When Carolyn Le Spitler walked through the doors of Loveworks Leadership in 2013, she had no idea how integral the organization would become in her life.
Established in 2011, “Loveworks Leadership exists to organize community members to intentionally develop middle school leaders of competence and character to live purposeful and productive lives,” according to the organization’s website. Loveworks fulfills this mission through its Afterschool Leadership Program and other events throughout the year.
A college sophomore at the time, Le Spitler heard about the tutoring opportunity through her church and initially thought she’d be working with elementary students. During training, she quickly learned that the organization worked with middle schoolers, and she recalls that “fear kind of struck my heart immediately because I was transported back to my own middle school experience. I think for a lot of people, middle school can be a really tough time.”
However, Le Spitler’s perspective shifted on her first day working with the students. She remembers they ended with the question of the day: “What’s your big dream and why?”
“I was 19 years old at the time, and I’m listening to sixth grade students share their unabashed dreams,” Le Spitler explained. “I was sitting there, having chosen a path that wasn’t necessarily the one that I would have chosen. I was pursuing pharmacy at school because my family really wanted me to. I was thinking at that moment, ‘No one asked me the question because I don’t want to lie about what my big dream is because I’m definitely not pursuing it.’”
While volunteering, Le Spitler discovered the lessons focused on a growth mindset, highlighting the importance of leading yourself first. She watched as the students’ mindsets started to grow and change, and then she realized the lessons were impacting her, too.
“I started to see my own life change happen, and I moved from my own fixed mindset to a growth mindset,” she said. “I continued to volunteer after I finished school. I knew when I graduated that I just couldn’t leave Norman, specifically because I didn’t want to leave Loveworks.”
After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a botany degree, she worked in pharmaceutical research for about a year. Le Spitler’s job allowed her to create her own schedule, so she started her day in the early morning so she could make it to the afterschool program.
The Loveworks staff noticed the amount of time Le Spitler was volunteering, and in 2015, the then-executive director asked if she’d ever thought about working for the organization.
For Le Spitler, that was “a dream that I didn’t ever want to admit,” especially since she didn’t have a nonprofit or childhood education background. Even so, it was clear how incredibly passionate and ready to learn she was, and Le Spitler soon joined the staff as the operations manager. In 2018, she became the associate director and has served as executive director since the fall of 2024.
Le Spitler is focused on improving accessibility for Loveworks’ programs. Loveworks’ most recent office was located on the east side of Norman, which made it difficult to reach students all across the community. In response, the organization is moving to a central downtown Norman location, right next to Gray Owl Coffee, and is currently fundraising for the building remodel.
Additionally, Le Spitler aims to revitalize partnerships with community partners, including local nonprofits and businesses. These partners are key to the success of various events, including Loveworks’ annual entrepreneurship program where students start their own businesses. New this year was “Cookiefest 2025,” a fundraising event where attendees enjoyed cookies from professional, amateur and youth bakers.
Le Spitler’s journey with Loveworks has brought with it some full-circle moments. One of her favorite parts of her job is hearing life updates from students who participated in the program.
“It is incredibly honoring and a huge reminder of the seeds we plant,” Le Spitler said. “After consistency and lots of investment, they really do bloom into something.”
Outside of work, Le Spitler enjoys cooking and being crafty and creative, whether painting, playing guitar or working with clay. She also loves hanging out with her husband, Tyler, and their two dogs, Taro and Peach.
“It’s been quite a journey at Loveworks with a lot of hat changes and switches, but it’s been a beautiful journey,” Le Spitler reflected. “My phrase that I use is I put up my lab coat, and I never looked back. I feel very grateful and blessed and honored that I get to hang out with students and be the person I needed when I was in middle school. I feel very, very lucky to do what I get to do.”
More information about Loveworks, including how to apply for the Afterschool Leadership Program, become a volunteer, view a list of events and how to donate, can be found at loveworksleadership.org. – BSM
BY: CHELSEY KOPPARI
