Introducing the 2021-22 Class of Leadership St. Louis

Becky RasmussenNews

FOCUS St. Louis has selected 71 outstanding individuals from the private, public and nonprofit sectors for the 46th Leadership St. Louis (LSL) class. These participants join a prestigious group of more than 2,500 leaders who have graduated from the LSL program since its inception in 1976.

Leadership St. Louis is a highly respected program for experienced leaders who have demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the St. Louis region. The immersive nine-month curriculum explores issues such as economic development, racial equity, education, criminal justice, poverty, immigration and arts and culture. Leadership St. Louis is designed to challenge participants’ thinking, expose them to new ideas and perspectives, and promote discussion, reflection and action. Many graduates describe the experience as “transformational,” arming them with the tools, resources and connections to lead more effectively in their personal, professional and civic roles.

“The need for collaborative leadership has never been greater in our region,” says Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Ph.D., President & CEO of FOCUS St. Louis and Director of the Leadership St. Louis program. “We’re excited to bring together this diverse group of leaders to gain a deeper understanding of St. Louis’ civic landscape by exploring the issues, institutions and systems shaping it.”

Leadership St. Louis is one of six leadership programs offered by FOCUS St. Louis to further its mission of educating and connecting leaders to work cooperatively for a thriving St. Louis region. Find your FOCUS program today.

2021-22 Class of Leadership St. Louis

Betsy Abente
Associate Director, International Center for Child Health and Development
Washington University in St. Louis

Kevin Adams
Principal
Edward Jones

Adriann Adams-Gulley
Director of Accounting
Parents as Teachers National Center

Anna-Stacia Allen
Executive Director
Navigate STL Schools

Shonda Ambers-Phillips
Executive Director of Equity, Wellness and Inclusion
Kirkwood School District

Amanda Barbieri
Senior Manager Smart Meter Program
Ameren Missouri

Jennifer Bardot
VP Senior Business Banking
Enterprise Bank & Trust

Shira Berkowitz
Communications Director
PROMO

Dr. Tymesha Buckner-Dobynes
Director of Court Programs
Family Court of St. Louis County

Necole Cheung
Executive Director
Christian Hospital Foundation

Khalia Collier
Vice President of Community Relations
St. Louis City SC

Susan Craig
Partner/Professor and Career Consultant
StandPoint/Washington University in St. Louis

Ryan Davis
Managing Partner – St. Louis
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Kirven Douthit-Boyd
Co-Artistic Director of Dance
COCA – Center of Creative Arts

Mike Eggleston
Senior Community Development Advisor
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Edmound Elzy
Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service
St. Louis CITY SC

Rebecca Fehlig
EVP, Operations
National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Jackie Ferman-Grothe
Director, Media & Public Relations, Communications & Marketing
BJC HealthCare

Eric Fey
Director of Elections
St. Louis County Board of Elections

Lacy Fields Keune
Attorney
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, PC

Ann Fisher-Jackson
Chief of Staff
Gladiator Consulting

Julie Flynn
Deputy General Counsel
Stifel Financial

Joel Fuoss
Principal
Trivers

Alyse Garbisch
Project Architect
Jacobs

Dion Garrett
Lead Pastor
Pathfinder Church

Christopher Geden
Inventory Lead
Fresh Thyme

Sharonica Hardin-Bartley, PhD, PHR
Superintendent of Schools
The School District of University City

Howard Hayes
Executive Director
St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment

T.J. Hoeferlin
Principal of Assurance Services
Purk & Associates, P.C.

Joe Holt M.A.
Director of Development
ArchCity Defenders

Coolty Hunter
Director, Business Development
Balance Computer Aided Engineering

Norma Jackson
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Thompson Coburn LLP

Stacy E Johnson
Chief Program Officer – Head Start Director
YWCA Metro St. Louis

Andwele Jolly
Executive Director, Business Affairs
Washington University School of Medicine

Dr. Jodi Jordan
Educational Consultant

Valeda Keys
Executive Director / Founder
Valeda’s Hope

Tim Larkin
Attorney
Husch Blackwell LLP

Ruth Lee
Nonprofit Executive

Danny Lewin
Partner & Director of Program Management Office
Object Computing, Inc.

Al Li
Senior Vice President
Regions Bank

James Madison
Vice President, Business Operations
Saint Louis Zoo

Joseph Mantovani
Shareholder
Polsinelli PC

Kate Midgett
Senior Director of Organizational Excellence
Nine PBS

Angie Minges
Director, Partnership Marketing
Nestle Purina

Christina Moore
Senior Counsel
Husch Blackwell

Christy Moore
Vice President, Capital & Program Planning
BJC HealthCare

Becky Moss
Chief Development Officer
Beyond Housing

Greg Muck
Treasury Director
Alter Trading Corporation

Theresa Nikolaus
VP Regional Delivery Manager
UMB

Ben Nordstrom
Director of Development
The St. Louis Children’s Choirs

Ashley Odham
VP of Staff (Chief of Staff)
KIPP St. Louis Public Schools

Jamie Opsal
Executive Director
St. Louis City Senior Fund

Essence Owens
Neighborhood Development Executive
City of St. Louis – Neighborhood Stabilization Division

Richard Payton
Chief of Staff
Washington University in St. Louis

Diane Poelker Carrico
Senior Vice President and Partner
FleishmanHillard

Mariah L. Richardson
Playwright

Russ Riggan
Managing Partner
Riggan Law Firm, LLC

Bishop Michael Robinson
CEO/Founder
City Hope St. Louis

Dr. Mayola Rowser
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
Goldfarb School of Nursing @ Barnes Jewish College

Nina Scattergood
Director, Team Member Services
UNCOMN LLC

Natalie Self, MSW
Vice President, Equitable Economic Impact

Cortex Innovation Community

Eliza Simington
Chief Operating Officer
City Design Group, Inc.

Ronald Stella
Airport Deputy Director Operations
St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sara Stock
CEO
Stock Legal, LLC

Michael Talleur
Senior Vice President and Commercial Division Manager
Commerce Bank

Adena Varner
Director of Learning and Community Engagement
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Dara Webb
Executive Director Population Health and Quality
Mercy

Brianna White
Head, Trait Design & Sciences
Bayer Crop Science

Kristen Wild
President & CEO
Operation Food Search

Ben Woodard
Attorney
Stinson LLP

Scott Zola
Director of Construction Services
The Lawrence Group Projects, L.L.C.