33 Young Professionals Selected for Fall 2019 Class of Emerging Leaders

Becky RasmussenAlumni, News

FOCUS St. Louis has selected 33 talented young professionals for the Fall 2019 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 nearly 400 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 around the region, for a total of 40 hours of civic leadership development.

“Year after year, Emerging Leaders brings together some of the most driven and passionate young professionals from across our region,” says Program Director Shalia Ford. “Our fall cohort is no exception, and I’m excited to see where their leadership journeys take them.”

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.

Nominations/applications are now being accepted for our Spring 2020 cohort of Emerging Leaders.

Fall 2019 Emerging Leaders Class

Shreya Ahuja
R&D Scientist
MilliporeSigma

Joan Alvarez
Community Engagement Manager
Great Circle

Krysti Baker
Talent Development Specialist
Spire

Jeremy Brok
Program Director
Cultural Leadership

Amanda Colón-Smith
Executive Director
Dutchtown South Community Corporation

Samantha Dailey
Mortgage Loan Officer
Bank of America

Caressa Davis
Director of Development
Maryville University

Vance Dickerson
Sr. Consultant
Express Scripts

Maggie Farrell
Human Resources Manager
S.M. Wilson & Co.

Julianna Fellows
Development Manager
Junior Chamber International

Monica Fleisher
Precollegiate Program Coordinator
University of Missouri – St. Louis

Dart Ford
Community Financial Service Officer
Enterprise Bank & Trust

Katie Fortune
Associate Creative Director
Notion

Elaina Hardy
Vice President/Compliance Business Control Senior Manager
Citi

Lauren Hunt
Assistant Director of Admissions
Relearnit

Samantha Hurrell
Senior Interior Design Professional
HOK

Gabe Jones
Public Relations Manager
H&L Partners

Jonathan Keating
COO
Fauxgerty

Ashya Majied
Assistant Director of Residential Education
Washington University in St. Louis

Emily McDowell
Centralized Scheduler
St. Joseph’s Hospital of Highland

Michael Morgan
Project Graduation Coordinator
The Little Bit Foundation

Fridaouss Nabine
Business Development and Marketing
Engagedly

Hallie Nolan
Architectural Designer
Trivers

Elizabeth L. Pack
Attorney
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.

Michael Poletti
Regional Marketing Manager
SSM Health

Stephanie Raabe
Coordinator, Executive Support & Equitable Operations
Teach for America St. Louis

Alexandra Radosh
Program Leader
Edward Jones

Natalie Schicker
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
Missouri Baptist University

Catherine Schwarz
Independent Consultant

Marco Tipton
Community Development Specialist
Ameren Missouri

Ethan Todd
Vice President
The Barklage Company
Partner
Capitol City Research

Nancy Wild
Global Commodity Manager Semiconductors
Emerson

Winston Wright
Administrative Fellow
Barnes-Jewish Hospital/BJC HealthCare