Fiorello oversees ongoing expansion at the 200-acre innovation district, which has no vacant lab space after Varro Life Sciences moved in last year. The district’s next major project—a $100 million reuse of the former Goodwill Industries complex in Midtown—will add lab and office space for mid- and late-stage bioscience firms. C2N Diagnostics is set to anchor the site when the project is complete.
2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you in their areas of expertise. Invest in them by making sure they have the tools, support, and resources they need to thrive. Then trust them—step back, give them space, and let them do their best work. Your job isn’t to control every detail, but to create the conditions where great people can succeed together.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? I studied finance in college and then got a great job in the field, but I quickly found that I didn’t love the work. I took the risk of leaving my high-paying job to go to graduate school. I found out there that I loved creating new ventures, growing them, and working more with people than just numbers. Make sure that you do something that you love.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? Turn on Spotify and listen to the way musicians string notes and words together. Each song is like a whole innovation in itself. I also enjoy writing and try to carve out time just to put pen to paper.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? In the science and technology innovation world, I believe the researchers in the lab deserve far more recognition. They are the ones experimenting, failing, learning, and adapting, often over many years before real breakthroughs emerge. Their persistence and quiet progress rarely make the headlines, but without them, innovation simply wouldn’t happen. They are the unsung heroes of our industry.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? The Regional Arts Commission (RAC), which promotes the arts in our region. The arts make people happier, strengthen communities, and build resilience and connection across St. Louis.
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? What excites me most about the future of our company is the renewed desire for in-person collaboration. Research shows that remote collaboration doesn’t generate as many breakthrough ideas, and people are eager to be together again. Additionally, both homegrown and recruited companies are keen to be in Cortex, and we are bullish about actively developing the spaces to support their growth. Beyond providing physical spaces, our expanding programs to support entrepreneurs, future workers, and the community enhance our role as more than just a physical location. This holistic approach positions us for continued innovation and growth in the industry.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? I would like for the innovation districts in our region to get even better at collaborating to lift up the region. Though we do a pretty good job doing this today, getting even better would be transformative.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? The toughest business challenge we’ve had to overcome, excluding the pandemic, has been navigating the drastic changes in the real estate market post-pandemic. The heightened aversion to risk has made it significantly more difficult to develop new projects and secure tenants for our buildings. This increased cautiousness among investors and companies has required us to adopt more innovative and strategic approaches to ensure our developments are not only viable but also appealing in a more risk-averse environment. Despite these challenges, we have successfully adapted, continuing to grow and support our community’s needs.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? Over my career, I have been lucky to have a host of mentors in the community. Today, my go-to person for advice is my board chair June Fowler.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? Dr. Danforth told me more than 20 years ago to always focus on impacts more than activities and outputs.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? Penny Pennington and Bob Olwig. Because they are two of the smartest, most generous, mission-focused people that I know.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis and why? Neal Richardson, who runs the St. Louis Development Corporation. I’m not sure that he is in the category of “business” leader, but he runs a complex enterprise that is vital to St. Louis’ success. Neal is one of the brightest, hardest working, good people out there. His passion is working to make St. Louis better.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? I think that we can be too Midwest humble. We have great things to boast about so lets get the word out.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Madison, Wisconsin
What was your childhood aspiration? I wanted to play college football.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Sears loading dock. Never try to load a slate pool table onto the top of a VW Beetle, no matter how much the owner of the car insists that it will be fine.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? I hold an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin and a masters degree in public affairs from the University of Texas.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? Helping to launch a startup company. Because I like building things.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? Brasserie by Niche. I’ve tried most things on their menu and loved it all.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? Being a background actor in a movie.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? I love the book People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
What’s your hobby/passion? I like reading novels.
What is your most prized possession? A blaze orange1980 Schwinn Superior road bike.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I don’t like spiders and snakes.
What is your go-to karaoke song? “Bohemian Rhapsody”
