Healthy companies begin with healthy leaders.
THRIVE will be led by mental health professionals and will address the impact of mental health in our workplaces, why our own mental health changes our leadership, and how to recognize early warning signs of mental health concerns.
THRIVE will provide a toolkit of information, resources, and ideas for you to take back to your own companies and organizations for use during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
We kick off this time of learning with lunch and networking and go on to cover topics such as:
- The impact of mental health issues in our state
- Ways your mental health changes your leadership
- How to recognize mental health concerns
- Keys to creating a culture of support and well-being
Keynote Speaker: Athena Captain
FOUNDER, ATHENA CAPTAIN BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
Through her unique combination of life experience and a heart for sharing, Athena brings her
extremely engaging and humble style to the speaking arena, captivating audiences ranging from
professional single moms, to families raising kids with special needs, to entrepreneurs and sales
professionals looking to create a growing sales machine.
Athena’s heart drives her to serve those who know, deep down, that they have a gift, a knack,
that hasn’t fully developed, and who hunger for that spark of inspiration and knowledge that
will finally help them turn that corner. Her proven results building a referral-based prospecting
and sales machine for a custom homebuilding company, after building a hugely successful sales
team for one of the nation’s largest mortgage firms, give her credibility to inspire and teach an
audience of professionals from any size organization. Her life spent raising a child with special
needs, while juggling the load that comes with being a world-class sales and marketing
professional, all while overcoming the challenges of someone who scores 10 / 10 on the ACE
scale, gives her credibility to speak into the lives of an audience facing similar challenges, but
who also share the belief and vision that they can do, and become, more than anyone ever
thought possible.
Athena brings a unique combination of grit, empathy, and no-excuses inspiration that speaks to
a range of audiences, leaving them with not only the motivation, but also the tools, to go back
into the world with a renewed sense of purpose, with an understanding of how to carry it out.
CEO Spotlight/”Stories of Resilience”: Thomas Hill III
CEO, Kimray
Thomas Hill III is Chief Executive Officer of Kimray. As the grandson of Kimray’s founder,
Garman Kimmell, Thomas grew up around Kimray. He has worked at the company in virtually every department, giving him an intimate knowledge of the processes and people involved from start to finish. Thomas manages the family-owned company with a sense of stewardshipand heritage.
Thomas is also author of the book Recovering Leadership: Musings of an Addict Leader where he shares his personal story of advancing in leadership at Kimray, spinning out of control, and the long and difficult road of recovery that transformed his life and leadership. He also writes weekly “Monday Musings” on various leadership topics.
Thomas currently serves on the boards of Salt and Light Leadership Training, Hope Is Alive, and Hough Ear Institute. Thomas and his wife, Rebecca, both received their degrees from Oklahoma State University. They have been married more than 35 years and have six children.
CEO Spotlight/”Stories of Resilience”: Taylor Richardson
Founder and CEO, Thrive Insurance
Taylor Richardson is the Founder and CEO of Thrive Insurance, an independent property and casualty insurance brokerage dedicated to simplifying insurance and providing an “outrageously helpful” experience for clients. With a deep passion for problem-solving and innovation, Taylor has built Thrive Insurance into a trusted partner for both individuals and businesses, managing over $1 billion in insured property value. It is in the top 10% of agencies Nationally (out of 45,000 independent agencies), the average agency our size has been around for 53 years (we started 12 years ago), and we do it with 40% less people than the industry considers “Best practice” benchmarks.
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Under his leadership, Thrive has become known for its transparent pricing, proactive communication, and a client-first approach that removes the frustration often associated with insurance. Taylor is committed to fostering a high-performing and supportive team culture, believing that exceptional service starts with an engaged and motivated team.
Beyond leading Thrive Insurance, Taylor is an advocate for empowering others through education and clear communication, helping homeowners, real estate investors, and business owners make informed insurance decisions with confidence. His expertise in the insurance industry, combined with his approachable and transparent leadership style, has positioned him as a sought-after speaker and trusted advisor.
When he’s not leading Thrive, Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, son, and their poodle, often embracing family traditions like themed Halloween costumes.
Speaker: COL/Ms. Lindy I. White, MA, LPC
Colonel Lindy I. White is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and works fulltime as the Joint Resiliency Director (JRD) for the Oklahoma National Guard.
As the JRD, she oversees Suicide Prevention, Substance Abuse Prevention, Resilience, Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F), Behavioral Health, and the Integrated Primary Prevention (IPP) Workforce. She has more than 36 years in the Oklahoma Army National Guard serving in the enlisted ranks before commissioning in 1997. She is a Veteran and has served on three combat tours: Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm and two combat tours in Afghanistan.
White serves as a co-lead in the Oklahoma Governor’s Challenge team as part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Prevents Presidential plan to address suicide awareness among the Service Member, Veteran, and Family (SMVF) population. She is a servant leader who has built programs and bridged connections both inside and outside the Guard. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, Oklahoma Women Veterans Organization, Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation as an Ambassador-In-Charge, Master Resilience Trainer, and volunteers in her community.
White holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Southern Nazarene University, and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Speaker: Jeffrey Dismukes
Executive Director, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Oklahoma
Jeff Dismukes is executive director of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Oklahoma (DBSAOK), a nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of more than 600,000 Oklahomans experiencing a mental illness in any given year. He is one of the state’s most recognizable authorities on behavioral health needs. Prior to joining DBSAOK, Dismukes spent over 20 years with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) as director of communications.
His interests in behavioral health stem from lived experience that resulted in significant life-changing events. These changes eventually led him to work within behavioral health and fuels his personal desire to help others overcome discrimination and seek care early in the disease process.
Dismukes has distinguished himself as an authority on matters related to mental illness and addiction, and is a well-known advocate and public figure. He has worked to help elevate the status of behavioral health issues throughout the state as well as broaden public perception of treatment and recovery. His words and actions have played a significant role in the transformation of Oklahoma’s statewide behavioral health system. His work has fostered a sense of hope for countless Oklahomans and their families, and an expectation of recovery for those seeking care.
Prior to joining the department, Dismukes worked for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and later as the head of a non-profit partnership to provide regional training and support services for the United States Department of Justice. He has been recognized for his work with law enforcement and the criminal justice system, injury prevention and community development.
His accomplishments have earned accolades and recognition both locally and at the national level including honors from the Oklahoma Citizens Advocates for Recovery and Transformation Association (OCARTA), Oklahoma Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, United States Department of Transportation including a federal award for valor, and numerous awards for media outreach. He is an experienced grant writer and fund raiser, researcher and training consultant. Dismukes is involved in several health advocacy and community focused initiatives.
Dismukes earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication, from the University of Oklahoma. He and his immediate family are residents of Norman. His son Beau is a local attorney.
What People Are Saying
"Engaging, inspiring, and relevant to work and really, life in general."
"The talks on mental health and the intention imperative were very impactful. I love that I had tangible takeaways from their presentations!"
"Good investment for personal and professional growth."
"I definitely would recommend RECON to other executives. The caliber of the speakers was incredible, food was spot on, facility was welcoming, and the Kimray folks were wonderful...as usual!"
"I think any leader going to this conference would get a fresh breath of life."
"It's like a live, interactive version of Global Leadership Summit, but more intimate and very practical. The group exercises and discussions around the table are valuable as well. A great place to network and learn from others."
"Great event with valuable leaders. Great time for investment in self and other leaders."
"We all need to keep learning and growing, don't always make the time for it. A national caliber conference right in OKC!"
"It's a great opportunity to learn, refresh, and connect with other leaders who care about creating healthy workplace culture!"
"I feel it's a great way to network and recharge batteries. Steel sharpens steel. With everything going on in the world, we need these events to remind us what we are all here for as leaders."
"We will be back next year. It's a great way to refocus on your leadership."
"It's a day to get out of working in the business and instead work "on" the business. The time to step back and reflect on our leadership was extremely valuable."
"A single day dedicated to development is excellent and a perfect springboard for deeper conversations within the organization."
"I appreciate the expertise and intentionality with which this event is planned each year. Most valuable leadership event I attend all year!"
