Fighting for arts and funding 40+ agencies.
Nearly $95M impact and growing since 1971
But we do more than raise money. We advocate for the arts. We promote arts education – and raise awareness of its impact in our schools, communities and state. And to keep our network of cultural nonprofits strong, we offer many levels of technical and organizational support.
Allied Arts was formed in 1971 as a way for the community to support and engage with central Oklahoma’s cultural groups.
Our annual campaign raises critical funding for nonprofit arts organizations throughout the community. From corporations and foundations to nonprofits and people just like you, everyone can make a difference. Funding helps local arts organizations with their operating, program and educational budgets. Allied Arts also helps organizations keep ticket prices low – and offer free events – so more people community-wide can experience the arts. Creating hands-on arts education for schoolchildren across the state is also possible because of campaign funding.
Enriching lives through advancement of the arts.
To be the driving force for the arts in Oklahoma’s dynamic growth.
Sunny Cearley
Sunny Cearley serves as President/CEO for Allied Arts. Cearley came to Allied Arts from her role as Senior Vice President of Membership for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. Prior to that, she spent almost a decade leading sales efforts for The Journal Record Publishing Company. Before working in the arts full-time, Cearley sat on the executive committee for The Civic Center Foundation and on the advisory board for El Sistema Oklahoma. She is passionate about the fact that art improves the quality of life and supports economic development in our community. Cearley holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Baylor University and a Master of Journalism from the University of North Texas. She is graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 30 and LOYAL Class III.
Jennifer Bryan
Jennifer is the Director of Grants and Foundation Relations. Originally from New Orleans, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family, friends and her Jack Russell Terrier, traveling to her favorite places, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. As a proud graduate of Louisiana State University, she can often be seen wearing purple and gold while saying her favorite phrase, “Geaux Tigers!”
Robert Schultheis
Rob oversees finance, business planning, budgeting and human resources for Allied Arts. He has an M.B.A. in Finance & Marketing and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Colorado/Boulder. When not shuttling the kids between theater rehearsals and sports practices, Rob enjoys traveling, savoring good wine, and watching college football. He and his wife Jaime have two children, Charlie and Sawyer.
Ciarra Kelly
Ciarra Kelly serves as the Data & Reporting Analyst at Allied Arts. Before serving in this position, Ciarra was involved in Life Change Ballroom Academy, a non-profit organization which was an Allied Arts grantee. Experiencing firsthand how the arts shaped her life, she wants to make sure she does her part in shaping others through the arts. With her three beautiful children, Avaiyah, Ashton and Bryce, Ciarra enjoys serving the community with her church and loves visiting close relatives.
Courtney Lavender
Courtney serves as the Campaign Manager and will oversee the fundraising campaign for Allied Arts. She also oversees the organization's fundraising events. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and a minor in Non-Profit Management. Courtney loves spending time with her family, especially her Labrador Retriever. When she’s not planning Allied Arts’ next event, you can find Courtney relaxing with friends, trying something new, or traveling.
Enid Hennen
Enid serves is a Development Manager and oversees the OKCityCard program for Allied Arts. She has degrees in Percussion Performance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and taught for eight years in the roles of band director, general music teacher and art teacher. Enid enjoys traveling, hiking, playing music, and making art for friends and family.
Jenyann Roig
Jenyann Roig is an Emmy Award-winning writer and works as the Strategic Communications Manager for Allied Arts. She oversees the Allied Arts social media, marketing and communication efforts along with advocacy efforts for the organization. Prior to joining the team, Jenyann worked as a journalist in Oklahoma for 12 years. When she’s not working, you can catch her at a Thunder game or exploring all the amazing things Oklahoma City has to offer.
Joseph Messick
Joseph processes payments and conducts research. An Oklahoma City boy, born and raised, Joseph has a BMA in viola performance from DePauw University School of Music as well as his MM in viola performance and MA in Nonprofit Leadership - Arts Administration from Oklahoma City University. In his off hours, Joseph enjoys playing video games, researching Ludomusicology (study of video game music), and performing with Mariachi Orgullo de America as well as the Oklahoma Chamber Symphony.
Nicole Wayne
Nicole serves as the Board Relations Manager. Prior to joining Allied Arts, Nicole served as the Manager of Executive Administration at The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. Nicole is married to her husband, Kenneth and together they have one fur-baby, Betty. When Nicole isn't working, she is most likely shopping at Target, snuggling with Betty or binging a show with her husband.
Shannon Lockwood
Shannon is the Senior Development Manager and oversees the employee giving program. She grew up in Edmond and earned a degree in Music Education from OU. She is a percussionist and spent the first 12 years of her career teaching 6th through 12th grade band. Shannon is married to a caring and hard-working man, and she has one cat and two giant fluffy dogs. She is a vegetarian, loves the beach, and enjoys exercising daily. Her life goal is to leave people and things better than she found them.
Sunny Cearley
Sunny Cearley serves as President/CEO for Allied Arts. Cearley came to Allied Arts from her role as Senior Vice President of Membership for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. Prior to that, she spent almost a decade leading sales efforts for The Journal Record Publishing Company. Before working in the arts full-time, Cearley sat on the executive committee for The Civic Center Foundation and on the advisory board for El Sistema Oklahoma. She is passionate about the fact that art improves the quality of life and supports economic development in our community. Cearley holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Baylor University and a Master of Journalism from the University of North Texas. She is graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 30 and LOYAL Class III.
2024-2025 Board of Directors
- Chair:
Aimee Harlow - Vice Chair:
Max Myers - Secretary:
Taylor Shinn - Treasurer:
Grant DeFehr - 2025 Campaign Co-Chair:
TBA
- 2025 Campaign Co-Chair:
TBA - 2025 Honorary Chair:
TBA - 2025 Honorary Chair:
TBA - Advocacy Sub-Committee Chair:
D. Benham Kirk - Agency Relations Chair:
Max Myers - Agency Relations Vice Chair:
Debra Kos
- Agency Relations Vice Chair:
Allocations Finance Sub-Committee Chair:
Grant DeFehr
- Agency Allocations Sub-Committee Chair:
Debbie Nauser
- Strategic Communications Chair:
Hillary Farrell
- Strategic Communications Chair:
- Development Chair:
David Woods - Education & Small Grants Sub-Committee Chair:
Usha Turner - Events Chair:
Valerie Naifeh - Finance Chair:
Grant DeFehr - HR/DEI/Succession Planning Chair:
Heather Wilson - Immediate Past Chair:
Glen Maynard - OKCity Card Subcommittee Chair:
Dana Harper - Planned Giving Sub-Committee Chair:
Paul Dudman - Strategic Planning Chair:
David Woods - Technology Chair:
Chuck Thompson - Workplace Giving Sub-Committee Chair:
Kati Christ
- Member At Large:
Russ Harrison - Member At Large:
Tori Perry
- Member at Large:
- James A. Pickel
- Member At Large:
Steve Mason
- Member At Large:
-
- Janelle Archer
- Alex Bagby
- Dr. Stephanie Beavers
- Mark Beffort
- Tyler Bolton
- Sec. Dan Boren
- Thayla Bohn
- Betsy Brunsteter
- Gabrielle Butler
- Kati Christ
- Jason Constable
- Grant DeFehr
- Tracy Enloe
- Christy Everest *
- Jim Everest *
- Hillary Farrell
- Peter Farrell
- Mark Funke*
- Ashley Gockstetter
- Bailey Gordon
- Jennifer Gray
- Emily Trotter Grober
Brooke Haneborg
- Linda C. Haneborg *
- Aimee Harlow
- Dana Harper
- Russ Harrison
- Morgan Henry
- Jorge Hernandez
- John Higginbotham
- David Holt **
- Kyle Impson
- Scott Inman
- Farooq Karim
- Ann Johnstone *
- Stephen Keenan
- D. Benham Kirk
- Debra Kos
- Michael Laird
-
-
-
- Harrison Levy *
- Judy Love *
- Joan S. Maguire *
- Steve Mason
- Glen Maynard
- Jere W. McKenny *
- Geron Morgan
- Max Myers
- Valerie Naifeh
- Debbie Nauser
- Salvador Ontiveros
- Collins Peck
- Bailey Wright-Perkins
- Tori Perry
- James A. Pickel
- Frederick Redwine
- Leah Roper
- Melissa Scaramucci
- Taylor Shinn
- Blair Sims
- Lee Allan Smith*
-
- Sage Smith
- Jeff Starling
- Steven Sylke
- Suzie Symcox
- Chuck Thompson
- Debbie Thompson
- Carol Troy*
- Mike Turpen*
- Usha Turner
- Alba Weaver
- Marcus Whitworth
- Drew Williamson
- Heather Wilson
- David Woods
-
**Denotes Ex-officio
Next Board meeting is October 31 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. For questions, please contact Nicole Wayne at nicole.wayne@alliedartsokc.com.
Paid Internship
All applications must be submitted to jobs@alliedartsokc.com.
This job will provide interns an engaging and valuable experience within our organization and gain an understanding of how a nonprofit organization operates on a daily basis.
Senior Development Manager
All applications must be submitted to jobs@alliedartsokc.com.
The Senior Development Manager plays a key role in Allied Arts fundraising operations. They work to secure new donors and increase giving from existing donors. They develop bold giving ideas through a collaborative process with colleagues and senior leadership, based on research and experiences with donors. The Senior Development Manager also works with senior management, the Campaign Cabinet, and board members to increase revenue.
Events Manager
All applications must be submitted to jobs@alliedartsokc.com.
The Events Manager is responsible for all Allied Arts events; both direct fundraising events and indirect (stewardship) events. The Events Manager is critical to the success of established events and helps to develop new events in support of the Allied Arts mission including community events where Allied Arts may be named as the beneficiary (special dinners, runs, etc.). The Events Manager oversees the events committees - motivates and direct staff and community volunteers related to special events, leading these teams to insure successful events. The Events Manager plans and manages events event expenses and oversees fiscal management of event planning, treating these functions as a positive net revenue source.