Center for Social Innovation

Launching in 2020, with a sizable grant from the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation and partnerships with nonprofits throughout the OKC metro area, the Center for Social Innovation (CFSI) at Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City Campus is unique in the nonprofit landscape. The mission of CFSI is to give purpose and hope to individuals who have overcome social barriers by providing them a clear pathway toward their desired career by way of education and professional development. Those barriers can include a history of incarceration, addiction, trauma, poverty, homelessness, abuse, mental health disorders, or domestic violence. So, to help overcome those barriers, the program is based on the seven core values of the organization: Integrity, Transformation, Excellence, Psychological Safety, Connection, Growth, and Education.

At the head of this organization is the senior director, Ariel Moore. A young woman with a past similar to the lives of the people she works with today, but with an understanding of the possibilities that become known when you are the hero of your own story. Unlike many nonprofit leaders, she did not come up through the ranks to eventually take her place as the head of the organization. Instead, she was hand-selected for the position due to her understanding of the people CFSI was to champion. However, this left her at a bit of a disadvantage to her peers, and that is where Empower was there to help. Pairing her up with one of our talented nonprofit executive coaches for a year-long mentorship, has been the key to her transformation as a leader.

“Stacey has been awesome and very helpful in terms of having a seasoned mentor who I can go to for guidance and advice. Because I’m “newer” to nonprofit work having her to lean on has been invaluable. Most nonprofit leaders know this kind of work is challenging and can push you to the absolute limit. Knowing I had a trusted mentor in the field, and someone to connect to and count on, kept me pushing forward.”

Ariel continues to be a force in the OKC metro and across the state for speaking out about barriers that keep people from achieving their goals, and how other leaders can help breakdown those barriers. And while her pathway to success was not traditional, having an Empower coach kept her focused on the mission of the organization, as well as, keeping a valuable leader in the nonprofit sector. Four years into the venture of CFSI, starting with a vision and no clear pathway to success, Ariel, her staff, and community partners are continuing to truly make life-changing outcomes for the people they serve, their families, and the entire community.

Inspiring stories like Ariel’s is the reason Empower exists. We are a nonprofit consulting organization which has the sole mission of helping our state’s nonprofits be even more successful. Our work translates into helping hundreds of nonprofit organizations, which in turn, touches the lives of countless individuals and entities in our communities. So, just imagine what can Empower do for you.