Board of Directors
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With diverse perspectives from multiple industries, the STEAM Engine's Board of Directors shapes the mission and vision for the organization. As a working board, each member uses his or her expertise to guide the work of the organization.
The Board draws on its non-profit, government, and corporate sector knowledge to provide best practices for planning, governance, and oversight. To learn more about a member of the Board of Directors, click on their name below. To contact the Board with questions or concerns please email [email protected] |
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2024 Board of Directors
morgan jones, Founder & Executive Director, ex officio
Morgan Jones, a registered architect, knows first-hand about the importance of supportive role models and access to opportunities when it comes to being successful in STEM. She credits her pursuit of a challenging profession to the supportive voices of her parents, teachers, and other adult volunteers throughout her youth as well as the many educational enrichment opportunities in which she was able to participate—7th grade Math camp, 9th grade Forensics camp, and 11th grade Architecture camp, to name a few.
Prior to founding the STEAM Engine, Jones was the Director of Strategic Planning and Projects for the Metropolitan Library System, where she was responsible for Long-Range Planning, Capital Projects, and Organizational Assessment. In her time there, she oversaw construction projects valued at more than $25M at 5 of the 19 library locations. She was also instrumental in redesigning the organization’s website, completing a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment, developing a new strategic plan using an outcome-based planning and assessment methodology, launching a series of Tableau dashboards for internal decision-making, and implementing facility design standards.
Prior to joining the Library System, Jones worked for seven years in traditional architectural practice. The majority of her nearly 300,000 SF of design experience was in K-12 and Higher Education construction projects. The exposure to the pedagogical implications of the built environment has laid the foundation for much of her continued interest in the intersection of STEM, Education, Making, and Design.
In her commitment to mentoring the next generation, she serves as the state of Oklahoma’s AXP Coordinator. In this role, she guides recent architectural graduates (and others pursuing initial licensure) in their pursuit of their architectural license. She visits with students at both OU and OSU twice per year to emphasize the importance of taking the time to get their professional architect’s license.
Jones is an active member of Acts 2 United Methodist Church where she serves as Building Committee Chair. She has spent the last three years leading a campaign to add an 18,500 SF Children and Youth Building to the church campus located at N Pennsylvania Avenue and Covell.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University.
Prior to founding the STEAM Engine, Jones was the Director of Strategic Planning and Projects for the Metropolitan Library System, where she was responsible for Long-Range Planning, Capital Projects, and Organizational Assessment. In her time there, she oversaw construction projects valued at more than $25M at 5 of the 19 library locations. She was also instrumental in redesigning the organization’s website, completing a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment, developing a new strategic plan using an outcome-based planning and assessment methodology, launching a series of Tableau dashboards for internal decision-making, and implementing facility design standards.
Prior to joining the Library System, Jones worked for seven years in traditional architectural practice. The majority of her nearly 300,000 SF of design experience was in K-12 and Higher Education construction projects. The exposure to the pedagogical implications of the built environment has laid the foundation for much of her continued interest in the intersection of STEM, Education, Making, and Design.
In her commitment to mentoring the next generation, she serves as the state of Oklahoma’s AXP Coordinator. In this role, she guides recent architectural graduates (and others pursuing initial licensure) in their pursuit of their architectural license. She visits with students at both OU and OSU twice per year to emphasize the importance of taking the time to get their professional architect’s license.
Jones is an active member of Acts 2 United Methodist Church where she serves as Building Committee Chair. She has spent the last three years leading a campaign to add an 18,500 SF Children and Youth Building to the church campus located at N Pennsylvania Avenue and Covell.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University.
Ginger Barton, paycor, Board chair
Ginger Barton, an HCM Consultant at Paycor, empowers leaders to navigate today's dynamic business landscape. With a passion for optimizing organizational effectiveness, she specializes in talent acquisition and streamlining processes for peak performance. Ginger's dedication to excellence extends beyond her professional endeavors; as a devoted mother of four and grandmother of five, she finds joy in cooking, travel, crochet, and literature. Her illustrious career spans sales, sales leadership, and operational leadership, marked by numerous accolades including Sales Zone Rookie of the Year and Circle of Excellence Qualifier. A graduate of Senn-Delaney and Paychex Leadership Essentials Training, Ginger is committed to continuous improvement and delivering exceptional results for her clients.
kasha egan, PE, SE, CWI, PTI, ICCMSI, Guernsey, Vice chair & Founding Board Member
Ms. Egan is a licensed structural engineer and is currently practicing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and her Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Drexel University. After completing her education she began her career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at a multidisciplinary firm where she gained the first 5 years of her experience working on projects for universities and research institutes ranging from $40M to $275M construction budgets. While working in Philadelphia, Kasha also acted as an adjunct profession at Philadelphia University where she taught structures courses to third and fourth year architecture students. Ms. Egan deeply values and respects the role of educators mentoring the younger generation and guiding them toward bright futures. In teaching, most of her practice involved encouraging students that they are in fact capable of understanding and mastering higher mathematics and mechanics.
Upon becoming a licensed professional Kasha and her husband, Sean, decided to return to Oklahoma for a more family-oriented lifestyle. Kasha started working in Oklahoma City in early 2014 and has enjoyed the many opportunities provided to her by AEC industry leadership, the profession, and the community. Kasha continues to manage projects for a variety of building types including educational facilities, laboratories and medical facilities, commercial, retail and hospitality buildings, and maintenance facilities - including federal government projects. She is a member of Oklahoma Structural Engineers Association, Urban Land Institute and American Welding Society.
Recently, Ms. Egan has been educating architects and building owners, while engaging with local municipalities, on the importance of special inspections and their effect on the construction process and the end product, the building. Kasha is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector, PTI Level 1 Unbonded PT Inspector, ACI Technician Grade I, and an ICC Certified Master Special Inspector for Steel and Bolting, Structural Welding, Pre-stressed Concrete, Reinforced Concrete and Structural Masonry. Kasha has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 2014.
Upon becoming a licensed professional Kasha and her husband, Sean, decided to return to Oklahoma for a more family-oriented lifestyle. Kasha started working in Oklahoma City in early 2014 and has enjoyed the many opportunities provided to her by AEC industry leadership, the profession, and the community. Kasha continues to manage projects for a variety of building types including educational facilities, laboratories and medical facilities, commercial, retail and hospitality buildings, and maintenance facilities - including federal government projects. She is a member of Oklahoma Structural Engineers Association, Urban Land Institute and American Welding Society.
Recently, Ms. Egan has been educating architects and building owners, while engaging with local municipalities, on the importance of special inspections and their effect on the construction process and the end product, the building. Kasha is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector, PTI Level 1 Unbonded PT Inspector, ACI Technician Grade I, and an ICC Certified Master Special Inspector for Steel and Bolting, Structural Welding, Pre-stressed Concrete, Reinforced Concrete and Structural Masonry. Kasha has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 2014.
Julie Blatt, ADG | Blatt Architects, past Chair
With a background spanning energy, architecture, engineering, and higher education, Julie Blatt is a dynamic leader and Chief People Officer at ADG Blatt. Starting in the energy industry as a chemical engineer with Mobil Chemical and Conoco, she later applied her skills to architecture and engineering and then higher ed at Oklahoma State University. Beyond her professional roles, Julie is deeply involved with the community through her commitments and leadership with the Boy Scouts of America, as a youth orchestra director, and as an advocate for affordable housing through the City of Edmond Citizens Participatory Committee. She continuously champions STEM education through advisory boards for multiple pre-engineering programs across the State and the OSU CEAT Summer Bridge program. Julie also enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years and her three children.
William "Billy" Ramsey, CAPTION PARTNERS, Technology Chair
William Ramsey, a Senior Full-Stack Engineer, boasts a rich background in application architecture, implementation, and enhancement within diverse sectors such as robotics, payroll, warehouse automation, defense, and oil and gas. His expertise spans the spectrum of software development, contributing to the optimization of work execution systems and fostering innovation in each industry he serves. Beyond his professional pursuits, William is deeply committed to imparting STE(A)M fundamentals, reflecting his fervent dedication to education and technological advancement.
Lauren Garver, Treasurer
Lauren Garver has more than 3 years’ experience in public accounting and more than 5 years’ experience in nonprofit financial operations. Most recently, she was the Assistant Director of Finance at a local nonprofit. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Minor in Photography from Oklahoma Christian University. She enjoys both business and art and the crossroads that both can have. As a nonprofit financial professional, Lauren has experience in stewarding donated funds, reviewing grant contracts and performing all accounting and tracking, as well as financial statement presentation and analysis.
Lauren was born and raised in a rural farming town in Nebraska and moved to Oklahoma for college and has remained since. As the daughter of a third-generation elementary educator and a home builder, she knows first-hand the value of having space to tinker, experiment, and make things. Lauren and her husband, Ricky, enjoy traveling, gardening, home-projects, and cooking.
Lauren was born and raised in a rural farming town in Nebraska and moved to Oklahoma for college and has remained since. As the daughter of a third-generation elementary educator and a home builder, she knows first-hand the value of having space to tinker, experiment, and make things. Lauren and her husband, Ricky, enjoy traveling, gardening, home-projects, and cooking.
suzette ellison, greater OKC chamber, Director-at-large
Suzette Ellison, serving as the Director of Member Engagement at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, is renowned for her passion in crafting vibrant strategies for community engagement, problem-solving, fundraising, and business brand development. With a dynamic approach and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Suzette has played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections within the community. Her innovative initiatives have contributed significantly to the Chamber's mission of promoting economic growth and prosperity in the region. Suzette's dedication to building strong relationships and driving positive change embodies her role as a leader in the Oklahoma City business community.
Kaitlyn Hardiman, Oklahoma Arts Management Group, Director-at-large
Kaitlyn is a well-rounded arts administrator with more than ten years of experience curating arts-based community engagement and education initiatives within the nonprofit and educational sector- primarily focused on social impact. She is a self-starter who has strategically planned and launched artistic programming that has helped engage new audiences and build upon existing ones. Currently pursuing her Ph.D., Kaitlyn plans to continue investigating what it takes for arts organizations and leaders to be successful drivers for change within their communities.
Dr. Emily Masters Rosenthal, Go with Dr. Emily, Director-at-large
Dr. Emily Rosenthal, born in Richmond, Virginia, has cultivated a dynamic career spanning various industries and global locales. She holds degrees from The University of Arizona, Virginia Commonwealth University, and The University of Southern California, specializing in Organizational Change & Leadership.
A vibrant leader, Emily channels her energy into empowering individuals and teams to surpass expectations. Her passion for deadlines, overcoming obstacles, and shaping personal or brand identity drives her forward. From grassroots community initiatives to high-profile clientele, she navigates challenges with agility and determination.
Emily's journey began in federal relations at The University of Arizona before serving in the Peace Corps in Dominica. Subsequently, she honed her skills at Virginia Commonwealth University's Center for Sport Leadership and managed operations at Canyon Ranch Health Resort and Spa.
Transitioning to advertising, Emily collaborated with global brands before refocusing on individual and organizational development in New York City and Europe. Her commitment to community service is evident through her roles in organizations like the New York Junior League and her founding of the Make Your Mark Scholarship and Mentor Program.
As an active volunteer and advocate for community-wide support, Emily strives to empower others to realize their potential and enact positive change. Her mission is to leverage her enthusiasm and resources to help individuals and communities actualize their healthy intentions.
A vibrant leader, Emily channels her energy into empowering individuals and teams to surpass expectations. Her passion for deadlines, overcoming obstacles, and shaping personal or brand identity drives her forward. From grassroots community initiatives to high-profile clientele, she navigates challenges with agility and determination.
Emily's journey began in federal relations at The University of Arizona before serving in the Peace Corps in Dominica. Subsequently, she honed her skills at Virginia Commonwealth University's Center for Sport Leadership and managed operations at Canyon Ranch Health Resort and Spa.
Transitioning to advertising, Emily collaborated with global brands before refocusing on individual and organizational development in New York City and Europe. Her commitment to community service is evident through her roles in organizations like the New York Junior League and her founding of the Make Your Mark Scholarship and Mentor Program.
As an active volunteer and advocate for community-wide support, Emily strives to empower others to realize their potential and enact positive change. Her mission is to leverage her enthusiasm and resources to help individuals and communities actualize their healthy intentions.
Past Board of Directors
- Sharron Jackson-Glover (2023-2024)
- Tom Robins (2022-2024)
- Jason Bishop (2022-2024)
- Michael Whitten (2021-2023)
- Lucia Frohling (2020-2023), Founding Board Member
- Kristi Pempin (xxxx-2023)
- Zena Cherian (2021-2022)
- Chad Stearns (2021-2022)
- Mandi Phelps (2020-2022), Founding Board Member
- Todd Wauters (2019-2021), Founding Board Member
- Sen. Carri Hicks (2020-2021)
- James Bygland (2020-2021)
- Melody Kellogg (2019-2020), Founding Board Member
- Tim Dixon (2019)
Transparency and Accountability
Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available for public inspection. Please reach out to us with your request by filling out this form.
Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available for public inspection. Please reach out to us with your request by filling out this form.
