2026 OCPRA FALL WORKSHOP

Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Rose State College | Midwest City, OK

Register

Morning Session

9-10 a.m. Workshop Check-In

10-11 a.m. Keynote Speaker: AJ Griffin, CEO of Potts Family Foundation

  • AJ Griffin, EdD is President and CEO of the Potts Family Foundation, where she leads initiatives that strengthen families, expand early childhood opportunities, and build the capacity of nonprofit organizations across Oklahoma. A former Oklahoma State Senator, Dr. Griffin served as a member of leadership in the legislature, authoring and advancing bipartisan policies that improved outcomes for children and families, including reforms in child welfare, juvenile justice, healthcare access, and early childhood systems. Her leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Kate Barnard Oklahoma Child Advocate of the Year Award, and recognition by Journal Record on the list of Most Influential Oklahomans.

    Dr. Griffin holds a Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University and is a board member for several state and national organizations focused on child and family well-being. Drawing on experience in education, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and public policy, she is a nationally recognized advocate for expanding access to quality childcare and strengthening the systems that help children, families, and communities thrive.

    AJ is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class 34, and a Rotarian. She has been married to Trey for 34 years and they love to travel, cheer for Oklahoma State, and visit their daughters Alexandra and Reagan.

11-11:30 a.m. Break/Networking

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Luncheon & Awards

  • Natalea Watkins Communicator of the Year Award Presentation

    • Presented annually to an individual whose service and leadership have set a high standard for others and had a positive influence for the recipient’s institution and the state system of higher education.

  • Rising Star Award Presentation

    • Recognizes rising communications, marketing and public relations professionals working at Oklahoma higher education institutions who have demonstrated creativity, innovation, advocacy, expertise and integrity in their field of work.

Afternoon Sessions

12:30-1:45 p.m. Session #1 with Jarred Smith, Marketing Consultant and author of Explainable: Why AI Recommends Some Brands and Ignores Others

  • Jarred Smith is a marketing executive, author, and speaker who helps organizations understand how AI search decides which brands to recommend. He wrote Explainable: Why AI Recommends Some Brands & Ignores Others, an Amazon bestseller on answer engine optimization (AEO), generative engine optimization (GEO), and SEO. Over his 20-plus-year career, he has served as a healthcare CMO, Vice President of Marketing at OETA, and currently leads marketing at Alliance Technical Group as Director of Marketing. He also conducts AI search workshops for the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and writes about AI discoverability at jarredsmith.com. He lives in Oklahoma City.

1:45-2 p.m. Break

2-2:45 p.m. Session #2 with Emily Lang, Partner, Price Lang Public Relations

2:45-3 p.m. Closing