Announcing the Fall 2020 Class of Emerging Leaders

Becky RasmussenNews

FOCUS St. Louis® has selected 31 talented young professionals for the Fall 2020 cohort of Emerging Leaders. This competitive program provides participants (ages 22-35) with an increased sense of engagement in the region, as well as the tools to take an active role as the next generation of St. Louis regional leaders.

Since its launch in 2012, the FOCUS Emerging Leaders program has trained more than 450 young professionals from across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The three-month program includes a two-day opening retreat, group Civic Action Project and seminar days covering a variety of leadership and regional issues, for a total of 40 hours of civic leadership development.

“Emerging Leaders is unique in its ability to bring together young professionals across sectors and industries,” says Program Director Shalia Ford. “It also continues to be a great springboard for participants, as they go on to pursue leadership positions in their careers and in the community.”

During the program, participants meet with area leaders to gain a better understanding of the inner workings of St. Louis, explore their personal, professional and civic leadership styles and gain a diverse network of peers. Upon graduation, participants become part of the FOCUS network of more than 10,000 leadership program alumni.

Fall 2020 Emerging Leaders Class

Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu
Fund Manager
U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corp.

Lauren Brooks
Development Associate
Metro Theater Company

Steve Davis
Project Manager
Missouri Department of Economic Development

Paige Durham
Project Specialist
BJC HealthCare

Kenan Ender
Executive Director
AmeriCorps St. Louis

Christopher Fan
Manager, Language Services
BJC HealthCare

Amelia Flood
Editor, Internal Communications
Saint Louis University

Christopher Floyd
Financial Integrator
The Boeing Company

Evan Fowler
Strategic Initiatives Manager – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Ameren Missouri

Jazmyn Frager
Program Director
Peter & Paul Community Services

LaChelle Garner
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Coordinator
Equifax

Brandon Hall
Associate Attorney
Lex Valorem

Sarah Harkin
Clinical and Mental Health Counseling
The College of William and Mary

Stephanie Harris
Talent Recruitment Manager
KIPP St. Louis

Marcus Howard, Ph.D.
Director of Strategic Innovations
Teach for America

Ashlyn Jach
Architectural Designer
BSA LifeStructures

Marcellus Johnson
Architectural Designer
Trivers

Kathryn Kelsoe
GIS Analyst
Spire

Bianca Logan
Paraprofessional
The Special School District of St. Louis County

Sultana Mangal
Account Executive
Gorilla 76

Mame Mor Ndiaye
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Washington University in St. Louis

Ryan Paige
Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion
University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis

Caroline Paillou
Associate
Greensfelder Hemker & Gale, P.C

Meredith Schasch
Marketing & Communications Strategist
Washington University in St. Louis

Madison S. Smith
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones

Elias Tsapelas
Senior Analyst
Show-Me Institute

Julie Whitehead
Structural Engineer
Burns & McDonnell

Jessi Wilcox
Director of Candidate Engagement
LaunchCode

b.Marcell Williams
Chief Development Specialist
One:11 Non-Profit Consulting Agency

Stephenie Williams
Clinical Research Financial Coordinator
Washington University School of Medicine

Allison Zuck
Architect
HOK