Speed Mentoring

Registration is now closed for this event. If you need to make changes to an existing registration or have any questions, please contact Becky Rasmussen at beckyr@focus-stl.org.

Join us for a morning of speed mentoring! This fun and fast-paced session offers the opportunity to connect with a number of civic and professional leaders and tap into their insights and wisdom. Our FOCUS alumni mentors come from across sectors and industries, bringing a wealth of knowledge and years of collective experience. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career, expand your professional network, or increase your community engagement, you’ll gain the benefit of multiple new perspectives.

This event is aimed at young professionals and those in the early-to-mid stages of their careers.

Here’s what past attendees had to say:

• “Loved this event and walked away with some really great tangible feedback and advice!”
• “I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet a variety of professionals and to have the opportunity to get perspectives from individuals outside of my field.”
• “Loved the diversity of the mentors – age, experiences, sector, industry, etc.”
• “I loved that the event fostered intentional networking. It cut out a lot of the anxiety of networking events.”

Space is limited, so register early!

Tickets:

FOCUS or MAC Members – $15 (log in to take advantage of member pricing)
Nonmembers – $30 (join/renew to receive discounted member pricing)

2026 Mentors

Jennifer Bardot, Founder, G.R.I.T. Community (Leadership St. Louis 2022 | Women In Leadership 2020)
Andi Blaylock, Director of Inclusive Employee Experience, Emerson (Women In Leadership 2022)
Emily Brasel, VP, Internal Communications, BJC Health System (Leadership St. Louis 2015 / FOCUS Board Member)
Zundra Bryant, Senior Vice President, Global People Experiences & Services, Cushman & Wakefield (Women In Leadership 2003)
Leann Chilton, Retired – VP, Government Relations, BJC Health System (Leadership St. Louis 2001 | Impact Fellows 2016)
Francis Chmelir, President, Lashback (Leadership St. Louis 2017)
Darryl Collins, Regional Director, Retail Banking, Commerce Bank (Leadership St. Louis 2014 / FOCUS Board Member)
Vanessa Cooksey, President & CEO, RAC – Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (Leadership St. Louis 2025 / FOCUS Board Member)
Jack Dabrowski, Managing Director, Engagepoint Consulting (Leadership St. Louis 2021)
Suvir Dhar, Managing Partner, Dhar Legal Group (Leadership St. Louis 2018)
Michael England, President, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School (Leadership St. Louis 2019)
Michele Gilbert, Vice President, Revenue Operations & Enablement, Mastercard (Women In Leadership 2014)
Dawn Gipson, Senior Director, Culture Activation, Centene Corporation (Women In Leadership 2005 | Diversity Leadership Fellowship 2016 / FOCUS Board Member)
Trisha Gordon, Chief Growth Officer, Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition (Leadership St. Louis 2026 | Women In Leadership 2014)
Joseph Havis, Happiness/Executive Coach, The Saint Louis Shaman (Leadership St. Louis 2017)
Reggie Hill, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment & Career Advancement, University of Missouri-St. Louis (Leadership St. Louis 2025 / FOCUS Board Member)
Lydia Huston, Executive Director, Kwame Charitable Foundation (Leadership St. Louis 2024 | Women In Leadership 2022)
Jackie Janus, Senior Vice President & Senior Partner, FleishmanHillard (Leadership St. Louis 2020 / FOCUS Board Member)
Dr. Andwele Jolly, CEO, St. Louis Integrated Health Network (Leadership St. Louis 2022)
Dr. Frances Levine, Museum Leadership Consulting, FRL Consulting LLC (Experience St. Louis 2015)
Nalini Mahadevan, Principal Attorney, MLO Law LLC (Leadership St. Louis 2014)
JR Maxfield, AVP, Talent Acquisition, Safety National (Emerging Leaders 2018)
Mindy Mazur, Owner & CEO, Mazur & Co. (Leadership St. Louis 2019)
Matt Miller, President/CEO, Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis (Leadership St. Louis 2024)
Marjorie Moore, CEO, AgeSmart Community Resources (Leadership St. Louis 2015)
Christina Moore, Senior Associate General Counsel, Saint Louis University (Leadership St. Louis 2022 / FOCUS Board Member)
Kathy O’Neill (FOCUS Board Member)
Jamila Owens-Todd, Executive Director, Power4STL – The BRIC (Leadership St. Louis 2026)
Jason Dale Pierce, Director of Architecture, Jacobs (Leadership St. Louis 2020)
Marcel Scaife, Senior Strategist – Initiatives, Missouri Foundation for Health (Leadership St. Louis 2023 | Emerging Leaders 2014)
Angela Schaefer, Corporate SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Safety National (Women In Leadership 2012 | Diversity Leadership Fellowship 2014)
Dr. Kacy Seals-Shahid, Assistant Superintendent, Cahokia Unit School District #187 (Leadership St. Louis 2026)
Shuntae Shields Ryan, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, United Way of Greater St. Louis (Women In Leadership 2014)
Lindsay Van Quaethem, Regional Director of Business Development, Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas (Leadership St. Louis 2026 | Women In Leadership 2016 | Impact Fellows 2020)
April Waugh, Senior Legal Group Manager, Citi (Women In Leadership 2021)
Kristen Wild, President & CEO, Operation Food Search (Leadership St. Louis 2022)
Allison Williams, CEO, Wyman (Leadership St. Louis 2005)
Jennifer Yackley, City Manager, City of Olivette (Leadership St. Louis 2018)
Tony Zagora, Director Strategic Communications, Bayer Corporation (Leadership St. Louis 2013)