Acceptance - Individuality - Togetherness

Chris Splitt is the cofounder and a board director of Celebrating Together, Inc., where he helps guide the organization’s vision, growth, and longterm sustainability. Chris brings nearly two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, along with a deep personal commitment to creating joyful, inclusive spaces for individuals with special needs across Oklahoma.
Chris’s dedication to this mission is also shaped by his family. As the stepfather of Hunter, who lived with cerebral palsy and whom Chris loved deeply, he gained a profound understanding of the importance of belonging, celebration, and community for individuals with special needs and their families. This personal connection continues to inspire his leadership and service.

With a strong background in operations, strategic planning, and partnership development, Chris plays a key role in strengthening Celebrating Together’s organizational structure and expanding its impact. He supports board governance, community engagement, and strategic initiatives that ensure the organization continues to meet the growing needs of the special needs community.

Chris is passionate about building a world where every individual feels valued, welcomed, and celebrated. His leadership reflects both his professional expertise and his heart for service, helping Celebrating Together create meaningful experiences for children, adults, and families throughout the state.

Sheri Steed serves as the Treasurer for Celebrating Together, bringing a vital blend of financial expertise and personal passion to the board. Professionally, Sheri serves as an accountant for a local non-profit, where she has dedicated her career to the stewardship of mission-driven resources.

As the mother of two adult children, including a 27-year-old with Down Syndrome, Sheri possesses a firsthand understanding of the unique needs and joys within the special needs community. This personal connection is what drew her to our mission. Sheri is dedicated to ensuring the organization’s growth is sustainable so that children and adults of all abilities always have a vibrant, inclusive place to celebrate together.

Chad Yates is a valued member of the Celebrating Together Advisory Board, where he contributes thoughtful insights and practical suggestions that reflect the lived experiences of the community we serve. His perspective helps ensure our services remain meaningful, inclusive, and responsive.

Chad met his wife, Paige, in 8th grade at Yukon Middle School, and the two have built a life together rooted in commitment and shared values. Married for 33 years, they are proud parents to one son.

Through his role on the Advisory Board, Chad brings a unique and important voice, helping guide Celebrating Together with compassion, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the individuals and families we support.

A native of Tulsa and a proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Claudia Todd has been a pillar of the Oklahoma City community since 1988. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years as an Executive Assistant across the banking, engineering, and healthcare sectors, Claudia brings a master-class level of organizational expertise and administrative leadership to the board.


Her passion for service is deeply personal. As the mother of a son with special needs, Claudia has dedicated her time to numerous local foundations and booster clubs, specifically focusing on initiatives that support education and disability advocacy. Having served on boards ranging from the Arthritis Foundation to the Oklahoma PTA, she provides a wealth of experience in community outreach and event coordination. At Celebrating Together, Claudia’s heart for volunteerism and her seasoned professional background ensure that our mission of joy and inclusion is managed with care, precision, and a deep-rooted love for our Oklahoma neighbors.

Jeanne Malson has been a vital part of the Celebrating Together board for five years, bringing with her a wealth of dedication and institutional knowledge. With a career spanning 42 years at the University of Oklahoma, Jeanne offers a level of professional stability and local expertise that is invaluable to our leadership team. Her commitment to the special needs community is both personal and long-standing, as she has been actively involved with the Special Olympics for 25 years.



As a mother of two, including a child with special needs, and a grandmother of four, Jeanne’s work on the board is driven by a lifelong mission to foster community and inclusion. She understands the importance of creating lasting social spaces for families like hers and is dedicated to ensuring that Celebrating Together remains a cornerstone of joy and belonging for the Oklahoma special needs community.

Lori Wathen brings a wealth of professional expertise and advocacy experience to the Celebrating Together board. As a Regional Coordinator for Sooner SUCCESS at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Lori spends her professional life connecting families raising children with special needs to vital resources and information. Her deep understanding of the landscape is further strengthened by her role as a LEND (Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) Fellow and her current service on the Mayor’s Committee for Disability Concerns.



Lori’s work in the community is driven by her firsthand experience as the parent of her son, Reis, who was born with Down syndrome. A passionate supporter of public education and a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, she has served on numerous influential boards, including the Special Education Resolution Center Advisory Board and the ABLE-Tech Advisory Council. At Celebrating Together, Lori leverages her extensive network and her heart for families to ensure that our programs are not only joyful and inclusive but also deeply rooted in the supportive resources our community needs to thrive.

Omar Sosa joined the Board of Directors in 2022, bringing over 15 years of expertise as a self-employed Creative Director and creative strategist. With a career defined by pushing creative boundaries, Omar has mastered the art of developing visual strategies that resonate with diverse audiences across the Oklahoma City advertising scene and the international non-profit sector. His portfolio includes impactful work for other non-profit organizations such as Feed the Children, World Neighbors, and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

An outgoing and collaborative leader, Omar has a proven track record of service, having sat on professional boards for AIGA and the Project Management Institute (PMI). He brings a unique "knack" for team-building and vendor collaboration to Celebrating Together, along with a deep commitment to the Oklahoma special needs community. Omar is dedicated to ensuring that our legacy of inclusion is carried forward with excellence, creativity, and a focus on genuine human connection.

Sean Kennedy is a dedicated member of the Celebrating Together board, bringing a unique perspective shaped by his professional background as a self-employed commercial contractor. His career in the building trades offers the organization a grounded, results-oriented mindset that is invaluable for our strategic planning and logistical needs. A man of faith and family, Sean leads with integrity and a quiet strength, consistently focusing on how he can best serve the community around him.

Sean’s connection to our mission is driven by a deep-seated heart for individuals with special needs and a desire to see everyone given the opportunity to thrive. When he isn’t contributing his time and talents to the board, Sean is likely found outdoors. Whether he is at the lake, flying, or riding motorcycles and ATVs. Above all, he enjoys spending quality time with his two children, family, and friends, embodying the spirit of togetherness that defines our organization.