Three OC PR alumnae stand out as leading executives in OKC agencies
Katy Gustafson, Taylor Ketchum and Skye Latimer help lead or co-own public relations and communications agencies in the Oklahoma City area.
February 26, 2021
Three executive leaders in the Oklahoma City public relations industry have made quite a name for themselves before the age of 35. Each of them, PR graduates of Oklahoma Christian University, helps lead or co-owns PR and communications agencies. Taylor Ketchum, Katy Gustafson and Skye Latimer have quickly advanced in their careers while also being moms of young children.
Gustafson is a partner at Gooden Group, an Edmond-based PR firm. She started as a senior account director in 2009 before becoming the managing director in 2016. She currently holds the principal position. Throughout her years at Gooden Group, she has gained expertise in planning and coordinating large-scale events, developing and implementing national public relations campaigns and consulting clients on everything from digital media to crisis communications. Gustafson also earned her Accreditation in PR and a certificate in crisis communications through the Public Relations Society of America in 2017.
Ketchum is the vice president at Jones PR, a public relations firm in downtown Oklahoma City. She started as an intern in 2011 and since then, she’s held positions such as account coordinator, integrated media manager, senior account executive and director of public relations and social media. Her current role requires her to oversee the digital and social media efforts for all JPR clients as well as the agency itself. She also leads the PR teams and manages consumer and nonprofit clients.
Latimer became a partner in her firm, the Folded Owl, in 2021. The company provides marketing, communications, web design and consulting services. She is among the state’s leading professionals on authentically and respectfully integrating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives with organizations’ practices and social media efforts.
Associate Professor of Communications Josh Watson, who taught each of them during their time at OC, noted that based on how hard they worked in school, he is not surprised that they all have become so successful in their careers, noting that Gustafson was one of the first OC PR grads to be named an agency partner.
“Katy was such a disciplined and positive student that I could tell she would be successful in PR, and especially at the Gooden Group,” Watson said. “It has been fun to watch her career growth, especially when she was named a partner a few years ago. We're thrilled to see recent OC graduates and students interning and working full-time under Katy's leadership.”
He similarly praised Ketchum, who has led campaigns for Fortune 500 companies and national nonprofits.
“Taylor is such a hard worker who gives back to so many students and young graduates in the state,” Watson said. “Her international-award winning work on a TV ad for the National Down Syndrome Association is some of the most emotionally inspiring work I've seen. She and JonesPR have gone above and beyond helping OC PR students travel to the Public Relations Student Society of American national conferences over the last decade.”
According to Watson, Latimer’s important work has also stood out in Oklahoma City and the state.
“Skye has always had the most infectious smile, and her passion for social justice and equity is almost unparalleled in the city, which also reflects her deep faith,” Watson said. “She was an early adopter for corporate social media and training, and I can't wait to see the ways she and her company will continue to inspire Oklahoma.”
Ketchum, Gustafson and Latimer have served as inspiring examples for current PR students at OC. Those looking up to the three hope to follow in their footsteps, continuing the strong legacy that is already established. To learn more about three women’s careers, visit their LinkedIn pages: @Taylor Ketchum@Katy Gustafson@Skye Latimer.