Executive Director of AHF honored as the Journal Record Woman of the Year
“Katherine Craig, executive director of Anna’s House Foundation, was named one of The Journal Record’s Most Admired CEOs in 2025 for her transformative leadership in Oklahoma’s nonprofit sector. Known for her generosity, insight and accessibility, she is source for nonprofit professionals seeking guidance on grants, board governance, fundraising strategies amd navigating leadership challenges. The University of Central Oklahoma alumna has served eight years as the first paid executive director of Anna’s House, where she has more than doubled the organization’s impact by expanding staff, increasing the number of foster children served and growing certified foster families. Under her leadership, the foster care agency has received multiple awards. The organization was named Nonprofit of the Year by the Edmond Chamber of Commerce in 2024 and received the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Award from the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy the same year. In 2021, the foundation won the OK Caring Foundation’s Champions for Children’s Health award.
One of Craig’s most significant accomplishments has been launching an in-house mental health program that now serves children beyond the agency’s foster care population.
“At Anna’s House, I’m proud of launching our in-house mental health program after seeing how long foster children waited for services,” Craig said. “Today, that program has provided hundreds of hours of support and now serves children across the community, breaking down barriers to care.”
Craig’s leadership philosophy centers on balancing service with personal values and family commitments. She has established core values of generosity, integrity, innovation, faithfulness and collaboration that guide all organizational decisions.
“My family life strengthens my leadership, and my leadership enriches my family,” Craig said. Throughout her 26-year nonprofit career, Craig has maintained extensive community involvement. She served a decade with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Oklahoma City Chapter as Philanthropy Day chair and Governance chair. She spent six years on the OK Care board, advocating for private foster care agencies and successfully pushing for increased compensation for providers. Craig joined the United Way Emerging Leaders Affinity Group in 2015 and continues mentoring women in nonprofit leadership roles.
“I’ve been blessed with remarkable mentors — people who believed in me, guided me, and helped me see beyond what I thought was possible.” Craig said. “To me, mentoring is not about creating replicas of ourselves but about helping others discover their own unique strengths.”
Her vision for Anna’s House Foundation includes expanding sustainable support systems and building stronger families. Craig remains committed to serving Oklahoma’s most vulnerable children and families while maintaining innovative, community centered approaches to foster care and mental health services.”