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.
See full 2026 St. Louis Business 500 list
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.
BOB CLARK
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, CLAYCO
Clark founded Clayco in 1984 and built it into one of the nation’s largest construction firms, with a workforce spanning the St. Louis region and beyond. A North County native, Clark is pleased with the impact of opening a new regional headquarters in Berkeley. After struggling for years to attract workers to the area, he says the company has recently seen an influx of people eager to work in St. Louis. “What we’re hearing from our employees now, across the country, is people want to come to St. Louis,” Clark told SLM. “Because it’s a great cost of living. You can have a big yard, you can have a dog.” Clark also devotes significant time to philanthropy, supporting education, children’s initiatives, and rare disease research through the Clark Family Foundation.
FLINT FOWLER
FORMER PRESIDENT, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER ST. LOUIS
When Fowler took the helm of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis in 1996, the organization operated from a single site on North Grand with a budget of $800,000. By the time he retired in 2024, it served more than 13,000 children and families each year across 11 clubs in Missouri and Illinois and had an $11 million budget. During his tenure, the organization grew its footprint, launched programs that strengthen academic success and workforce readiness, and merged with Mathews-Dickey and the Bethalto Club to better serve youth across the region.
MICHAEL HOLMES
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS, RX OUTREACH
After a distinguished corporate career leading human resources and strategic operations at Edward Jones and Express Scripts, Holmes sought a deeper purpose. A moment of prayer inspired him to create Rx Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to making prescription medications accessible to those in need. Since its founding in 2010, the organization has helped more than half a million patients nationwide, saving them over $1 billion while advancing health equity and compassion in action.
DAVID KEMPER
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, COMMERCE BANCSHARES INC.
A steady presence in St. Louis’ business landscape for more than four decades, Kemper is candid about the ideas he believes will guide the region forward. “The key to our region’s future health is our ability to attract smart, ambitious young people,” he says. “We need to continue promoting St. Louis’ many strengths as a great place to live, work, and do business.” Kemper supports efforts that strengthen regional resilience, such as the St. Louis Mosaic Project, International Institute, and the Missouri Historical Society. [Read More]
MICHAEL KENNEDY SR.
FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, KAI ENTERPRISES
Kennedy is one of Missouri’s first Black architects: He turned a childhood fascination with construction into a groundbreaking career. In 1980, he founded KAI Design & Build from his home office and grew it into a leading design and construction firm. His projects, including schools, civic centers, and public spaces, have revolutionized St. Louis, while his journey and achievements serve as a lasting inspiration for young African American professionals pursuing careers in architecture and beyond.
CECILIA NADAL
FOUNDER, CROSS-CULTURAL STRATEGIES INC.
For more than two decades, Nadal has used the arts as a bridge between cultures. As founder and artistic director of Gitana Productions, she brought St. Louis communities together through theater, music, and dance that celebrated shared humanity. Today, Nadal channels that same mission into projects focused on cross-cultural engagement, audience diversity, and community empowerment. She continues to write, teach, and speak about how creativity can drive social connection and change.
BOB O’LOUGHLIN
CHAIRMAN AND CEO, LODGING HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Since founding Lodging Hospitality Management in 1986, O’Loughlin has built one of the Midwest’s leading privately held hotel management and development companies. Under his leadership, LHM has managed more than 50 properties nationwide and played a central role in transforming St. Louis landmarks such as Union Station and Westport Plaza into premier hospitality and entertainment destinations. A longtime civic leader, O’Loughlin serves on numerous tourism boards and, in 2022, received Explore St. Louis’ highest honor—the Heart of St. Louis Award—for his contributions to the region’s tourism and economic vitality.
SUCHIN AND SUE PRAPAISILP
CO-OWNERS, STJ GROUP HOLDINGS
In 1983, the Prapaisilps opened King & I, introducing St. Louis to Thai cuisine. Over decades, they’ve expanded a family of restaurants and international grocery stores that bring global flavors to local communities. They further support St. Louis’ Thai community as members of a temple in Florissant that hosts an annual Thai New Year’s celebration. Their advice to young entrepreneurs: “Look for opportunities—not just in the flashy sectors—but in areas that are underserved and steady.” [Read More]
SUSAN SHERMAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIR EMERITUS, SAINT LOUIS FASHION FUND
You can’t discuss St. Louis fashion without mentioning Sherman. As chair emeritus and co-founder of the Saint Louis Fashion Fund, she has spent her career reviving the Garment District, championing emerging designers, and mentoring the next generation of talent. SLFF is now the leading advocate for the region’s $7.7 billion fashion industry. Sherman also co-founded MERCH, an experiential retail concept that has brought global brands such as Khaite, Proenza Schouler, and Mansur Gavriel to St. Louis consumers.
MARY STRAUSS
FOX THEATRE
Strauss has defined St. Louis’ performing arts scene. As co-owner of the Fox Theatre, she led the painstaking restoration that returned the landmark to its 1929 splendor—refurbishing all 4,500 seats, re-creating 7,300 yards of elephant-patterned carpet, reproducing missing art glass, and repairing the 2,000-pound chandelier. Since reopening, the theater has welcomed more than 6,300 performances. A Tony-winning producer and arts advocate, Strauss also helped establish Grand Center, and she champions youth arts programs across the city.
JO ANN TAYLOR KINDLE
CHAIRPERSON, ENTERPRISE MOBILITY FOUNDATION
The Enterprise Mobility Foundation has given more than $500 million to nonprofits supporting community, education, and environmental initiatives. Practically raised in her family’s company, Kindle formally joined Enterprise in 1974 and returned in 1994 to grow the foundation. She manages the Taylor family’s philanthropic work and lends her expertise to boards including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Blues for Kids. Inspired by her father, Jack Taylor—a visionary philanthropist who promoted education, culture, and community—she often calls upon his guiding principle: “One of my favorite things he used to say was, ‘It costs nothing to be kind.’ That became his motto, and I try to carry this message forward in everything I do.” [Read More]
SUSAN TRAUTMAN
FORMER CEO, GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY
Over 15 years, Trautman has created 135 miles of trails, parks, and conservation spaces that connect communities and give residents places to gather, explore, and reflect. She often turns to the greenways themselves, hiking or biking the paths she helped build, to consider challenges and decisions. That reflection informs her leadership. “Always do what is right,” she says.
