Learning how to talk about difficult issues in our community can make us better communicators. Homelessness and affordable housing are top of mind for many Tulsans, with both reaching crisis level need for action. Join Mark Smith, CEO of Housing Solutions, and Ginny Hensley, APR, 2024 Chair of A Way Home for Tulsa, to learn more about the current state of homelessness and Tulsa-specific research on the most effective messages to help support solutions.

Speaker Bios: 

Mark Smith joined Housing Solutions as CEO in April of 2024, bringing 10 years of experience in housing-based services with a focus on serving low-to-moderate income households, survivors of natural disasters, and people experiencing homelessness. Founded in 2020, Housing Solutions is the lead agency for Tulsa’s homeless services and housing system, known as a Continuum of Care, A Way Home for Tulsa. As the lead agency, Housing Solutions is responsible for compiling and executing on the community’s 5-year Strategic Plan to address homelessness, overseeing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for the state of Oklahoma, and working with nonprofit, faith-based, and government partners to improve and expand services and housing opportunities.

Ginny Hensley, APR, serves as Tulsa Housing Authority’s Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs, and is also the 2024 Chair of A Way Home for Tulsa, Tulsa’s homelessness Continuum of Care. In her role at THA Ginny manages all external communications including media relations, social media, digital communications and more. She also oversees THA’s public affairs strategies, building and maintaining positive relationships with local, state and national legislators to increase affordable housing and its funding sources. Prior to joining THA in 2018, Ginny worked in healthcare communications at Hillcrest HealthCare System and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She has worked in a variety of industries ranging from nonprofit to banking to high-tech device manufacturing. She has served on both the PRSA Tulsa and PRSA Arkansas boards and currently serves on the boards of Leadership Tulsa, Amplify Tulsa and Tulsa Route 66 Main Street.

NOTE: 

• Please reach out to [email protected] if you have a dietary restriction. We will try our best to accommodate. 

• Registration closes at noon, Wednesday, November 20th.