STACEY DIRKS

People and Operations Director

What I do here

As the people and operations director, I am the key contact for human resources, event planning, vendor partnerships, facilities needs and more — initially focusing on operational excellence and people process management.

My Background

Though I only moved to Tulsa in elementary school, I wholeheartedly consider myself a Tulsan. I also am a self-titled “three-time boomeranger,” having moved away and returned to Tulsa three times.

For the majority of my career I have led diverse teams across the country in small-box retail environments where I have always been drawn to the activities that align me with supporting people. My love for talent acquisition, training and coaching and leadership development led me to the more people focused world of human resources. With my last move back to Tulsa, I pivoted out of my 20-plus-year career in retail, bringing my skills into Tulsa’s vibrant nonprofit world. Working each day in a mission-driven environment centered around making Tulsa a place of community and growth for all allows me to both see and feel my impact.

Where can you find me in Tulsa?

As a mom to a third grader and stepmom to both a middle schooler and high school senior, you will mostly likely find me volunteering across Tulsa and Broken Arrow for one of our kids’ activities. I am a proud board member of both a Tulsa Public School PTA and the Broken Arrow Band Booster Club. I recently joined the founding board of Women+ in Technology of Tulsa where our vision is to connect, inspire and empower women in technology to close the gender gap.

You will also catch me at a new restaurant for a date night with my husband or playing pickleball with a group of friends. As a family, we don’t miss a chance to have hibachi for a celebration, and we especially love supporting local businesses. I love dancing at a nostalgic concert at Cain’s, a hot chocolate at sunset on a hill at the Gathering Place and a walk around LaFortune Park with a friend to catch up.

Journalistic ethics

Though I have never worked in a journalism space previously, I believe that everyone deserves equitable access to free, factual news. I align with journalism that is centered around transparency, clear accountability and providing all of the information and context to shine a light on what’s happening in our community.