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Steve Bradshaw

A new program in the Eastin Center provides students access to high level leaders

Monday, August 29, 2022

Media Contact: Robin Darmon | Director, Eastin Center for Career Readiness | 405-744-8651 | rdarmon@okstate.edu

The Eastin Industry Experts Program will launch in September with a lunch and learn hosted by former BOK Financial CEO Steve Bradshaw for Spears School of Business student leaders. 

The program offers students a unique high-touch opportunity to learn from seasoned, respected business leaders which in turn allows students to explore all facets of career success. It provides an insider perspective on how to lead organizations, develop and adapt corporate strategy, how to compete and retain top talent, and insight from the crossroads of investors, employees and customers.

The Eastin Industry Expert will serve as a guest lecturer, mentor students, host lunch and learns, organize panel discussions and consult with faculty periodically throughout the school year. These leaders will offer students a unique opportunity to have transparent dialogue, learning from seasoned executives who have had a positive impact on their company.

Bradshaw, former CEO and current board member at BOK Financial, is the inaugural industry expert for the program. Bradshaw is a high caliber leader not only in business, but in his community as well. His work at BOK Financial, a $34 billion bank holding company based in Tulsa, began by building the securities firm and over time he assumed various leadership roles throughout the company, with a focus on building wealth management and consumer business units. In 2014, he was named president and CEO of the company.

“Steve will engage with the students and make a positive impact on the way they think about the future and their careers,” said Leslie Paris, senior vice president and director community and employee engagement at BOK Financial and member of the Eastin Advisory Board. “My vision is — this is just the beginning of his commitment. I’d like to see him on campus more often and in front of not only the student leaders but also those students that are first-generation — and those who need career encouragement.”

Bradshaw has served as chairman for the Tulsa Area United Way, Junior Achievement of Tulsa and the Tulsa Regional Chamber and its visitor’s bureau, Visit Tulsa. He has also served as a board member of the Tulsa Community Foundation, Tulsa River Parks Authority, Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League, YMCA Tulsa, Tulsa Habitat for Humanity and Domestic Violence Intervention Services. He is a former Trustee of the University of Tulsa.

He earned a bachelor’s in business finance from the University of Central Oklahoma and later graduated with distinction from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

“This program will continue to grow, inviting business leaders to participate in initiatives which allow students to have unique access to proven, impactful leaders,” said Robin Darmon, director of the Eastin Center for Career Readiness. “The wealth of learning and opportunity to offer students career insights and a vision of future leadership for themselves is what ‘The Power of Personal’ is all about.”

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