We’re pleased to announce the addition of Joani Alsop and Michelle Stevens to our full-time staff. In addition, team member Makita Hill has been promoted to the role of Leadership Program Manager.
As Director of Learning, Joani Alsop will manage and direct strategy, program development, implementation, and evaluation for the FOCUS portfolio of leadership programs. She has more than 15 years of experience in HR and organization development, including founding a women’s leadership coaching program and serving as a consultant on the Coro Women In Leadership program since 2017. Prior to FOCUS, she was an Executive Coach and Consultant with Right Management for over 10 years. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership & development and a bachelor’s in management/organizational leadership from Maryville University.
Joani is a graduate of FOCUS’ Coro Women In Leadership and Diversity Leadership Fellowship programs, serves on the Executive Team of the St. Louis Organization Development Network, and is a member of the International Coaches Federation (ICF) and the St. Louis Coaches Chapter of the ICF.
Michelle Stevens joins FOCUS as Director of Development, bringing more than 18 years of experience as a nonprofit professional. She is passionate about developing meaningful relationships and collaborative partnerships with donors.
Prior to joining FOCUS, Michelle served as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Bi-State Development and as Grand Center, Inc.’s Vice President, where she was responsible for the organization’s comprehensive marketing and fundraising efforts. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from North Carolina State University and Master of Business Administration from Saint Louis University. She currently resides in St. Louis City with her husband and three children.
In her new role as Leadership Program Manager, Makita Hill will provide support for the Leadership St. Louis, Youth Leadership St. Louis and Emerging Leaders programs, as well as civic engagement events.
She previously served as Program and Events Coordinator, a role she held since joining FOCUS in December 2017.