Dr. Laura Latta to Join City as New Director of Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families

Dr. Laura Latta to Join City as New Director of Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families

8/7/2026

Dr. Laura Latta, a prominent and longtime leader in education, nonprofit management and civic leadership, has been appointed to lead the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families (MOCYF).

In this role, Dr. Latta will spearhead the City's efforts to improve outcomes for Tulsa's Children, Youth, and Families by strengthening partnerships across education, nonprofit, philanthropic, business and government sectors - working alongside community stakeholders to advance initiatives that expand opportunity, improve coordination of services and help ensure every young person in Tulsa has the support they need to succeed.

"Laura has dedicated her career to serving Tulsa and creating opportunities for children, families and communities across our city," Mayor Nichols said. "Her deep relationships, proven leadership and unwavering commitment to this city make her the right person to lead the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families into its next chapter. I'm excited to see the impact she will have as we continue working together to build a Tulsa where every child and family has the opportunity to thrive."

Dr. Latta currently serves as Executive Director of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, where she leads a collaborative of nine colleges and universities and seven affiliate civic, business, and philanthropic partners serving more than 50,000 students across the region. During her tenure, she has developed the organization's strategic vision, built cross-sector partnerships, led fundraising efforts generating more than $1.6 million annually and helped advance innovative workforce and student success initiatives, including career navigation programs, housing supports, and more.

"I am so excited to have Dr. Laura Latta guiding this critical body of work," Deputy Mayor Krystal Reyes said. "Dr. Latta's leadership, vision, and deep commitment to educational and economic opportunity are well known through her work with the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium and her broader contributions across our education landscape. Having worked with Dr. Latta over the years since I have been in Tulsa, I am truly grateful that she will be bringing her many skills and talents to the team, and I look forward to where she will take this work next on behalf of Tulsa's children, youth, and families. "

Beyond her professional leadership, Dr. Latta has long been an active civic leader dedicated to strengthening opportunities for Tulsa families. She serves as Chair of the Tulsa Women's Commission, where she works alongside community leaders to advance initiatives that support women and families across the city, including helping create a study and resulting report on the importance of childcare as an important workforce issue. Dr. Latta has been an active member of the Tulsa Children's Cabinet since its creation, bringing the higher education lens to the work.

Dr. Latta's collaborative leadership and deep commitment to public service have made her one of Tulsa's most respected education and community leaders.

"The City of Tulsa raised me," Latta said. "Every stage of my education, from early childhood through my doctoral degree, happened right here in Tulsa. It was here that I discovered my passion for education and answered the calling to become a teacher in a Tulsa public school district. Over the years, that journey led me to become a school leader, a professor of education, a researcher, and a nonprofit leader. I am also the proud parent of a Tulsa Public Schools student, which makes this work even more meaningful."

"Mayor Nichols' launch of the Office of Children, Youth, and Families represents a powerful and intentional investment in the future of our city's children and families," Latta added. "I'm honored to serve as the first Director of the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families and to give back to the city that raised me and gave me every opportunity I have today. I look forward to working alongside our community members, leaders, and organizations to help ensure every child, youth, and family in Tulsa has the opportunity to thrive."

Prior to her role with the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, Dr. Latta served as Director of Postsecondary Partnerships and Research for ImpactTulsa, where she led collaborative initiatives connecting education systems and community partners to improve outcomes for students across Northeast Oklahoma. She also previously served as a school administrator and educator with Union Public Schools and continues to teach graduate and undergraduate courses as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.

Dr. Latta has a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum from the University of Oklahoma, along with a master's degree in Education Administration and Curriculum Supervision and bachelor's degrees in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Oral Roberts University. She currently serves on numerous local and national boards and was recognized as a *Journal Record* Achievers Under 40 honoree in 2023.

About MOCYF
Established in 2025, the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families serves as the City's central hub to help coordinate efforts to improve outcomes for Tulsa's young people. The office was created to advance a goal of placing 15,000 additional children and youth on a path toward economic mobility and thriving by 2030 by bringing together schools, nonprofits, philanthropies, businesses, local government and community organizations around shared priorities.

Supporting that work is the Tulsa Children's Cabinet, a first-of-its-kind coalition of leaders from education, business, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and government who work together to guide strategy and strengthen collaboration around issues affecting children and families. Over the past year, the Cabinet has established Action Alliances that are focused on translating community priorities into measurable action. Those alliances are currently evaluating opportunities and developing initiatives that will begin rolling out later this year to help improve educational, economic and family outcomes across Tulsa.

As Director, Dr. Latta will oversee this work to accelerate progress toward the City's long-term goals for Tulsa's children and families.

Dr. Latta will begin her role as Director of the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families November 1.

Tulsa City Councilors Weigh In

Vanessa Hall-Harper | City Councilor, District 1
"As I remain focused on ensuring children and families in District 1 have access to the opportunities and resources they deserve, I'm hopeful that Dr. Latta's leadership will help advance that work. I look forward to partnering with her on efforts that create meaningful outcomes for the families we serve."

Karen Gilbert | City Council Chair, District 5
"Dr. Latta has built a strong reputation as a thoughtful leader and is a dedicated advocate for children and families. I believe she's well prepared for the work ahead, and I look forward to partnering with her as she begins this important role."

Additional Tulsa Leaders Weigh In

Alison Anthony | CEO, Tulsa Area United Way, Tulsa Children's Cabinet Member
"Our team at Tulsa Area United Way is thrilled that Dr. Latta will be the new Director of the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families. She is a leader of vision and roll-your-sleeves-up hard work to solve some of our community's toughest challenges. We have worked with her on needs for improved childcare resources, along with safe and stable housing for students seeking higher education. Now we look forward to leaning in with Dr. Latta to remove barriers for family prosperity in support of children and youth on a path toward long-term economic mobility."

Dr. John Federaline | Superintendent of Union Public Schools, Tulsa Children's Cabinet Member
"Dr. Laura Latta is an excellent choice to lead the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families. She brings a rare combination of intellect, compassion, and proven leadership to everything she does. Dr. Latta was Union Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2016 and she has always been a champion for students. I am so excited to see the positive impact she will make in this vitally important role."

Dr. Ebony Johnson | Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa Children's Cabinet Member
"Tulsa Public Schools is excited to learn that Dr. Laura Latta will be serving in the role of Director of the MOCYF. We have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Latta in her previous capacity and we know firsthand that she cares deeply about our young people thriving and reaching their fullest potential in life! We look forward to our upcoming collaborative work together and are excited to continue to work alongside the Mayor's office and the City of Tulsa. "

Marcia Bruno-Todd | Executive Director, Leadership Tulsa, Tulsa Children's Cabinet Member
"Dr. Laura Latta understands that lasting change for children and families depends on leaders across sectors working together toward a shared North Star. I have seen firsthand her ability to build trust, bring people together and turn a bold vision into meaningful action. She leads with deep expertise and a genuine love for Tulsa. Our city's Children, Youth, and Families will be well served by her leadership, and I am excited to work alongside her in this new role."

Bill Knight | Former Chair of Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa Children's Cabinet Member
"From the very beginning, Dr. Latta has brought the kind of leadership, collaboration and sense of purpose that this work requires. Through the Tulsa Children's Cabinet, we've seen her ability to bring people together around a shared vision and keep the focus where it belongs, creating better opportunities for Tulsa's children and families. I'm excited to see her continue leading this important work and know our community will be stronger because of it."