FOCUS St. Louis has selected 32 talented early-career professionals for the Fall 2025 cohort of Emerging Leaders. During this four-month civic leadership program, participants explore their personal, professional and civic leadership styles, gain a deeper understanding of the St. Louis region, and expand their network.

Since its launch in 2012, FOCUS Emerging Leaders has trained more than 700 young professionals from across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Participants leave the program with an increased sense of engagement in the region, as well as the knowledge and tools to take an active role as the next generation of leaders. Upon graduation, participants also become part of the FOCUS network of more than 11,000 leadership program alumni.

The Emerging Leaders program is presented with support from Ameren, Big League Impact, The Kwame Charitable Foundation, the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce – St. Louis, and RGA Foundation.

Fall 2025 Emerging Leaders Class

Shawnica Andrews
Family Services Specialist
Unleashing Potential

Joe Bradley
Director of Marketing and Communications
City Academy

Ayanna Buckley
Community Outreach Manager
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Alexander Burkart
Director of Strategic Marketing
America’s Central Port

Franklin Cooper
Community Engagement Lead
Veterans Community Project of St Louis

Tom Crees
Director of Violence Reduction
St. Louis County Government

Sarah Crosley
COO
Missouri Public Health Institute

Jamie Dougherty
Senior Community Relations Coordinator
Enterprise Mobility

Jenelle Ellis
Communications Manager
Tower Grove Park

Kelsie Frazier
Treasury Management, Senior Sales Analyst
Enterprise Bank & Trust

Averyia Gibson
Trial Support Team Leader /Violent Crime Paralegal
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Office

Catherine Gilmore
Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
St. Louis College of Pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy

Sarah Hollstrom
Culture and Engagement Manager
FamilyForward

Tyeler Hood
Public Programs and Engagement Manager
Pulitzer Arts Foundation

Amar Jasarevic
Senior Lender
IFF

Jordey Jones, MHA
Administrative Leader Associate
Mercy

Tim Jurado
Financial Advisor
Raymond James

Renzhi Liu
Technical Manager
Hubbell

Angel Mitchell
Data Insights Analyst
Washington University

Gabriall Moore
Sr. Business Analyst
World Wide Technology

Ariel Moss
Senior Associate Scientist
MilliporeSigma

Hiral Patel
Manager, Projects and Patient Support Services
BJC HealthCare, Christian Hospital

Tanisha Patterson
President
Journey to Healing

Omar Perkins
Admissions
Special School District

Taylor Porter
Business Development II & Capture Manager
CEdge Inc.

Valonda Roberts
Student Success and Retention Coordinator
University of Missouri St Louis

Jamie Roper
Senior Procurement Specialist
GadellNet Consulting Services LLC

Rajaye Smith
Executive Assistant, Executive Office/Downtown
Greater St. Louis, Inc.

Jose Sotelo
Data Strategist
Missouri Charter Public School Association

Mairin Warner
Service Coordinator
Community Impact Network

Gehazi Whitehurst
Assistant Account Executive
Common Ground Public Relations

Liz Zilch
Recruitment Coordinator
Rung for Women