Leadership St. Louis

Founded in 1976, Leadership St. Louis® (LSL)  is one of the most highly-respected leadership development programs in the nation. The program was built on the belief that the community, just as any business or organization, requires strong leadership to grow and improve. Graduates of the program include CEOs and senior level executives, entrepreneurs, elected officials, educators, attorneys, nonprofit directors and public servants. The common ground under this wide array of participants is a deep and active commitment to community improvement and making our region stronger.

If you are an experienced leader who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the St. Louis region, explore collaborative civic leadership and build connections across sectors, you may be a great fit for Leadership St. Louis.

Like all FOCUS leadership programs, Leadership St. Louis welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, industries and sectors.

Leadership St. Louis is a nine-month program, with one or two full-day sessions each month from September to May (usually held on Fridays and Saturdays).

The LSL experience is immersive, connecting you with the community to  learn firsthand about the challenges and opportunities facing our region. On any given program day, you may be:

• Talking with police, prosecutors, victims and justice-involved individuals about the justice system
• Meeting with nonprofit agencies to understand the social services safety net
• Discussing leadership challenges with the CEOs of the region's largest employers
• Connecting with area school leaders to explore best practices and educational gaps
• Weighing state and local priorities with elected officials

In the process, you'll gain the perspective, resources, knowledge and network to have a greater impact as a leader.

Upon graduation, you’ll also become part of the network of more than 11,000 FOCUS program alumni.