Betsy Cohen’s task is a big one: She’s looking to reverse the city’s population loss, the scourge of the region for the better part of a century. Growing the number of St. Louisans is a two-way street, she says. It’s crucial to educate new Americans about why St. Louis is an appealing place not only to go to university but also to live, work, and build a family. At the same time, local employers need to be educated about how to hire internationally. (Note: In early 2025, Cohen joined the national consultancy FutureGood as a philanthropic futurist, and Suzanne Sierra was named executive director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project.)
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your or your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months? Growth plans to support and attract more global talent and New Americans through international students, companies, Indian Support Plans, and STL Para Ti (St. Louis for You in Spanish).
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? We see growth in the region for global talent and new Americans. Companies and sports teams are bringing new talent from around the work, and our universities have increased their number of international students we can connect to career opportunities.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? Educating employers on how to hire international students, especially the over 50 percent in STEM fields who can stay on their student F visa for three years and be terrific employees.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? Always sharing the benefits of global talent in our region for our workforce, at all skill levels and all ethnicities. We have work-authorized people here and across the USA who would move here for good jobs.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? Forums in St. Louis educate me on local conditions, and national groups like Welcoming America keep me sharp on the specifics of our international community advice.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? I have a range of sounding boards for the work I do, including Tim Nowak, Bob Fox, Anna Crosslin, Arrey Obenson, Gilberto Pinela, and Yemi Akande-Bartsch.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? Always take the honorable and long-term actions for success across your collaborators.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? Bob Clark, as he has a local/national/international view of how our region can do better, plus I read his personal philosophy blog. And Maxine Clark, as she always inspires me to make a bigger impact.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis and why? Emily Hemingway due to her technical smarts, her vision that comes from working outside St. Louis and from within, her range of business skills, and mentoring ability.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? Develop a population stabilization and growth plan that is data-based, to retain/grow those we are losing, and adding newcomers both native-born and foreign-born.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Chicago, Illinois
What was your childhood aspiration? To live in France
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Marketing for Black & Decker power tools. I learned to step up in business in a male-dominated industry and hold my ground for business growth ideas.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? Wellesley College BA and the Harvard Business School MBA
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? Leveraging the knowledge from my platform and book, Welcome to the U.S.A.—You’re Hired! A Guide for Foreign-Born People Seeking Jobs, to a broader national and international audience.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? Nudo House. I love the beef pho.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? I visited Washington DC with a friend to see the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
What’s your hobby/passion? Opera, from Opera Theater of Saint Louis to the Metropolitan Opera’s high-definition simulcasts I attend with a group of friends at the Esquire Theater.
What is your most prized possession? Jewelry passed on to me from my mom
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I love Zumba and go every Saturday morning. It’s fun and gets the cardio going!
What is your go-to karaoke song? My husband is a Swiftie, so we sing all her songs in the car!
