A story of creativity, collaboration, and courage in community leadership
The Spark in the Classroom
Before she ever led a boardroom or hosted a Chamber gala, Sherri Wilt stood at the front of a Central Middle School classroom, facing a quiet crisis: student absenteeism. But instead of focusing on what wasn’t working, Sherri imagined what could. Inspired by the hit show Survivor, she designed a contest where students competed for prizes and to be one of the last standing with no absences. Attendance climbed. And some students, for the first time, showed up every day.
“I’d used creative strategies in my own classroom,” she says, “but Survivor gave me an idea that turned into a school-wide contest. Watching it unfold and impact the students the way it did was so rewarding.”
That thread of creative problem-solving would carry her from classrooms to storefronts—and eventually to a 15-year run as President and CEO of the Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Creativity in Every Role
Sherri’s path wasn’t a straight climb—it was a creative canvas. From boutique owner to educator to executive, each role gave her new tools and a sharper sense of purpose.
As the owner of The Tailored Tot, she didn’t just sell children’s clothing—she curated a boutique ambience where charm met comfort, inviting mothers to browse and children to feel right at home. That same heart showed up in the classroom, where she found ways to make learning fun and engagement personal. “If we could make a game of it,” she remembered thinking, “maybe they’d enjoy school and engage.”
That instinct—to connect, uplift, and simplify the complicated—became her leadership signature. By the time she stepped into the Chamber CEO role in 2010, Sherri had learned to never be afraid of a blank page.
“What’s surprised me most,” she reflects, “is how much I love to create. Whether it’s a store brand, a student program, or something like Christmas in the Ville, I’ve learned I don’t get overwhelmed. Big projects just need to be broken down into steps.”
A New Kind of Leadership
That spark—the drive to create, to solve, to serve—carried her from one chapter to the next. But the next leap would be bigger. More public. And filled with unknowns. When she stepped into the Chamber CEO role, she wasn’t just leading programs—she was carrying the voice of a business community.
“We knew these business owners personally. They were our friends. That made the work personal.”
When the Playbook Disappears
In March 2020, Sherri and her Chamber staff were holding a planning day at the Price Tower when a waiter interrupted with unprecedented news: the restaurant was closing. COVID-19 had arrived in Bartlesville.
“We all said, ‘We need to go to the grocery store,’” she remembers. “We had no idea the closures would last for months.”
The streets emptied. Businesses closed. And Sherri and her team became troubleshooters, messengers, and a steadying voice in the noise. They shifted into overdrive—hosting webinars, publishing guides, and delivering daily updates to business owners scrambling to stay afloat.
“We couldn’t change what was happening,” she says. “But we could do something.”
That “something” included advocating, offering real-time support, and connecting members with resources and each other. “We knew these business owners personally,” she says. “They were our friends. That made the work personal.”
Some businesses didn’t make it—but most did. And Sherri’s calm, collaborative leadership helped carry the community through the chaos.
Better Together
Those closest to Sherri describe her as collaborative to the core. She invites her team to speak up, challenge ideas, and co-create solutions. “I believe the more people who work together, the better the outcome,” she says.
Whether planning a Chamber gala, solving childcare access challenges, or launching initiatives like Women in Business, she keeps the big picture in view while empowering others to take the lead.
She especially lights up when a Chamber connection turns into a breakthrough for a local business.
“Helping a member make the right connection that turns into a big opportunity—that’s always rewarding,” she says. “It reminds me why we do this.”
Bartlesville’s Steady Hand
Through economic shifts, energy sector layoffs, and national recessions, Bartlesville has always kept moving forward—and Sherri has been one of its most steadfast contributors. “I’ve been amazed at how unstoppable this town is,” she says. “It’s not about avoiding hard times—it’s about how we face them, together.”
That spirit shows up in signature events like Christmas in the Ville, which Sherri helped launch:
Christmas in the Ville – Highlights
- Over 23,000 annual visitors
- 5.5 weeks of programming
- 40+ collaborative partners
- Major boost to downtown businesses
If You Had a Camera…
If you had a camera on Sherri during her proudest Chamber moment, you’d find her downtown—opening night of Christmas in the Ville. “I’d probably look like I’d just run a marathon,” she laughs. “Our team works hard behind the scenes—so when the lights come on, the skating rink opens, and families start pouring in… it’s magic. People think it just happens. But it’s every detail, every conversation, every partnership. And suddenly, it’s all worth it.”
She also cherishes the Chamber’s annual awards gala:
“We get to honor several companies and individuals who are making an impact in our community – people who have given years of service to making Bartlesville the best – one specific award honoring the unseen—the people making change without the spotlight. Even with all the many moving parts, I’ve learned to enjoy that night—and to celebrate what it represents.”
“Know what your gifts are—and just as important, know what they’re not. And be okay with that.”
Advice to the Next Generation
To women stepping into leadership, Sherri offers both encouragement and candor:
“Don’t try to lead like someone else—you’re not them. And you don’t have to be.”
“When I first became CEO, I kept comparing myself to the man before me. It took a full year to stop doing that and start leading like myself.”
Her most important advice?
“Know what your gifts are—and just as important, know what they’re not. And be okay with that.”
In a world full of pressure to do it all, Sherri models something different: authenticity, purpose, and self-awareness.
“Bring your own light,” she says. “We need all kinds of leadership. Yours included.”
A New Chapter Begins
In October 2025, Sherri Wilt will retire after 15 years as Chamber President and CEO. But if you know Sherri, you know the story doesn’t end here.
Her spark lives on in the programs she launched, the partnerships she nurtured, and the people she encouraged. Her calm, creative voice still echoes in the rooms where Bartlesville’s future is being shaped.
Her fingerprints are on storefronts, strategies, and Christmas downtown. The spark she carried is now carried forward—in boardrooms, in small business ventures, and behind-the-scenes moments where real change begins.
Because that’s the kind of leadership that lasts—the kind that builds things that keep working long after the nameplate comes down. At every turn, Sherri Wilt chose purpose over position.
She listened.
She led.
She created.
She collaborated.
She lit the way forward.
And in a town that grows through challenge, she gave us a steady hand—and a spark that still shines.
This Blog contains the full version of Sherri’s story. [Download an abbreviated Story with permission*]
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Recent Features:
Sherri Smith – July Feature
Samarah Robinson – August Feature
Susan Mueller – September Feature
About Sherri Wilt
Sherri Wilt served as President & CEO of the Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2010 to 2025. She previously served as an educator at Central Middle School and owned The Tailored Tot, a beloved children’s boutique in Bartlesville. Under her leadership, the Chamber has grown to serve over 700 members. Sherri is known for her creative leadership—and her belief in community as a catalyst for lasting impact.
About the Writer
I’m Angie Thompson—a fundraising strategist, storyteller, and consultant who believes words and images can spark transformation. For over 40 years, I’ve partnered with nonprofits, small businesses, and purpose-driven individuals to help them move beyond generic messaging into clear, compelling communication that inspires action. My work as a writer, composer, and brand consultant has earned awards in film, television, and philanthropy, and continues to fuel my passion for stories that build connection and change lives.
This profile is part of The Work Worth Doing: Women Who Say Yes to the Spark —a storytelling series by Angie Thompson Consulting, celebrating women whose leadership sparks lasting impact.
*This story is shared with permission and remains the creative property of Angie Thompson Consulting. If you’d like to share or publish all or part of this story, please reach out. Contact: Angie Thompson. Thanks for honoring the work and the storyteller.
©2025. Angie Thompson Consulting LLC. If you wish to republish or excerpt this story, please contact Angie Thompson Consulting for permission.
Disclaimer
The narrative presented in this story is based on personal interviews and the reflections of Sherri Wilt. The views and memories shared are her own and are included with permission. This feature is intended to celebrate her life and influence as part of the Women with a Spark series.