OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 32 • One Section • 14 pages January 13, 2023
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OKCITYAN OF THE YEAR
Sue Ann Arnall is fostering change one problem at a time By Rose Lane Editor
SUE ANN ARNALL President & Board Member Arnall Family Foundation
Former OKCityans of the Year 2022-Chris Keesee, Chairman, Kirkpatrick Bank, Kirpatrick Foundations 2021- Healthcare Heroes 2020-Debby Hampton, President and CEO, United Way of Central Oklahoma 2019-Bob Ross, President and CEO, Inasmuch Foundation 2018-Kari Watkins, Executive Director, OKC National Memorial and Museum 2017-David Holt, District 30, State Senator 2016-David Rainbolt, CEO, BancFirst Corporation 2015-Judy Love, Philanthropist, Volunteer, Love’s Travel Stops 2014-Dick Sias, Oilman, Vinter, Philanthropist 2013-Robert Henry, President, Oklahoma City University 2012-Carl Edwards, Chairman, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce 2011-Mary Fallin, Oklahoma Governor 2010-Mick Cornett, Mayor, OKC 2009-Clay Bennett, CEO, Dorchester Capital; Owner, Oklahoma City Thunder 2008-Michael Anderson, President, CEO, Presbyterian Health Foundation
2007-Marty Grubbs, Senior Pastor, Crossings Community Church 2007-Lee Allan Smith, Man of the Decade, Oklahoma Events 2006-Luke Corbett, CEO, Kerr-McGee 2005-Tom McDaniel, President, OCU 2004-Burns Hargis, BOK, Chamber Chairman 2003-Christy Everest, The Oklahoman 2002-Larry Nichols, CEO, Devon Energy 2001-Ed Farrell, President, ONG 2000-Dave Bialis, VP, Cox Communications 1999-Marvin Crawford, OKC School Superintendent 1998-Kara Gae Wilson, Metro Tech Superintendent 1997-Dave Lopez, Oklahoma Pres., SBC 1996-Chas Van Ryselberg, President, Greater OKC Chamber 1995-Bruce Buchanan, CEO, Mercy Hospital 1994-Drew Roy, Oklahoma President, SBC 1993-Barry Herr, Gen. Mgr., General Motors plant 1992-Stan Hupfeld, CEO, Integris Medical AND J.B. Ellis, Oklahoma Pres., SBC
Kelli O’Hara special luncheon guest Tony Award-winner and Oklahoma native Kelli O’Hara returns home next month, performing with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Now a special event has been added to the roster— Lunch with Kelli!
A special afternoon of musical entertainment is set for Thursday, Feb. 23, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. See O’HARA, Page 14
OKC FRIDAY’s Cityan of the Year Sue Ann Arnall says she wants to fix one problem and move on to the next. She founded the Arnall Foundation in 2015 and serves as its president and a board member. The organization’s vision is of a strong and vibrant community where families thrive and individuals are not defined by their circumstances. Today, the foundation strives to empower community partners to create lasting, transformative change through strategic investments and innovative partnerships. “It had always been hard for me to look the other way (from) people in need and finally I didn’t have to anymore,” Arnall has said. By forming the foundation, “I could start helping,” she said. To fulfill its mission, the Arnall Family Foundation identifies areas of need in the community and seeks out public and private agencies already doing the work, who have the expertise to make change, but lack the resources to fill gaps. “We want to help really good organizations provide evidence-
FRIDAY’s
Sue Ann Arnall gives an acceptance speech as she is inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
based services that will make a difference, have impact, have outcomes,” Arnall has been quoted in OKC FRIDAY as saying. “I want to change the system and fix one problem and then after we fix that problem we go onto another problem.” Arnall was born in Poteau. She grew up during the cultural revolution of the 60s and 70s there. In her hometown, she had the formative experience of witnessing her best friend’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. John Montgomery, establish the LeFlore County NAACP. After graduating from the University of Tulsa College of Law, she was recruited by the predecessor to Continental Resources to establish and man-
age the oil and gas marketing departments. There she enjoyed a successful career while raising her two beloved daughters, Jane and Hilary. Following her departure from the oil and gas industry, Arnall set her focus on a new aim — to level the playing field for marginalized individuals by lowering barriers to social and economic mobility. Informed by her early experiences and with the recognition that not all Oklahomans enjoy the same opportunities, she created the Arnall Family Foundation, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame website — to which she was inducted last year — says. Since its founding, Arnall has invested See ARNALL, Page 2
Dogs of the Week
Poppie (left) and Gracie (right) are the pride and joy of Donna and Robert McCampbell. Gracie is an active and energetic dog who loves chasing down squirrels, while Poppie prefers to take it easy and unwind with a good belly rub. Both dogs are highly adept at stealing food from the kitchen counter. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.