If you’ve ever taken a drive along a section of Haskell Drive directly north of downtown Tulsa, you’ve noticed those steps that lead to nowhere. Norman-based artist Eyakem Gulilat sees homes that once stood overlooking the Greenwood District before they and a large part of the neighborhood were decimated in fire and violence during the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. In his photo exhibition Site Unseen, Gulilat wanted viewers to ask the same question he did: “Where do we go from here?” The Hardesty Arts Center, 101 E. Archer St., unveiled Site Unseen as its inaugural Artist In Residence exhibition in late February, but if you saw it at the opening, you’ll find it changed on a repeat visit. This study of the artifacts and empty landscapes left behind after the riot is a work in progress with stories being added to it all the time, sort of like life. The exhibit concludes May 19 and is open to the public. For more, go to www.ahhatulsa.org.

McKenzie has worked at the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Muskogee for more than a decade, beginning as a program director and now as the president and CEO. Under McKenzie’s tutelage, the Chamber has received six Redbud Awards from the Oklahoma Travel and Recreation Department and Oklahoma Tourism Industry Association. McKenzie is proud of the work she did in bringing the ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament to Muskogee in 2010, which resulted in a 30 percent increase in the area’s hotel taxes and a three percent overall sales tax boost.

After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, Austin worked for the renowned Pelli Clarke Pelli architectural firm in both the New York and Connecticut offices. She, along with fellow designer Mel Bean, founded Austin Bean in 2012, and the firm has quickly garnered attention for its casual, modern aesthetic that layers sophisticated finishes and functional details. “I prefer to design the entire house,” says Austin, “from the ground up to finishing with accessories on the coffee table. I love getting to know my clients and being able to provide that service.” 

A Philadelphia native, Hoback moved to Oklahoma to attend OSU; her passion for the state has kept her here since. At ConocoPhillips, Hoback is responsible for global recruiting projects, recruiter competency development and advising on the recruitment process on projects. This gal-on-the-go also manages to find time to spend with her family, and in 2012 she served as chair of Tulsa’s Young Professionals. “I was part of many teams that had success in 2012,” she says. “The shared wins were small and big, but some made larger headlines, and the people around me doing a lot of work made me look very good.”

As part of Bliss’ daily work, he sees acute and chronic injuries and illness; to combat the stress, he tries to incorporate humor into daily activities. “Dealing with illness and injury all day can be somber,” he says. “If I can help a patient or staff member smile or laugh, it helps their outlook.” Bliss’ advice to fellow young professionals is to be persistent. “Set short- and long-term goals and stay on track,” he says. “Don’t let small obstacles derail you from obtaining your goals.” As part of his long-term goal, Bliss hopes to promote health awareness and health education throughout the state.  ?

As an attorney and shareholder at Hall Estill, Woolery is often called upon to wear a suit and tie, but he much prefers the relaxation of jeans and a sweatshirt. He also enjoys spending time at his family’s farm in Blaine County perched in trees hunting deer during bow season. When he’s not living off the land, Woolery specializes in representing energy companies in oil, gas and environmental matters. “I not only spend time in the courtroom, but I also am fortunate to spend a great deal of time in the field working with my clients,” he says.  

Winkler has successfully built three marketing departments at both corporate and nonprofit levels. She serves as executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma. “Find out what success really means to you,” she advises young professionals. “As a young professional right out of college, I thought it meant a high-paying job, a nice car and huge house. Over the years I’ve learned that the most important thing to me is being able to go home at the end of the day with the feeling that I’ve made a positive impact, even if just a small one, in someone’s life through my work.”

As an attorney in a relatively small city, Johnson serves as the assistant district attorney for Coal County, responsible for prosecuting felony and misdemeanor crimes and advising the county commissioners in the performance of their duties. Additionally, he serves as the city attorney for the tiny town of Commerce; Johnson also has a private practice in Ada that focuses on business law and civil litigation. In addition to spending time with his growing family, Johnson enjoys coaching baseball and was instrumental in establishing the Oklahoma Baseball Hall of Fame in Mickey Mantle’s hometown.