The next feature in our Expert Intel series, where Mabrey Bank financial experts are asked specifically about one of their areas of experience, focuses on Mabrey’s community engagement. In this Q&A, we talk to our Chief Marketing Officer, Lisa McLarty, about Mabrey’s approach to serving and engaging the community through its relationships with schools, nonprofits and other partners.
To see the previous installment in our Expert Intel series, click the links below.
Building Long-Time Client Partnerships – John Pixley
The New Age of Digital Banking – Laura Zigler
Creating and Sustaining Culture – Kendall Mullen
Investing in Rural Land – Mark Mabrey
Navigating Commercial Real Estate – Chris Odom
What is your role at Mabrey Bank and your area of expertise?
As the Chief Marketing Officer at Mabrey Bank, I have the opportunity to build and nurture relationships with our clients, team members and the communities we serve. This includes marketing strategy and promotion, nonprofit partnerships and sponsorships, client and team member events, and creating opportunities for our team members to engage with and give back to their communities.
While I have experience throughout my career in all of these areas, the one consistent thread has always been serving the community. I started my career as a social worker and later worked at a local nonprofit in fundraising. I moved into the corporate world about 20 years ago, but I’ve continued to serve in leadership roles on nonprofit boards, managed charitable giving at two companies, and volunteer regularly with my family.
That combination of marketing, relationship building and community engagement has really shaped my area of expertise. I enjoy finding ways to connect an organization’s brand and purpose with the people and communities it serves while creating meaningful partnerships that benefit everyone involved.
What trends or changes are you currently seeing in corporate community engagement across Oklahoma?
Over the last ten years, I have seen a substantial shift in corporate community engagement, as companies increasingly look for ways to create more meaningful engagement that aligns with their corporate values and produces measurable results. There was a time when companies spread their resources across nonprofit organizations throughout the community, but I think most are moving toward a more strategic approach that results in fewer, but much deeper, relationships.
In addition, who a company supports is increasingly important to both current and prospective team members, a strategy that has led to more employee-driven giving and volunteer programs. Team members now own a bigger voice in how their company engages within its community.
What is a common misconception you often see when businesses or citizens work to engage the community?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that effective community engagement is simply about responding to the requests that come through the door. Businesses inevitably receive far more requests than they can support, and it can be difficult to prioritize when those requests come from clients, team members and vendors.
It can be tempting to give to the loudest voice or the organization where you already have a connection, but I think the most effective approach is to clearly define what community engagement means to your company and what a successful partnership looks like. That allows you to evaluate opportunities consistently and determine where your resources can have the greatest impact.
I also think it’s important to remember that a successful partnership isn’t just about what the company wants to accomplish. The best partnerships start by listening to the nonprofit and understanding what they actually need. When you can find that intersection between the organization’s needs, your company’s values and the areas where you can make a meaningful difference, you create a much stronger and more sustainable partnership.
What should be front of mind for those looking to volunteer or serve their community?
I think the way an individual approaches community involvement should be similar to the way a company approaches it, meaning you should be intentional about where you invest your time and energy.
People often get involved with organizations because a friend or neighbor asked them to volunteer, and that can be a great way to get started, but I encourage people to take a little time for self-reflection to think about what they are truly passionate about and where their skills, interests and experience could meet a specific need in the community.
You don’t necessarily have to volunteer in the most obvious or traditional ways either. Sometimes, the greatest contribution you can make is using a skill or area of expertise that comes naturally to you. When you find an organization and a cause that aligns with your values and gives you an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way, the impact can be immeasurable and rarely feels like work.
How does Mabrey Bank’s approach to community service differ from other banks?
At Mabrey, investing in the communities we serve is one of our core values. It’s deeply engrained in our culture and is a priority for the Mabrey family and our leadership team. Being family-owned and operated allows us to approach community engagement from a more personal perspective and really focus on deepening relationships and creating meaningful impact.
Our mission is to provide sound financial solutions and personalized service to empower people, enrich businesses and improve the communities we serve. That is our driving force and becomes evident through how we partner with nonprofits. In 2025, we invested nearly $400,000 in 168 organizations and volunteered more than 8,000 hours. In addition, 49 of our team members also serve on 75 nonprofit boards and committees, allowing us to contribute not only financial resources, but also our time, expertise and relationships. In addition, our annual United Way campaign raised $143,505 to help meet the basic needs of Oklahomans across the state. Our impact extends to all corners of the communities we serve to promote a high quality of life and build sustainable change.