057: Kara Byrd—Bringing Durant’s strategic vision to life
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Kara Byrd, executive director of Imagine Durant, will be the first to tell you that the heart and soul of any community is its people, and the animating energy of any group is the vision it has for who they can become together.
Since January 2015, Kara has been the one and only paid staff of Imagine Durant, the community wide strategic vision process that emerged from an intensive community visioning effort.
In this episode of The Spirit of Leading podcast, Kara explains that the Durant’s strategic vision is centered around three themes: a healthy and connected culture, a vibrant and thriving community, and a community where all citizens can learn. These themes speak to both the current community needs and the need to attract a quality workforce.
Kara was selected to the 2016 class of NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma and has been recognized by the Journal Record in its annual “40 Achievers Under 40” list.
Kara and Stephanie Gardner, Street Executive Director, celebrating mural sponsored by Choctaw Nation touting Durant as a Monarch butterfly migration city
Kara interviewed at opening of new trail
Kara presents to the Durant city council
Grand opening of Durant farmer’s market
Imagine Durant’s strategic vision came as the result of many community discussions involving all elements of the city.