Professional Q&A: Reagan Hamlin

Reagan Hamlin has spent the last 20 years working in the Edmond area. As the Executive Director of Free to Live Animal Sanctuary, Reagan takes her passion for animals to new heights and connects pets to their perfect forever families. 

Q: Do you live in Edmond, work in Edmond, or both?

A:  I live in Oklahoma City but have worked in Edmond most of my career.

Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?

A: I was a small-town kid growing up in Dewey, Oklahoma. I played softball in college, so I was able to travel for my education, starting for two years at Seminole State College before transferring over to Southeast Missouri State University. I then moved back home after graduation and completed my master’s degree at Oklahoma State University.

Q: What did you do prior to getting involved with Free to Live?

A: I worked in university communications and fundraising for UCO and in Texas prior to my role with Free to Live. At UCO, I was the Assistant Vice President for Development, communicating the university’s mission to our donors and friends.

Q: How did you get involved with the Free to Live?

A: I was at a point in my career where I wanted to engage in a different way with the nonprofits we served daily. As a small-town country kid, I had been saving and surrounding myself with animals my entire life. When the opportunity came to join Free to Live, I was excited to bring more attention and awareness to their much-needed mission. 

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that I can be lying in the middle of a field trying to catch a dog one day and at a board meeting the next. No two days are ever the same, and the hours are fulfilled by the lives we get to save and the people we are able to connect to our mission of making Oklahoma a safer place for dogs and cats.

Q: What’s something you’re passionate about in your personal life?

A:  I stayed in higher education for so long because I love to learn and am curious about the world around me. I am passionate about how our work and living spaces influence our behavior for both animals and humans.

Q: What do you like about Edmond?

A: I love the sense of community in Edmond. I joined the Downtown Edmond Business Association and am always impressed with their desire to collaborate and bring new programming to the city.

Q: What is your number one tip for other professionals, either for work or life in general?

A: Always try to make space to be curious about the things and people around you and learn something new every day – no matter how small!