Dion’trae Hayes has been selected to serve as the next Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) for the City of Tulsa.

Hayes will oversee the Department of Resilience and Equity and is responsible for leading citywide resilience strategies. 

“With Dion’trae’s background as the Executive Director of Met Cares and in other legislative and policy roles, Dion’trae has proved to be an exceptional leader with a track record of inspiring and motivating others as a positive change agent for the Tulsa community,” Mayor Nichols said. “Dion’trae is a natural leader and someone who will excel as our new Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Tulsa. I’m excited to welcome her to the team and continue our work to create a more equitable Tulsa for all.”

Hayes is scheduled to begin her role on March 24 and replaces former Chief Resilience Officer Krystal Reyes who is now the Deputy Mayor.

“The City Of Tulsa is so fortunate that Dion’trae Hayes will be leading the department of resilience and equity,” Deputy Mayor Reyes said. “She has a proven track record of leadership, outcomes, and passion for improving the lives of Tulsans. I look forward to working with Dion’trae and supporting her and her team to build an even more resilient, equitable, and inclusive Tulsa.”

The Department of Resilience and Equity includes five functional areas of focus, including:

“I am excited to lead the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Equity in our mission to create a thriving, inclusive Tulsa,” Hayes said. “I am committed to amplifying community voices and celebrating the rich diversity of our families. It is truly an honor to champion a dynamic team focused on building resilience through financial empowerment, supporting Tulsa families, and ensuring our city is welcoming to all.”

The Chief Resilience Officer ultimately reports to the Deputy Mayor and works collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure the City of Tulsa’s resilience strategies are robust, comprehensive, and actionable.

"In bringing on Dion'trae Hayes, the City will be welcoming someone who has a history of centering the people of Tulsa in her work, with a lens of community building and a focus on resiliency,” said Julie Davis, CEO of YWCA Tulsa. “We are excited to work alongside her and continue to support the work of the Office of Resilience."

ABOUT DION’TRAE HAYES

Dion’trae Hayes served as the Executive Director of Met Cares Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of North Tulsa families. Hayes grew up in Detroit where she witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of inequity and generational poverty. This inspired her to become a fierce advocate for the underserved. Her love of people and passion for building vibrant communities led to the creation of several family-centered programs geared toward improving wellness through recreation and education.

A champion for homeownership and entrepreneurship, Hayes sees both as a pathway to economic mobility, wealth and vibrant communities. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Hayes served on Tulsa County Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan Advisory Board (CHIP) focusing on Healthy and Affordable Housing and the City of Tulsa’s Office of Financial Empowerment and Community Wealth’s Strategic Planning Committee, advocating for the financial stability of Tulsans. Hayes currently serves on the Tulsa Area United Way's 2025 Community Investment Panel and has volunteered as a reviewer for the City of Tulsa's 2025 Community Development Block Grant.

Hayes completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and earned a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. Hayes has been recognized as Alumna of the White House Project, a Fellow of Michigan Political Leadership Program and Fellow of the University of Michigan’s Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation Policy. In 2021, her outstanding contributions were honored by the Michigan Chronicle, as she received the prestigious Woman of Excellence award. In 2024, she was honored as a BMe Communities Vanguard Award Recipient.