Impactful Women of the 918: Stephanie Chester

“Travel can be stressful, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences people can have,” says Stephanie Chester. And during her 10 years at Tulsa International Airport (TUL), Chester has been able to help minimize some of that stress. One way she does this is by working to bring more nonstop flight offerings to TUL. Another is by developing innovative partnerships with local organizations; for example, TUL partnered with Discovery Lab to create a play area for young travelers. And, thanks to a partnership with Tulsa City-County Library, the airport also hosts monthly public storytimes, which have proven popular.

“These partnerships remind us that an airport doesn’t only serve travelers, it serves the entire community,” says Chester. “We want people to see TUL as more than just a place to catch a flight. We want it to be a place where people feel welcome and proud of their hometown airport.”

In addition to her work at TUL, Chester, a mother of two boys ages 5 and 7, volunteers in the nursery at her church, serves on the Tulsa Regional Tourism Board and is part of Leadership Tulsa Class 74. In her free time, she enjoys being creative, playing games with family or staying active through pilates and cycling.

“My job is incredibly rewarding, and as a mom, I think about the example I’m setting for my kids,” says Chester. “They see how much I enjoy my work, and I hope they grow up knowing that it’s possible to build a career you’re passionate about while making a positive impact on others.”

Q&A with Stephanie Chester

Please tell us about your role at Tulsa International Airport, and a little bit about your personal life if you would like.

I oversee Tulsa International Airport’s marketing and guest experience efforts, helping shape how people experience our airport before they even arrive. My team focuses on everything from marketing campaigns and community partnerships to guest experience initiatives and highlighting why Tulsans should choose TUL as the starting point for their trips.

I also have assisted with air service development, and I’m incredibly proud to have been part of the conversations that helped bring Alaska Airlines’ nonstop service to Seattle and San Diego, as well as Sun Country Airlines’ service to Minneapolis and our first international destination, Cancún, Mexico.

I’ve been at Tulsa International Airport since January 2016, and it’s been amazing to watch the airport continue to grow and evolve over the past decade. Before moving to Tulsa, I worked in marketing for an energy company in my hometown of St. Louis.

Outside of work, I’m a proud boy mom to two energetic boys, ages 5 and 7, who definitely keep my husband and me on our toes. I’m fully embracing my sports mom era, spending my evenings and weekends driving to baseball, basketball, and soccer practices and games. It’s a busy season, but it’s also the best watching them discover what they love.

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

Travel can be stressful, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences people can have. It creates memories, opens doors to new opportunities, and introduces us to places and people we may never have experienced otherwise. Knowing that I get to play a small role in helping make those connections happen is incredibly meaningful.

One of my favorite parts of this job is partnering with organizations throughout Tulsa and finding creative ways to showcase what makes our city special. Airports are often someone’s first and last impression of a community, and my team and I take that responsibility seriously.

I’m definitely someone who finds purpose in helping others. Whether that’s my personality or just how I’m wired, I love work that makes a positive impact. My job is incredibly rewarding, and as a mom, I think about the example I’m setting for my kids. They see how much I enjoy my work, and I hope they grow up knowing that it’s possible to build a career you’re passionate about while making a positive impact on others.

Can you tell us more about the community partnerships you’ve facilitated — in particular, with Tulsa City-County Library and Discovery Lab?

These partnerships have honestly been some of my favorite projects because they started with a simple question: “How can we make the airport more welcoming for everyone?”

Storytime at the Airport began in August 2024. When we first approached Tulsa City-County Library with the idea, they loved it immediately, but we had no idea how the community would respond. Would families come out to the airport in the middle of the week? Would they feel comfortable navigating the airport if they have never been before? Thankfully, the answer has been a resounding yes.

We’re now in our second full year, and the response continues to exceed our expectations. We’ve expanded the program with partners like the Tulsa Drillers, who have brought Hornsby out for special Storytimes, along with seasonal events like Trick-or-Treating in the terminal and behind-the-scenes tours where kids can see airplanes up close and experience the airport in a whole new way.

The Discovery Lab partnership came from another conversation about how we could make traveling with young children a little easier. Together, we transformed an unused gate area into a Discovery Lab play space where kids can burn off energy before a flight. An amenity that has been very well received from the public.

These partnerships remind us that an airport doesn’t only serve travelers, it serves the entire community. We want people to see TUL as more than just a place to catch a flight. We want it to be a place where people feel welcome and proud of their hometown airport.

What would you like people to know about traveling through TUL?

I want people to know that our team is never satisfied with simply being “good enough.” We’re constantly looking for ways to improve their experience, whether that’s making parking easier, improving wayfinding, adding new amenities or creating thoughtful guest experiences that make travel a little less stressful.

At the same time, we never want to lose what makes Tulsa special. People consistently tell us that TUL is easy to navigate and welcoming, and we’re committed to preserving that experience even as we continue to grow.

Accessibility is also a priority in everything we do, and we want every guest to feel confident and comfortable traveling through our airport.

What other activities or volunteer work do you do, and why is that important to you?

I’m currently part of Leadership Tulsa Class 74, and it’s been an incredible opportunity to learn more about our community, better understand both the opportunities and challenges Tulsa faces, and connect with other leaders who care deeply about making our city even better. As someone who isn’t originally from Tulsa, it’s also helped me feel even more connected to this community.

I also volunteer in the nursery at my church. My boys loved going through the children’s ministry, and it’s been meaningful to give back to a program that meant so much to our family.

Professionally, I serve on the Tulsa Regional Tourism Board, where I enjoy collaborating with organizations that are working to strengthen tourism and make Tulsa an even better place to visit and live.

When I’m not working or volunteering, you’ll usually find me doing something creative, playing games with my family, or doing something active like Pilates or cycling.

What strengths do you see in Tulsa, and what area(s) do you think need to be improved?

One of Tulsa’s greatest strengths is its willingness to collaborate. When businesses and community organizations come together around a shared goal, it’s amazing what this city can accomplish. I’ve seen that firsthand through so many partnerships, and it’s one of the reasons I love living here.

As Tulsa continues to grow, I hope we continue investing in both people and places. That means making education a priority, supporting workforce development, and creating the kinds of experiences and amenities that make people want to build their future here. Momentum is building and it’s exciting to be part of it.

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

Get involved in whatever way fits your season of life. Before I had kids, I had a lot more flexibility. Now I’m much more intentional about where I spend my time, and that’s OK. Whether it’s volunteering for an organization you care about, mentoring someone or simply showing up for community events, every contribution matters.

We all have different gifts and perspectives that can make Tulsa better. You don’t have to do everything, you just have to do something!

Do you have a favorite place to go in Tulsa?

I always recommend Siegi’s. I’ve never had a bad meal there, and I love trying something different every time I go. I could also eat Elote’s puffy tacos several times a week and never get tired of them.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Coming from a larger city, I was genuinely surprised by how much people in Tulsa care. Not just in words, but through their actions. There’s a sincerity here that’s hard to describe until you experience it. People are quick to volunteer and step up when the community needs them. There are so many opportunities to get involved and make a meaningful difference, and that’s one of the things that makes Tulsa such a special place to call home.