Impactful Women of the 918: Katie Henke

Katie Henke leads the Tulsa Regional Chamber‘s advocacy, public policy and civic engagement efforts, working to advance the region’s economic competitiveness and quality of life. She also directs the Regional OneVoice Coalition, bringing together business and community leaders from across northeast Oklahoma to establish and advocate for a unified policy agenda.

Henke says she is privileged to bring people together around shared goals and advocate for policies that support a strong, vibrant and competitive region. The work focuses on creating opportunities for businesses to grow, strengthening the workforce and ensuring Tulsa has a voice in decisions that shape Oklahoma’s future.

For Henke, economic development and public policy ultimately come down to their impact on “families, employees, businesses and the overall quality of life in our community.”

“A thriving economy creates opportunity, and collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to solving our biggest challenges,” she says.

Henke encourages others who want to make an impact in Tulsa to start by being engaged citizens.

“You don’t have to hold a title or a position of influence to make a difference,” she says. “Every person has something valuable to contribute, whether it’s their time, talents, relationships or voice.”

Henke is proud to call Tulsa home, where she lives with her son, Fletcher.

Q&A with Katie Henke

Please share a little background about yourself and your current role. How long have you been in your current position? What other things have you done leading up to your current role?  Also, if you’d like to share a little about your personal life, please do!

Katie Henke serves as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, where she leads the Chamber’s advocacy, public policy, and civic engagement efforts to advance the region’s economic competitiveness and quality of life. In this role, Katie directs the influential Regional OneVoice Coalition, bringing together business and community leaders from across northeast Oklahoma to establish and advocate for a unified policy agenda that drives regional progress.  

She also oversees the Chamber’s political action committees, OklahomaBizPAC and TulsaBizPAC, strengthening the business community’s voice in elections and public policy decisions at every level of government. Through her leadership, Katie ensures that the priorities of Tulsa’s business community are represented at City Hall, the Oklahoma State Capitol and in Washington, D.C., transforming advocacy into meaningful results that support employers, strengthen the workforce, and create opportunities for the region. 

A passionate advocate for civic participation, Katie also leads efforts to increase voter engagement and empower citizens to play an active role in shaping the future of their communities. 

A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Katie’s career has been rooted in service and leadership. Before joining the Chamber, she represented Tulsa for three terms in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where she served in several leadership roles, including Floor Leader, Vice Chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education, Majority Caucus Secretary, and Chair of the Native American Caucus. 

During her time in the Legislature, Katie championed meaningful policy initiatives, including reforms to the Reading Sufficiency Act, expanding eligibility for Oklahoma’s Promise scholarships, and authoring legislation that established the regulatory framework allowing rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate statewide. Her work reflected a commitment to increasing opportunity, strengthening education, and supporting innovation across Oklahoma. 

Katie began her professional career as a teacher in Tulsa, spending seven years in the classroom before entering public service. That experience shaped her passion for education, leadership, and creating opportunities that improve lives and strengthen communities. 

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama and is proud to call Tulsa home, where she lives with her son, Fletcher. 

You were nominated because others felt you have an impact on the community in some way. How do you feel that your position/work impacts the community? Why is that important to you?

In my role as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, I have the privilege of helping bring people together around shared goals and advocating for policies that support a strong, vibrant and competitive region. Our work is focused on creating opportunities for businesses to grow, strengthening our workforce and ensuring that Tulsa has a voice in the decisions that shape our state’s future. 

What makes this work meaningful is that economic development and public policy are ultimately about people. Behind every policy decision is an impact on families, employees, businesses, and the overall quality of life in our community. I believe strongly that a thriving economy creates opportunity, and that collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to solving our biggest challenges. 

I am grateful to work alongside so many dedicated leaders who care deeply about Tulsa. Any impact I have is a reflection of the incredible people who choose every day to invest their time, energy and passion into making this a better place for everyone. 

What are some ways you would encourage others to make an impact on the city?

Making an impact starts with engagement. You don’t have to hold a title or a position of influence to make a difference. Every person has something valuable to contribute, whether it’s their time, talents, relationships or voice. 

I encourage others to find a cause or issue they are passionate about and get involved in a meaningful way. That may mean serving on a nonprofit board, mentoring the next generation of leaders, supporting local businesses, volunteering in your neighborhood, participating in civic conversations or simply staying informed about the issues shaping our community. One of the most important ways we can contribute to the future of our city is by exercising our right to vote and making our voices heard. An engaged community is a stronger community, and every vote plays a role in shaping the leaders and decisions that impact our future. 

Tulsa’s greatest strength is its people and our willingness to come together to solve challenges. Our city’s future depends on individuals who are willing to step forward, build relationships and invest in the community we all call home. When each of us contributes in our own way, through service, advocacy, and civic participation, those collective efforts create lasting and meaningful change.