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.  

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.

Emily Lang is a partner at PLPR, a strategic communications firm based in Edmond, Oklahoma. She is a national speaker, tapped frequently to share her insights and expertise on advocacy, communications and public policy.

Emily began her career working for the Oklahoma House of Representatives before joining the Attorney General’s Office in 2002, where she served as a public information officer, legislative liaison and director of special projects. In 2009, she left the office to lead a gubernatorial campaign, where she managed all aspects of the campaign, including communications, fundraising, polling and outreach. She has managed communications for more than 100 campaigns, including statewide races, ballot initiatives and legislative races.

Known as an innovator and problem solver, Ms. Lang co-founded PLPR in 2011. Over the last 14 years, the firm’s clients have included global corporations, advocacy organizations and not-for-profits, with services including strategic and crisis communications, video production, graphic design, social and digital media management and development support. PLPR has received numerous awards, including a Gold Addy Award in 2022 and multiple Best PR Agency Awards from The Journal Record.

A champion for women and the underserved, Emily’s work has included charitable efforts for a variety of causes, including the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the Santa Fe Family Life Center, Leadership Oklahoma City and the University of Central Oklahoma, where she has served as a chair of the University’s Foundation Board of Trustees.

Advocates for freedom of the press, quality journalism, and giving back generously, Emily and her business partner have provided scholarships for UCO communications students since 2016.