Meet Our Team

Aaron Miller grew up in Chicago, IL, and attended the University of Michigan, where he crafted his own major in Metropolitan Strategic Development. After serving as a middle school Teach For America teacher in Tulsa, he moved on to build a vibrant talent ecosystem and neighborhood in Tulsa’s Arts District for the George Kaiser Family Foundation and served as the founding Board Chair of 36 Degrees North, Tulsa’s basecamp for entrepreneurs. He then earned a master’s degree in Learning & Organizational Change at Northwestern University, worked on Culture Transformation at General Motors in Detroit, and launched the Talent Development function at Tempus, a rapidly growing health tech data company in Chicago. His career took him back to Tulsa to blend his expertise in Talent Strategy with inTulsa’s citywide mission to build successful organizations within a well-connected network.

A native Tulsan, Addie Ventris specializes in helping companies ignite their brand strategy and develop strategic marketing initiatives to reach results. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, she received her degree in Advertising through the school of Journalism and Communications. Before joining inTulsa, Addie served as Marketing Director for Tactical Electronics, developing and executing B2B/B2C marketing strategies to reach the most elite tactical operators and EOD technicians in the law enforcement and military communities worldwide. Prior to that, she worked in the B2C space in Houston, Texas, developing marketing and email automation strategies for outdoor and cycling communities. She enjoys Tulsa’s robust, contagious energy, innovation and growth that is set to provide Tulsans with the absolute best community.

Ben Wagman graduated from the University of Tulsa, where he obtained a solid foundation in Finance and honed his skills in business research, development, and strategic planning. With an interest in the intricacies of global trade and logistics, he seized the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the import-export industry, spending his summers working for a California-based firm and gaining the skills to navigate the complexities of international trade regulations, cultivate relationships with suppliers and distributors, and ensure smooth operations throughout the supply chain. Ben also has a strong background in business research, taking a meticulous approach to gathering and analyzing data and thriving on uncovering valuable insights that drive strategic decision-making.

I was born in Shawnee, OK and spent most of my childhood living in Edmond. Having both my grandparents in Tulsa, and my parents born and raised in Tulsa, it was only a matter of time before my family moved back. I was excited to move here the summer before my sophomore year of high school. I knew I didn't want to go too far for college, so I chose OSU Tulsa, where I got a bachelor's degree in business. It was there I realized that whatever I did, I wanted to work with and help people. While in college, I worked at a local restaurant where I met my husband, Josh. We married and started our family, now of 4 (and two dogs). We love raising our daughters in Tulsa. It's a wonderful place to raise a family, and has only gotten better over time. We take advantage of the music scene, amazing local parks and restaurants as often as we can!

As I began my career, I knew I wanted to work somewhere I could learn, grow and become an expert. I knew the Helmerich name from seeing it at parks, buildings, etc. With the help of some connections, I interviewed at Helmerich & Payne and landed in HR, working in Recruiting. That was over 10 years ago!  My work introduces me to people who have done amazing things every day and there is nothing more satisfying than having a part in connecting someone to their dream job. I have a passion for helping people, understanding an organization's culture and trying to find the right fit; All with a deep focus on developing long lasting relationships. I have industry experience in oil & gas, financial services, and technology. Having worked in both corporate and staffing environments I know how to craft an amazing candidate experience and long term relationship while also executing with speed and efficiency.

I was hopeful there was a way to blend my professional life with something I can be passionate about. I feel like I really found that blend at Atento Capital. Growing up in Tulsa, I have seen lots of changes over the years. I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of that change and on the front lines being a voice telling the story to job seekers. Being a part of a team that has a direct impact on the community is what gets me up every day excited about work. As a Talent Partner, I am passionate about our mission for job creation in Tulsa, helping people land their dream job, and ultimately helping the city to continue to become more vibrant and inclusive.

Cesia Brabson is a Latin-American mom, wife, and gardening fanatic. Born in El Salvador and raised both there and in the US, she had the opportunity to experience different cultures before graduating high school and attending Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador in San Salvador to complete pre-med courses. An advocate for creating and supporting diverse and inclusive environments, Cesia has held various professional roles in HR and people leadership, supporting early-career talent through training and development, and recruiting in the Finance and Technology industries. She enjoys working with early talent and experienced candidates alike, supporting them to navigate all the steps it takes to build a pathway toward their career goals in Tulsa’s thriving community.

Conner Putman was raised in Ridgefield, CT where he grew up playing sports, hiking, and completing community service. Upon graduation, he joined a recruiting firm based in Chicago, where he spent two years learning about Technical Recruiting and working on roles ranging from entry-level to senior engineering. After discovering inTulsa and its mission, he decided to visit Tulsa and landed a role here. He is excited to take part in a community that promotes inclusion and diversity, has a vibrant entertainment, art, and music scene, and offers a welcoming community where he feels at home.

I grew up an hour outside of Houston, Texas, on an exotic animal ranch. Although I grew up in the country, I never identified with the country lifestyle. Instead, I wanted to live closer to the city. Growing up, I was lucky to have a supportive family that emphasized the importance of education and my involvement in extracurriculars. 

My high school graduating class included only 12 people, so I had the opportunity to play every sport offered by the school. There were times I felt like I was in over my head while trying to juggle all the different teams’ schedules. However, my parents always made sure to emphasize the fact that I had made a commitment and I needed to follow through. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and commitment to my word. I also realized the importance of teamwork and the responsibility that you have to your team. It enabled me to find within myself the ability to manage busy schedules and prioritize school-work throughout the stress. At the end of the season, I was always glad I stuck it out and didn’t give up in the moments that seemed hard.

After high school, I went on to receive a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Texas A&M. When I started my educational journey, I had no clue what I wanted to do. Psychology attracted me because I was fascinated by people’s mental processes and interactions. It’s helped me understand that people come to different conclusions based on their own personal experiences. Knowing this has allowed me to live a life of empathy and compassion, as well as inspired me to make a career out of helping others.

Kindness and empathy are values that I hold most dear. I believe every person deserves to be treated with respect and given space to explore who they are. I try to see the positive in each individual, even when their behavior might reflect otherwise. 

Right after my husband and I were married in 2018, we decided on a whim that we would move to Tulsa. We soon found that we had fallen in love with the city, and now we’re trying to convince our family and friends to move here. Tulsa surprised us with its thriving business community and everything else the city has to offer. After we arrived, I knew I wanted to be involved in the Tulsa community doing meaningful work. Having a background in HR and recruiting, I arrived at inTulsa Talent and could not be more excited to be working with this group of people. I love being able to help Tulsans find career opportunities that align with their core values and allow them to create the life they want.

Since moving to Tulsa, my husband and I have made more friends than we’ve ever had anywhere else. The people are extremely friendly, and they all share a love for their city. I love the big city feel you get from downtown Tulsa’s architecture, cocktail bars, and excellent food options. Almost every weekend, you will find us downtown with our dogs at one of the many Tulsa breweries, cycling the riverside trails, or exploring the Gathering Place.

Gabriel Torianyk immigrated to Tulsa at a young age and fell in love with the city and the people who inhabit it. As an adult, he moved to Israel to enlist in the IDF and spend time living abroad before returning to Tulsa to begin his professional career. He has studied project management at Foundry College, as well as Electrical Engineering at the University of Tulsa—which has allowed him to pursue his interest in using technology to make the world a better place. Working at inTulsa has given him the tools to understand the business side of operations and add to the efforts being made to progress Tulsa’s economic development.

Isaiah J. Coleman was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated high school at the age of 16, then moved to Tulsa to pursue a business management degree at Oral Roberts University. His professional journey has taken him from Coca-Cola to AT&T and Bank of America, some of the largest companies in the world, but he considers Tulsa his home and loves its rich history and culture. He is passionate about the opportunity to help companies, and most importantly, people realize that possibilities are endless in Tulsa.

Jacob Cronin was born and raised in Stillwater, OK, a relatively small town where he learned how important a strong and supportive community can be to reaching goals. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in economics, he enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Missouri to focus on improving educational and labor market outcomes for vulnerable populations. Passionate about enabling economic mobility for underserved populations, he moved from academia and research to his role at inTulsa, where he can have a direct impact on educational and labor market outcomes for the people of Tulsa.

Janessa Mondestin, a New York City native turned Tulsan transplant, has a lifelong passion for community building. Her core belief of “it takes a village” carries through her career as a strategic HR leader working in community reinvestment, mergers and acquisitions, people and brand strategy, talent branding, employee experience and corporate citizenship across various industries. She graduated from Fordham University and holds certifications in HR, People Analytics, and Social Impact from Wharton. Tulsa provides Janessa what she considers the best of both worlds: a cultural eclectic of native and settled, together with a concrete cosmopolitan area within reach of green country—inspiring her to call the area home.

Krystal Green, MBA, Doctoral Candidate, is a multi-faceted corporate recruiter in Tulsa with years of proven experience. In addition to her recruiting skills, she has a passion for HR, DEI, and client talent consultation/advisory. Her love for networking and creating connections for others has played a pivotal role in her success. Krystal considers herself a respecter of perspectives and prides herself on being unprejudiced. She has a zeal for helping Tulsa's professionals find their niche or diversify their moxie into other professional fields.Krystal's educational journey as an adult learner aids in her connection to later-in-life degree recipients. She has earned her bachelor's in Family Science and Gerontology, a master's in Business Administration, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Education, Administration, and Leadership. Her degrees have allowed her to gain experience as a recruiter, HR business partner and Leader, and VP of Talent and Culture. These experiences led her to pursue a more mission-driven role with inTulsa. Krystal honed in on candidate readiness and client advisement. Krystal hopes to elevate the candidate experience through aiding organizations and clients in making vital talent decisions

LaTonya Pratt has spent the last 17 years of her career in the field of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. With a proven track record of leadership and a passion for people and talent development, LaTonya has consistently led multiple teams to remarkable success.

LaTonya’s commitment to caring for people and their success extends beyond the workplace. She actively contributes her time to mentoring our next leaders in her community and her alma mater, Oral Roberts University. She is very excited to merge all of her passions into her next position as InTulsa’s Head of Talent Solutions.  

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Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Louie Napoleone first experienced Tulsa as a professional actor performing on the national tour of a Broadway musical. During his performing arts career, he traveled to 49 of 50 US states, 9 European countries, plus Israel, playing center stage and also holding various administrative roles that exposed him to the business side of “show business.” He then joined the competitive, fast-paced and dynamic NYC residential real estate industry, and completed his MBA at Columbia University. At inTulsa, Louie works on cutting edge, talent-driven, economic development initiatives—guiding new companies to Tulsa, supporting them in their diverse missions, and connecting them to local stakeholders, partnerships and talented Tulsans.

MaryBeth DeWitt grew up just outside of Tulsa, by Lake Keystone. After graduating from high school, she went to Texas for her undergraduate degree, then moved back to Tulsa and earned an MBA through the University of Tulsa. MaryBeth spent nearly 20 years serving as an operational and strategy executive at for-profit global companies with the opportunity to travel all over the world. She is thrilled to finally get to work in her own community. With a drive to live life as a giver, MaryBeth offers her time, talent, and attention to mentor, uplift, and share with others—especially in her current role at inTulsa, where she provides people with support, guidance, and resources to help them reach their goals.

Max G. Nobel grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. As a child of an immigrant, he became aware of the impact of cross-cultural exchanges and relationships at a young age. While attending the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham, he bore direct witness to the community-erasing consequences of America’s macroeconomic trends, and he completed his Economics Major and Chinese Minor at Reed College with a desire to focus his career on the highly local, personal ways people are impacted by large, global systems. Upon moving to Tulsa, he was drawn to inTulsa’s mission to create an intentional, broad-based effort to build and bolster the infrastructure that affects how Tulsans live and work.

Megan Thomas is a visionary leader known for her warm, imaginative, and analytical approach to driving transformation and fostering collaboration. Born and raised just north of Seattle, she moved to Los Angeles, where she spent two decades immersing herself in diverse environments and gaining a global perspective.

Her educational journey began at Harvey Mudd and Scripps College, where Megan pursued a dual degree in Engineering and Liberal Arts. It was during this time that she discovered her true strength lay in leading teams. This realization led her to work at Boeing as mechanical engineer, where she excelled in bringing people together and guiding teams towards success.

Driven by her passion for making a tangible impact on organizations and the healthcare industry, Megan pursued an MBA and delved into program management and consulting. Throughout her career, she has been a driving force behind critical initiatives, including transformations, technology implementations, and operational improvements. Megan's exceptional leadership skills and unwavering commitment to excellence have proved instrumental in helping individuals navigate through complex and charged transitions that require strong guidance.

Her journey led her to join Point B in management consulting, where Megan focused on transforming the organization's operations to meet rapid growth demands. This experience laid the foundation for her subsequent role to found inTulsa, where her expertise in technology, consulting, and talent acquisition converged, allowing her to serve and support the community of Tulsa growth efforts.

Megan's career trajectory exemplifies her unwavering dedication to driving transformative change and building collaborative networks. Her experiences in technology, consulting, and talent acquisition have given her a unique perspective, enabling her to tackle complex challenges and create innovative solutions. With her ability to connect people, leverage their strengths, and unlock collective innovation, Megan is a catalyst for growth and positive change.

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Neha Bhandari grew up near the tech capital of Asia: Bangalore, India. She worked at Goldman Sachs in India before moving to the US and completing her MBA in Columbia, Missouri. After starting off as an IT developer, Neha moved into Business Analyst and Project Manager roles, building 15+ years of experience in different IT domains including Investment Banking, Software Development, Supply Chain, E-commerce and Wholesale Supplies. She is delighted to be part of the inTulsa community, aligned with its mission to uplift, create opportunities for and make Tulsa a technologically advanced city.

Phillip Perez has lived in Tulsa most of his life and proudly calls it his home. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in psychology, he returned to the city and has been working in the Tulsa community ever since. He spends the majority of his free time with my fiancé and three dogs cooking, reading, planning for the future, and spending time with family. He is excited to serve the community through his role at inTulsa.

Princess Austin was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she pursued performance arts from a young age through the Cincinnati School of Creative and Performing Arts. After graduating, she attended Oral Roberts University, discovered the incredible creative community in Tulsa, and started her own business. Her experience as a small business owner inspired her to pursue an MBA and grow her brand and clothing line, Worthy Girl, dedicated to empowering women worldwide. Expanding her business also introduced her to the world of recruiting, which provides her the opportunity to help candidates achieve their passions and dreams.

Rebecca Blood began her career as an organizer and a regional manager for large political campaigns, where she gained skills in project management. After moving to Oklahoma, she landed a role at inTulsa, where she enjoys taking large-scale initiatives and funneling them down into manageable bite-size pieces. She works with inTulsa’s special project teams such as the Visa Network Program, relocating talented people from places like Ukraine into job opportunities in Tulsa. She loves knowing that she is helping people weekly to improve their lives and succeed, while working in an environment that values being an asset to the local ecosystem and creating a more diverse and inclusive and vibrant city.

Sajid Riaz is a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. A seasoned computer scientist, he has learned to speak 6 different human languages and over a dozen computer languages. Sajid has 10+ years of research and development experience in the healthcare, software, and telecom industries using multi-modal data streams. He considers Tulsa a home away from home for himself and his family, appreciating the community’s generosity and kindness, and everything it offers his family.

Sally Hubbert is originally from Sherman, Texas. With family ties to Sherman’s community theater and a love for creating art, Sally grew up working on shows and enjoyed the aspect of community it offered—something she appreciates about Tulsa as well. Her career in nonprofit administration encompassed working on external partnership management, project management, operationalizing new programs and structures, and serving on the talent team, working on special initiatives to improve employee engagement and experience. At inTulsa, she is passionate about helping connect people to opportunities that help them achieve their goals, while having an impact on Tulsa’s growth.

A native Tulsan, Samuel Kurtz has spent most of his career as a University of Illinois Chicago doctoral student and researcher in the Department of Public Policy, Management, and Analytics’ Networks and Governance Lab. His research has focused on interorganizational service delivery by local governments, with an emphasis on the performance management mechanisms utilized to optimize contracting, the configurations of capacity of regional organizations that drive the use of contracting, and goal sustainability for long-range planning.

Shayna Talton was born in Oklahoma City, but grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems, with a focus on Information Assurance. Afterwards, she moved to Tulsa, where she has worked in various IT roles where she learned to adopt new technologies and gained an appreciation for forward-thinking. She is thrilled to be a part of the inTulsa initiative to turn Tulsa into a successful and thriving tech hub.

Stacey Dirks moved to Oklahoma from Redding, CA, when she was nine, and now considers herself a Tulsa native. After spending time in New York City participating in a handful of fun, off-off Broadway experiences, she moved into corporate retail field management with an emphasis on recruiting and people development. She has a passion for creating diverse and inclusive teams through improving hiring processes, creating equitable opportunities for skilling up and career pathing and coaching hiring managers to understand and eliminate bias. Stacey loves sharing advice, brainstorming ideas and giving encouragement for that next big leap, while being part of Tulsa’s change and growth through her career at inTulsa.

Vyacheslav "Stan" Khrapak was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and immigrated to the US at a young age. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies Education and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma. Stan has 10+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit and higher education settings and has spearheaded community initiatives in K-12 education, publishing, refugee services, and adult learning. In his role as inTulsa's Visa Network Lead, he helps talented people from across the globe land career roles and settle into a new home in Tulsa.

Tamara Moore-Butler was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, NY. A graduate of The Newhouse School at Syracuse University, she worked in TV production by day and auditioned at night before landing a 23-year career working in professional sports, including 15 seasons with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies producing the game night experience, as well as other sports-related roles from Choreographer, to Branding and Retail Management, as well as Arena Emcee. After moving to Tulsa to be near her husband’s family, she is enjoying her pivot from basketball to recruiting at inTulsa, serving a city that is forward-thinking and investing in growing a diverse and inclusive community.

Timothy B, Mwesigwa grew up in Kampala, Uganda, aspiring to travel and see the world while living in a small town with a tight-knit community. He attended one of the best high schools in his country, which offered an international education with opportunities to study abroad. He then attended university in Chandigarh, Punjab, North India. There, he developed resilience and a strong sense of responsibility, leading the African Students Association first as general secretary and later as president, and graduating top of his class with a degree in accounting. He then earned his MBA at Oral Roberts University, where he became interested in social entrepreneurship, which is one of the many reasons he enjoys working with inTulsa to bring economic development to Tulsa.

Victoria DeLeon came to Tulsa from Erie, PA, as a teenager, and the city quickly became home to her. Her love of exploring and traveling led her into a career as a Travel Advisor at World Travel Service for nearly 12 years, helping people plan dream vacations and discover once-in-a-lifetime experiences in new destinations. She then moved into the role of Service Coordinator at a Native American/woman-owned business, aiding customers through effective communication and empathy across a broad range of industries. That passion to help people led her to inTulsa, where she manages projects and events that allow the team to connect current and future Tulsans to their dream jobs and contribute to Tulsa’s continued growth as a diverse and inclusive city.