Inside the Gate

Every day, our dining room is full of people, energy and incredible stories. Inside the Gate is a special look into the work we're doing together and the lives you’re impacting every day. Have something you’d like to see? Email your story idea to Cari Gutierrez at cgutierrez@irongatetulsa.org.

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February 2017

IRON GATE APPOINTS CARRIE VESELY HENDERSON
AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The search committee, Board of Directors and staff of Iron Gate are excited to announce Carrie Vesely Henderson has been selected as Iron Gate’s new Executive Director.

Henderson has more than 20 years of nonprofit management and fundraising expertise. Her prior experience includes roles at Tulsa Botanic Garden and Tulsa Opera.

“Carrie has great experience in the nonprofit community, particularly with development and organizational growth,” said Mary Ann Hille, search committee chair. “Her leadership is exactly what we need as we explore moving to a new permanent home and evolving as an organization along the way.”

As vice president of development and outreach for Tulsa Botanic Garden, Henderson led efforts to raise funds for a $17.1 million capital campaign for phase 1 of the organization’s garden. Prior to that role, she was the director of development for Tulsa Opera.

“Carrie joins Iron Gate at a very exciting time for our organization,” said Shane Saunders, board chair. “Tulsa is growing, and the need to feed the hungry has never been stronger. We look forward to working with Carrie as we find better ways to live our mission and do our part to make Tulsa a healthier, stronger community.”

“Iron Gate plays a very important role serving Tulsans who need a little extra help and I am honored to be selected for this position,” Henderson said. “I was drawn to the simplicity of its mission that is fulfilled in such profound ways in the lives of Iron Gate’s guests. I look forward to building even more relationships throughout the community to help continue this important work into the future.”

Henderson is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and has been active with the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 1998. She has held numerous leadership roles with this organization, including being a member of the Board of Directors, the National Philanthropy Day co-chairman and committee member, programming committee chairman and mentor committee chairman.

Henderson earned a master’s degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She is active with numerous boards and committees in the Tulsa area.