Natalie Shirley

Secretary of Commerce & Tourism
Executive Director

Natalie Shirley is Oklahoma’s Secretary of Commerce and Tourism.  She was appointed to this position in February 2007 by Governor Brad Henry.  She also serves as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and is a member of several boards and commissions in her role as Secretary.  Secretary Shirley is the former president and chief executive officer of ICI Mutual Insurance Group in Washington, D.C., the captive insurance company of the mutual fund industry.

Prior to becoming President in 2001, Secretary Shirley served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1991 to 1996, Secretary Shirley was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Company.  Prior to 1991, she served as Associate General Counsel of the Investment Company Institute, the national investment company trade association, where she handled regulatory matters and other issues concerning mutual funds and unit investment trusts.  From 1982 to 1986, Secretary Shirley served as Deputy General Counsel for the Oklahoma Department of Securities.

An Oklahoma native, she graduated from Oklahoma State University and earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Commerce Executive Team

Norma Noble
Deputy Secretary of Commerce
for Workforce Development

Brad Williams
Chief of Staff

Sandy Pratt
Deputy Director for Business Services

Jonna D. Kauger Kirschner
Deputy Director, General Counsel

Sheri Stickley
Deputy Director for Strategic Planning & Initiatives

Mike Widell
Chief Administrative Officer

Vaughn Clark
Director, Community Development

Beth Schmidt
Director, Marketing & Communications