The Leadership Durant Class for 2025-2026 was introduced Aug. 21 during a reception at Shamrock Bank.
Leadership Durant was founded in 2003 under the umbrella of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce. It is a yearly class for professionals who desire to learn more about their community and develop or enhance their leadership skills. Individuals exit the class having identifi ed and molded their specific leadership qualities.
The Leadership Durant class begins each summer and is completed the following summer with graduation. The class meets for one day each month except for December. They participate in activities ranging from team-building exercises to visiting and meeting area media, city council, and state officials. They also tour area schools, hospitals, major employers, and other areas of interest such as museums and the Oklahoma City State Capitol. Additional activities and events are scheduled throughout the year to help raise money to donate to a deserving non-profit organiza- tion. Leadership Durant also volunteers for various events and organizations throughout the year.
Participants and their employers must commit to this program for it to be effective for each student.
Former class members include vice presidents of banks, business owners, teachers, managers, professors, attorneys, administrative personnel, and more.
Durant Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Kara Byrd graduated from the 2015-2016 Leadership class and she said it is neat to have met the 10year mark with this being her first official class as chamber CEO.
“We have 22 students that will be starting this year through multiple sectors of our community,” Byrd said.
The class started last week with orientation to provide the opportunity for the students to learn about the expectations of the class and getting to know each other. They also began team-building exercises.
“We’ve got past Leadership that will come in and we actually have them doing classes,” Byrd said, of the orientation.
They also learned about the annual Taste of Durant and what the expectations are for that event.
“We’re really looking forward to kicking off the class itself, but every month, they’ll go through different activities that help them to learn about the community as a whole, but also their own professional and personal development along the way,” Byrd said.
“It’s a 10-month course, so they have points that they have to get in order to do graduation. Once they have graduation, then we’re hoping that they will continue to serve the community that they’ve gotten to learn about and know more about throughout their journey through the Leadership program.“ This year’s Leadership class members are: Addison Davis, Choctaw Nation; Callie Rhoten Choctaw Nation; Chloe Hughes, Chamber of Commerce; Christian Bruce, Simmons Bank; Coby Ragsdale, CMC; Cynthia Fisher, Complete Care; Dillon Bowen, First United Bank; Haylee Ratliff, Rest Massage and Wellness; Ian Heisterkan, Simmons Bank; Jacob Barnhart, Milo Business Solutions; Jennifer Lehr, Lighthouse Behavioral; Joseph Folsom, Choctaw Casino; Kaleb Standridge, Choctaw Cultural Center; Karen Cole, Choctaw Nation; Krystal Wilson, Choctaw Nation; Layla Freeman, Choctaw Nation; Madison McKown, City of Durant; Megan Jones, Choctaw Nation; Prudhvi Reddy, AllianceHealth Durant; RoShelle “Shelley” Dunnam, Durant Lions Club; Sheriden, Franks Choctaw Nation, and Tori Culley KTC.
