Lori Decter Wright

Lori Decter Wright, General Director and CEO of Tulsa Opera, is an unwavering champion of the arts and its profound ability to elevate and enrich individuals and communities. Her lifelong commitment revolves around pursuing artistic excellence, educating and engaging communities, and fostering equitable access for diverse populations.

In 2019, Ms. Decter Wright embarked on her journey with Tulsa Opera, serving on the Board of Directors and chairing the Community Engagement and Development Committee. Her dedication to the company extended to leading the Fundraising Committee and serving on both the Board Development and Strategic Planning Committees. In October 2023, she was appointed by the Board of Directors as the General Director and CEO, a testament to her vision and leadership.

As a multifaceted professional artist, educator, entrepreneur, and executive leader, Ms. Decter Wright envisions a world where the arts are accessible to all. She is committed to offering captivating classical vocal performances and innovative storytelling of the highest artistic caliber. Her priorities for Tulsa Opera include authentic engagement and inclusion of diverse communities, the creation of entertaining and educational programming, the utilization of technology and innovation to broaden access, and the nurturing of local artistic talent to inspire audiences with dynamic performances offered in a variety of local venues by Tulsa Opera’s exceptional artists.

Lori Decter Wright, a Tulsan by choice, has proudly called Tulsa her home for 15 years. For the past eight years, she has served as Executive Director of Kendall Whittier Incorporated (KWI), a community-based nonprofit organization established in 1968 and dedicated to addressing food insecurity. Her tenure there has been marked by responsible growth, financial stabilization and impactful programs and services.

Before her tenure at KWI, Ms. Decter Wright was the Director of Education and Membership for Sweet Adelines International, a nonprofit organization founded in Tulsa in 1948. During her seven years on the Executive Management Team, she initiated and led innovative approaches to delivering education, programming, and member benefits to the organization’s 23,000 members worldwide. She also strengthened youth outreach programs and empowered young women through music education on a global scale.

Lori Decter Wright’s journey to Tulsa in 2008 coincided with leaving her 15 year career as a professional opera singer, a transition from the stage that she shared with her husband, Joseph. He became an Oncology Nurse and is currently a Professor of Nursing at Tulsa Community College. From 2001-2006, they were contracted as Principal Resident Artists at Opera San José where their on-stage chemistry blossomed into an off-stage romance, culminating in marriage in 2007. Together, they are raising two bright and talented children.

An award-winning soprano, Decter Wright has graced the stages of world-class opera companies and symphonies across the United States and abroad. She continues to volunteer as a singer locally when her schedule allows and has been seen in local productions presented by Theatre Tulsa and Third Thursdays in the Rainbow Room. Ms. Decter Wright holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts Degree in Vocal Performance from San José State University, where she was mentored by Dr. David Rohrbaugh and late, great world-renowned mezzo-soprano, Miss Irene Dalis.

In 2018, Ms. Decter Wright was first elected to the Tulsa City Council, where is currently in her third term representing Tulsa’s southeast District 7. Her history of volunteer leadership positions includes roles on the Board of Trustees for the Tulsa Performing Arts Center and as President of the Board for Spotlight on Opera. Lori Decter Wright is a dynamic and transformative force in the world of arts and community, dedicated to making the arts accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all.