FOCUS St. Louis is pleased to announce the 27 outstanding professionals selected for the fall 2026 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 across sectors and 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 extensive network of more than 11,000 FOCUS alumni.

“Each cohort brings together women from across the public, private and nonprofit sectors for growth, learning and connection,” says Shalia Ford, Senior Director of Leadership Programs for FOCUS. “This transformational experience equips women leaders with the skills, networks, and cross‑sector relationships needed to navigate complexity and drive meaningful change.”

Women In Leadership is presented with support from the RGA Foundation.

Women In Leadership – Fall 2026 Cohort

Alisha Abbott
Client and Community Relations Assistant Director
PNC Bank

Camille Aho
Chief of Staff
Concordance

Alyssa Curran
Strategist (former position)
Missouri Foundation for Health (former employer)

Gabby Danback
Civic Engagement Manager
Great Rivers Greenway

Whitney Gable
Production Coordinator, Chief Operating Officer
Once Films

Kayla Gillispie
Graphic Design Coordinator
Community Impact Network

Ashley Godefroid
Manager, Program Management
Mastercard

Debbi Goldstein
Assistant Director, Community Engagement
Washington University in St. Louis

Adrienne Groves
Development Manager
Beyond Housing

Chelesa S. Holden, LMSW
Executive Director
The Oxygen Project: Yoga for Youth

Rachel Holste
Community Support Department Manager
Animal Protective Association of Missouri

Cameo Jones
CEO
LIV Recovery Sober Living

Rachel Jones
Executive Director of Finance & Operations
Ethical Society of St. Louis

Ly Syin Lobster
Operation Manager
SLU Habitat for Neighborhood Business

Lynette Mack
Manager, Operations
Focus Partners Wealth

Casandra McCottrell
Founder &  Creator Development Strategist
Channel Design

Kelly Paladin
Assistant Director of Communication,
Office of Admission
Saint Louis University

Namita Patel
Owner
Signarama Olivette, Missouri

Angela Pearson
Deputy Chief of Staff
City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office

Alexandria Quiles
Assistant Director, Bureau of Administration
Washington University

Callie Raspberry
Senior Director Individual Giving
American Cancer Society

Carrie Robb
Literary and Special Events Manager
St. Louis County Library

Mary Rocchio
Manager of Regional Policy Research
East-West Gateway

Jasmina Schue
Director, Community Outreach
Reinsurance Group of America

Christine Terry
Business Strategist
The People Experts

Angela Wildermuth
Founder/Director
Wilderkids Urban Forest School

Angie Winschel
Executive Leader
Winschel Group