Impactful Women of the 918: Erin Nantois

After becoming a mom, Erin Nantois began thinking more about the example she wanted to set for her children, including demonstrating “the value of serving and showing up for others.” Today, her work at Make-A-Wish Oklahoma gives her the opportunity to do just that.

Nantois works with individuals, foundations and organizations to secure resources that help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. She describes the work as a blessing and says it’s a privilege to “watch children and their families who have endured so much take a well-deserved break and enjoy spending time together as a family.”

Through fundraising and relationship building, Nantois connects generous Tulsans with a mission that directly benefits children in their community. One of the most rewarding parts of her job, she says, is seeing “the very best in Tulsans.”

“Tulsa is such a special community that truly takes care of those who are in need,” Nantois says. “Getting to witness this kindness and seeing the impact it makes on the wish kids we serve is such a beautiful testimony to the people in the 918.”

For Nantois, the work reinforces something she has long believed: “Strong communities are built when people invest in one another.”

Q&A with Erin Nantois

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! 

  After college, I spent years in the for-profit world as an entrepreneur and as a pharmaceutical rep. After becoming a mom, my priorities changed and I wanted to demonstrate to my kids the value of serving and showing up for others. That passion for building relationships, giving back and making a difference in my community led me to Make-A-Wish Oklahoma.

I have been here at MAWOK for 9 years in the development department working alongside my community members to give critically ill children the hope, strength and joy that a wish offers. This work is such a blessing as I get to watch children and their families who have endured so much take a well-deserved break and enjoy spending time together as a family. 

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? 

I believe the work I get to do at Make A Wish Oklahoma has a meaningful impact on the community because I help connect generous individuals, foundations, and organizations with a mission that directly benefits the children in our community who need it the most, these medically compromised kids have done nothing to deserve their conditions and yet are forced to face difficult realities every single day. Through fundraising and relationship building, I work with our community members to secure the resources needed to support programs, expand services, and create opportunities for these precious children who are desperately in need of something to look forward to. 

What makes this role especially rewarding is that I get to see the very best in Tulsans. Tulsa is such a special community that truly takes care of those who are in need. Getting to witness this kindness and seeing the impact it makes on the wish kids we serve is such a beautiful testimony to the people in the 918.  

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

I believe strong communities are built when people invest in one another. Being able to contribute to that process, and knowing that my work helps and serve others, gives me a deep sense of purpose. Seeing the tangible results of collective generosity motivates me to continue building relationships that make a difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout our community.