The St. Louis Business 500 highlights some of the metro area’s most impactful, innovative, and inspirational leaders, from C-suite executives to under-the-radar entrepreneurs across an array of industries.
Beyond the brief bios below, we created a questionnaire to shed light on some of these leaders’ achievements, aspirations, and interests beyond the office. Click “Read More” for more interesting insights from some of St. Louis’ top business leaders.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MARIE-HÉLÈNE BERNARD
PRESIDENT AND CEO, ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A Québec native, Bernard has wholeheartedly adopted St. Louis as her home and believes in its potential as a center for culture. The newly renovated Powell Hall and adjoining Jack C. Taylor Music Center exemplify that potential, bringing even more opportunities for St. Louis Symphony Orchestra programming to reach the community. Says Bernard, “Our entire cultural platform is one of the strongest in America, and we look forward to welcoming many to Powell Hall at the newly created Jack C. Taylor Music Center.” [Read More]
KWOFE COLEMAN
PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE MUNY
Since beginning his Muny journey as a 16-year-old usher, Coleman has steadily risen through roles from staff accountant to managing director to president and CEO in 2022. In 2025 the iconic institution won the Regional Theatre Tony Award for its artistic excellence and commitment to accessibility. In 2024, The Muny revived its live concert tradition and continues to deepen its civic and educational programming across the region.
VANESSA COOKSEY
PRESIDENT AND CEO, REGIONAL ARTS COMMISSION
Cooksey recently celebrated 40 years of the Regional Arts Commission’s work supporting St. Louis’ creative community—and if that party was any indication, things are only looking up. Where does Cooksey find the energy and inspiration to keep all the plates spinning as she leads one of the metro area’s most important resources? In the arts, of course. “Experiencing the creativity of others always gives me a welcome boost or much-needed inspiration,” she says. [Read More]
KIRVEN DOUTHIT-BOYD
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAINT LOUIS DANCE THEATRE
Since reintroducing the organization as Saint Louis Dance Theatre, Douthit-Boyd has shaped its next chapter with new collaborations and community-driven performances that extend the company’s reach beyond the stage. He believes that sustaining the arts begins early. “Art is ever evolving, so the approach to cultivating support is always shifting,” he says. Under his leadership, STLDT has formed partnerships with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Jazz St. Louis, and is the first St. Louis company to present work from celebrated choreographers such as Jiří Kylián and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. [Read More]
CHRIS HANSEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KRANZBERG ARTS FOUNDATION
Under Hansen’s leadership, KAF continues to strengthen St. Louis’ creative infrastructure through property development and cultural programming. Recent projects include The Key: Burger Bar & Boogie, a new Olive Street venue that KAF hopes will help enliven Midtown. The foundation also provided space for Logic Systems’ recent relocation to Downtown West, which expands access to professional production facilities.
RON HIMES
FOUNDER AND PRODUCING DIRECTOR, THE BLACK REP
As The Black Rep nears its 50th anniversary, Himes continues to mold its legacy, with a particular emphasis on building opportunities and telling bold stories. Since founding the platform in 1976, he has produced and directed hundreds of plays. Still, he suggests the industry must continue to rethink access: “Improving representation on- and backstage in the theater industry, and fostering a community culture of support and mentorship, should be important objectives for theater stakeholders,” he says. [Read More]
ANDREW JORGENSEN
GENERAL DIRECTOR, OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS
OTSL recently completed its 50th festival season—no small feat for any arts institution, let alone one devoted to a form of theater that’s sometimes misunderstood as a bit stuffy. With Jorgensen at the helm, things at OTSL are on the upswing: exciting works are on the schedule, and plans for a new home are underway. Jorgensen credits the whole crew for its success: “It truly takes a village to make opera, and most of our team’s contributions don’t happen onstage. I am constantly awed by the dedication, creativity, and brilliance of our ensemble—our community is just so enriched by their contributions.” [Read More]
MIN JUNG-KIM
BARBARA B. TAYLOR DIRECTOR, SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM
As the museum’s first woman director, Jung-Kim has advanced purposeful shifts in its curatorial vision and community connection. Last summer, she hosted more than 100 museum leaders from across North America, spotlighting St. Louis as a cultural hub. SLAM continues to expand its partnerships and programming initiatives, such as last September’s Advancing Change summit, which focused on mentorship of emerging museum professionals.
ANDREW KUHLMAN
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, STAGES ST. LOUIS
Stages is coming into its own as a home for exciting new theater performances. This season, the company presented its second pre-Broadway production, Austen’s Pride. “To be chosen as the home of the launch for Austen’s Pride is a true honor that shines a national spotlight on the St. Louis arts community while proving that St. Louis can serve as a crossroads for Broadway and regional theater,” Kuhlman says. Beyond its mainstage productions, the Kirkwood-based company also helps develop next-generation talent through its Performing Arts Academy. [Read More]
BREE MANISCALCO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CINEMA ST. LOUIS
Cinema St. Louis’ programming continues to chart new courses under Maniscalco, who has led CSL and its marquee event, the St. Louis International Film Festival, since 2022. As executive director, Maniscalco helped guide the acquisition of the Hi-Pointe Theatre as a permanent home for CSL’s operations and screenings and expand the organization’s programming. The historic home base encompasses what Maniscalco loves about film and sharing it with St. Louis. “What I love most about this work [is] bringing people together to experience movies the way they were meant to be seen, and watching generations share that joy in the Hi-Pointe Theatre,” she says.
JAMES MCANALLY
EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, COUNTERPUBLIC
McAnally envisions a bold future for the St. Louis region’s arts scene—one that will come to life in September, when Counterpublic kicks off three months of programming. “We’re excited to see the cultural community come together for three months, welcome visitors from around the world, and celebrate the futures of our region through a global lens,” McAnally says. “Art is a way to envision these futures, and Counterpublic 2026 will be a beacon for the transformations we hope to see here—and believe we are already seeing emerge.” [Read More]
LISA MELANDRI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM ST. LOUIS
Melandri is shining a light on regional and international artists in one of the city’s most exciting art spaces. She considers this a hopeful time for St. Louis, and says the next generation of local leaders needs to “recognize how many good things there are in this city, particularly from my viewpoint in terms of arts, culture, and livability.” [Read More]
TOM RIDGELY
PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, ST. LOUIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Ridgely keeps pushing theatrical boundaries, most recently by guiding St. Louis Shakespeare Festival through its 25th season with bold collaborations, such as Romeo & Zooliet, a puppetry-rich adaptation staged at the Saint Louis Zoo. Ridgely believes the arts industry is eager to reward innovation. “If you can offer something new, different, and special, then people will get excited about it,” he says. “It’s forcing the arts sector to grow and adapt, to listen more carefully. And also to hold itself to an even higher standard for what it puts out there.” [Read More]
LAUREN ROSS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LAUMEIER SCULPTURE PARK
Even amid budget challenges and broader instability in the arts, Ross is keeping Laumeier moving forward and focused on the future. This year, the park celebrates 50 years as a stalwart of the region’s arts scene—a scene that Ross says deserves more recognition. “In general, I think arts and culture is somewhat taken for granted in St. Louis,” she says. “The offerings here are incredibly high quality and impactful, and yet our sector doesn’t get the credit it deserves for its contributions to quality of life, education, and economic improvement.” [Read More]
STEVEN F. SCHANKMAN
PRESIDENT, CONTEMPORARY PRODUCTIONS
Schankman has been producing shows in St. Louis and beyond for six decades, and he’s had a hand in developing venues across the metro area, from The Pageant to The Factory. “Music is St. Louis,” Schankman told SLM this past spring. “We are a music town. The brand is music.” His most recent contribution to the local music landscape is Evolution Festival, which is on pause for 2026.
CARA STARKE
DIRECTOR, PULITZER ARTS FOUNDATION
In her role at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, a museum devoted to presenting historical and contemporary works of art within a global context, Starke is responsible for overseeing a space where visual and performing arts dovetail. Her recipe for success begins with a strong team. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by thoughtful, creative people who inspire me every day,” Starke says. “Surround yourself with people who challenge and energize you.” [Read More]
DAVID STEWARD II
FOUNDER, LION FORGE ENTERTAINMENT
As the Oscar-winning founder of Lion Forge Entertainment, Steward heads a studio dedicated to championing diverse stories and producing top-tier programming for families and young-adult audiences. With each new project, Steward hopes to inspire creativity in younger generations. “It’s one thing to have [kids] inspired by characters on the show,” Steward told SLM following a preview of fantasy adventure cartoon Iyanu at City Academy. “But it’s another thing to get them inspired, to want to create themselves and come into the industry.” In addition to Iyanu, Lion Forge’s projects have included such titles as Hair Love, Drawn In, and Disney Junior’s Rise Up, Sing Out.
DANNY WILLIAMS
MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS
Williams has helped steer The Rep through uncertain times, gaining victories in its successful Rally for The Rep campaign and in its search for new leadership—artistic director Kate Bergstrom was hired in 2024. Now four years into his tenure, Williams is both a familiar face and a trusted collaborator. “I’ve been fortunate to build a strong network of colleagues in different sectors of our community,” he says. “Although we have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, great things happen when we collaborate to address immediate and long-term challenges.” [Read More]
CHEFS & RESTAURATEURS
NATASHA BAHRAMI
OWNER, THE GIN ROOM AND GINWORLD
Two decades ago, Bahrami had a cocktail that changed her life: a gin martini, perfectly made by a seasoned bartender, that opened her eyes to the botanical spirit’s stunning beauty. Now she stands atop an international brand, Ginworld; runs the James Beard Award–nominated bar The Gin Room, which recently welcomed back Bahrami’s mother, Hamishe, to oversee culinary operations; and humbly celebrates her place in the World Gin Hall of Fame. Bahrami credits her success to the fierce support of the St. Louis community behind her. “Passionately believe in your goals and engage the community surrounding you,” Bahrami says. “When supported by your community, you can accomplish anything. It will be difficult; keep focused.” [Read More]
BRANT BALDANZA
CO-OWNER, OG HOSPITALITY GROUP
With nine locations of The Shack, three of The Corner Pub & Grill, and The Tavern Kitchen & Bar, Baldanza appears the picture of success. Yet it all began with a flop: The Shack’s original concept—a nighttime restaurant on SLU’s campus—was, as he says, “a disaster.” Rather than quit, he and his team pivoted to breakfast and lunch. “We learned to not give excuses to fail but find it as a reason to succeed,” Baldanza says. [Read More]
NICK BOGNAR
CHEF AND OWNER, INDO/SADO/PAVILION
As a kid, Bognar spent hours folding crab rangoon at his parents’ restaurant, Nippon Tei, never imagining he’d someday reinvent it—and redefine the sushi experience in St. Louis. Today, Indo and Sado are recognized among the region’s best restaurants, earning James Beard Award nominations and national acclaim. After returning home from stints in Dallas and Cincinnati, Bognar’s vision was a gamble. But he forged ahead. “Believe in yourself, and bet on your ideas,” he says. “If you’ve got a good concept, don’t compromise—find a way to make it happen.” [Read More]
FRED BURMER
CEO, LION’S CHOICE
Growing up in Cape Canaveral, Florida, during the height of the U.S. space program, Burmer learned to dream big. That mindset carried him from a part-time college job at Pizza Hut to an executive role with its parent company, where he helped turn around underperforming stores and rebuild company culture. Now leading Lion’s Choice, he envisions growing the beloved local chain into a vibrant national brand. “St. Louis has a deep respect for legacy brands while staying open to innovation,” he says. “That mix has made it the perfect place to refresh Lion’s Choice while honoring what people already love about it.” [Read More]
GERARD CRAFT
CEO/CHIEF FLAVOR OFFICER, NICHE FOOD GROUP/ENERGIZER PARK
Craft’s best advice for young entrepreneurs? “Grit and determination will get you far,” he says. Those traits have defined his two-decade run in the local food scene; his genre-defining Niche pushed area diners to rethink what “fine dining” means. Craft’s vision earned him a James Beard Award and lasting influence, but his efforts to highlight the importance of mental health for hospitality workers set him apart. [Read More]
DANNI EICKENHORST
CEO, HUSTL HOSPITALITY GROUP
Those who know Eickenhorst affectionately call her “St. Louis’ Cruise Director,” a nickname she earned not just for her enduring positivity but for her expansive view of leadership. Along the way she’s used her platform to build the region’s reputation, to support recovery efforts after last spring’s tornado, and to advocate for small businesses. “Be a helper and lead with heart,” Eickenhorst says. “Our city thrives when its people of influence are willing to lend their influence, their time, and their passion to uplifting our region as a whole. Don’t just focus on your own success; see it as a platform to contribute to the collective good.” [Read More]
MICHAEL AND TARA GALLINA
CO-OWNERS, TAKE ROOT HOSPITALITY
Even before arriving in town and opening their James Beard-nominated restaurant, Vicia, the Gallinas were struck by the support they found in St. Louis. Local chefs and restaurateurs — competitors in most cities — welcomed them, understanding that success lifts everyone. That ethos powers their restaurant group, Take Root, where staff success makes the collective stronger. Although their food and beverage programs have earned national recognition, the Gallinas’ true legacy lies in fostering a more connected, compassionate restaurant culture. [Read More]
MIKE JOHNSON
CO-OWNER, SUGARFIRE SMOKEHOUSE/ HI-POINTE DRIVE-IN/THE BOATHOUSE
Johnson has helped make St. Louis a destination for creative, approachable comfort food. Yet even for one of the region’s most successful restaurateurs, the industry’s rising costs have posed a major challenge. “It used to be affordable to make food for people, but now it’s just so expensive,” Johnson says. “It’s hard to be a fair employer and keep prices friendly for consumers. But that’s just how it goes, and we make it work.” [Read More]
TAMARA KEEFE
CEO, CLEMENTINE’S ICE CREAM
If Keefe had waited for the so-called “right time” to leave her corporate career and open a neighborhood scoop shop, the world might never have known the joys of Clementine’s. Instead, she took the leap and has built one of St. Louis’ most successful brands — now with multiple locations and national recognition. “Don’t wait for perfect conditions,” says Keefe, who was named Missouri’s Small Business Person of the Year in 2025. “So many great ideas never see the light of day because people are waiting for more time, more money, or more confidence. The truth is, clarity and courage come from doing. [Read More]
KATIE LEE
FOUNDER, KATIE’S
Last year, Katie’s reached a milestone deal to stock its frozen pizzas, pastas, and sauces in every Target store nationwide. Scaling up to meet that demand has been a herculean effort; Lee only began making frozen pizzas to keep her restaurant staff employed during the pandemic. Even more impressive, she and her team built that line while running multiple restaurants. “I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be a national, iconic brand in the near future and be able to do that through handcrafting, sourcing really good ingredients, telling a good story, and being super transparent,” Lee says. [Read More]
MATT MCGUIRE
OWNER, LOUIE/WRIGHT’S TAVERN/BOX HILL GROCER
Ask anyone in the St. Louis dining scene who most embodies hospitality, and McGuire’s name will come up fast. Since first making his mark with the iconic King Louie’s three decades ago, McGuire has set the standard for fine dining in the region. He helped run legendary spots like Monarch and Niche before opening the wildly popular Wright’s Tavern and Louie, which recently received a James Beard Award nomination for hospitality. After opening the popular gourmet food shop Box Hill Grocer in Clayton in 2024, McGuire plans to open Gigi, a casual, all-day café across the street later this year.
LORYN NALIC
CHEF AND OWNER, BALKAN TREAT BOX/TELVA AT THE RIDGE
When Nalic learned she’d been named a James Beard Award finalist in the Best Chef: Midwest category, she was surrounded by the people who made it possible: her family. Alongside her husband and business partner, Edo, Nalic has helped spotlight the beauty of Bosnian cuisine, now an essential part of St. Louis’ food culture — one that’s showcased expertly at Balkan Treat Box and Telva at the Ridge.
KEVIN NASHAN
CHEF AND OWNER, SIDNEY STREET CAFE/PEACEMAKER LOBSTER & CRAB CO.
Nashan’s restaurants are so successful now, it’s difficult to imagine that their success was ever in doubt. When he first took over Sidney Street Café, longtime patrons resisted change. But Nashan honored its legacy while transforming it into a James Beard Award–winning powerhouse. Peacemaker, meanwhile, almost didn’t get off the ground after a bank denied funding. “Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we scraped up enough money and got creative, so we could make our dream come true,” he says. [Read More]
TONY PIETOSO
FOUNDER, NAPOLI
Pietoso’s restaurants have rapidly expanded in recent years. Café Napoli’s founder has grown the family-run brand into six establishments across the region, with locations in Clayton, Chesterfield, St. Charles, and Kirkwood. Before immigrating to the United States, Pietoso spent part of his youth in Italian orphanages. Today, Tony runs the businesses alongside his sons, Kyle and Ande.
BEN POREMBA
OWNER, BENGELINA HOSPITALITY
When the tornado tore through the Delmar Maker District in May 2025, it left behind a trail of damage that included several of Poremba’s acclaimed restaurants, including Esca, Florentin, and Nixta. All three have since reopened. The storm tested every part of Poremba’s operation, and he responded by supporting his staff and moving quickly to pick up the pieces. Today, he’s focused on getting back to what he loves most—creating spaces and moments where food, art, and community intersect. [Read More]
SHAYN PRAPAISILP
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, GLOBAL FOODS GROUP
Since opening Jay International Food Co. on South Grand in 1974—followed by St. Louis’ first Thai restaurant, The King and I— the Prapaisilp family has been a cornerstone of the region’s dining scene. Shayn, son of founders Suchin and Sue Prapaisilp, now leads operations, which includes three restaurants and three international grocery stores. “When I’m having a particularly rough day at work, I think about my parents’ immigration story and how they raised their family and built a business that’s meant so much to the St. Louis community,” he says. [Read More]
JASON AND ADAM TILFORD
CO-OWNERS, SESSION TACO/LAPEZ MOD MEX
Having closed two of its five Session Taco locations, Jason and Adam Tilford are undertaking a brand reset. By shutting down the newer, larger suburban locations, the company plans to regroup and refocus on its restaurants in the Delmar Loop, Soulard, Streets of St. Charles, along with its promising Lapez Mod Mex concept in the Central West End. In 2026, the strategy is to focus on those entertainment-centric neighborhoods and revive the bar-first, high-energy spirit that originally shaped the brand.
QUI TRAN
OWNER, MAI LEE/NUDO HOUSE
Tran grew up immersed in the St. Louis dining scene, helping his family build Mai Lee—now widely recognized as the city’s first Vietnamese restaurant—into a local institution. Decades later, he’s not only expanded that legacy with the popular ramen brand Nudo House, but has also become one of St. Louis’ most vocal advocates in the national culinary conversation.
SPORTS
JEFF JACKSON
COMMISSIONER, MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE
Jackson’s responsibilities grew in 2025, when the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Summit League forged a partnership, adopting a new governance model with the St. Louis–based Missouri Valley Conference. The change unified the leagues’ oversight and placed Jackson in charge of football operations, in addition to the MVC’s broader athletic portfolio. The move reflects a desire to streamline administration and reinforce stability at a time of constant realignment in college sports.
BILL DEWITT III
PRESIDENT, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
The Cardinals are gearing up for the 2026 season—their first since legalized sports betting went live in Missouri late last year. A year ago, the franchise signed a multiyear partnership with bet365, now its official mobile sports betting partner. DeWitt was among the state’s most consistent and vocal advocates for legalization ahead of voters’ approval of Amendment 2 in November 2024. On the field, the team is entering its first season with a new face of baseball operations: Chaim Bloom replaces John Mozeliak as the architect of the Cardinals’ latest chapter.
CURTIS FRANCOIS
OWNER AND CEO, WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY
Thanks to Francois’ leadership, World Wide Technology Raceway continues to help the St. Louis region build a track record as a national motorsports destination. The 1.25-mile track will host the second race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on September 13, marking its fifth consecutive year on the Cup’s schedule. The weekend also features the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series regular-season finale, underscoring Francois’ success in positioning the Metro East venue as a home for some of NASCAR’s premier events.
CAROLYN KINDLE
CEO, ST. LOUIS CITY SC
Although CITY’s past two seasons fell short of expectations, 2026 brings renewed optimism. The club is reinvesting in its roster, extending captain Roman Bürki’s contract through 2027, with an additional team option year. CITY also revamped its front office, hiring veteran MLS executive Corey Wray as its new sporting director. In early 2026, the club helped St. Louis land early-round games in the 2028 Olympic soccer tournament. Kindle continues to branch out in the St. Louis sports scene. Last year, she purchased a minority stake in the St. Louis Blues from her uncle, Andy Taylor.
MARC SCHREIBER
PRESIDENT, ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION
It takes a year-round effort to maintain St. Louis’ reputation as one of the country’s best sports towns. Schreiber and his team have consistently delivered marquee national events, from January’s U.S. Figure Skating Champion.ships to March Madness, both at The Enterprise Center. The Sports Commission is also bidding on the 2031 Women’s World Cup and the 2032 NCAA Women’s Final Four. Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the Musial Awards, a homegrown event that’s now broadcast annually on CBS. “[It’s] putting St. Louis on the map as the home of sportsmanship in America,” he says. “That’s a pretty good thing for our community to be known for.” [Read More]
CHRIS ZIMMERMAN
PRESIDENT AND CEO, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Zimmerman and his organization enjoyed a busy—and successful—2025, marked by a return to the NHL playoffs, a well-received brand makeover, and a standout hosting of the NCAA Frozen Four Division I championship. The event brought thousands of college hockey fans to St. Louis and generated a $20.5 million economic impact. That includes approximately $600,000 in combined sales tax revenue for the city and state. Zimmerman calls the tournament “one of the best executed Frozen Fours in history.” [Read More]
See full 2026 St. Louis Business 500 list
Editor’s note: A previous version of this post misstated the timing of Cinema St. Louis’ use of the Hi-Pointe Theatre. SLM regrets the error.
