
Fighting for arts and funding 40+ agencies.
Nearly $87M 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.


Deborah McAuliffe Senner
Deborah serves as President & CEO of Allied Arts, where she has worked to strengthen the cultural community for more than 20 years. She is a graduate of Benedictine College and St. Gregory’s University, with degrees in communications and theatre. She is married to Scott Senner and together they have two children, Brevin and Sterling.

Jennifer Bryan
Jennifer oversees the Allied Arts annual fundraising campaign and manages the organization’s grant programs. 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 Receptionist and Development Assistant 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 two beautiful children, Ashton and Avaiyah, Ciarra enjoys serving the community with her church and loves visiting close relatives.

Courtney Lavender
Courtney serves as the Events Manager for Allied Arts. 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.

Shannon Lockwood
Shannon manages 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 two cats 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.

Joseph Messick
Joseph manages the donor database, 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.

Bailey Nelson
Bailey joined Allied Arts as an intern and now works closely with the Allied Arts president & CEO on board management. She also provides scheduling, research and other assistance to the president as well as helps the rest of the Allied Arts team. Originally from Nebraska, Bailey recently graduated from Oklahoma City University where she was involved with her sorority and majored in dance management.

Jenyann Roig
Jenyann Roig is an Emmy Award-winning writer and works as the Communications Manager for Allied Arts. 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.

Enid Weldon
Enid serves as Employee Giving Associate and manager of the OKCityCard 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.

Jennifer Bryan
Jennifer oversees the Allied Arts annual fundraising campaign and manages the organization’s grant programs. 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!”
2022-2023 Board of Directors
- Chair:
Glen Maynard - Vice Chair:
Aimee Harlow - Secretary:
Grant DeFehr - Treasurer:
Max Myers - 2023 Campaign Co-Chair:
TBN - 2023 Campaign Co-Chair:
TBN - 2023 Honorary Chair:
TBN - 2023 Honorary Chair:
TBN - Affiliated Fund/Advocacy Trustee:
Lou C. Kerr - Allocations Chair:
Debbie Nauser - Allocations Finance & At Risk Process Chair:
Grant DeFehr - At-Risk Process Chair:
Lonny Towell
- Board Management & Engagement Chair:
Michael Laird - Branding/Marketing Chair:
Hillary Farrell - Education & Small Grants Chair:
Mims Talton - Events Chair:
Valerie Naifeh - HR/DEI/Succession Planning Chair:
Heather Wilson - Immediate Past Chair:
Steve Mason - Planned Giving Chair:
Paul Dudman - Strategic Planning Chair:
David Woods - Technology Chair:
Chuck Thompson - Workplace/OKCityCard Chair:
Jim Kessler - Member At Large:
Russ Harrison - Member At Large:
Gail Huneryager
- Member at Large:
Ben Kirk - Member At Large:
Tori Perry - Member At Large:
James A. Pickel - Member At Large:
Taylor Shinn - Member At Large:
C. Renzi Stone - Member At Large:
Lonny Towell - Member At Large:
Mike Turpen
- Alex Bagby
- Julie Beffort
- Mark Beffort
- Craig Boelte
- Tyler Bolton
- Cordell Brown
- Cathy Busey
- Brian Byrnes
- Kelly Caviness
- Jerry Chenoweth
- Katie Christ
- Jason Constable
- Amy Davis
- Rodney England
- Christy Everest *
- Jim Everest *
- Joshua Fahrenbruck
- Hillary Farrell
- Vahid Farzaneh
- Polly Fleet
- Marla Freeman
- Mark Funke*
- Ashley Gockstetter
- Bailey Gordon
- Mark Funke *
- Ashley Gockstetter
- Kay Goebel *
- Bailey Gordon
- Edward Patrick Gray
- Betsy Guthrie-Brunsteter
- Linda C. Haneborg *
- Aimee Harlow
- Dana Harper
- Russ Harrison
- Judy Hatfield *
- Morgan Henry
- Jorge Hernandez
- John Higginbotham
- Karin Holsted
- David Holt **
- Heath Hornbeek
- Janet Hudson
- Gail Huneryager
- Jerry Hunter
- Sunil Isaac
- Tommie Johnson
- Ann Johnstone *
- Stephen Keenan
-
- Debra Kos
- Harrison Levy *
- Judy Love *
- Lisa Love
- Paula Love
- Joan S. Maguire *
- Jere W. McKenny *
- Beth McLaughlin
- Geron Morgan
- Randy Nance
- Collins Peck
- Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell
- Frederick Redwine
- Nathan Rice
- Jennifer Schultz
- Blair Sims
- Lee Allan Smith*
- Sage Smith
- Danny Stith
- Steven Sylke
- Suzie Symcox
- Debbie Thompson
- Carol Troy*
- Claire Turmelle
- Usha Turner
- Jack Wheeler
- Marcus Whitworth
- Roy Williams **
- Heather Wilson
- Jeff Wilson
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**Denotes Ex-officio