FOCUS is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Yolanda (Yoli) Alovor to its full-time staff as Director of Civic Engagement. In this role, Yoli will manage all aspects of community and civic engagement for the organization, oversee alumni programming and serve as Director for the Emerging Leaders program.
Prior to joining FOCUS, she held positions with the St. Louis Symphony, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Rosemont College, Centene Corporation, the U.S. Department of Labor, and BFL Incorporated. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she specialized in creating initiatives and interventions aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for diverse populations. She also holds an M.A. in Education from Wayne State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Texas Southern University. She also recently completed post-doctoral training from UC Berkeley’s Intercultural Leadership Program: Global DEI Practitioner Institute.
“Dr. Alovor’s experience as a leader in equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, as well as background as a professor and researcher, uniquely equips her for this role,” says Dr. Yemi Akande-Bartsch, President & CEO of FOCUS St. Louis. “She understands the importance of fostering a sense of belonging within organizations and communities and has a proven ability to bridge the gap between visionary goals and practical implementation.”
Dr. Alovor serves on the boards of Girls Inc. St. Louis, Guardian Angel Settlement Association and is an Advisory Board member for the Late Effects Clinic at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Brain Education and Therapy program.