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Accountant, Corporate Reporting, Williams Companies; Artistic Director, Portico Dans Theatre
Tulsa
Alden’s work at Williams Companies is comprised of conducting reporting of corporate financial statements. “If you have seen a 10k, 10Q or other report from Williams, then you know what I do,” she says. Alden pulls double-duty as both an accountant and a choreographer and artistic director. She was also recently named the first chairperson of the newly formed Living Arts Contemporary Dance Committee. An avid dancer, she studied dance in addition to accounting in college, and she danced with Eugene Ballet in Oregon and performed as a soloist with the State Ballet of Oregon. Upon her arrival in Tulsa, she helped co-found Portico Dans Theatre, a contemporary dance company, for which she now serves as co-artistic director, choreographer and company manager. Her future goals include continuing to grow in her career at Williams as well as to see her dance company reach professional status.

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President and Managing Partner, Cubic
Tulsa
“The wonderful thing about my job is that it is constantly changing,” Kulkin says of his position at Cubic, a Tulsa-based creative marketing agency. “Our job is to make sure we stay ahead of the changes through trend-casting, monitoring consumer insights and through constant innovation. We focus on delivering sales opportunities and building stronger relationships with our clients’ audience(s).” And Kulkin walks into the office with his head held high each day because he remains unbeaten in ping pong by his co-workers. He holds positions on the board of directors for Tulsa Metro Chamber, Tulsa Sports Commission and Jenks Trojan Athletics. He is also the current chairman of the Chamber’s Small Business Council and serves on the advisory board of Tulsa’s Young Professionals. Ever the family man, Kulkin enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.

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Vice President of Operations, Sky Fitness & Wellbeing
Tulsa
Wood has worked in the fitness club business for almost 15 years at locations in Fayetteville, Ark., and Cleveland, Ohio, prior to joining the team at Sky. “I’m involved with all facets of improving the experience that a member has while working out. From the interaction with our team to the newest fitness offering to the look and feel of the facility itself, I’m trying to find a way to make it better than you’ve ever seen,” he says. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. Wood says that to be successful in the business world, don’t be too intimidated to surround yourself with smart people. “If you want to be the best, don’t set the bar low. From a management standpoint, it’s a lot easier to guide people than drag them.”

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Attorney, Appellate Chief, United States Attorney’s Office
Tulsa
It was a clerkship that brought Alam to Oklahoma, but it was love that kept her here. The Boston native was three weeks from completing a clerkship when she met her now-husband. The rest, as she says, is history. As the Appellate Chief with the United States Attorney’s Office, Alam’s job is to keep convicted criminals in jail by handling their appeals, writing briefs and arguing before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals that their convictions should be upheld. When she’s not in court, Alam loves to bake and serves as secretary of the Carver Middle School Foundation and volunteers at Undercroft Montessori School, which her children attend. Alam has also appeared as a contestant on Jeopardy and won a trip to Jamaica.

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Owner and Designer, Stinson Design Group
Oklahoma City
Stinson’s stint in design began in 2007, and he has already made a name for himself in Oklahoma City. Specializing in both residential and commercial projects, Stinson Design Group also includes a retail store. In 2011, he was featured as a designer in the OKC Symphony Show Home. “My love for design probably started with my love of painting,” Stinson says. “I used to get lost for hours working on my paintings.” His love for design and his business is what has made him so successful at such a young age. “Make sure you love what you do, and be willing to work long hours,” he says. “It pays off, but you have to be willing. Stinson’s volunteerism includes the Indian Clinic Red Feather Gala, The Red Tie Gala, The Equality Gala and Historic Neighborhood Association of Oklahoma City, and he’s also part of the 23rd Street revitalization projects.

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Consultant; Stand-up Comic; Research and Project Specialist, Henry/Adams Companies
Oklahoma City
Hicks began performing stand-up comedy when he was 24 and has made a career out of it. He is a founder of OKCcomedy, which works to bring nationally recognized comedians to Oklahoma and book local comics to open for them. In 2010, Hicks won the 2010 OKC Comedy Competition. He has opened for nationally touring comedians, including Paul F. Tompkins, Kyle Kinane and Rob Delany. He’s a huge Thunder fan, and once had the opportunity to win $20,000 at a game by making a half-court shot. “I missed, which means I still have student loans,” he says. Hicks also devotes a lot of time to causes, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Pros for Africa, The Chad Peary Fund, Norman Food Bank and Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity.

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Interior Designer, SR Hughes
Tulsa
Working as a designer in a small, family-owned firm has offered McPhail hands-on experience from the get-go, experience that has helped her progress into managing the design division and growing the business into the next generation. McPhail advises fellow young professionals to “take advantage of every opportunity, because good luck usually follows hard work.” To stay active, McPhail participates in Crossfit, is on a tennis league and enjoys rock ‘n’ roll yoga. She also volunteers time with Habitat for Humanity, Emergency Infant Services and mission trips, and she also supports community projects through her church.

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Owner, Emerge Marketing & PR
Bixby
Dyer believes that if you are going to do something, do it with passion. So it comes as no surprise that the agency she started at her kitchen table in 2003 is flourishing. “Never stop learning,” Dyer says. “Sometimes the biggest risks can have the greatest rewards, so go for it! Mistakes are okay if you learn from them.” When not growing her business, Dyer enjoys spending time with her three children and loves shopping for shoes and re-arranging her closet to make room for them. She also volunteers her time with Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma, Bixby Outreach Center, Tulsa Metro Chamber and Bixby PTA.

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Pop Artist
Tulsa
The artist and entrepreneur is perhaps best known as half of the famed Louis & Cluck duo, known for designing a clothing line that champions Oklahoma; if you’ve been in the state for longer than a day, you’ve probably seen a “Don’t Hate the 918” or “I Heart Tulsa” t-shirt – that’s all them. The tees have been seen in People magazine, the Los Angeles Times, NBC’s Dateline and VH-1’s 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders. Additionally, Cluck’s paintings have been exhibited in more than 80 art shows. In short, Cluck’s career is all about creativity. It’s a job that he embraces and hopes to use to spread the word about Oklahoma’s rich artistic community. “I want Oklahoma to become known for its art community,” he says. “There are so many talented artists in our great state, and I believe there will be a day when the world takes notice.”

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Rheumatologist, Integris Physicians
Oklahoma City
Figure skater. Archaeologist. Rheumatologist. Three titles, but only one person in our 40 Under 40 Class of 2012 has boasted all three of them at one time. Dedeke currently practices at Integris Family Care Central, but she has also conducted clinical research in rheumatology under Dr. Judith James at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. A figure skater from the age of 6, Dedeke’s first job was a figure skating coach; she has also participated in archaeological digs in Italy in Israel. When she wants to unwind, Dedeke works out, travels and attends as many Thunder games as possible.