About

Who we are

The Oklahoma City Total Rewards Association (OCTRA) is the premier professional home for Total Rewards and Human Resources leaders in Central Oklahoma. As a proud affiliate of WorldatWork, we serve as a vital link between global professional standards and our local business community.

Our Mission

Our mission is to elevate the profession by providing a collaborative arena for growth, advocacy, and expertise. We are dedicated to:

Professional Development: Providing a forum for our members to sharpen their leadership, decision-making, and public speaking skills.
Strategic Networking: Creating a space where common challenges can be discussed, deliberated, and solved through peer-to-peer relationships.
Talent Advocacy: Building a pool of highly certified professionals to serve local, state, and national employers.
Cross-Industry Collaboration: Connecting with experts in accounting, law, project management, and IT to broaden the impact of Total Rewards.
Legislative Focus: Providing a unified voice on state and national issues affecting compensation, benefits, and HR management.

History

The Oklahoma City Total Rewards Association (OCTRA) was established in 2025 to fill a vital gap in our local professional landscape. While Oklahoma City has always been a hub for industry and innovation, there was a growing need for a dedicated space where compensation, benefits, and total rewards professionals could connect, learn, and lead together.

Veronica Blakely-Kudrna

President

Veronica is a business professional with 20 years of experience in human resources spanning the areas of recruiting, employee relations, policy development, employment law, benefits strategies, training & emp; development, and compensation.

Veronica’s career has traversed various industries including manufacturing, municipal government, and insurance.

Veronica has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Master of Business Administration from Southern Nazarene University and a professional certification from the Society of Human Resource Management.

Veronica takes pride in being a certified teacher for the National Sunday School Publishing Board and intends to utilize servant leadership skills as a board member of the Oklahoma City Total Rewards Association.

Patricia Prince

President-Elect

Patricia Prince is an accomplished and results-driven Human Resources leader with over 20 years in the field, including more than a decade specializing in Total Rewards—Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Careers, and Recognition. She has advanced through a series of leadership roles such as Senior Supervisor – Total Rewards, Compensation & Benefits Supervisor, Compensation Analyst, and Human Resources Specialist, giving her a broad and deep perspective on every facet of Total Rewards. She has led the development of competitive compensation structures, innovative benefits and wellness programs, and performance-driven career and recognition initiatives. Patricia’s strategic and analytical approach—grounded in market research and best practices—ensures that each element of Total Rewards strengthens employee engagement and business objectives.

A dedicated advocate for professional growth, Patricia is a WorldatWork faculty member and holds the organization’s prestigious Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) credentials. She also earned the Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP) designation from the Plan Sponsor Council of America and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Recognized for her ability to build strong partnerships and provide trusted guidance,

Patricia has successfully implemented enterprise-wide performance management systems and serves as a sought-after advisor on complex HR initiatives. Beyond her professional achievements, she values time with her husband and three children and enjoys reading, music, and planning their next Disney adventure.

Candace Beaty

Treasurer

Candace Beaty is a nonprofit and business leader with over 18 years of experience in human resources, payroll, operations, and event planning across private, and public sectors.

She holds a B.S. in Sociology and is both a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Candace is a member of PayrollOrg, World at Work, Junior League of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy, and Partners in Policymaking.

Candace is passionate about building inclusive, high-performing teams and fostering positive workplace cultures. She has led cross-functional teams through growth and change, implemented collaborative systems, and championed employee engagement and recognition programs.

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