The Appleseed Network is proud to congratulate Oklahoma Appleseed on the appointment of Brent Rowland as the organization’s new executive director.
Since its founding in 2022, Oklahoma Appleseed has quickly established itself as a leading voice for systemic reform in the state, advancing work across education justice, survivors’ justice, youth justice, criminal justice, and, most recently, election justice. Under Rowland’s leadership as interim executive director, the organization has continued to expand its impact while strengthening the foundation for long-term growth.
“Brent has led this organization from the inside through a period of growth, and the board has seen how he builds the operations, the funding base, and the team,” said Tom Hillis, acting chair of the Oklahoma Appleseed board. “Appleseed’s next chapter is about sustaining systemic work for years to come, and Brent is the right person to lead it.”
Over the past four years, Oklahoma Appleseed has earned statewide recognition for helping secure passage of the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act, successfully challenging unlawful social studies standards in court, and leading Advance Oklahoma’s Kids (BOOK), a broad coalition working to strengthen public education through a five-year legislative agenda. The organization has also expanded its focus to include election justice, reflecting its continued commitment to ensuring every Oklahoman has a voice in the democratic process.
Many members of the Appleseed Network had the opportunity to experience Oklahoma Appleseed’s leadership firsthand this spring, when the organization hosted the 2026 Appleseed Network Meeting in Tulsa. The gathering brought together advocates, attorneys, board members, and staff from across the country for three days of collaboration, learning, and shared purpose, while also showcasing Oklahoma Appleseed’s work and the community partnerships it has built throughout the state.
Reflecting on the organization’s future, Rowland emphasized both the challenges ahead and the optimism that continues to drive Oklahoma Appleseed’s work.
“The movements for excellent public schools, for fair treatment of survivors and court-involved youth, and for a democracy where more Oklahomans have a voice are long fights. That’s why we’re building an Appleseed that will last. There’s no shortage of challenges for Oklahomans, but what we’ve seen in our first four years shows us systems can change. We’ve got a committed team to lead the work, and hope and determination to keep it going.”
Before serving as interim executive director, Rowland worked as Oklahoma Appleseed’s education justice attorney and legal director, bringing more than two decades of experience as a public-school educator and leader to the role. He succeeds founding Executive Director Colleen McCarty and becomes just the second executive director in the organization’s history.
Congratulations to Brent and the entire Oklahoma Appleseed team on this exciting new chapter. We look forward to seeing their continued leadership and impact—both in Oklahoma and across the Appleseed Network.
