FOCUS St. Louis^® has selected 29 talented early-career professionals for the Spring 2026 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 750 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.

Learn more about Emerging Leaders and the other FOCUS civic leadership programs at www.focus-stl.org.

Spring 2026 Emerging Leaders Class

Sarah Ayers
Attorney
Danna McKitrick, P.C.

Allison Bell
Engineering Manager
Beezwax Datatools, Inc.

Rachel Bray
Advocacy Manager
National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis

Dr. Antaniece Carter
Director of Social Emotional Learning and Health Services
East St. Louis School District 189

Melik Coffey
Program Manager
Life Outside of Violence – Washington University

Hazel Denother
Content Coordinator
Saint Louis University

Feven Fessehatzion
Donor Database Coordinator
Eye Thrive

Caleb Gipple
Senior Analyst
Advantage Capital

Aric Hamilton
Director of Student Services & Alumni Relations
University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry

Allison Heimsath
Associate Director of Recruitment
University of Missouri-St. Louis

Dalton Lacy
Portfolio Manager
Associated Bank

Aminhan Lobster
RETAF & Home Repair Specialist
Park Central Development

Joey Maher
Staff Tax Accountant
Archford Capital Strategies

Michaela Mason
Senior Compliance Specialist
Moneta

Brita Mathre
Board Program Manager
Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Khutaija Noor
Late-Stage Co-Founder
Love For St. Louis

Dr. Kenneth Powell Jr.
Chief Pharmacist
GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness

Sep’Tisha Riley
Program Manager
Show Me the World Project

JT Ruffin
Commercial Banker
JPMorganChase

Carrie Scherr
Director of Experience & Engagement
Filament

Megan Schraier
Data Impact Manager
Gateway to Hope

Laine Sulz
Communications and Engagement Coordinator
East-West Gateway Council of Governments

Gil Thomas
Project Manager
Great Rivers Greenway

Robert Tillman
Supply Chain Change Management Specialist
BJC Health

Jenevieve Trau
Development Manager
American Cancer Society

Zach Tucker
Producer
Once Films

Barrett Wagner
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Gateway Region YMCA

Arielle Washington
Director, Special Projects & Quality Assurance
Wyman Center

Jourdan Wilson
Business Assistant
Heartland Dental