Mazur & Co. is coming off a year to celebrate, complete with a rebrand and an office expansion, with staff now based in Missouri and Washington, D.C. The women-founded, – owned, and -led strategic consulting and communications team also helped with St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer’s transition into office last spring. “I believe human-centered, relationship-based approaches are about to have a major moment across all industries both as a reaction against—and an adaptation to—automation and AI,” Mazur says. “I think it will be incredibly exciting to see how technology enables more opportunities for us to lean into our humanity and create personal connection.”
Keep up with local business news and trends
Subscribe to the St. Louis Business newsletter to get the latest insights sent to your inbox every morning.
2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the past 12 months? Balancing change with continuity. Over the past year, we completed an ownership transition, rebranded the firm as Mazur & Co., and expanded both our team and our reach—with staff now based across Missouri and in Washington, DC. We held our first all-staff retreat (at the St. Louis Zoo!), retained longtime client partnerships, and took on exciting new projects, including supporting Mayor Cara Spencer’s transition into office. Navigating all of this while staying grounded in our values is a testament to the strong foundation built by our founder, Peggy Lents—and to the resilience, creativity, and dedication of our team.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? I believe human-centered, relationship-based approaches are about to have a major moment across all industries both as a reaction against—and an adaptation to—automation and AI. I think it will be incredibly exciting to see how technology enables more opportunities for us to lean into our humanity and create personal connection. At Mazur & Co, we’re aligning our strengths with where we can make the greatest impact-building a diverse, neuroinclusive, hybrid team that’s constantly learning and improving. We’re excited about running a firm that’s not just a well-oiled machine, but also a place where people love to work, clients feel deeply supported, and we’re thriving both in mission and sustainability. It’s a dynamic time, and we’re evolving in ways that feel both energizing and meaningful.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? The scarcity mindset. We believe there’s more than enough good work to go around – and we regularly refer clients to other firms or trusted partners when it’s the right fit. The professional services industry would be stronger if more people led with collaboration over competition.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? We took on a client engagement where the scope was far too broad for the budget. We knew this and said yes because we believed in the mission and wanted to help, but ultimately, the lack of clarity, combined with unresponsiveness from the client, made it difficult to deliver and measure success, strained our team, and left us stretched too thin. It was a tough but necessary lesson: Good intentions aren’t a substitute for clear expectations. Since then, we’ve tried to be more disciplined in defining scope before we say yes and setting projects up for shared success from Day 1.
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Relationships matter. Connect with people. Listen. Collaborate. Live in abundance, rather than scarcity. Lead by serving others. Think big!
MENTORS & PEERS
What is a key strength of the St. Louis metro area business environment? St. Louis offers an incredible mix of affordability, geographic advantage, and world-class institutions. Being in the middle of the country makes it easy to do business nationally, while the cost of living allows organizations to stretch resources further. Plus, we’re anchored by top-tier healthcare, research, and cultural institutions that punch well above our weight.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment? I’d love to see more intentional collaboration that opens up space for the next generation to lead. St. Louis is home to incredibly passionate, talented young people—and we should be listening to them, learning from them, and creating real opportunities for them to shape what comes next. The more we create space for honest dialogue, shared leadership, and leadership pipelines, the stronger—and more innovative—our region will be.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis? I can’t choose just one!
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? Our entire team at Mazur & Co. They are smart, scrappy, strategic, and full of heart. And fun! Whether it’s behind-the-scenes policy strategy, integrated communications wizardry, or leading community engagement, our team is doing mission-critical work that helps our clients make meaningful impact.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? The St. Louis Film Office, a division of Explore St. Louis, is quietly making a big impact—supporting more than 50 productions since the most recent Missouri Motion Media Tax Incentive passed, bringing in $12 million in spending, $6 million in local wages, and thousands of hotel room nights. It’s putting St. Louis on the map as a serious, cost-effective filming destination. As a team of performing arts lovers—one of us even studied film in college—and big fans of movies, we love seeing the Film Office rolling out the red carpet to grow creative opportunities, jobs, and storytelling power in St. Louis.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? St. Louis
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? BA in Communication, University of Missouri-Columbia; MA in Political Management, The George Washington University
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was working as a legislative aide in the Washington, DC., office of Congressman Ike Skelton (MO-04). He was a tremendous leader, a true statesman, and his team was wonderful. I learned so much about public service, government, leadership, and the power of relationships. It changed my life!
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What’s your hobby/passion? I’m passionate about connecting people with opportunity—whether that’s mentoring someone through a career transition, helping a leader find the right board or civic role, or introducing two people who just “need” to know each other. I genuinely love seeing others succeed. That passion is what inspired me to start HiredUpMissouri, help launch LeadMO, and why I’m so energized by our work with clients like The DeBruce Foundation.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? I’d recommend both a book and a podcast—because together they’ve shaped how I think and lead. The book: Essentialism by Greg McKeown. It’s a powerful reminder that doing less—but doing it better—can be the most impactful path forward. It’s helped me (and my team) focus on what truly matters. The podcast: WorkLife with Adam Grant. Adam brings insight, heart, and humor to big questions about work, leadership, and human behavior. It’s consistently smart, refreshing, and relevant… It’s my go-to listen on a walk.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? If I’m in the Mazur & Co. office, I’ll draw on my dry-erase wall. Or, if possible, I’ll take a walk around the block. If I’m at home, I’ll go and putter around in my little garden.
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? I’m a big fan of Jim Henson and the Muppets. There’s something about their mix of heart, irreverent humor, and creativity that’s always inspired me. I picked up the banjo during the pandemic (hat tip to Kermit), and I play other instruments, too. In fact, I minored in music. I don’t have time to play music in this season of life (running a business, raising kids, volunteering) and hope to pick up music again in the future.
