FOCUS St. Louis has selected 60 outstanding individuals from the private, public and nonprofit sectors for the 50^th cohort of Leadership St. Louis (LSL). These participants join a prestigious group of more than 2,800 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 and workforce development, education, health care, local government, arts and culture and more. 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 “transformative,” arming them with the tools, resources and connections to lead more effectively in their personal, professional and civic roles.

“Leadership St. Louis empowers leaders to think boldly, collaborate across differences, and drive meaningful change in our region,” says Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Ph.D., President & CEO of FOCUS St. Louis and Director of the Leadership St. Louis program. “It’s more than a program — it’s a transformative journey that strengthens both individuals and the St. Louis community.”

Leadership St. Louis is part of the continuum of civic leadership programs offered by FOCUS St. Louis.

2025-26 Leadership St. Louis Class

Ambur Banner
Department Director
St. Louis County Government – Department of Human Services

Jackie Becker
VP Transmission Engineering & Construction
Ameren

Shaun Broeker
Partner
Thompson Coburn LLP

Kim Brown
VP/COO
Animal Protective Association of Missouri

Molly Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Saint Louis Crisis Nursery

Kuleya Bruce
Project Manager
Great Rivers Greenway

Brenda Cockrell
Chief of Staff, Trait and Seed Innovation
Bayer

Tina Coil
Owner
Forge Consulting Group

Maggie Crane
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs
Cortex

Amos Curlee
Executive Director
Project Make IT

Claire David Pond
Chief People & Culture Officer
CareVet

Aparna Deora
Head of Biotherapeutics PharmSci Portfolio & Strategy (Vice President)
Pfizer

Megan Downs
SVP/CFO
St. Louis Community Credit Union

Justine Dugan
National Account Executive
LaunchCode

Danni Eickenhorst
CEO
HuSTL Hospitality Group

Stephen Eisele
Vice President, Public Affairs
FleishmanHillard

Dr. Keshia S. Elder
Dean, College of Optometry
University of Missouri – St. Louis

Olubukola (Bukky) Erinle
US Accounting-Controls Lead
Bayer

Brian Ferguson
Senior Vice President, Business Banking
Commerce Bank

Megan Frank
Principal
Power Creative

LeAnn Frazier
Director, Family Health and Wellness
Affinia Healthcare

Trisha R. Gordon
Chief Growth Office
Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition

Anna Hall
Director of Workforce Solutions
International Institute of St. Louis

Melissa Hamilton
Psychotherapist
Elevation Counseling, LLC

Norma (Boozer) Harris
SBA Business Development Officer Sr.
The Huntington National Bank

Leslie Heusted
Executive Director, Center for Experiential Learning, Olin School of Business
Washington University in St. Louis

Emily Howard
Principal
PGAV

Robert Hughes
Chief Strategy Officer
Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis/BHR

Natalie Johnson
Executive Director
Great Rivers Environmental Law Center

Jennifer Klaverkamp
Business Operations Consultant
MilliporeSigma

Nathan Marafioti
VP
Nestle Purina

Philip Marshall
Partner & Executive Strategist
Spinoza Strategies

Leslie McClure
Dean, College for Public Health & Social Justice
Saint Louis University

Stephanie McNally
Associate Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Washington University in St. Louis

Brad McRae II
Principal
Edward Jones

Larry Morris
Director of Programs and Partnerships
Kranzberg Arts Foundation

Damien Myers
Chief Academic Officer
KIPP St. Louis Public Schools

Kristen Otto
Vice President of Communications
Greater St. Louis, Inc.

Dr. Jamila Owens-Todd
Executive Director
Power4STL [The BRIC]

Laurel Pickering
President & CEO
Gateway Business Health Coalition

Ginna Rivera
Program Director, Government Relations
BJC HealthCare

Kathleen Robbins
PMO, Business Partnering
EMD Electronics

Tonya Rose
Partner
Thompson Coburn LLP

Shu Schiller
Dean, College of Business Administration
University of Missouri-St. Louis

Rosemary Semonski
Sr. Operations Manager
Amazon

Dr. Kacy Shahid
Assistant Superintendent
Cahokia Unit School District 187

Elizabeth Simons
Community Program Manager
Great Rivers Greenway

Samantha Simpson
Senior Director of Programs
Guardian Angel Settlement Association

Lindsay Skredenske
Regional Director of Business Development
Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas

David Skrzypiec
Vice President of Business Attraction
Greater St. Louis Inc.

Erin Suelmann
Executive Director
Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis

Carmen Tillery, PhD
English Teacher
Momentum Academy School

Amy Turck
VP & Chief Individual Giving Officer
Nine PBS

Teresa Turner
President
Synchronized Resources, Inc.

Traci N. Tyus
Managing Principal
The Copia Collective LLC

Daniel Vogel
Chief Executive Officer
Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South

Lamara D. Warren, Ph.D.
Managing Director, DEAI
Saint Louis Science Center

Danielle Washington
Chief Program Officer
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Bill Winfrey
Vice President, Policy & Strategic Initiatives
St. Louis Integrated Health Network

Gabrielle Young
Executive Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Maryville University