Lasallian Founder's Alumni Award: Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, Shane Saunders

November 9, 2023

From the Bishop Kelley Class of 1999.

One of the five tenets of the Lasallian Charism is a dedication to the poor and social justice. Bishop Kelley gives out an award annually to an alumnus who lives out these values in a profound and meaningful way. For many years, Shane Saunders has been involved with a Tulsa non-profit called Iron Gate which has a mission of feeding the hungry of Tulsa every day. This organization feeds people in three ways, through a community meal, through a grocery pantry, and through a kids’ pantry.


For over ten years, Shane has served as a member of Iron Gate’s Board of Directors and has chaired that board. He’s proud to say that they call those who eat at Iron Gate their guests. As Shane puts it, we are all guests on this earth and guests should treat one another with courtesy, kindness and respect. 


Shane is a member of the last Bishop Kelley graduating class of the previous millennium…1999! In fact, he was the president of BK’s Student Government. For many years, he has led a life of service to others, both through public policy and direct action. His life’s work has been focused on the alleviation of poverty, a virtue Shane says he learned as a student at Bishop Kelley.


Shane remembers a very candid conversation he had as a senior with the late Brother Norman who taught here for several years. Brother encouraged Shane to really focus on what he wanted to do with his life. Not focus so much on the how, but rather on what he wanted to do with the gifts that God gave him. According to Shane, Bishop Kelley taught him several things. His time as a student here instilled a drive in him to serve others. BK also taught him how to relate, engage, and respect others regardless of their station in life.


One of the things Shane cherishes most about his Bishop Kelley experience is the great group of lifelong friends that he made while he was a student here. He says Kelley gave him the tools to continue his education at the highest levels and without this school, his life may have taken a different path.


Upon Shane’s graduation from BK, he enrolled at Washington and Lee University where he earned a BA in Politics and a BA in Classics. He later earned an MBA from the University of Tulsa. Shane is the owner and president of Trident Energy which is a Tulsa-based oil and gas exploration company. Trident is a domestic producer of American energy, holding interests in hundreds of wells located throughout the United States. Shane is also the owner of Trident Capital which invests in real estate and in other companies.


Prior to founding Trident, Shane served as Press Secretary and Campaign Manager for Congressman John Sullivan who is also a Bishop Kelley graduate. 


Shane is a member of the Church of Saint Mary and has two daughters, Bay and Maple, who attend the School of Saint Mary. Shane is a big believer in Catholic education, having served as a past chair of the Saint Francis of Assisi gala which is an effort to build a large endowment to help lower income families afford a Catholic education in the Diocese of Tulsa.


Shane is serves in a variety of roles with Washington and Lee University, including the Annual Fund Council, is president of the University’s alumni association in Tulsa, and is president of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Housing Corporation. He is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, an organization that gave its most recent Community Service award to Shane. He also serves on the Oklahoma board of directors for JDRF International which is an organization dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes.


Please join me in congratulating our newest recipient of the alumni award for dedication to the poor and social justice, Mr. Shane Saunders.


Lasallian Founder’s Alumni Award

Recognizing the accomplishments of Outstanding Bishop Kelley Alumni who exemplify the five core principles of the Lasallian Mission; Faith in the Presence of God, Quality Education, Concern for the Poor & Social Justice, Respect for All Persons & Inclusive Community.


If you know a deserving BK Alumni, please nominate them here:

https://www.bishopkelley.org/alumni#LasallianFoundersAlumniAwardsNominationForm

Bishop Kelley High School Names Alumna Hannah Gilliard Sipes ’04 as Director of Philanthropy

April 14, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tulsa, Okla. — Bishop Kelley High School is pleased to announce the appointment of alumna Hannah Gilliard Sipes ’04 as the next Director of Philanthropy. Sipes will begin her role on May 1, 2026, and will work alongside current Director of Philanthropy Doug Thomas through September, ensuring a thoughtful and seamless transition. A native Tulsan and proud Bishop Kelley graduate, Sipes returns to her alma mater with more than a decade of strategic leadership in nonprofit fundraising and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. She earned her degree in Business Management from Oklahoma State University and has built a strong reputation across Tulsa for cultivating meaningful relationships and advancing philanthropic impact. “As a Bishop Kelley alumna, Hannah understands firsthand the lifelong value of a Bishop Kelley Catholic education,” said Sister Mary Hanah Doak, RSM, President of Bishop Kelley High School. “Her professional experience, combined with her heart for this community, makes her uniquely positioned to lead our philanthropic efforts in service of students into the future. We are thrilled to welcome her home.” During her time as a student at Bishop Kelley, Sipes was actively involved in theater, one-act plays, improvisation, and speech and debate. These formative experiences sparked her appreciation for communication, creativity, and community engagement. Most recently, Sipes served as Associate Director of Advancement for Development at Cascia Hall Preparatory School. She previously held leadership roles with Global Gardens and the American Heart Association, where she focused on corporate partnerships and philanthropic growth. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Sipes will succeed Doug Thomas, who will retire in September 2026 after 14 years of extraordinary service to Bishop Kelley. The five-month overlap between Thomas and Sipes is a rare and meaningful opportunity that reflects Bishop Kelley’s commitment to continuity, stewardship, and long-term success. Together, they will work closely to ensure a smooth transition and continued momentum in advancing the school’s philanthropic priorities. “I am honored and excited to return to Bishop Kelley in this role,” said Sipes. “This community played a significant role in shaping who I am, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place to support future generations of students.” Sipes lives in Sand Springs with her husband, James, an Army veteran, and their two daughters, who attend Marquette Catholic School. The family are parishioners at Christ the King Catholic Church. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family-cheering on her daughters in their activities, and exploring national parks together. With deep roots in the Bishop Kelley community and a clear vision for the future, Sipes will lead the school’s philanthropic efforts in support of its mission to prepare students’ hearts and minds for a purposeful life. Bishop Kelley Mission Statement Bishop Kelley is a Catholic diocesan high school, inspired by St. John Baptist De La Salle, that carries on the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ by preparing students’ hearts and minds for a purposeful life. More About Bishop Kelley Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and is considered a life-preparatory institution. It offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth and personal development. The school features a rigorous curriculum, including more than 40 honors and AP courses across a wide range of disciplines. With an average ACT score of 28 and an average SAT score of 1260, Bishop Kelley graduates are well-prepared for college, with 90% attending four-year institutions. The Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program provides individualized assistance to students with diverse learning needs. Beyond the classroom, students can choose from more than 30 clubs and organizations, while athletes, academic bowl, and the speech and debate team compete in 20 OSSAA-sanctioned sports. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, dining and the arts. Recent improvements were made possible through the successful completion of the $25 Million We Are BK capital campaign-funded entirely through private donors, not tuition dollars.
A welcome graphic for Bishop Kelley School’s haplain, Rev. Joshua Votruba, featuring his portrait on a red background.

Bishop Kelley Welcomes Rev. Joshua Votruba as Chaplain

April 10, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tulsa, OK— The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma has announced that Rev. Joshua Votruba will serve as Chaplain of Bishop Kelley High School beginning July 1, 2026. Ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 2021, Fr. Joshua currently serves as Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Cathedral and as Master of Ceremonies for Divine Liturgies for the Diocese. Growing up in Tulsa most of his life, Fr. Joshua is a graduate of Union High School and studied Philosophy and Letters at the University of Dallas before completing his seminary formation at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, where he graduated in 2021. His home parish is the Church of St. Benedict in Broken Arrow. Fr. Joshua’s vocation to the priesthood began at a young age through his experience serving at Mass and witnessing the joy of bringing others into the Church. That early encounter grew into a deep desire to help others know Christ more personally, a mission that continues to shape his priesthood today. In addition to his parish and diocesan responsibilities, Fr. Joshua has experience working with young people through catechetical programs such as Totus Tuus, where he taught and mentored students in both classroom and small group settings. As Bishop Kelley’s Chaplain, Fr. Joshua will play a central role in the spiritual life of the school, supporting students, faculty, and staff through the celebration of the sacraments, daily prayer, and ongoing faith formation. We are grateful for the faithful service of our current Chaplain, Fr. Jon Fincher, whose care for our students and community over the past three years has been a true blessing. “We look forward to welcoming Fr. Joshua to our school community,” said BK Principal Jim Franz. “His love for the Faith and his desire to bring others into a deeper relationship with Christ will be a blessing to Bishop Kelley. At the same time, we are also greatly appreciative of the excellent work Fr. Fincher did during his time at Bishop Kelley.” Please join us in welcoming Fr. Joshua to Bishop Kelley. Bishop Kelley Mission Statement Bishop Kelley is a Catholic diocesan high school, inspired by St. John Baptist De La Salle, that carries on the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ by preparing students’ hearts and minds for a purposeful life. More About Bishop Kelley Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and is considered a life-preparatory institution. It offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth and personal development. The school features a rigorous curriculum, including more than 40 honors and AP courses across a wide range of disciplines. With an average ACT score of 28 and an average SAT score of 1260, Bishop Kelley graduates are well-prepared for college, with 90% attending four-year institutions. The Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program provides individualized assistance to students with diverse learning needs. Beyond the classroom, students can choose from more than 30 clubs and organizations, while athletes, academic bowl, and the speech and debate team compete in 20 OSSAA-sanctioned sports. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, dining and the arts. Recent improvements were made possible through the successful completion of the $25 Million We Are BK capital campaign-funded entirely through private donors, not tuition dollars.