I’m a Frontline Leadership Alumni. This course helped me grow and find the confidence I needed as a new leader to later be promoted into my current role.

March 3, 2025Episode 1844 min

Dan Schiedel

Dan Schiedel is currently in his 9th year as the Executive Director and CEO of United Way of NW Oklahoma, where he works with the community as a collaborator, connector, and convener and helps to raise funds & provide resources for 14 Enid nonprofit partner agencies that provide human services to those in need in Enid and NW Oklahoma. Before coming to Enid and to the United Way, Dan was in Public Broadcasting for nearly 30 years where he managed and produced diverse media projects for PBS stations in South Dakota, Missouri, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. He is a native of South Dakota and a graduate of the University of South Dakota where he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Journalism and Contemporary Media. Dan serves on numerous local and statewide boards and is a current member & past President of the Enid Rotary Club and past President of the Riveron Wyoming and Claremore Oklahoma Rotary clubs.

February 2, 2025Episode 171 hr 0 min

Dwight R. Hughes

Dwight’s legacy encompasses over 30 years in the Careertech sector. His most recent accomplishment being recognized for the Francis Tuttle Award for his exemplary dedication to our state’s education. As a prominent figure in various boards and councils, he contributes his expertise and insights to foster growth and development in the CTE landscape. Steering initiatives that aim to bridge gaps and foster innovation in career and technical education. Dwight's dedication to his community and the field of career and technical education is further evidenced by his involvement with The Oklahoma Academy Board of Directors, the Autry Tech Foundation, the Grand National Quail Club, and the Oakwood Country Club. As a distinguished graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class XXIII, Dwight R. Hughes continues to inspire with his unwavering dedication to fostering a brighter, more prosperous future through education and community engagement.