Events

Please welcome Mark Ivey from NewView Oklahoma!  Mark will share his personal journey with vision loss, offering insight into his eye condition and how it led him to NewView Oklahoma. He will highlight NewView Oklahoma’s mission and services, discuss common misconceptions about blindness — particularly in today’s workforce — and introduce the world of adaptive sports for individuals who are blind.  

About the Speaker:

Mark Ivy was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and moved to Edmond to attend the University of Central Oklahoma. He has spent the past 12 years with NewView Oklahoma, where he serves as Financial Development & Adaptive Sports Manager.

After losing his eyesight to retinitis pigmentosa, Mark found a passion for adaptive sports. He has trained with the USA Paralympic Goalball Team and competes nationally in beep baseball. Mark started the NewView Oklahoma Beep Ball team, the Lookouts in 2022. Their first World Series ended with a 15th-place finish. This past year? They shattered expectations finishing 6th in the world at the National Beep Baseball World Series. Mark was also selected to play as an All-Star at the 2025 Ultimate BeepBall tournament at George Mason University.

Mark is married to his wife, Alyssa, a first-grade teacher, and is the proud dad of seven-year-old Evelyn June, who says, “Blind dads are super fun.” He’s also a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan— and despite what his wife says, he still considers himself funny.

Please welcome Rian Smoak to our club tonight! 

As an Oklahoman native, Rian Smoak is an accomplished endurance athlete and keynote speaker whose journey began with a single childhood moment that taught him the power of following through. After growing up with limited resources and learning to persevere through personal adversity, Rian went on to achieve what first inspired him at age twelve: competing in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, the very race that lit the spark in him as a kid. That experience not only fulfilled a lifelong dream but also reshaped his sense of purpose and the impact one person can make.

 His personal life now centers on inclusion, adaptive athletics, and helping others reach finish lines they never thought possible. After completing his own Ironman journey, Rian began guiding athletes with disabilities — including Bryce, who lives with cerebral palsy, and Carla, who lives with autism — through triathlons and the Ironman World Championship. These partnerships transformed his mission into one of advocacy, leadership, and community impact. Today, as a speaker, Rian challenges audiences to identify their own “follow through” moment and take meaningful action that creates a more inclusive world.

Let's welcome Ashley Simpson!

Ashley will share how the Cavett Kids Foundation is empowering children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses to build character, develop coping skills, and form connections through their programs. She'll also highlight how partnering with organizations like Bricktown Rotary Club helps to expand their impact and create even more life-changing experiences for these incredible Oklahoma kids.

Ashley Simpson serves as the Executive Director of the Cavett Kids Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering children and youth with chronic and life-threatening illnesses to thrive beyond their diagnosis. Her journey with Cavett Kids began in 2012 as an intern providing art therapy services at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, where she witnessed firsthand the healing power of connection and creativity. After joining the team as Program Director, Ashley was named Executive Director in 2018. Under her leadership, Cavett Kids has expanded its programs and reach across Oklahoma, improving the lives of thousands each year through medically supported camps, programs, and hospital outreach services.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma State University and dual master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A nationally licensed Art Therapist (ATR), she brings both professional expertise and heartfelt vision to her leadership. Her work has earned wide recognition—Cavett Kids was named Nonprofit of the Year for three consecutive years by OKCYP (OKC Young Professionals) and won the Crystal Milestone award. While Ashley has been honored among OKC’s 50 Most Influential Young Professionals and voted one of Oklahoma City’s Most Powerful Young Professionals for five consecutive years. She was also featured among Hundred Magazine’s “Top 100 Wildly Capable Women” which honors not just achievements but a woman’s character.

Grounded in the belief that every child deserves to feel accepted, supported, and never alone in their battle, Ashley has led the mission of Cavett Kids for over 13 years with authenticity and a deep commitment to community impact. She lives in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband, Devin, and their three pets (two Golden Retrievers and a cat)—Finn, Andy, and Zazu— and enjoys painting, traveling, boating, time at Lake Eufaula, and cheering on OSU sports all while still campaigning for adding another Golden Retriever to the family.  

Please welcome Kevin Richardson, Owner/Operator of Seniors Helping Seniors Central Oklahoma.

Kevin will share how their unique in-home care model supports older adults who wish to remain independent while living in their own homes. Their services focus on companionship and practical daily assistance, helping seniors navigate the challenges that can come with aging.

During this presentation, attendees will learn how trained caregivers provide support with everyday activities such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and companionship. The organization also emphasizes thoughtfully matching caregivers with clients to build meaningful relationships that enhance quality of life.

This talk will highlight how compassionate in-home support can help seniors maintain dignity, independence, and connection within their communities while also providing peace of mind for families.

Please welcome Dr. John Otto!

Dr. John Otto is a veterinarian, educator, and community advocate whose career has combined animal welfare, service, and rehabilitation. A graduate of Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, he owned and operated University Animal Hospital in Norman for over 30 years.

Dr. Otto is the founder of Friends for Folks, a nonprofit prison dog training program that provides second chances for both shelter dogs and incarcerated individuals. His work has inspired similar initiatives at correctional facilities across Oklahoma and was featured in the Emmy-nominated documentary The Dogs of Lexington.

In addition to his work with Friends for Folks, Dr. Otto has led efforts to improve spay/neuter access, expand shelter medicine education, and champion pet therapy for veterans. His service has earned him numerous honors, including the American Red Cross Hero Award, OSU’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, and Veterinarian of the Year in 2022.

Let's Welcome Carey A. Lee, the Director of OKC Walk to End Alzheimers. She will share with us information about the Walk and how we can help!!

Attached is the enrollment link:  https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=19860&pg=entry 

Time:
Party at 8:30 a.m. Ceremony at 10 a.m. with the walk to follow.

 Location:
Scissortail Park- Great Lawn (Love's Stage area)
300 SW 7th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73109

More details to come!

Let's welcome Sheriff Tommie Johnson III as speaker tonight!

Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III is an Oklahoma City native and a decorated law enforcement professional. The son of a grocery store butcher, Johnson attended Oklahoma City Public Schools his entire life. He went to Hillcrest Elementary; Northeast Middle School; and graduated from U.S. Grant High School where he and his wife, Amanda, were classmates.

Johnson was an all-state baseball player at Grant and played at East Central University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Biology.

Johnson began his law enforcement career with the University of Oklahoma Police Department. In 2015, he joined the Norman Police Department, where he was promoted to the rank of Master Police Officer and was recently honored with the City of Norman Police Department’s Centennial Award. Johnson has served on the hiring board, bargaining committee and uniform committee, in addition to earning the Department’s lifesaving award.