Starting with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017, Erin Oldfield is the organization’s vice president of community engagement and the executive director of the Thunder Community Foundation. Leading her team in executing extensive community outreach efforts, Oldfield handles everything from sponsored programs to player engagement, the Thunder Fellows afterschool program, and enrichment programs addressing learning gaps for Oklahoma youth. We caught up with Oldfield and got her thoughts on …
… her initial interest in working for the Thunder.
I have worked for non-profit organizations my entire career, and when I saw the opening at the Thunder, I jumped at the chance to work for a world class organization that truly embraces and emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact within the community.
… what has surprised her the most about the job.
I was blown away when I learned about the sheer scale of coordination required for a Thunder game night. The level of teamwork is mind boggling. It really hit me that what the fans see on the court is just the tip of the iceberg compared to the logistics going on behind the scenes.
… her main responsibilities.
I take a lot of pride in the Thunder’s community initiatives that impact thousands of Oklahomans every year. My day-to-day responsibilities revolve around fostering meaningful connections between the team and our community. However, there really isn’t a “typical day.” One minute I might be strategizing with my team on upcoming community projects or meeting with local leaders to strengthen collaborations, and the next, I’m in a grocery store with a Thunder player taking a family on a shopping spree.
… the Thunder Community Foundation.
The mission of the Thunder Community Foundation is to positively impact youth in the communities where they live and play. Since 2009, the foundation has provided financial resources to renovate spaces for nonprofits that serve youth. These renovated spaces expand opportunities for academic enrichment such as reading, STEM, creative arts and other essential services in underserved areas. In addition, the Thunder Community Foundation has installed or refurbished 31 basketball courts in 17 counties across Oklahoma.
… how everyday Oklahomans can get involved with the Foundation.
Fans can get involved with the Thunder Community Foundation through various initiatives including bidding on in-game and online auctions, purchasing raffle tickets and supporting our general fund. Our work is made possible thanks to the support of generous fans, community and corporate partners.
… goals.
I am currently in the process of creating a new strategic plan. It’s important for us to take the time to investigate our current plan of action so we can maximize impact through an awareness of our community’s changing needs. We are intentionally building upon the strong foundation of the Thunder’s community engagement platform to create an even more robust impact moving forward.
… the Thunder’s excellent season.
Winning is fun! We are a basketball team, so of course we want to win games, but it’s bigger than that. We often say that we can’t control what happens on the court, but we can provide the highest level of entertainment experience for our fans, drive economic impact and inspire moments that resonate far beyond the court.
