ARTS
James Byard
Ron Himes
FOUNDER/PRODUCING DIRECTOR, THE BLACK REP
On what he wishes more people understood about the arts in St. Louis: “There are a lot of [former] audience [members] who are still hesitant about coming back out. We have spent a lot of time and energy trying to make it as safe and comfortable as possible for people to return to the theater. That’s one of the things I wish people would understand—it’s time to come back out.”
On other leaders he looks to: “I’m anxious to see what new leadership at Jazz at the Bistro is going to bring to the community. They’ve got a new CEO, and I know that Keyon Harrold has been doing great work there consulting. I’m really excited about his work, what he’s doing, how he’s stretching out, and the rich projects coming forward.”
On a local artist to watch: “Right now I’m working with the Davis boys, Cameron Davis and Olajuwon Davis, who are doing really wonderful work.”
On what to listen to while working: “Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. And when I need a pick me up, it’s always Stevie Wonder.”
Andrew Jorgensen
GENERAL DIRECTOR, OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS
On the St. Louis arts community: “Someone once said to me, per capita, St. Louis might just be the most culturally or artistically dense city in the country. I don’t know if I can quantify it, but I have certainly found that to be true.”
On a change he’d like to see: “As we come back from [the pandemic], there’s an extraordinary opportunity to connect with the community again. I want reach deeper into the community, getting out of the spaces where we’ve always been and always been comfortable in—that we work harder to make sure that people believe opera is a vibrant, 21st-century art form.”
On a local artist to watch: “There’s a young soprano named Angel Riley who got her start as a singer with Opera Theatre of St. Louis and was one of our Young Artists. She is, I think, at the beginning of a really exciting career in opera.”
On where to find him on a Friday night: “If my husband has his way, we’re probably at Peacemaker having lobster, or another fantastic restaurant experiencing the food scene. If I have my way, we are probably at Powell Hall, at The Fox, or at Jazz at the Bistro hearing different music than the music we make at Opera Theatre.”
FACT & FICTION
Sarah Kendzior, author: The work of this New York Times bestselling writer explores topics such as gentrification, corruption, and bias. Her latest work, They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent explores how a lack of accountability has allowed conspiracies to thrive.
Matt Seidel
Hana Sharif
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS
On the St. Louis arts community: “As we’ve navigated the reemergence from COVID, there’s been a lot of interdependence, a lot of sharing of best practices, a sense that our boats rise and fall together. And that sense of being part of one community that’s really invested in and interested in everyone’s success, I think is actually quite rare. It’s one of the profoundly moving parts of being an arts leader in the city.”
On other leaders she looks to: “I feel very fortunate to be part of a class of new leaders. There’s been a major evolution of a generational leadership shift in the American theater in the last five to eight years. In the fight to reopen, the fight to get federal relief, the fight to support artists during [the pandemic], I cannot tell you how inspired I was by my peers across the country.”
On a change she’d like to see: “A thing that I'd love to see continue to expand is for The Rep to be really actively engaged in collaborations and partnerships with other organizations. I think that there's some real magic that can come from the collaborations of partnerships.”
On a local artist to watch: “One of the first to come to mind is Kirven Douthit-Boyd, who is a phenomenal choreographer and now the new artistic director at Big Muddy. He is a force, I tell you. St. Louis is so lucky to have someone as talented as Kirven Douthit-Boyd in its reach. Truly one of the best choreographers I have ever experienced in my life.”
Marie-Hélène Bernard
PRESIDENT/CEO, ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
On a change she’d like to see: “From a cultural standpoint, in terms of arts organizations, I think we have one of the greatest cultural assets of any town. I really want the business community and people who are very deeply involved in the transformation of St. Louis to see arts and culture as an economic driver.”
On what she wishes people understood about the arts in St. Louis: “I think what I'd like people to know is there's so many institutions that offer so many different arts experiences, but also that participation and engagement is really, really important for us. People inspire art, people inspire music, and people inspire experiences.”
On what she’s listening to: “My car is my third office, and it’s my music box, and then I listen to everything. Right now I’m listening to Beyoncé’s Renaissance album quite a bit, just to understand it, and I love it. I’m a music omnivore, so I listen to everything from country to heavy metal to Beyoncé.”
Fashion + Design
Courtesy of Susan Sherman
Susan Sherman
A decade after co-founding the Saint Louis Fashion Fund, Susan Sherman remains a force on the fashion scene, helping bring high-tech knitting company Evolution to St. Louis, as well as a visit from fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg. After establishing Lusso as a retail staple in Clayton, owner Drea Ranek has now launched a line of officially licensed sports apparel. Likewise, Summersalt's Lori Coulter and Reshma Chattaram Chamberlin are generating big-league buzz for their swimwear line. Hannah and Dan Chancellor have taken climbing brand So iLL to new heights, collaborating with the likes of actor Jason Momoa. After already gaining a following for Procure's vendor marketplace, Christina Weaver and Tessa Corno of The Women’s Creative set up shop at City Foundry STL. Next door, Golden Gems expanded its footprint, after sisters Amanda Helman and Susan Logsdon recently moved the flagship store to Midtown. Nearby, Mother Model Management's Jeff and Mary Clarke continue to shine a light on rising talent. Farther south, Cherokee Street remains a hub of creativity, with fresh looks from Brandin Vaughn and the team at Profield Reserve. And more entrepreneurs are making waves with new endeavors, including Rungolee's Anjali Kamra and Lux and Nyx's Lisa Hu.
Joe Martinez
Min Jung Kim
DIRECTOR, SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM
On the St. Louis arts community: “We do not stand alone. We have among us extraordinary friends and colleagues that make up the rich cultural landscape that best represents St. Louis. I’m beginning to be able to paint a picture that really collectively represents an incredible consortium of partners and organizations that I have to say I had not fully appreciated until I arrived [in St. Louis last year].”
On a change she’d like to see: “I think the very thing that I would hope can be improved is something that we’re already dipping our toe in, and that’s communicating more, collaborating more, and potentially partnering more.”
On what she wishes more people understood about the arts in St. Louis: “We pretty much have everything here. You have great art, great music, great theater, great dance, great parks. We have everything. There is virtually not a single weekend that I haven’t been really excited to go out and visit and explore something or some place.”
Damon Davis
ARTIST
Davis’ largest and most prominent work to date, the Mill Creek Valley Monument, will be an essential part of the new Brickline Greenway. The series of pillars will honor the once-thriving Mill Creek Valley neighborhood and preserve the legacy of its 20,000-plus residents, who were displaced by the city in 1959. Davis, who is a musician and filmmaker in addition to a visual artist, says his work boils down to stories and problems. “I’m trying to solve problems, whether they be internal or external, and I’m trying to tell stories,” he says. “You start to think, Maybe if I look at the world in a different lens, I might have more control over changing it than I thought.”
Matt Marcinkowski
Vanessa Cooksey
PRESIDENT/CEO, REGIONAL ARTS COMMISSION
On what she wishes people understood about the arts in St. Louis: “What I’m calling ‘intratourism.’ If you live in North County, you have to make your way on down to South County. What creatives are doing in this community, all over, is absolutely outstanding.”
On other leaders she looks to: “We have an amazing number of women leaders across industries and sectors. So I will admit I look to the ladies first, whether it’s Penny Pennington at Edward Jones, Mayor Jones, Congresswoman Bush—that has been a consistent experience for me in St. Louis, the wonderful women leaders.”
On local artists to watch: “I’m really excited about Brian Owens and Mvstermind. Their approach to creativity is not only collaborative, it’s very inclusive. I define them as teaching artist entrepreneurs. I really appreciate how the two of them are building their business and practicing their creativity with the intention of bringing others with them.”
Artists to Know
EXCITING NAMES IN ART, THEATER, MUSIC, AND MORE
Keyon Harrold: Jazz St. Louis' creative advisor is a gifted trumpeter, vocalist, composer, and performer who has worked with the likes of Common, 50 Cent, and Beyoncé, for whom he played trumpet on Renaissance's "PURE/HONEY." You can also hear him as host of The Next Set from Jazz St. Louis on STLPR.
Jess T. Dugan: Dugan’s work, which captures and explores identity through video, writing, and photography, is currently on display at Washington, D.C.’s National Portrait Gallery in two group exhibitions. You might have also seen their work during their Currents 120 show at the Saint Louis Art Museum, or their recent monograph, Look at me like you love me on shelves at local bookstores.
Omega Jones: Often known by the username @CriticalBard, Jones is a name to know among the vibrant gaming community in addition to being a local stage artist. Jones has performed with The Muny, Stray Dog, and other local theaters, but the wider world knows them as a talented role player, cosplayer, and musician. Find them on TikTok and Twitch.
Riley Carter Adams: You might have seen her on stage at COCA as Matilda, or at The Muny as Tom of Warwick in Camelot, or as Belinda Cratchit at The Rep, or maybe as the precocious Paris France Washington in the world premiere of The Bee Play at the New Jewish Theatre this fall. Theater not your thing? Well, then maybe you’re remembering her turn as Melody on Showtime’s On Becoming a God in Central Florida with Kirsten Dunst. Wherever you see her, Adams’ star shines bright.
Kirven and Antonio Douthit-Boyd: As co-artistic directors of dance for COCA, the Douthit-Boyds, who before COCA were principal artists with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, have poised a new generation of dancers for success in the art form and earned accolades for their work with students of all ages. This summer, Kirven Douthit-Boyd took on the role of artistic director of Big Muddy Dance Company to lead the company into its “next iteration of existence.”
James Robinson: In addition to serving as artistic director of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Robinson has directed operas on world-renowned stages, including New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Last year, he brought the OTSL premiere Fire Shut Up in My Bones to the Met, and this season, he’ll return to direct a new production of Terence Blanchard’s Champion at the storied company.
Brian Owens: Owens can spin quite a few plates. He’s a vocalist, curator of musical events for the World Chess Hall of Fame, the founder of Life Creative STL, and this year acted as host and ambassador for Music at the Intersection. In short, Owens is a creative force, and he’s dedicated to helping other artists succeed as well.
THE NEW GUARD
Paul Ryding
stlouis2
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Kwofe Coleman
PRESIDENT/CEO, THE MUNY
After serving in various roles at The Muny since 2008, Coleman took the helm in January at the Forest Park institution, where he hopes to “broaden and evolve” its identity.
Business
Matt Marcinkowski
Penny Pennington
MANAGING PARTNER, EDWARD JONES
On a recent win: “Edward Jones was named one of the 2022 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, and it’s the 23rd time we’ve made that list. Every time I think about that, I’m just blown away. Being named to that list 23 times is reflective of how deeply we believe in being a place of belonging for our 50,000 colleagues, in service to our 8 million clients.”
On a problem she’s looking forward to solving: “Too many people aren’t financially resilient, and we’re intent on addressing that. We do it every day in the service we provide to individuals and families as we provide financial guidance to people who are just starting to invest... We also believe financial education helps address this issue. Our Financial Fitness program, which we launched in 2020, has already impacted more than 47,000 students in the classroom and over 362,000 people with our online curriculum.”
On a noteworthy book: “I recently read Billie Jean King’s book Pressure Is a Privilege, and I found it to be wonderfully inspiring. She believes moments of great pressure indicate that the situation involved is an important one, and not everyone has the opportunity to face that kind of pressure. Instead of fearing pressure, we should seek and embrace it.”
The Taylors
Courtesy of Enterprise
Chrissy and Andy Taylor
Community Impact: Seemingly anyone who has spent time in St. Louis has been touched by the family’s ongoing efforts in the community. Among their work: the new Taylor Geospatial Institute, the recently opened Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the forthcoming St. Louis CITY SC.
Driving Ahead: Since taking the helm as CEO of Enterprise Holdings in January 2020, Chrissy Taylor has led the company through the pandemic and the ensuing vehicle shortage. Prior to the pandemic, the company reported 10 straight years of revenue growth, and it has more than 75,000 employees across nearly 100 countries.
Mike Konzen
CHAIRMAN/CEO, PGAV
On a project he’s excited to tackle in the near future: “As planners and designers, we are excited to help reinforce downtown St. Louis as the social, business, and cultural center of our region. There is much to do, but the vision for downtown is taking shape.”
On a problem he’s looking forward to solving: “The major design professions seriously lack representation. For instance, only about 2 percent of architects nationwide are African American. We’ve been partnering with the Sam Fox School at Washington University on their Alberti Program, which encourages young, disadvantaged people to pursue a career in design.”
On a noteworthy person impacting the St. Louis region: “Zekita Armstrong Asuquo. Her Gateway Global [American Youth and Business Alliance Academies Inc.] organization connects young people with career opportunities in our booming geospatial sector. She is a rock star.”
Behind the Business
MORE LEADERS DRIVING COMPANIES ACROSS THE REGION
Phyllis Ellison, St. Louis Community College: The Workforce Solutions Group associate vice chancellor, who previously worked at Cortex, is on top of the latest business trends.
Betsy Blancett Nacrelli, MPWR: In Midtown, Blancett Nacrelli has created a thriving incubator for women-owned businesses.
Dan Lauer, University of Missouri–St. Louis: Lauer built the acclaimed UMSL Accelerate entrepreneurial program, and the school’s DEI Accelerator program is a key resource for up-and-coming business leaders.
Chonda Nwamu, Ameren: Nwamu not only heads Ameren’s legal and regulatory affairs, but she is also a point person and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Nick Ragone, Ascension: In addition to his work in brand strategy for the health care provider, Ragone plays a major role in the annual planning and management of the Ascension Charity Classic golf tournament.
THE NEW GUARD
Paul Ryding
stlouis2
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Lal Karsanbhai
PRESIDENT/CEO, EMERSON
After leading Emerson’s Automation Solutions business, Karsanbhai was named president and CEO of the Fortune 500 global manufacturing company in 2021. He now heads a team of nearly 87,000.
Sarah London
CEO, CENTENE
Appointed in March to replace longtime leader Michael Neidorff, London was recognized by Fortune as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business." Before moving into her current role, London served on the Centene board of directors as vice chairman and oversaw the company’s tech and digital strategy, among other responsibilities.
Gregory A. Heckman
CEO, BUNGE
Listmaker: Heckman helped Chesterfield-based Bunge land on the latest Fortune Global 500 list, as well as being No. 219 in Fortune’s rankings. Sustainable Work: The company recently partnered with Chevron to develop renewable fuel feedstocks. Other Accolades: Best Practice Institute recognized Bunge this year as a Most Loved Workplace.
James Carrington
PRESIDENT/CEO, DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER
Leading the Way: Renowned for his expertise on gene silencing, small RNA, and virus-host interactions, Carrington has led the world’s largest independent plant science institute since 2011. Accelerating Startups: In February, Carrington helped establish the Danforth Technology Company, which connects scientists with investors in the hopes of creating new agriculture technology startups. In announcing plans for the DTC, Carrington said it “will help accelerate the pace of agtech startup creation to deliver products and services that address significant challenges and needs in agriculture.”
Ron Kruszewski
CHAIRMAN/CEO, STIFEL
On a recent win: “Employee ownership is something that we at Stifel believe is very important. This year, we granted each eligible employee a $5,000 stock grant, which grew our employee ownership percentage to nearly 100 percent. Now nearly every Stifel employee can also say they’re an owner.”
On a problem he’s looking forward to solving: “Our local community is too divided, and this division affects how we are viewed nationally. We need to all work together—the city, the county, and the state—to do what is best for this wonderful community. Together is better.”
On a project he’s excited to tackle: “We are working on bringing a country Christmas music concert to St. Louis. Hopefully, this will be an annual event.”
On a go-to podcast: “How I Built This by Guy Raz. I pride myself on creating a culture that encourages and promotes an entrepreneurial spirit. This podcast explores some of the most famous innovators and entrepreneurs and the companies or movements they’ve built.”
On a noteworthy person impacting the region: “Posthumously, Michael Neidorff. Michael cared deeply about St. Louis and always gave his time and effort to improving our community.”
CHEROKEE & BEYOND
Jason Deem, Nebula founder: In addition to opening St. Louis’ first coworking space, Deem’s South Side Spaces company renovates some of the city’s historic buildings.
Courtesy of World Wide Technology
David Steward and Jim Kavanaugh
David Steward + Jim Kavanaugh
Rhythm & Racing: Forbes ranked Steward, World Wide Technology’s founder and chairman, No. 438 on its 2022 list of the world’s billionaires. Steward has invested in a variety of local projects and causes over time, including for The Muny’s renovation, Jazz St. Louis’ Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, and the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ jazz program, as well as the company’s work with the revived World Wide Technology Raceway.
In the Game: Next year is sure to be a memorable one for Kavanaugh, the company’s co-founder and CEO. A former professional soccer player, Kavanaugh is a member of the St. Louis CITY SC ownership group, fulfilling a dream to bring big league soccer to his hometown.
Block by Block
The South Grand Community Improvement District, led by Rachel Witt, has notched a number of wins over the years, including the construction of Ritz Park and the implementation of green initiatives, such as rain gardens along South Grand. In the two years since the pandemic began, an increase in storefront vacancies and traffic violence have become top concerns. Meanwhile, downtown’s challenges—such as crime, panhandling, and nuisance properties—are well documented. Kelli McCrary’s Downtown St. Louis CID seeks to make the area cleaner and safer, and its Youth Ambassadors program is helping mitigate problems caused by unsupervised teens. Safety and security are shared priorities of these special taxing districts. Emily Thenhaus, who previously worked in former mayor Lyda Krewson’s administration, has been at the helm of the Cherokee Street CID since 2019. Cherokee Street recently launched a street camera grant program that is helping more businesses install cameras and improve safety in the neighborhood. Kelly Kenter chairs the 11-member board of directors for The Grove Community Improvement District, which spends the majority of its resources—more than $140,000 in the 2021 fiscal year—on supplemental security services.
Government
Sam Page
- RECENT WIN(S): Bested challenger Jane Dueker in Aug. 2 Democratic primary
- RECENT CHALLENGE: Caught flak for having part-time job while county executive; quit when voters banned the practice
- PRIORITIES: Public health issues—particularly abortion access and responses to COVID-19 and opioid addiction
- BACKGROUND: Anesthesiologist; county council chairman; state rep
- NOTABLE DONORS/CLIENTS: Sam Fox; organized labor
Tishaura Jones
- RECENT WIN(S): Had $500 ARPA stimulus checks sent to 9,000 needy households; adversaries on the Board and elsewhere have exited
- RECENT CHALLENGE: Quality-of-life issues, especially downtown (crime, speeding, homelessness)
- PRIORITIES: Diversity, equity, and inclusion; police accountability; pandemic recovery
- BACKGROUND: City treasurer; state rep
- NOTABLE DONORS/CLIENTS: Michael Staenberg; Anheuser-Busch
Steve Ehlmann
- RECENT WIN(S): County council approved his $20 million plan to fix potholes; strong chance of reelection in November
- RECENT CHALLENGE: Backed off proposal to ban county executives from side jobs after potential opponent complained of being the target
- PRIORITIES: Sustaining his county’s economic streak; pushing St. Louis city and county to tackle their crime problems
- BACKGROUND: Circuit judge; state senator; state rep
- NOTABLE DONORS/CLIENTS: Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Missouri-Kansas PAC; Bob Blitz
Tina Pihl
- RECENT WIN(S): Secured a promise of $250,000 for affordable housing from developer of student apartments
- RECENT CHALLENGE: Developers and Cortex have complained that Pihl isn’t responsive
- PRIORITIES: Ensuring public incentives are granted only in exchange for clear, deliverable public benefits
- BACKGROUND: President of Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood Association; alum of Leadership St. Louis
- NOTABLE DONORS/CLIENTS: MACT-PAC
Kate Casas
LOBBYIST/PRINCIPAL, NEXUS GROUP
- RECENT WIN(S): Lobbied successfully for the prison nursery program and funding equity for charter schools
- RECENT CHALLENGE: Only a small percentage of filed bills ever make it to the governor’s desk
- PRIORITIES: Earning a reputation for integrity, regardless of what a client wants
- BACKGROUND: Teach for America alum; board member of Missouri Charter Public School Association
- NOTABLE DONORS/CLIENTS: Invenergy; Stifel; Centene; St. Louis Blues; McCormack Baron Salazar Inc.
Joe Martinez
Tishaura Jones
ST. LOUIS MAYOR
“She’s going to be mayor someday,” a political insider predicted a decade ago, when SLM did a similar feature on people shaping St. Louis. Jones had already made history as the first African American assistant minority floor leader in the Missouri House of Representatives. Last year, after three terms as St. Louis’ treasurer, she became the first African American woman to be elected mayor in the city’s more than 250 years. On her first day in office, Jones proposed closing the Medium Security Institution (commonly known as the Workhouse), which shut its doors last summer. She’s since made headlines for trying to tackle a range of issues. The New York Times wrote about how St. Louis is “undergoing political and social change,” looking to address “the city’s deep racial and economic divides.” For instance, she recently pledged to make economic development in St. Louis “more transparent” and unveiled an Economic Justice Plan that calls for investment in underserved areas. As she told the NYT, “A mayor is only as powerful or weak as the person in that seat.”
On the Ballot
WHO WILL LEAD ST. LOUIS NEXT? WE’LL FIND OUT ON NOVEMBER 8.
It’s undeniable that the people we elect to public office—from the aldermen all the way up to the U.S. representatives—have influence over the policies and decisions that affect our everyday lives. St. Louisans will head to the polls on November 8 to vote in the midterms. Here is a rundown on the most important local and statewide races.
U.S. SENATE
Twitter was on fire when, the day before the August Republican senate primary, former President Donald Trump mysteriously endorsed…Eric, no last name. In the words of a Reuters headline, “In Missouri Senate race with two Erics, Trump endorses Eric.” (A note for the news agency, there were actually three Erics.) Missouri’s Attorney General Eric Schmitt came out on top in that race. Now he faces off against the Busch beer family’s Trudy Busch Valentine, a Democrat. Schmitt is running on a platform of protecting Trump’s America First agenda. Valentine is running on a platform to expand access to quality and affordable health care and combating the opioid crisis.
U.S. HOUSE
In District 1, incumbent Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat, is expected to trounce Republican Andrew Jones and Libertarian George Zsidisin. Redistricting turned the swing District 2 into one that could tilt toward the GOP, making Democrat Trish Gunby, who currently serves in the Missouri House of Representatives, the underdog against Republican and incumbent Rep. Ann Wagner, the 2nd District’s representative for almost a decade. (Libertarian Bill Slantz is also on the ballot.) Another longtime representative is up for re-election in District 3, which includes Jefferson County: Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, who is running against technology specialist Bethany Mann, a Democrat.
STATE HOUSE AND SENATE
A whopping 18 candidates running for House districts in St. Louis city and county are doing so unopposed. The only state senate race considered competitive is District 24’s, a midcounty district that was recently redrawn. Running for the chance to represent it are Missouri House Rep. Tracy McCreery and dermatologist Dr. George Hruza. McCreery’s priorities include protecting reproductive rights, advocating for common sense gun laws, and continuing to increase access to affordable health care. Hruza’s priorities are to eliminate inefficient government operations to reduce government spending, expand workforce training programs to attract more people to in-demand jobs, and increase funding for police training.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY EXECUTIVE
After state Rep. Shamed Dogan was beaten by Katherine Pinner, the political newcomer dropped out of the race, and the Republican Central Committee had to choose a candidate to go up against the Democratic winner and current county executive, Dr. Sam Page. But because of a Missouri law prohibiting primary losers from running in a general election, they couldn’t pick Dogan. With just eight weeks until the general election, they selected Mark Mantovani, who ran twice before for county executive as a Democrat, losing in the primaries. Page continues to emphasize restoring honesty and transparency to county government. Mantovani wants to improve public safety, which will help the economy, he says.
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
After former Board President Lewis Reed resigned amid scandal last spring, St. Louis held a special election to see who would replace him. Under the city’s new method of approval voting, the two candidates who receive the most votes move on to the general election. But because there were only two candidates—7th Ward Alderman Jack Coatar and 15th Ward Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green—that primary was essentially a poll. Turnout in the November 8 election should be higher. Coatar’s priorities include increasing funding for police officers and addressing the sluggish 911 emergency system. Green wants to beef up access to affordable housing and make streets safer for pedestrians.
Legal
Blake Strode
Courtesy of Arch City Defenders
Blake Strode
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARCHCITY DEFENDERS
Class Actions: Earlier this year, Strode’s nonprofit landed preliminary settlements in “debtors’ prisons” suits against Edmundson and Normandy; on approval, they’d add up to $1.7 million for potentially thousands of class members.
ARPA Advice: He was on an advisory board for how to use the city’s pandemic relief funds.
D. John Sauer
SOLICITOR GENERAL OF MISSOURI
Schmitt’s Shark: As the lawyer representing the state in appellate and national matters, Sauer has advocated in some of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s more controversial initiatives, including his battles against vaccine mandates and China’s COVID-19 response.
2020 Tussle: When Donald Trump and his allies filed suits all over the country to challenge his 2020 election loss, Sauer helped by authoring amicus briefs joined by many other states.
Ryan Davis
MANAGING PARTNER, BRYAN CAVE LEIGHTON PAISNER
Team Player: As co-lead of the firm’s sports and entertainment group, Davis has repped the Cards and Blues.
Civic Duties: Davis sits on boards at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the St. Louis Sports Commission, and he was appointed to the Downtown Engagement and Public Safety Initiative.
Legal Watchdogs
Elad Gross has been a thorn in the side of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office with his requests for records under the state’s Sunshine Law, but his transparency crusade isn’t limited to Republicans: One of Gross’ clients is now suing Mayor Tishaura Jones’ administration for allegedly flouting that same law. Meanwhile, Mark Pedroli’s Sunshine and Government Accountability Project is still litigating a case against the Missouri House of Representatives for its rule that, in his view, unconstitutionally shields constituent emails from public release. Pedroli also has clients who are suing county officials for alleged civil rights violations. As for Elkin Kistner, he’s been retained in a variety of city hall controversies lately. One client alleges that Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has tried to use public funds for private legal defense; another client is a group of Black firefighters fighting to thaw their department’s recent freeze on promotions.
Joe Martinez
Wesley Bell
Wesley Bell
ST. LOUIS COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Unopposed: No Republican is even attempting to oust Bell in his bid for re-election this November.
Panning the Ban: In June, after the U.S. Supreme Court sent the question of abortion back to the states, Missouri enacted a near-total ban on the procedure—and Bell drew both darts and laurels for pledging not to enforce it.
Treatment, Not Prison: Treatment courts have long been operated by judges in the 21st Circuit, but Bell has shifted his office’s energies to his own prosecutor-led diversion program.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
Denise Lieberman, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition director and general counsel: A national expert on voting rights, Lieberman has made it her mission to ensure every Missouri voter has access to the polls.
Mary Fox
DIRECTOR, MISSOURI STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER
Budget Boost: After years of Fox (and others) fighting to secure sufficient funds for public defense—which is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution—the state budgeted for 53 new attorneys and 24 support staff statewide.
No Wait: Caseloads were so high that some indigent defendants went on a waitlist, but a court mandate and a freshet of resources have cut that list to zero.
Wraparound: Fox set up a “holistic defense” unit to help clients address underlying challenges that led to their contact with the system in the first place.
Media
Jason Rosenbaum
POLITICS CORRESPONDENT, ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO
On a story that should be getting more attention: “St. Louis County government often gets public attention when something contentious or bad happens. But I would say the public should pay attention to county council races, especially the 3rd District contest between Republican Dennis Hancock and Democrat Vicki Englund. That could determine whether County Executive Sam Page has two years of gridlock or cohesion.”
On something that surprised him recently: “That Missouri sex workers are organizing in order to protect access to abortion.”
On whose work everyone should be following: “I just finished Lis Smith's Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story. Her insights on Missouri—as well as the changing media landscape—are fascinating.”
Alvin Reid
CITY EDITOR, THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN
On a story that should be getting more attention: “St. Louis’ longtime connection to NASA and the space program. The region was at the forefront, and it is like we refuse to remember it.”
On something that surprised him recently: “Until the last decade or so, you had to have a permit to raise bees.”
On recommended reading: “Nonfiction, especially trivia books like The Book of Lists. It is knowledge you just can’t find anywhere, and these are easy reads.”
Social Media
MEET THREE INFLUENCERS WHO ARE BUILDING BUZZ
Kelly Stumpe (IG @the_car_mom): Buying a car can be a frustrating experience. Stumpe’s content helps women understand what they should be looking for when they’re shopping for one.
Ohun Ashe (IG @ohun.ashe): ForTheCulture STL, Ashe’s website and Instagram account, is an invaluable resource that connects people to Black-owned businesses and community events across the region.
Ashley Quisumbing (IG @stlfoodies): There is no shortage of worthy food-focused social media accounts. With nearly 30,000 Instagram followers, Quisumbing uses her platform to keep St. Louisans up to speed on some of the best dining spots in town.
THE NEW GUARD
Paul Ryding
stlouis2
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
J.P. Johnson
DIRECTOR, VENTURE CAFÉ ST. LOUIS
This summer, Johnson took over as director of the St. Louis location of Venture Café, which offers networking and programming opportunities for St. Louis’ community of entrepreneurs and innovators.
David Kovaluk
Sarah Fenske
EXECUTIVE EDITOR, EUCLID MEDIA GROUP/RIVERFRONT TIMES
On a story that should be getting more attention: “How flippers and out-of-town investors are scooping up property in North County and across the metro. It’s a trend with huge repercussions for housing affordability and families’ ability to build wealth. The RFT's editor, Rosalind Early, recently did a story about it, but there is so much more that needs to be covered.”
On something Fenske recently learned that surprised her: “How completely screwed up the city of St. Louis’ process is for filling Sunshine Law requests, as recently documented by the RFT's Ryan Krull. Transparency advocates should be horrified by the long delays given to even the simplest of requests.”
On whose work everyone should be following: “Kathy Gilsinan… Her book The Helpers made me cry, laugh, and then cry all over again.”
Jacob Barker
REPORTER, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
On a story that should be getting more attention: “St. Louis County’s nearly 100 municipalities and fire protection districts—plus dozens more in St. Charles and Jefferson counties and Metro East—lack the scrutiny public officials too often need to ensure they’re working in taxpayers’ interests.”
On something that recently surprised him: “I didn’t realize just how arbitrary boundaries and bureaucracy can be even in the face of a disaster. The same summer storm devastated neighborhoods in East St. Louis and St. Clair County, but because Illinois is so much larger than Missouri, it has been unable to win a national disaster declaration that allows federal assistance to help people rebuild. Missouri, meanwhile, is getting federal help.”
Medical
Richard Liekweg
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BJC HEALTHCARE
On what health care might look like 10 years from now: “Giant leaps in genetic, cellular, and immune therapies will give us the ability to deliver personalized care. Patients will be more empowered to compare prices and services to make informed choices about their care. By necessity, health care will become more affordable, more transparent, more accessible geographically and virtually, more inclusive, and more equitable for all. Shaped by the pandemic, our leaders in a decade will have studied and learned during the most transformative and innovative period in our history, and I’m confident those insights will serve them well.”
Wesley Law
Jason Purnell
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, BJC HEALTHCARE
Purnell has dedicated his career to addressing health care inequities, creating initiatives and shaping policies that increase access to healthy food, wellness services, and educational resources. Purnell has documented startling discrepancies in life expectancy between residents in prosperous ZIP codes and those who live in areas with fewer resources. “The life expectancy difference between the top 1 percent of income earners and the bottom 1 percent of income earners is 15 years for men and 10 years for women,” Purnell told SLM. “We’re not going to solve for health equity with just medical care alone.”
Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, CITY OF ST. LOUIS
On what health care might look like 10 years from now: “As we look forward 10 years, we must also look back. If we have learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must invest in equitable health care for all and community public-health infrastructures. Since the start of the pandemic, 94 million individuals nationwide have contracted COVID-19, with another 1 million individuals losing their lives. It is unknown how many people will experience complications from long COVID symptoms or how long those complications will last. Policies and funding from the national level down must be updated to help public-health agencies provide basic services to communities like St. Louis.”
THE NEW GUARD
Paul Ryding
stlouis2
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Dr. Kendra Holmes
PRESIDENT/CEO, AFFINIA HEALTHCARE
Dr. Holmes will take over from longtime leader Dr. Alan Freeman by the end of 2022. Holmes will become the health non-profit’s first Black president/CEO and the first woman to assume the role.
Andrew Bagnall
PRESIDENT/CEO, ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
Before taking over in August, Bagnall served in a similar role at Hospital Sisters Health System in Wisconsin. Bagnall, who has spent his entire career in the Midwest, has nearly two decades of executive experience in health care.
Laura Kaiser
PRESIDENT/CEO, SSM HEALTH
Wide Net: Now in her sixth year as president and CEO, Kaiser oversees a health system that includes 23 hospitals, more than 290 physician offices, 12 post-acute-care facilities, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company, and more than 40,000 team members.
National Acclaim: Earlier this year, Modern Healthcare named Kaiser one of the top 25 women leaders in health care.
Dr. Daniel Hoft and Dr. Sharon Frey
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR VACCINE DEVELOPMENT
Key Findings: The center—one of only 10 such vaccine and treatment evaluation units in the U.S.—served as a crucial resource in global efforts to find viable treatments for COVID-19.
Beyond COVID: Hoft, the center’s director, is working on a T-cell-targeting universal coronavirus vaccine to help prevent the next pandemic. Frey, clinical director of the center, was among the authors of a 2015 study that medical experts have been using to boost supply of the monkeypox vaccine.
Transportation
Kevin A. Roberts
Susan Trautman
With an estimated cost of $250–$300 million, Brickline Greenway—one of Great Rivers Greenway’s projects—is one of the city’s coolest transportation feats. Once completed, it will consist of 10-plus miles connecting Forest Park, Fairground Park, and Gateway Arch National Park, as well as 14 city neighborhoods. Trautman points out that not only is it singular in St. Louis, but there’s also really nothing like it—in terms of engagement and partnership—in the rest of the United States either. That’s because Trautman and GRG recruited one of the city’s best artists, a historian, a historically Black university, a soccer team, and some philanthropists to design a 1-mile stretch that illuminates the history of Mill Creek Valley, the former neighborhood that the greenway cuts through. That stretch of the greenway will run along Market Street from Compton Avenue to 20th Street, connecting Harris-Stowe State University and soon-to-open Centene Stadium. Trautman walks us through more of the plan.
• Near Centene Stadium, artist Damon Davis is creating an installation that pays homage to Mill Creek Valley, the Black neighborhood that was razed in the 1950s in the name of “renewal.”
• GRG has held more than 300 community meetings a year since 2017. “The whole Brickline Greenway has been a deep community engagement effort,” Trautman says.
• Trautman sees bringing people together as an essential ingredient to executing on GRG’s mission. “You are creating incredible places for people to enjoy and to share,” she says. “If you want to do that, you have to connect people.”
Taulby Roach
PRESIDENT/CEO, BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT
Roach, who oversees the public transit agency, is currently supervising the installation of MetroLink turnstiles—a lightning rod with both advocates and critics—and pushing a plan to expand the rail system north and south along Jefferson Avenue.
GIVING SHELTER
Laura Ginn, St. Louis Development Corp. vacancy strategist: Every day, Ginn faces the urgent and monumental challenge of coming up with thoughtful solutions for the city’s vacancy problem.
James Wild
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EAST-WEST GATEWAY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Along with Bi-State, EWG is also involved in MetroLink corridor planning, as well as trying to keep the Loop Trolley on track. EWG recently applied for federal funds to help make the roads safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, with a goal of reducing deaths by 2 percent every year.
Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge
Courtesy of St. Louis Lambert International Airport
DIRECTOR, ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Is our airport taking off? Frontier Airlines announced that it’s planning to add seasonal flights from Lambert beginning this month. Southwest Airlines is upping its seasonal routes from the airport as well. And then there was the addition of Lufthansa flights to Frankfurt. What’s next? The airport has released plans for a makeover, including repurposing Terminal 2 and creating a new concourse with a single security checkpoint and 62 gates. The community wants a more modern airport, but the airlines want to keep costs down. Hamm-Niebruegge will have to figure out how to make them both happy.
Philanthropy
Joe Martinez
Leslie Gill
PRESIDENT, RUNG FOR WOMEN
It’s been a little more than a year since Rung for Women opened in Fox Park, and the nonprofit is already evolving. Gill has a passion for supporting women and helping them climb the career ladder while earning a family-sustaining wage. To date, she and Rung have served more than 300 women. Now, Gill says, “Rung’s goal in the upcoming year is to connect 100-plus women to high-demand career pathways in tech, geospatial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. We want to help these women achieve their personal and professional goals.” In September, Greater St. Louis Inc. announced that the area won a $25 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant, money that will go toward developing the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center in North City. Rung will receive $1 million to identify gaps in advanced manufacturing and train women to fill them, playing a crucial part in St. Louis’ future workforce. Also ook for a two-story addition to Rung’s building, now under construction.
Michelle Tucker
PRESIDENT AND CEO, UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS
The United Way has raised and invested almost $3 billion into regional nonprofits over the past century. Everyone seems to have a “United Way story,” says Tucker. “It is neighbors helping neighbors, family members helping family members, and colleagues helping colleagues.” St. Louis' United Way remains one of the top ranked in the nation of 1,100 affiliates.
A World of Difference
Not long after Arrey Obenson became president and CEO of the International Institute, in 2021, the institute began welcoming Afghan refugees. Likewise, Jessica Bueler at Welcome Neighbor STL is offering support, such as English lessons, citizenship classes, and family matching. Since the 1980s, Mark and Joani Akers of Oasis International have partnered with places of worship to help welcome thousands of refugees from more than 50 countries. And the St. Louis Mosaic Project’s goal under Betsy Cohen is for St. Louis to evolve into the fastest-growing metropolitan area for immigration by 2025.
Flint Fowler
PRESIDENT, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER ST. LOUIS
This stat speaks for itself: When surveyed, 57 percent of BGCSTL alumni said the club saved their life—and there’s more growth to come. Last spring, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America received the largest gift given by a single person in its history: $281 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. St. Louis’ Boys & Girls Clubs received $5.2 million of that money.
Michael McMillan
Kevin A. Roberts
PRESIDENT AND CEO, URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS
The Urban League is in the middle of a fundraising campaign to establish a regional headquarters with medical and legal clinics, a food pantry, and even a hydroponic farm. Crucial to this effort is McMillan: Since 2013, he’s doubled the Urban League’s annual budget to $35 million.
Amelia Bond
PRESIDENT AND CEO, ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
For the past decade, Bond has been instrumental in inspiring St. Louis’ most charitable patrons to donate to worthy causes across the region. The St. Louis Community Foundation has awarded $14 million in scholarships over the past 10 years, buoyed the community during the pandemic, launched the popular Give STL Day to fundraise for nonprofits, and studied problems such as the digital divide to begin to understand how philanthropy can help solve them. Now, as Bond looks forward to retiring next year, she reflects on how she’s been able to grow the Community Foundation. This isn’t the end, though—Bond plans to stay in St. Louis in retirement, and she’d actually prefer if you don’t use that word. “Every time I hear the word retire, I cringe because I feel like I’m too young to retire,” she says. “I’ve started using Serena Williams’ ‘I'm evolving.’”
On where the St. Louis Community Foundation stood when she began: “The St. Louis Community Foundation is the second-oldest community foundation in the country. It was founded back in 1915. The only one older than us is in Cleveland. When I started, it was, to use the word that my CFO used back then, fragile: We had nine employees, 400 funds, and our assets were right around $182 million. At the end of 2021, we are at $550 million, and we have 800 funds. We doubled the number of donors connected with the foundation.”
On the work it took to grow the number of funds: “I’m originally from Pittsburgh, and in that city, everyone knows who the Pittsburgh Foundation is. In Kansas City, everybody knows the Kansas City Community Foundation. The question I asked myself was, Why does no one know that the St. Louis Community Foundation exists? To build awareness, we created Give STL Day. What a great way to build community awareness and also show the nonprofits that we are working on their behalf. That first year—which, by the way, we were literally teaching nonprofits how to create a Facebook page—we passed $1 million, and we were pretty pleased with that. We had a little hiccup in year three, a technology problem. But it’s just taken off. The last three years, we’ve hit $4.5 million-ish. Next year will be our tenth year.”
One the hardest year of her tenure: “I would say 2020 was the best year and the hardest year. We’re proud of the COVID fund that we pulled together that year. [The COVID-19 Regional Response Fund raised $6.8 million.] It embodied everything that the foundation can do for the community: Giving the folks on the ground the platform to say what are the priorities, where does the money need to be granted quickly, as well as in the intermediate and long term? The challenges of doing that remotely—we’ve never done fundraising like that before. Because of the attention we achieved with that fund, we had Coca-Cola call us. We had Target call us. Pepsi. Funders from all over the country, foundations elsewhere, sending us money. The sheer volume of applicants for the Gateway Resilience Fund [which granted more than $2 million for restaurant workers] was so overwhelming, it was all hands on deck.”
On the work to come: “I think the region is aware we exist now, but the biggest work still to be done is endowment building—both legacy funds for donors and specifically the Community Foundation has to build its own community endowment fund to do its work. We are going through a listening tour to put together the characteristics, skills, and experience that the next head of the Community Foundation needs. I think the foundation needs someone who’s a visionary, a communicator, a connector, and very creative.”
Becky James-Hatter
PRESIDENT AND CEO, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EASTERN MISSOURI
James-Hatter is retiring at the end of 2022, after 28 years with the organization. She sees a bright future for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “There are some boulders to move or navigate around as we rethink 2023 and beyond,” she says. “But the next year will be an exciting time, because there is so much we can do and stay in our lane. When it comes to launching new mentoring models, expanding our partnerships with schools and students, continuing to center our parents, and advancing our partnerships with business and all those who are eager to rebuild the workforce, I bet big on BBBSEMO.”
GREEN SPACE
Jared Opsal, Missouri Coalition for the Environment executive director: On the job since March 2021, Opsal leads a nonprofit that advocates for clean water, better air, and more efficient energy in the Midwest and beyond.
Benefactors
KEN & NANCY KRANZBERG
Kranzberg Arts Foundation founders Ken and Nancy Kranzberg have brought some of St. Louis’ top cultural institutions to Grand Center and provided critical support for local artists.
MAXINE CLARK & BOB FOX
Maxine Clark is the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop and the Delmar Divine. Bob Fox is the founder of Casa de Salud and the St. Louis Mosaic Project. Together, they run the Clark-Fox Family Foundation, where they study and invest in programs related to education and community health, among other causes.
TOM STILLMAN & MARY DANFORTH STILLMAN
Tom Stillman is the chairman/CEO of Summit Distributing and chairman/governor of the St. Louis Blues, while Mary Danforth Stillman is the founder of charter school Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls.
CARMON & SUSAN COLANGELO
Carmon Colangelo is the first dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, while Susan Colangelo runs the Saint Louis Story Stitchers.
ALISON & JOHN FERRING
Alison and John Ferring have contributed to a number of cultural jewels, from Jazz St. Louis to St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. In 2022, they provided five years’ worth of funding for Arch Grants’ Donald M. Suggs Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award.
MARYLEN MANN
Kevin A. Roberts
Forty years ago, Mann founded Oasis, which offers enriching programs for older adults. It’s since supported more than 587,000 seniors, partnered with 800-plus organizations, and impacted more than 200 communities nationwide.
EMILY RAUH PULITZER
Rauh Pulitzer supports countless artists and organizations, serving on the boards of numerous cultural institutions, including, of course, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation.
PAM TRAPP
Trapp has worked tirelessly to support the arts for 25 years, holding leadership roles with the Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, and St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, among other organizations.
REX SINQUEFIELD & JEANNE CAIRNS SINQUEFIELD
Rex Sinquefield and Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield have made significant donations to higher ed and political causes, though they’re also internationally known for helping establish the city as the chess capital of America.
MARILYN & SAM FOX
Marilyn and Sam Fox recently pledged $10 million to endow the Sam Fox Ambassadors Graduate Fellowship Program at Washington University.
Champions of Change
FIVE MORE ADVOCATES TO KNOW
- Colleen Starkloff, Starkloff Institute: For nearly 20 years, Starkloff has helped people with disabilities prepare for careers through coaching, networking, and connecting with partner companies.
- Shira Berkowitz, PROMO Missouri: The senior director of public policy and advocacy pushed back against state lawmakers when they tried to pass legislation that would ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports at school.
- Cassady Caldwell, Stray Rescue of St. Louis: The animal rescue shelter is expanding from Downtown West to a larger location in Bevo.
- Faith Sandler, Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis: The nonprofit provides interest-free loans to St. Louisans who want to pursue a postsecondary education but can’t afford it.
- Meredith Knopp, St. Louis Area Foodbank: The food bank has distributed more than 46 million meals across 26 counties in Missouri and Illinois over the past year.
THE NEW GUARD
Paul Ryding
stlouis2
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Dr. Cheryl Watkins
PRESIDENT/CEO, YWCA
Before she brought her talents to the YWCA last summer, Watkins demonstrated her leadership capabilities with poisitons at BioSTL and Accelerated Rehabilitation Technologies.
Sports
courtesy of St. Louis CITY SC
Carolyn Kindle
CEO, ST. LOUIS CITY SC | PRESIDENT, ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS FOUNDATION
As the city fêted its newly awarded Major League Soccer expansion franchise on the morning of August 20, 2019, Kindle drew a deep breath. “Wow,” she said. “St. Louis, are we ready to do this?” The answer was a resounding yes. A trailblazer, Kindle not only organized a majority-women ownership group, but the investors behind MLS4TheLou also pledged to finance a proposed downtown stadium primarily with private funds. Three years later, construction on the new Centene Stadium is virtually complete, and St. Louis CITY SC is set to kick off its inaugural season. “As a European, I have a picture of what an American owner of a sports club is like,” says CITY sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “The Taylor family and the vision that Carolyn has is the complete opposite of how you imagine it, which is, I think, the biggest compliment you can make.” The franchise is striving to become more than a source of entertainment. The club has launched a series of free soccer clinics for kids and is reaching out to diverse communities to make sure everyone feels welcome at Centene Stadium. “The Taylor family got this club to make soccer accessible for everybody,” Pfannenstiel says. “They got this club to make St. Louis better.”
Frank Viverito
PRESIDENT AND CEO, ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION
Man With a Plan: The outgoing CEO has helped bring many marquee events to the region, including NCAA tournaments, Olympic trials, and more.
Best in Class: Viverito helped the organization earn the “Sports Commission of the Year” award.
Bill DeWitt III
PRESIDENT, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Bigger Than Baseball: DeWitt has notched some of his most significant wins beyond Busch Stadium, reshaping downtown with Ballpark Village.
Bet on It: DeWitt has actively lobbied in Jeff City for legalized sports betting in Missouri. That effort remains a work in progress.
TEAM WORK
Jen Brooks, Ursuline Academy athletic director: Brooks, the 2021 St. Louis athletic director of the year, founded The Global Community of Women in High School Sports, an organization that supports women in leadership roles.
Chris Zimmerman
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Heartland of Hockey: According to Sports Business Journal, Blues games on Bally Sports Midwest had the league’s second-highest American television ratings during the 2021–2022 season.
Growing the Game: Zimmerman has been instrumental in helping the region land such premier events as the 2017 Winter Classic and the 2020 All-Star Game.
If You Build It: Sweeping renovations of Enterprise Center and construction of the Blues’ practice facility, Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, have also come during Zimmerman’s tenure. And in 2025, Enterprise Center will host the NCAA Frozen Four.
Curtis Francois
Kevin A. Roberts
OWNER, WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY
Face-lift: Since purchasing the track more than a decade ago, Francois has invested more than $40 million to renovate the facility, turning it into a major racing destination.
Winner’s Circle: Francois put St. Louis in the spotlight this year by landing a NASCAR Cup Series race, the Enjoy Illinois 300.
College Town
UNIVERSITY LEADERS TAKING CHARGE
Under the leadership of Andrew D. Martin, the chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, that institution has finally reached its goal of a need-blind undergraduate admissions model. At Harris-Stowe State University, president LaTonia Collins Smith is working with the NGA to establish job opportunities for students. Since Collins Smith took over, the school has also nailed down more than $2 million for a Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, Saint Louis University president Fred Pestello is having an eventful tenure: SLU has cemented a partnership with health care provider SSM Health, which has completed its $550 million hospital. SLU is also catalyzing development in the area surrounding its campus, and it has built a $17 million Jesuit Center on campus. And with chancellor Elizabeth Stroble at the helm, Webster University is making moves here and abroad, including a partnership with Edward Jones for students from under-resourced communities and a new campus in the Republic of Georgia.
THE NEW GUARD
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Kelly Pollock
After spending more than 20 years with COCA in various capacities, Pollock moved on to the Berges Family Foundation as the nonprofit’s inaugural CEO this fall. She’s previously earned several local honors for her leadership.
Education
Evan Rhinesmith
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION, SLU’S PRIME CENTER
Red and blue voters in Missouri are miles apart on so many issues, but when it comes to education, they actually agree on a few reforms, says Rhinesmith. He noticed such overlap in a recent SLU/YouGov poll funded by SLU’s PRiME Center, the ed-policy think tank he directs (and that, in turn, runs on grants from the Walton Family Foundation). The poll revealed that 71 percent of Missourians want to make permanent the state’s temporary increase of the minimum teacher salary to $38,000. In addition, 61 percent of Missourians are OK with public “open enrollment”—that is, letting students choose to attend public schools outside their assigned district. A solid majority of respondents also thought the state should fund pre-kindergarten. And about half of Missouri Democrats supported the ability of charter schools to operate anywhere in the state. “On education,” he says, “we're starting to see across-the-aisle issues.”
Eric Scroggins
Kevin A. Roberts
CEO/FOUNDER, THE OPPORTUNITY TRUST
Scroggins set up his nonprofit, he says, to operate on multiple fronts: starting new schools, expanding successful ones, bolstering the educator pipeline, and helping parents engage. Donors such as the William T. Kemper Foundation have made it a well-funded and consequential player.
BUDDING BUSINESSES
Stacy Gee Hollins, Harris-Stowe State University Anheuser-Busch School of Business dean: Dr. Gee Hollins leads the school’s Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement, an incubator for future business leaders from minority and under-resourced communities.
Matt Marcinkowski
Saras Chung
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SKIP DESIGNED
From her perch at SKIP Designed, an education think tank with a specialization in systems analysis, Chung has been facilitating the STL School Research-Practice Collaborative, a group coming together to generate mutually beneficial insights.
Ray Cummings
PRESIDENT, AFT ST. LOUIS LOCAL 420
Cummings pushes for “full-service” schools that provide wraparound services to kids who need them. Such schools would offer health and dental services, mentoring, tutoring, plus food and clothing banks.
Development
Illustrations by Elias Stein
1. Michael Staenberg
PRESIDENT, THE STAENBERG GROUP
Head west on Highway 40 from Olive/Clarkson, and you’ll see Staenberg’s imprint on the county everywhere. To your left, he’s aiming to convert Chesterfield Mall into a walkable downtown Chesterfield complex. In the valley to your right, behold The District, which recently began Phase II construction and already includes several entertainment venues.Then, in that long retail strip across the highway, Staenberg owns a portion called Chesterfield Valley Square.
2. Kevin Bryant
PRESIDENT, KINGSWAY DEVELOPMENT
One of Bryant’s major goals is to catalyze further investments in the blocks just north of the Central West End and across the so-called Delmar Divide. The refurbishing of a historic building into a 25,000-square-foot coworking/retail space named Elevation is now underway. Next up, Bryant says: The Bridge, a mixed-use, “multifamily-forward” project nearby.
3. Brian Philips
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER REDEVELOPMENT CORP.
Under Philips’ leadership, the redevelopment corporation convened the Delmar Collaborative. It was conceived as an informal network through which corridor stakeholders could share ideas and form partnerships, and indeed, the Delmar Main Street project has grown out of the effort. Philips has also been working with Great Rivers Greenway to figure out how the Brickline Greenway might stimulate economic development in neighborhoods that have historically struggled.
4. Steve Smith
CEO, LAWRENCE GROUP AND NEW + FOUND
Throughout his four-decade career, Smith has restored buildings all across the city, but his most recent and celebrated project is City Foundry STL, which already has a bustling food hall and shops. A mixed-use clutch of buildings and a dine-in cinema are also in the works.
5. Neal Richardson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ST. LOUIS DEVELOPMENT CORP.
With Richardson at the helm, the city’s economic development arm has new branding, a new process for awarding incentives, and an Economic Justice Action Plan. Richardson and other officials recently persuaded Procter & Gamble to remain at its plant in Near North Riverfront, expand it, and then work with the school district and nonprofits to build a pipeline of local workers.
6. Bob and Steve O’Loughlin
As the father-and-son duo behind Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM), Bob and Steve O’Loughlin have their fingerprints on a variety of hotel developments around town, from the airport to Westport Plaza to The Cheshire in Richmond Heights. The most widely known are the two located in the city’s historic heart: the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, completed in 2011, and the overhauled Union Station, which (re)opened in 2019.
Midtown Makeover
Since 2017, the St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corp.—a city-created entity run by shareholders Saint Louis University and SSM Health—has had the authority to offer tax abatement to projects in its 400-acre footprint. Under the leadership of executive director Brooks Goedeker, it’s energetically done so—and not just City Foundry STL. Phil Hulse at Green Street is flipping the huge Armory building into an entertainment venue, while Pier Property Group founder Michael Hamburg is putting the finishing touches on a trio of apartment buildings collectively called Steelcote Square.
Civics
Yemi Akande-Bartsch
Photography by Fola Okediji
PRESIDENT/CEO, FOCUS ST. LOUIS
Facilitating Progress: FOCUS works to encourage civic engagement through leadership training, issue education, and other initiatives.
Setting the Standard: “For decades, FOCUS St. Louis has been the standard for professionals in the St. Louis area,” says Kelli McCrary, executive director of the Downtown St. Louis CID. “My parents were cohort members in the 1980s and developed lifelong connections.”
Kathy Osborn
PRESIDENT/CEO, REGIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL
Keeping Busy: The RBC is responsible for an array of initiatives: among them, the Young Professionals Network, the It’s Our Region Fund (providing grants for capital improvement projects), and St. Louis Social Venture Partners (strengthening nonprofits by connecting them with philanthropists).
Building Community: Osborn is inspired by the work of Michael Woods, executive director of Dream Builders 4 Equity, which empowers youth to renovate homes in Hyde Park and sell them at affordable prices. “It is a transformational program,” says Osborn.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Nahuel Fefer, the city's Community Development Administration: After advising Mayor Tishaura Jones on policy, Fefer will have a hand in the disbursement of the city’s funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Kitty Ratcliffe
PRESIDENT, EXPLORE ST. LOUIS
Bigger & Better: Explore St. Louis is spearheading the renovation and expansion of America’s Center, including a new 72,000-square-foot exhibit hall.
National Acclaim: Ratcliffe, who has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Professional Convention Management Association Foundation.
Joe Martinez
Jason Hall
Regional Ambassador: “I believe he is our region’s biggest ambassador,” says Akande-Bartsch. “He has the drive and the support, which is critical for taking our region to the next level. He, along with others, have undertaken significant initiatives to ensure that our region remains relevant.”
Grant Winner: In September, the St. Louis region won a $25 million Build Back Better grant, thanks to a proposal that Greater St. Louis Inc. helped submit. The money will go toward developing the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center in North St. Louis.
Paving the Way: The organization’s STL 2030 Jobs Plan serves as a roadmap for developing the region’s economic future. To that end, the group’s GeoFutures initiative is working to make the region a hub for geospatial innovation. The organization is also working to increase representation among St. Louis’ business community: It launched the Diverse Business Accelerator to help expand minority-owned businesses.
THE NEW GUARD
Paul Ryding
09_VICTOR_GOINES
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Steve Mackin
PRESIDENT/CEO, MERCY
After serving in numerous leadership roles at Mercy, including president of Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Mackin took the reins of the health care system—which operates in four states—in spring 2022.
Startups
Jim McKelvey
Ashley Geiseking
CO-FOUNDER, BLOCK/INVISIBLY/THIRD DEGREE GLASS FACTORY /LAUNCHCODE
McKelvey is bullish about St. Louis, having opened Third Degree, expanded Block’s offices to the former Post-Dispatch building, and launched data startup Invisibly. “We have a real advantage in financial services and life science in St Louis,” he says, “so that’s where I have been investing lately.” McKelvey is also investing in future talent, founding LaunchCode to teach coding skills. As he observes, “Every company is a tech company these days.”
Donn Rubin
FOUNDING PRESIDENT AND CEO, BIOSTL
BioSTL, which began as the Coalition for Plant & Life Sciences in 2001, has supported hundreds of startups, attracting more than $2.7 billion in capital to the region. BioGenerator, its startup arm, has invested $35 million into more than 100 local bioscience companies, such as Benson Hill, CoverCress, and Wugen. “These are companies moving the needle to improve lives and boost St. Louis,” says Rubin.
Gabe Angieri
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARCH GRANTS
After helping launch an impressive list of startups over the past decade (with the next cohort announced November 18), Arch Grants launched the Growth Grants program to provide funding to companies creating local jobs. Looking ahead, Angieri says, “St. Louis has an opportunity to become the best place for startups led by founders from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.”
Patricia Hagen
Kevin A. Roberts
PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, T-REX
The downtown incubator has long been a hub of innovation, but it’s especially busy these days. T-REX recently signed a partnership intermediary agreement with the NGA, after already launching Moonshot Labs and the Geospatial Innovation Center. It’s building out the Extended Reality and Simulation Lab for those interested in leveraging augmented, virtual, and mixed reality. And it’s part of the newly branded Downtown North Insight District, which includes the nearby Globe Building, the former Post-Dispatch building, and St. Louis Convention & Visitors Bureau. At the same time, it’s supporting early-stage startups facing significant hurdles, such as funding being harder to access than in the past, as well as the impact of the pandemic.
Sam Fiorello
Wesley Law
PRESIDENT/CEO, CORTEX INNOVATION COMMUNITY
Home to more than 400 companies and organizations, Cortex is built upon the idea that collaboration can lead to solutions to big problems. Fiorello—who previously served as COO of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and president of the Bio Research & Development Growth Park—leads with a focus on equality, diversity, inclusion, and job creation.
Brian Matthews
CO-FOUNDER, CULTIVATION CAPITAL
Venture capital firm Cultivation Capital manages funds focused on early-stage investing. Most of its investments occur during a startup’s Seed or Series A phase, and the industries supported include life sciences, health tech, agriculture tech, geospatial tech, and software and IT. Matthews, who was a founder of River City Internet Group and co-founded various tech companies, has a degree in mechanical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and worked at McDonnell Douglas for 12 years before making his foray into entrepreneurship.
Startups to Watch
- Nerdy: The platform for live online learning leverages technology such as AI to connect learners with experts. Nerdy is hoping to attract new customers through a new subscription model it launched in August.
- MediBeacon: The company’s fluorescent tracers are injected into the body to help doctors see and diagnose organs and other parts that are otherwise difficult to see. Its products and monitoring systems are currently in clinical trials.
- Whistle: This employee loyalty platform helps companies better support and retain their people through more efficient onboarding initiatives, targeted training programs, and incentive opportunities. Whistle Payments launched in August.
- Netskope: The cloud security company recently opened a new office in St. Louis. Netskope is one of the top five highest-valued security companies in the world, helping more than 1,500 global customers navigate the transition to cloud services safely and securely.
- SentiAR: A brainchild from Washington University, SentiAR is a digital health and software device company that’s developing 3D platforms to assist with medical procedures. Specifically, SentiAR uses its platforms to develop holograms of a patient's heart in order to better help surgeons and improve surgical outcomes.
- Bonfyre: The workplace platform aims to create more connectedness among colleagues, particularly those who are part of a remote workforce. Bonfyre’s Microsoft Teams integration, which allows companies to implement employee engagement strategies into daily remote work, was recognized as 2022’s Remote Work Tech Innovation of the Year by RemoteTech.
- Denim Social: The social media management software empowers marketers to connect with consumers while maintaining regulatory compliance. Last fall, the company raised $5 million to boost product development and drive marketing efforts.
- Textel: The cloud-based texting feature for customer service centers was created to improve the customer experience. The company reported year-over-year revenue growth of more than 70 percent for 2021.
THE NEW GUARD
Paul Ryding
stlouis2
RECENT CHANGES IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Jody Sowell
PRESIDENT/CEO, MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Before stepping into his new role this summer, Sowell held research and planning roles with MHS, including shaping some of its most successful exhibitions.
Dining
Natasha Bahrami
FOUNDER, GINWORLD / CO-OWNER, SALVE OSTERIA
The namesake of the former Café Natasha recently helped open a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Salve Osteria, in the South Grand space, along with the nearby Grand Spirits Bottle Co. Yet Bahrami’s influence can be felt far beyond South City: After founding Ginworld Ginweek, she’s expanded the festival to five other cities (Washington, D.C., New York City, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Phoenix), and she’s been inducted into the Gin Hall of Fame.
Kevin A. Roberts
Nick Bognar
CHEF/OWNER, INDO
Even before Food & Wine proclaimed Bognar among the “Best New Chefs” of 2020, the acclaimed chef at indo, Nippon Tei, and Ramen Tei was named a James Beard Award semifinalist. GQ also named indo one of the Best New Restaurants that year—and Bognar built upon it with the recent addition of a cocktail bar and 14-item handroll menu. He’s now poised to open another highly anticipated spot, Sado, in the former Giovanni’s on the Hill space.
Gerard Craft
EXECUTIVE CHEF/OWNER, NICHE FOOD GROUP
After winning the city’s first James Beard Award for Best Chef, Craft continues to be a culinary ambassador, serving as St. Louis CITY SC’s Flavor Officer and launching concepts at City Foundry STL.
BREWING CHANGE
Aloha Mischeaux, Black Coffee: Years after stepping into the spotlight on American Idol, Mischeaux is shining a light on socially conscious coffee providers from all over the world at her coffee shop in The Luminary.
Andrew Cisneros
CHEF/OWNER, JALEA
Cisneros has worked with some of the city’s top chefs—Ben Poremba, Mike Randolph, Gerard Craft—and served as a chef at The Copper Pig and The St. Louis Club. Then, earlier this year, Cisneros branched out on his own, opening the acclaimed Peruvian bistro Jalea in St. Charles, and he helped develop the menus at Casa de Tres Reyes (a sister concept to Three Kings Public House) and Sanguchitos by Brasas (inside Perennial Artisan Ales).
Michael and Tara Gallina + Aaron Martinez
Kevin A. Roberts
Tara Gallina and Aaron Martinez
CO-OWNERS, TAKE ROOT HOSPITALITY
The credentials were already impressive for the Gallinas (Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York, Vicia, Winslow’s Table) and Martinez (Elaia, Cinder House) before they teamed up to form Take Root Hospitality. Then they opened Bistro La Floraison in the former Bar Les Frères space and launched Taqueria Morita at Vicia’s garden-side pavilion. The latter’s temporarily moving to Winslow’s Table for the winter, “with more hearty and kid-friendly fare, less seafood-beachy stuff,” on Wednesday through Saturday nights until the outdoor taqueria reopens.
