Building a Stronger Tulsa: A Conversation with PartnerTulsa’s Interim Executive Director

As the Interim Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, Ronita is dedicated to driving economic growth and community development. As she steps into her new role, she shares the key initiatives driving her passion and how PartnerTulsa is creating a lasting impact on the city.

What led you to Tulsa?

“So, the short answer is Tulsa Remote. The longer story is that my husband, Jeremy, and I were living outside the country until 2021. At that time, we were planning our wedding at the Philbrook Museum of Art here in town, and we thought, ‘why not apply to Tulsa Remote and stay?’ Jeremy is an Oklahoma native and his grandfather and great grandparents were all born and raised in Tulsa, so in a way it was like coming home. Anyway, we moved here 4 years ago and it continues to be the best decision we made. He and I started off as remote workers, but now we both work locally. Plus, we got our hilarious dog, Moe, once we moved here so it’s really home.” 

As the inaugural Chief Operating Officer of PartnerTulsa, what aspects of this role inspire you the most? What initially attracted you to PartnerTulsa?

“I’ve always been a person focused on people and process- making me well cut-out for handling operations. Nothing I love more than things working per a plan.

The north star for myself and this organization is making Tulsa better. It is already a great place to live, but let’s make it better- and make it better for more people. That inspires me, and is why I wanted to join the organization. It’s a different type of satisfaction that comes with seeing bustling neighborhoods, hearing more Tulsans are able to get a home and helping small businesses expand. And we’re just getting started.

That’s a broad answer, but let’s say all the work inspires me.” 

Which PartnerTulsa projects or initiatives are you most excited about? What makes these efforts particularly meaningful or impactful to you?

“It’s hard to choose just one. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes activities that PartnerTulsa does and we deal with some of the nuts and bolts of large projects- and it may not always be very exciting. That being said, what is most impactful is seeing Tulsans – new and old- interact with the projects we are a part of. When these big plans come down to the human level and make a difference in an entrepreneur’s life, or we’re able to highlight amazing community members, or a once empty space is now a family’s home.  Nothing better than that.“

Can you share more about your background and work history?

I currently serve as the Interim Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, stepping into this role after serving as the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer. I bring a background in finance, economic development, and entrepreneurship, and I’m deeply committed to driving economic growth and community development here in Tulsa. As COO, I focused on aligning internal teams and external stakeholders with our strategic goals—work that’s especially important in today’s dynamic environment. My career spans more than 16 years and began in finance, where I worked in Bank of America’s wealth management division, followed by a senior internal wholesaler role at MainStay Investments. From there, I shifted into economic development, including a project management role at the United Nations Democracy Fund. I also spent several years in New Delhi working in education for low-income youth.Before joining PartnerTulsa, I worked in the fintech space with Wise and NerdWallet. I hold a B.A. in International Politics and Economics from New York University and an MSc in Globalization and Development from the University of Manchester in the UK.I came to Tulsa through the Tulsa Remote program, though I already had family ties to the city through my husband. I’m passionate about making Tulsa a better place for more people and find great satisfaction in seeing vibrant neighborhoods, increased homeownership, and small businesses thrive. I’m honored to lead PartnerTulsa during this interim period and remain focused on advancing our mission of fostering equitable economic development across the city.