FOCUS St. Louis is pleased to announce the 31 outstanding individuals selected for the spring 2023 cohort of Women In Leadership.
The Women In Leadership program, held each fall and spring, offers professionals the opportunity to refine their leadership competencies, gain a deeper understanding of the St. Louis region, and connect with women from diverse backgrounds. Through interviews and field days, participants explore different styles of leadership and tap into the wisdom of business, community and civic leaders, while also honing their facilitation, negotiation and communication skills. Upon graduation, participants join the network of more than 11,000 FOCUS alumni.
“For more than 40 years the Women In Leadership program has been bringing together a diverse mix of women from across sectors for growth, learning and connection,” says Shalia Ford, WIL Program Director. “Many of our graduates describe the Women In Leadership experience as transformational, providing the tools, resources and network to lead more confidently and effectively in all their spheres of influence.”
The Women In Leadership program is presented with support from Dierbergs Markets and RGA Foundation.
Women In Leadership Fall 2023 Cohort
Rebecca Anderson
HR Benefits Manager
Saint Louis Public Schools
Chrissy Beck
Director of Operations
Missouri Charter Public School Association
Elizabeth Brennan
Director, Communications
Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Ricqui Brooks
Adult Literacy Coordinator
St. Louis County Library
Debra Cox
Senior Career Success Specialist
Rung for Women
Adrienne Eaglin
Administrator, Family and Community Engagement
Special School District of St. Louis County
Beth Elders
Executive Director
American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis
Samantha Ferguson Knight
Director of Senior Programming
LifeWise StL
Teri Michele Garrett
Vice President of Culture, Communications and Philanthropy
Citi
Cheryl Gusewelle
Manager, Sourcing
Ameren
Hema Kagitha
Sr. Business Analyst
RGA
Nava Kantor
Director
Gladiator Consulting
Heather Kemper, MFA, CFRE
Director of Development
Miriam School and Learning Center
Vanessa Kerner
Associate Project Manager
KCI Technologies LLC
Rebecca Miller, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LD
Director, Dining Nutrition Services
Washington University in St. Louis
Angela Niesen
Healthcare Informatics Supervisor
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Dr. Kynedra Ogunnaike
Professional School Counselor
Saint Louis Public Schools
Dr. Aimee Pullen
Special Education Transition Coordinator
Special School District of St. Louis County
Alexandria Reed
Director of Client Solutions
Jump Company
Brittany N. Ross
Manager of Financial Operations
Central States Water Resources Group
Cat Shoemaker
VP, Wealth Change Management
Citi
Theresa Sieber
Performance Improvement & Project Manager
BJC Healthcare
Dr. Ava Smith
District Instructional Technology Coach
Confluence Academies
Founder/Owner
The SHEI Effect, LLC
Tara Spates Tucker
Chief Operations Officer
Novus Health
Nicole Springer
Director
Community Music School of Webster University
Kathy Tate
Development Manager
Circus Harmony
Dara S. Taylor
Managing Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
Missouri Historical Society
Yvonne Thomas
Pharmacy Operations Manager
Walgreens
Colleen Waters
Manager Performance Improvement & Infection Prevention
Missouri Baptist Medical Center-BJC Healthcare
Lisa White
Business Learning Solutions Expert
Citi
Margarett Wolf
Communications Business Partner
MilliporeSigma