PRESS RELEASES

Bryant Group Places Assistant Vice President of Advancement, OU Health Campus for the University of Oklahoma Foundation

May 12, 2026

Dallas-based executive search and leadership consulting firm Bryant Group conducted a nationwide search led by the firm’s Vice President of Search, Sarah Hempen, resulting in Laura Ketchum, CFRE, of Stillwater, Oklahoma securing the role of Assistant Vice President of Advancement, OU Health Campus, at the University of Oklahoma Foundation.

Ms. Ketchum is a seasoned advancement professional with 19 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit fundraising, holding a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. She brings deep expertise in major and principal gifts, campaign strategy and team leadership. Prior to her new role, Ms. Ketchum served as Assistant Vice President of Campaign & Signature Initiatives at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, where she led all efforts related to The Code Calls campaign — the institution’s most ambitious comprehensive fundraising initiative with a $2 billion goal — while maintaining a personal portfolio of principal gift prospects and overseeing campaign marketing, communications and cross-functional fundraising collaboration. She previously served as Senior Director of Development & Team Lead at the OSU Foundation for more than six years, leading a team focused on the College of Arts and Sciences and achieving $17.5 million in production in her final fiscal year, surpassing her team goal by 184 percent.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Ketchum served as Major Gifts Officer at Oklahoma City Community College and Employee Giving Manager at the Allied Arts Foundation. She holds a Master of Music in Wind Music Conducting from Southern Oregon University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Western Michigan University, where she graduated summa cum laude.

“Laura brings an extraordinary combination of campaign leadership, principal gift expertise and a proven ability to inspire high-performing teams — all qualities that will strengthen our momentum as we work to improve the lives and health outcomes of Oklahomans,” said Jay Kahn, Senior Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Campaigns. “We are confident she will be a tremendous partner to our talented team and a transformative force in deepening donor relationships across the OU Health Campus.”

In her new position, Ms. Ketchum will lead major and principal gift fundraising efforts on behalf of the OU Health Campus, connecting donors with opportunities to advance academic medicine, clinical research and the healthcare workforce pipeline. She will partner closely with colleagues across the OU Foundation and OU Health leadership to deepen donor relationships and help philanthropically accelerate the university’s impact on health outcomes for Oklahomans.

“I’m honored to join the OU Foundation and to serve the OU Health Campus, connecting generous donors with work that truly changes lives. Helping people see the human impact of their philanthropy is my guiding force, and this role provides the chance to do that every day,” said Ms. Ketchum. “I’m excited to partner with dedicated colleagues to advance academic medicine, propel research, bolster the healthcare workforce pipeline and expand hope and healing for people in Oklahoma and beyond.”

About the University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc.

Established in 1944, the University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization that manages philanthropic gifts to support the University of Oklahoma. The Foundation plays a crucial role in ensuring the University’s continued success and impact by aligning donors’ passions with the University’s mission, acting as a catalyst to empower the delivery of excellence in higher education at the University of Oklahoma.

Advancing Great Leadership

Bryant Group, based in Dallas, Texas, and with associates located across the United States, specializes in executive search and leadership coaching for higher education, healthcare and nonprofits with an emphasis on advancement leaders and other executives. In 1988, Bryant Group founder Chris Bryant started one of the country’s first search firms specializing in philanthropy recruitment. Now under the leadership of CEO Sally Bryant, the woman-owned firm has a long history of recruiting, developing and coaching great leaders. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 300 organizations across the US and Canada.