Events

2019 What’s Right with the Region Awards

Each year, FOCUS applauds the efforts of 20 individuals, organizations and/or initiatives making a positive difference in the St. Louis region. Make plans to join us for the most inspiring networking event of the year on May 16, 2019!

Too often, we get caught up in the challenges and issues facing our community. We all need a reminder now and again of the good that surrounds us, in the people and organizations who work tirelessly to make our region stronger. The annual What’s Right with the Region awards are a celebration of that.

Just announced – meet our 2019 Honorees!

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Honorees

Thank you to all who submitted nominations for our 2019 What’s Right with the Region Awards, as well as our panel of community judges!

2019 What’s Right withe Region Award Recipients

Demonstrating Innovative Solutions

Honorees have demonstrated innovation and vision in making the St. Louis region a better place to live, work or visit.
Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition
It’s Your Birthday, Inc.
Kranzberg Arts Foundation
Midwest Cyber Center

Fostering Creativity for Social Change

Honorees have harnessed the power of the arts and imagination to bring about change in the region.
COCA – Center of Creative Arts
New Line Theatre
Perennial
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis

Improving Equity and Inclusion

Honorees have shown a commitment to promoting diversity, access, inclusion and opportunity for all.
Challenge Unlimited, Inc.
Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience
Inda Schaenen, Project Lab St. Louis
Salam Clinics

Promoting Stronger Communities

Honorees have worked to address problems, develop initiatives, or make lasting improvements that result in stronger, more stable communities.
Gateway to Innovation
HealthWorks! Kids Museum
NCADA
Rebuilding Together

Emerging Initiatives

Honorees are new organizations that are developing practical solutions, responding to identified needs and serving as catalysts for change.
A Red Circle
Saint Louis ReCAST
Sustainable Housing Initiative, a program of Criminal Justice Ministry
Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Leadership Award

We are pleased to announce Bob Fox, entrepreneur, philanthropist and chair/co-founder of the Clark-Fox Family Foundation, as the recipient of the 2019 FOCUS Leadership Award.

This prestigious award, chosen by the FOCUS Board of Directors, is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate innovative leadership, generate a meaningful impact in the community, and encourage strong community leadership in others.

A successful entrepreneur and founder of NewSpace, Inc., Fox is best known for his ongoing philanthropic and community leadership, particularly on issues of immigration, education, public health and social justice. Learn more.

Awards Celebration

Tickets Now on Sale!

Considered by many to be THE St. Louis networking event of the year, What’s Right with the Region brings together more than 550 leaders and community members for an inspiring evening of celebration.

22nd Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration

Thursday, May 16, 2019
The Sheldon Concert Hall
5:00-6:30 p.m. – Networking Reception
6:30-8:00 p.m. – Awards Ceremony

Early-Bird Tickets

FOCUS Members: $50
Non-members: $60
FOCUS Young Professionals (30 & under): $35
Non-member Young Professionals (30 & under): $40

Early-bird pricing is available through March 25; prices will increase after that date.

Sponsorships

On May 16, 2019, more than 500 guests are expected at the 22nd Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration – and we’d love for your company/organization to be a part of it! This is a unique opportunity to build stronger community ties, promote your organization, and be intimately associated with one of the most well-known civic leadership organizations in the region.

Download Sponsorship Packet
View Sponsorship Opportunities
Reserve Your Sponsorship

To reserve your sponsorship, contact Katie Carpenter, Associate Director of Member & Alumni Relations, at (314) 657-4033 or katiec@focus-stl.org.

Past Honorees

For 21 years, FOCUS St. Louis has honored the individuals, initiatives and organizations helping to shape and improve our region.

View past honorees.

Each year, the FOCUS Board of Directors has also presented the Leadership Award, designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate remarkable and courageous community leadership, have meaningful impact on the community, and encourage strong community leadership in others.

View past Leadership Award recipients .

You can also check out videos of recent award recipients on the FOCUS YouTube channel.

Events Chairs & Committees

2019 WRWR Chairs

Mike Hart
St. Louis Market Executive / Midwest Commercial Banking Director
Regions Bank

Lauren Herring
Chief Executive Officer
IMPACT Group

Debbie Rush
Partner
Thompson Coburn LLP

Host Committee

Caroline Battles
Tom Hake
Sauntura Jones
Darci Madden
Valerie Nelson
Viji Samikannu
Yvonne Sparks
Dara Webb
Kathy Wehrfritz

Judging Committee

Isabel Acevedo
Anthony Adamgbo
Joani Alsop
Nicole Amling
Nicolle Barton
SiSi Beltrán Martí
Jenny Birgé
Gina Bremehr
Evita Caldwell
Dorothy Carlin
Joe Cavato
Molly N. Cline
Paul Costigan
Fay Fetick
Sharon Harvey Davis
Christie Hill
Larry Hofstetter
Sauntura Jones
Steve Knight
Mary Kullman
Lisa Liebschutz
Nalini Mahadevan
Pam Mandelker
Amal Mansuri
Scott Meyer
Brett Moorehouse
Eric Moraczewski
Traci O’Bryan
John Peluso
Pamela Perlmutter
Aaron M. Randolph
Phillip Sangokoya
Mary Dee Schmidt
Kristen Sorth
Julia Spoerry
Julio Suárez
Jacob Surratt
Johnny Wang
Kathy Wehrfritz
Tony Zagora