A photo of Wendy Thomas. Wendy is a white woman with shoulder-length, brown, curly hair and rectangular glasses frames. She is standing with her hands on her hips. She is wearing a black blouse with a blue blazer on top, against a neutral gray colored backdrop.

About
‍Wendy
Thomas

Professional biography.

Wendy's signature dandelion logo symbol. The signature dandelion symbol is comprised of a "W" in a radial pattern.

Wendy Thomas was the executive director of Leadership Tulsa, mentoring and guiding boards and board members for 21 years. In her professional role she greatly increased the scope and reach of Leadership Tulsa programs.

Beginning in 2020, Wendy led a new initiative to provide consulting services in the areas of team building, strategic planning, nonprofit capacity building, and board development as a service to Leadership Tulsa’s members and nonprofit partners.

She is often called in to help organizations navigate challenging times in their history such as start-up, transition in leadership, and other types of financial or operational crises. Wendy is a well-known presenter on board best practices and an adept facilitator of group process. She coaches individuals in their board service and has written many articles on board best practices.

Wendy is an active community volunteer having served on and led numerous nonprofit boards. She has won many honors and community recognitions for her work.

Mission.

Wendy Thomas is your trusted partner to set catalyzing goals, align team members and resources around those goals, and build the knowledge, skills, and connections to achieve them.

A message from Wendy:

"While often viewed as a weed, the dandelion has grown to have great meaning to me.

First, it is a sturdy plant, almost impossible to kill, representing endurance and perseverance. This “Lion’s Tooth” has unique beauty at every stage of development and is even delicious and nutritious. Some people believe that if you make a wish and blow their seeds into the air, your wish will come true.

As I enter this new phase of my career, the dandelion has become a cherished image to me because the seeds are caught by the wind and may grow where least expected. It is a perfect metaphor for my desire to take the knowledge, skills, and connections I have gained over my career and share them to the benefit of other individuals and organizations in furtherance of positive work."

Wendy's signature dandelion symbol in stage 1 of the animation cycle and life cycle.Wendy's signature dandelion symbol in stage 5 of the animation cycle and life cycle.Wendy's signature dandelion symbol in stage 3 of the animation cycle and life cycle.Wendy's signature dandelion symbol in stage 6 of the animation cycle and life cycle. It is the primary dandelion symbol at this stage, with one of the W's floating away.Wendy's signature dandelion symbol in stage 2 of the animation cycle and life cycle.Wendy's signature dandelion symbol in stage 7 of the animation cycle and life cycle. The petals are now fallen and ready to start the animation cycle and life cycle again.

Timeline

Education.
Experience.

1986
The University of Tulsa
Education
Wendy begins Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Tulsa, fostering her dedication to being a lifelong learner.
A logo, for The University of Tulsa. It is placed on top of a photo of the university.
1990
The University of Tulsa
Education
Wendy graduates from The University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature & Society, as well as a newfound passion for arts administration.
Icon for simple diploma: a rectangle with a certificate symbol handing off the page in Wendy's tertiary brand color, a deep ocean blue. The icon is in a flat line style.
Wisconsin School of Business
Education
Wendy begins a Master of Arts Administration degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, honing her professional leadership and strategy skills.
A logo, for the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business. It is placed on top of a photo of the university.
1992
Wisconsin School of Business
Education
Wendy graduates with a Master's Degree in Arts Administration, setting the foundation for the future of her professional work.
Icon for framed diploma: a framed rectangle with a certificate symbol handing off the page in Wendy's tertiary brand color, a deep ocean blue. The icon is in a flat line style.
1994
Executive Director
Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa
Wendy kickstarts her community-focused career in an Executive Director role. In the 7 years she held this position, Wendy won national grants, expanded community arts programs and completed a capital campaign.
A photo of the Harweldon Mansion.
2002
Executive Director
Leadership Tulsa
Wendy Thomas serves as the executive director of Leadership Tulsa, mentoring and guiding boards and board members for the next 21 years. In her professional role, she greatly increased the scope and reach of Leadership Tulsa programs.
A logo, for Leadership Tulsa.
Adjunct Professor & other leadership roles
The University of Tulsa & others
In her executive role, Wendy developed an extensive resume serving in leadership positions on local area boards and the national Association of Leadership Programs. She also served as an adjunct professor teaching nonprofit administration in the arts management program at The University of Tulsa for ten years. She received many awards for her leadership and community service.
Two logos - one for The University of Tulsa and one for the Association of Leadership Programs. It is placed on top of a photo of Wendy speaking at a podium.
2020
Consultant
Leadership Tulsa, nonprofit partners
Wendy led a new initiative to provide consulting services in the areas of team building, strategic planning, nonprofit capacity building, and board development.
Icon for consulting: two people, one sitting in front of the desk and the other behind the desk in Wendy's tertiary brand color, a deep ocean blue. The icon is in a flat line style.
Present
Your trusted partner
Organizations of all shapes and sizes
Wendy Thomas partners with organizations to set catalyzing goals, align team members and resources around those goals, and build the knowledge, skills, and connections to achieve them.
Wendy's signature dandelion logo symbol. The signature dandelion symbol is comprised of a "W" in a radial pattern.

/ wendyethomas

Tulsa, Oklahoma