Kristen King

By Lakresha Ferguson, LibertyFest Board Member LibertyFest 2026 is bringing Edmond together for a star-spangled lineup of patriotic fun and family-friendly excitement. Our friends and family of Edmond, surrounding communities, and out of state visitors can experience our hometown spirit and biggest celebration vibes with the theme “From 1776 to Route 66: the Freedom of […]

By Lissa Qualls I believe most Chamber members are high-capacity individuals. You build businesses, lead teams, solve problems, and make decisions that affect employees, families, and entire communities. Even with all the skills and talents that you bring to the table, many leaders find themselves stuck in a familiar place: they know what needs to […]

By: Britley Little There’s just something about summer in Edmond! Longer days, golden hour that lasts forever, and perfect patio weather that practically begs you to grab a drink with friends! Whether you’re looking for a full-on patio vibe or a breezy indoor-outdoor hang, these four spots should be at the top of your list […]

By Beth DeGraffenreid For years, the ideal office worker was the one who could put their head down, close their door, and work in near silence. That era is over. Open space workspaces, hybrid schedules, and rising return-to-office (RTO) mandates have created a new reality – sharing open space means staying quiet. But who can […]

Blog written by Daniela Ortiz In August 2025, I received the surprise of my life when Isaac asked me to marry him. I was completely overwhelmed in the very best way. I was over the moon, full of joy, and for once, almost at a loss for words. If you know me personally, you know […]

By Lissa Qualls Communication is the foundation of every relationship—personal and professional. Without it, trust erodes, assumptions grow, and eventually connection breaks down. In business, poor communication costs money. It costs staff. It costs clients. And it often costs opportunities that never come back. But communication isn’t just about talking. Real communication is a two-way […]

By David Woods If you own or lead a small business in Edmond, there’s a good chance people know you—not just your company. They see you at the grocery store. at school events. at church. at a Chamber event. Your reputation isn’t just tied to your logo; it’s tied to your name. That’s one of […]

By Amy Stephens From Dirt Roads to Destination A century ago, Edmond was ringing in the New Year of 1926. According to the front-page editorial by A.D. Dailey of The Edmond Sun, Edmond’s previous year had been a prosperous one. The town was expanding, with 50 new houses, another cotton gin, the expansion of Eagle Milling […]

By Tim Priebe Something I often find myself telling people is, “I’ve been in business for over two decades, and yours is far from the worst website I’ve ever seen.” That usually gets a laugh. But it also opens the door to a more important conversation. Most websites aren’t broken. They load. They look fine. […]

By Alisha Allen Gardner Leadership. Immediately, when I think of or hear this word, my body tenses up. I feel heat rise up my throat, which starts to restrict, and a slight ping in my head. My shoulders feel heavy. A younger version of me would believe I was beginning to have a panic attack. […]

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recognizes the importance of public education to the Edmond community and has endorsed the passage of both the Edmond Public Schools and Deer Creek Public Schools bond issues, which will appear on the ballot on February 10, 2026. The 2026 bond election for Edmond Public Schools […]

By: Gunnar Hood, WSI-Summit If you’ve read the headlines lately, you probably saw this one: “MIT Finds 95% of AI Projects Fail.” That’s a jaw-dropper. Makes it sound like AI is all smoke and mirrors, right? But if you dig into the report, the story is more useful than scary—especially for small and mid-sized businesses […]

By Josh Pape, Citizens Bank of Edmond Small business owners often ask, “Where are interest rates headed?” It’s a fair question, especially when borrowing costs can significantly affect everything from cash flow to expansion. While no one has a crystal ball or can make guarantees, understanding how the Federal Reserve (“the Fed”) influences interest rates, […]

Edmond Young Professionals created this blog series to get to know and hear from our incredible Edmond leaders. Learn more about the Ward 3 Edmond City Councilman, Preston Watterson. Name: Preston Watterson Title/Professional Organization: Edmond City Councilmember, Ward 3 In my day job, I’m a Program Manager with Northrop Grumman, managing Air Force & Navy […]

Edmond Young Professionals created this blog series to get to know and hear from our incredible Edmond leaders. Learn more about the Ward 1 Edmond City Councilwoman, Maggie Murdock Nichols. Name: Maggie Murdock Nichols Title/Professional Organization: City Council Ward 1 – Freelance Communication and Nonprofit Consultant What originally brought you to Edmond? I was born […]

Edmond Young Professionals created this blog series to get to know and hear from our incredible Edmond leaders. Learn more about the new CEO of the Edmond Public Schools Foundation, Ashleigh Gibson. Name: Ashleigh Gibson Title/Professional Organization: CEO/Edmond Public Schools Foundation What originally brought you to the Edmond area? I moved here in early 2007 […]

Edmond Young Professionals created this blog series to get to know and hear from our incredible Edmond leaders. Learn more about Police Chief JD Younger in the interview below. Name: JD Younger Title/Professional Organization: Chief of Police, Edmond Police Department What originally brought you to the Edmond area? New job with the City of Edmond […]

Blog Written by Devyn Dlugokinski Edmond is the place to be this summer with many new and recurring events filling the calendar. From family-friendly to nightlife activities Edmond offers great options to experience new things, relax or enjoy the great outdoors! To celebrate the season, the free Concerts in the Park at Stephenson Park are […]

Did you know that on any given day, there are nearly 7,000 children in Oklahoma’s foster care system? At Anna’s House Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a safe, stable, and loving home — and we know that creating that kind of care takes a community. That’s why this May, for Foster Care Awareness […]

Blog written by Savannah Whitehead, Edmond Fine Arts Institute For four decades, Edmond Fine Arts (EFA) has been at the heart of creativity in our community—providing top-notch art education, inspiring public art, and fostering a love for the arts. Since 1985, we’ve offered classes, workshops, exhibitions, and performances that have shaped generations of artists and […]

Blog written by Cathy O’Connor, Coalign Group Most communities across the U.S. are facing a housing shortage and Edmond is no exception. Getting ahead of a significant housing shortage, before it becomes a crisis, can make a difference over the next decade in supporting workforce and economic development. My advice to Edmond developers and policymakers? […]

Blog Post written by Daniela Deuel, Creative Financial Strategies and 2025 EYP Chairwoman  While national elections often capture our attention, local elections have a more immediate and tangible impact on our daily lives. Here are several reasons why voting in city elections is crucial: Direct Impact on Daily Life City officials, such as mayors and […]

Looking for the perfect date night or a fun evening with friends in Edmond? Our Edmond Young Professionals Advisory Board has curated a list of their favorite local spots to inspire your next outing. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual hangout, a romantic dinner, or some outdoor fun, there’s something here for everyone! […]

Being part of Edmond Young Professionals (EYP) is more than just attending events—it’s about building connections, growing personally and professionally, and contributing to our vibrant Edmond community. Whether you’re a new member or a seasoned one, here are five ways to make the most of your EYP experience: 1. Attend Events Regularly EYP offers a […]