SPEAKER

NATALIE SHIRLEY

PAST-CHAIR, BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, CAMERON UNIVERSITY AND ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

Native Oklahoman Natalie Shirley has served as a member of Cameron University’s governing board since her appointment by Gov. Mary Fallin in April 2018. She recently completed a term as chair of the board, which also oversees the operation of the University of Oklahoma and Rogers State University.

Regent Shirley was the first female president and chief executive officer of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Prior to that, she concurrently served as president of Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and as Oklahoma Secretary of Education and Workforce Development.

Serving as Secretary from 2015-2018, Regent Shirley worked with Governor Fallin to implement the Oklahoma Works program, which was designed to increase educational attainment for state residents to produce a more educated workforce to support and cultivate the state’s economy.

From 2007-2011, Regent Shirley served in Gov. Brad Henry’s Cabinet as Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. She was responsible for the Workforce department and was the liaison between the governor, five major state agencies, and more than 30 small agencies, authorities, and institutions. During this time, she also served as executive director of the Department of Commerce, the state’s leading economic development agency.

She was previously president of ICI Mutual in Washington, D.C., after serving in various leadership offices in the company. She also serves on a number business boards.

Regent Shirley graduated from Oklahoma State University and earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband Bill. They have six children.