Transformative. Collaborative. Purposeful. Empowering.
These are the descriptors we hear most often when we ask program participants and graduates to describe their FOCUS leadership experience. These words also inspire us as an organization to live out these values in all that we do.
This year has been an exciting one, from the launch of the Start With Leadership Conference and sellout crowds for many of our events and forums to the continued growth of the FOCUS BoardBridge program and launch of our new website. In this report, we are proud to share a snapshot of our impact from the past year. Our successes are our stepping stones as we continue building the next generation of leaders for our region, and they are only possible through the engagement and support of our alumni, members, donors and partners. We invite you to join us by being a part of it all!
Dr. Yemi Akande-Bartsch
President & CEO
FOCUS St. Louis
Making An Impact
At FOCUS St. Louis, we believe that everyone possesses the power to lead. Our programs and events meet leaders where they are, and more importantly, we provide the knowledge, tools and connections they need to bring what they've learned into the community. One trained civic leader can influence hundreds of lives, and the ripple effects can last for generations.
280
new FOCUS-trained leaders graduated from our programs
33
events serving the needs of our alumni and community
4,153
leaders connecting through our forums and events
248
nonprofits and volunteers matched through FOCUS BoardBridge
224
regional leaders and alumni served as speakers for program day and events
11
Civic Action Projects completed by our Emerging Leaders cohorts
Program Outcomes
280 leaders, ranging from high school juniors to cross-sector professionals and CEOs, participated in our continuum of five leadership programs. As part of our evaluation process, we measured outcomes in four key areas: relationship-building, collaborative leadership, civic understanding, and civic readiness.
96% of participants said they expanded their network and ability to understand different perspectives.
92% better understand how to contribute their strengths and work across divisions.
90% feel ready to take what they learn into our community to make a positive difference.
88% expressed a deeper knowledge of the St. Louis civic landscape and regional issues.
In the Words of Our Graduates
Our Mission In Action
Bringing Leaders Together
This year was full of connection and collaboration, culminating in the successful launch of our first-ever Start With Leadership conference. Presented in partnership with the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the half-day conference drew more than 400 attendees for learning, dialogue and networking.
The conference was the perfect cap on a year of successful forums and events, including another sold-out crowd for the Women's History Month Breakfast, a new Black History Month discussion, community conversations on topics ranging from media literacy to the value of third places, and a host of alumni networking socials and dinners.
Inspiring Civic Engagement
At FOCUS, we build leaders' capacity to become engaged in their workplaces and communities. This starts within our programs, connecting participants to needs and opportunities within our region, along with hands-on learning such as our Emerging Leaders' Civic Action Projects. As a result of their FOCUS experience, 89% of our 2024-25 graduates said they felt a greater sense of personal commitment to the region.
Initiatives such as FOCUS BoardBridge also help expand capacity in the region, connecting nonprofits with potential board members. Since its launch in late 2023, BoardBridge has resulted in more than 100 successful matches serving on boards.
Celebrating Changemakers
As leaders, we look for solutions, but it's also important to take time to honor successes along the way. On May 15, our community came together to for the 28th Annual What's Right with the Region Awards, as we recognized 20 honorees, Leadership Award recipient Susan Trautman and Legacy Alumni Award recipient Leon Sharpe.
This year, FOCUS also launched our new website, with generous support from the Kemper Foundation, giving us the opportunity to better shine a light on our alumni and share their stories.
Connecting Across The Region
More than 150 organizations sent leaders through one of our programs this year. Here are just some of those employers.
Alumni In the News
Our impact does not end when leaders graduate from our FOCUS programs; it continues as they take what they have learned out into our region. We were excited to see our alumni step into many new leadership roles and opportunities this year; here are just a few of these.
Blake Hamilton
(EL 2015 / LSL 2019) was named as President & CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis.
Kristen Sorth
(LSL 2014 / WIL 2013) was was honored with the 2024 Visionary Award by St. Louis Magazine.
Suzanne Sierra
(LSL 2017) was named as Executive Director for St. Louis Mosaic Project.
Tony Thompson
(1997) received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Louis Construction Consortium.
Nathalie Means Henderson, Ph.D.
(EL 2012) was named CEO of KIPP St. Louis.
Matt Miller
Brittany Ross
(WIL 2023) received the Women Who Spark Award from the Utility 2030 Collaborative.
Nick Kimble
(EL 2022) was elected as Missouri State Representative for District 82.
April Foster
(IF 2020) was a featured speaker at TEDx St. Louis Women Amplify.
Roy Whitley
(LSL 2025) was named as President & CEO of Rx Outreach.
Karen Aroesty
(LSL 2011) was named as CEO of Safe Connections.
LaKricia Cox
(WIL 2020) was named as Executive Director of the Greater St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Maggie Brockmeyer
(EL 2021) was named a Community Champion by United Way of Greater St. Louis.
Yusef Scoggin
(LSL 2020) was named as Executive Director for Delmar DivINe.
Susan Gobbo
(LSL 2024) received the Civic Award of the Year from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro St. Louis.
Julie Erickson
(LSL 2021) was named Chief Operating Officer for the St. Louis American.
Sekhar Prabhakar
(LSL 2021) received the Global Ambassador Award from the World Trade Center St. Louis.
Simon Huang
(LSL 2017) received the Executive of the Year Award from the Asian American Chamber of Commerce St. Louis.
In the Words of Our Alumni
Your Support Makes It Possible
The listing below reflects all membership and donation gifts recorded between July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. If you have a question or need to make a change to how you are listed, please contact Erin Wright at erinw@focus-stl.org.
2024-25 Financials
Stay Engaged
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FOCUS BoardBridge
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