The Enid Regional Development Alliance, in partnership with the Cherokee Strip Community Foundation, is celebrating two recipients of the Work in Enid Award: Lorac Yerian and Baylee Kraft. Both are beginning careers in Enid, bringing valuable skills, fresh perspectives and a commitment to contributing to the community.
The Work in Enid Award helps attract and retain educated professionals by providing student loan repayment assistance to individuals who choose to live and work in Enid. The program recognizes that developing a strong workforce means not only creating career opportunities but also giving talented individuals compelling reasons to build their futures here.
For Yerian and Kraft, Enid offers opportunities for professional growth, meaningful community connections and a place to call home.
For Lorac Yerian, returning to Enid after completing her education has always been part of the plan.
A 2019 Enid High School graduate, Yerian earned two degrees from the University of Oklahoma: a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She plans to begin her nursing career in a surgical specialty in Enid, where she has received employment offers from St. Mary's Regional Medical Center and the Surgery Center of Enid.
"Returning to Enid after earning my degrees has always been my goal and a priority for me," Yerian shared in her award application. "This community supported, encouraged, and invested in me when I was a high school student with big plans for my future."
Yerian's connection to Enid extends beyond her professional ambitions. With family, her fiancé and a strong support system in the community, she envisions raising a family and establishing a long-term home here.
Her career goals also reflect a commitment to strengthening local healthcare. She hopes to provide compassionate, high-quality nursing care to Enid residents and may eventually pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree through Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
Community involvement is equally important to Yerian. Having previously volunteered with Enid Mobile Meals, she hopes to resume serving local seniors and become involved in church activities. As her nursing career progresses, she also hopes to mentor future nurses and encourage them to consider careers in Enid.
"My goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care as a Registered Nurse (RN) while serving the families that make Enid a great place to live, work, and raise a family," she said.
For Baylee Kraft, Enid represents the ideal place to launch a professional career while enjoying the benefits of a close-knit community.
A 2022 graduate of Shattuck High School, Kraft earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in May 2026. She accepted a position as a staff accountant with Campbell Shaffer in Enid, putting her education to work in the local business community.
"I want to live/work in Enid because I think it is the perfect place to start my career," Kraft shared in her application. She also cited the city's career opportunities, convenient proximity to family and appealing community size as reasons for choosing Enid.
Kraft brings a variety of professional experiences to her new role, including work in banking, bookkeeping, customer service and retail. These experiences helped her develop skills in financial operations, problem-solving, organization and communication.
Looking ahead, Kraft plans to earn her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 2028 and continue expanding her professional knowledge and experience.
She also values giving back. While attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Kraft participated in community service projects assisting elderly residents with yard maintenance and volunteered at the Wesleyan Food Bank. She hopes to continue serving others through involvement with a local church as she establishes herself in Enid.
Her decision to begin her career locally reflects the importance of connecting graduates with meaningful employment opportunities and creating an environment where young professionals can thrive.
Yerian and Kraft represent two important components of a strong regional workforce: bringing home individuals with deep community roots and attracting new professionals who recognize the opportunities available in Enid.
Their career paths in healthcare and accounting also demonstrate the diversity of talent needed to support a growing local economy. From providing essential medical services to supporting local businesses, skilled professionals contribute to the economic vitality and quality of life of the entire community.
Through its partnership with the Cherokee Strip Community Foundation, ERDA supports the Work in Enid Award as part of its broader commitment to workforce development and talent recruitment.
Student loan repayment assistance can help reduce a financial barrier for graduates entering the workforce, making Enid an even more attractive place to begin or advance a career.
Economic development is about more than attracting businesses. It's about attracting and retaining the people who help those businesses, and our community, succeed.
ERDA congratulates Lorac Yerian and Baylee Kraft on receiving the Work in Enid Award and looks forward to the contributions they will make as they build their careers and futures in Enid.