Speakers

Please welcome Tim Haws, Chief Operations Officer for The 34 Project, a non-profit adaptive fitness and strength training center. 

The 34 Project, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life in our community through adaptive fitness and exercise based training to those with neurological challenges due to injury or disease. 

The 34 Project seeks to maximize the potential for each individual suffering from spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders by utilizing strategic exercises and providing the proper stimulation for an optimal functional outcome.

The 34 Project provides strength and fitness training using specialized adaptive equipment and trainers with experience handling those dealing with paralysis. While our organization's main goal is fitness and strength for an underserved, unique part of our community, we believe this is a springboard for our clients to re-engage with the world. Clients who once felt trapped at home have begun to drive, work and engage in outdoor activities for the first time since they were injured. 

Tim earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1987 and his master’s degree from Southern Nazarene University in 2000. Tim retired in 2018 from public education having served Bethany Public Schools and Putnam City Schools.  He is married to Lisa Haws, an attorney at the Oklahoma Tax Commission.  They have three sons; Jackson, Grayson and Hudson.

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.

Let's welcome Shenita Brown! Her topic tonight is "We're Continuing Our Search:  Finding Your Voice After Rejection"

Shenita Brown - Her professional journey and penchant for excellence has taken her from accountant to entrepreneur to CFO through multiple industries, both in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, an MBA, and is a licensed CPA. But beyond the numbers and spreadsheets, she’s passionate about helping people think critically and get clarity when life hands them the unexpected. She knows what it’s like to be passed over, to question your path, and to wonder if your voice really matters. This prompted her to launch Crossroads and Catalysts, a podcast created to help people navigate tough decisions, uncertain transitions, and defining moments. Whether she’s speaking, podcasting, mentoring, or writing, her goal is always the same: to offer insight that’s honest, reflective, and grounded. Outside of work and creative projects, she enjoys staying active—she's even been known to row! She spent two years on a corporate rowing team, where they proudly placed second in their second season. She also enjoys spending quality time with her grandson. You’ll often find her making handmade soap— one of her favorite creative outlets