FOCUS St. Louis

Congratulations to our 2025-26 class of Youth Leadership St. Louis! This week we had the honor of celebrating these amazing young leaders and reflecting back on their program experience this year. A very special thank you to @umsl for not only hosting the graduation but also generously offering each YLSL participant a four-year academic scholarship! We also want to extend our appreciation to all the sponsors, program day hosts, facilitators, school administrators, advisors and families who helped support our student leaders along their powerful journey of learning, discovery and growth. 2025-26 Participating Schools/Organizations: @afftonhs , @bishopdubourg , @stlintern , @wearechaminade , @confluenceprepacad , @corjesuacademy , @ladue_schools , @oths_district_203 , @principiaschool , @vianneystl , @sluh , @stmarysdragons , Sumner High School, and @ursulinestl 2025-26 Supporters & Program Day Hosts: #BluesForKids, @cardinalscare , Emerson, MOHELA, RGA Foundation, The Saigh Foundation, Jordan Charitable Foundation, Safety National, @umsl , @stlouiscountylibrary , @milliporesigma , @uhspedu , @purina , and @loganuniversity

Tomorrow’s visionaries aren’t waiting — they’re already leading. Join us on May 7 at the Start With Leadership Conference for a breakout session exploring the perspectives and priorities of rising leaders shaping our city’s future. We’ll dive into how mentorship, education, and community engagement play a critical role in developing the next generation of impactful leadership. Reserve your spot today for this half-day event, presented in partnership with @umsl ! If you care about what’s next, and who’s leading it, you won’t want to miss this conversation, featuring: ➢ Moderator Charli Cooksey, Founder & CEO, @wepower_stl ➢ Sam Moore, Managing Director of Public History, @mohistorymuseum ➢ Emma Klues, VP of Communications & Outreach, @greatriversstl ➢ Daniela Velázquez, Ward 6 Alderwoman, @stlcitygov ➢ Shayn Prapaisilp, Chief Operating Officer, STJ Holdings LLC

The She Levels Up seminar day is always a meaningful one for our Women In Leadership participants, as they gain practical tools for communicating their value in the marketplace and strengthen their negotiation skills. It's also a day that highlights the incredible support of our WIL Alumnae Network, as we invite past graduates back to serve as negotiation coaches. A big thank you to our presenter Dr. Johnette Ruffner-Ceaser and our WIL alumnae negotiation coaches — Krysta Grangeno, Kenyatta Holmes, Lydia Pye Huston, Pamela C. King, Trish O'Brien and Kari Willett. Recruiting is underway for our next cohort of Women In Leadership. If you'd like to be part of this transformational program, we invite you to join us for our upcoming virtual Info Session on April 29 - learn more on the FOCUS website. #WomenInLeadership #STL #SheLevelsUp #leadership #negotiation

What does it take to lead with purpose, clarity, and resilience in a world that refuses to sit still? That's just the question we'll be exploring in the closing session of the May 7 Start With Leadership Conference, presented in partnership with the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Hear from experienced leaders who have navigated organizations through crisis, transformation, and ambiguity to learn how they make confident decisions with incomplete information, maintain trust and morale under pressure, and balance short-term survival with long-term vision. Moderated by FOCUS Board Member Kathy O’Neill of O'Neill Advisers, LLC, this panel discussion will feature: ➢ Michelle Tucker, President & CEO, @unitedwaystl ➢ Dr. Alexander Garza, Chief Community Health Officer, @ssm_health ➢ Dr. Kristin Sobolik, Chancellor, @umsl ➢ Rod Hicks, Executive Editor, @stlouisamerican Get your ticket today for this session (and many more) on the FOCUS website! #SWL2026 #levelupyourleadership #STL #leadership

FOCUS BoardBridge is back! Since its launch in 2023, FOCUS BoardBridge has successfully matched more than 150 community leaders with nonprofit boards. Applications for both nonprofits and candidates are now being accepted for our spring round of matching. Space is limited, and applications will close on April 17, or earlier if capacity is reached.

Please join us in congratulating our 2026 FOCUS Alumni Award honorees! ➤ Legacy Alumni Award: Amy Shaw, President & CEO, @ninepbs (Leadership St. Louis 2013) ➤ Emerging Alumni Award: Keisha Mabry Haymore, Managing Director, @perscholas St. Louis (Emerging Leaders 2013) These alumni represent the impact of FOCUS programs in action — leaders who are strengthening our region through their work and service. Join us on May 7 at the 29th Annual What's Right with the Region Awards as we celebrate these outstanding leaders and the many organizations making our region stronger. Tickets on sale now!

Drumroll please ... it's time to announce our 2026 What's Right with the Region Award honorees! All honorees were nominated by the public and selected by a committee of local leaders for their impact and service to the community. Thank you to all our nominators and the selection committee! We hope you'll join us on May 7 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at the @umsl to celebrate the amazing work that these organizations, individuals and initiatives are doing in our community. Early-bird tickets are now on sale!

We are thrilled to announce Lesley Hoffarth, President & Executive Director of @forestparkforever , as the recipient of our 2026 FOCUS Leadership Award! We invite all to join us to honor Lesley (a FOCUS Women In Leadership alum) and her contributions to our community at the 29th Annual What's Right with the Region Awards Celebration on May 7. Early-bird tickets are now on sale! “Forest Park is one of the top urban parks in our country and a true treasure for our region,” said Edward Bryant, board chair for FOCUS St. Louis. “Lesley Hoffarth’s visionary leadership has transformed Forest Park Forever into a national model for public–private partnership, and ensured the Park will remain a beautiful and welcoming space for all visitors and residents to enjoy for years to come.” In her role since 2010, Hoffarth has led Forest Park Forever through significant strategic growth. She negotiated a first-in-the-nation innovative agreement (and subsequent renewal and extension) with the City of St. Louis, forming a true partnership in caring for the Park. She has led the Park’s most ambitious fundraising initiatives, including the capital campaign to restore Steinberg Rink and transform its surroundings into the Glade, a destination for year-round community activity. Under her leadership, Forest Park has been voted “Best City Park” in the country multiple times in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, among other regional and national accolades. Before joining Forest Park Forever, Hoffarth — a 20-year veteran of the Missouri Department of Transportation — led the $535 million New I-64 project to completion one month ahead of schedule, $11 million under budget and with a 95% public satisfaction rating.

One of the benefits of Leadership St. Louis is its immersive nature, providing participants with access to leaders, organizations and industries they might not otherwise connect with in their daily lives and careers. A big thank you to @teamscottafb for hosting our recent LSL program day, and to showcasing all that Scott Air Force Base does in support of our military, our region and our nation.

This month's Leadership St. Louis program day invited the class to step deeply into the story of St. Louis — its history, its people, and its demographic realities— to explore what they mean for the region’s future. Through conversations with historians, demographers, and civic leaders, participants examined how St. Louis’s identity has been shaped over time and how population trends, migration patterns, and institutional legacy continue to influence regional development. Thank you to the @mohistorymuseum for hosting, and to all our presenters, including FOCUS Board Member Dr. Jody Sowell, Dr. Ness Sándoval, Dr. Ana Kent and Sam Moore.

Our Leadership St. Louis program day this month was spent exploring social issues and inequities in our region — and talking with organizations that are working to address these challenges and improve the quality of life for all in our community. Thank you to all the nonprofits who welcomed our cohort: @doorwayshousing , @delmardivine , @iistl , @lifewisestl , @starkloffdisability and @stpatrickcenter ! Special thanks to Kristen Wild and the team at @opfoodsearch for hosting us, and to Dr. Richard D. Harvey for leading the group through their poverty simulation.

Our FOCUS programs immerse leaders into our region, introducing them to people, places and ideas they may never have otherwise encountered. Our recent Leadership St. Louis program days were a perfect example. The first day took our cohort to America's Central Port in Illinois, one of the largest freight hubs in the Midwest, to explore the systems, people, and infrastructure that keep our region — and our nation — moving. Thank you to our presenters and partner sites, including: ● Dennis Wilmsmeyer of America's Central Port ● Scott Meyers and his team at ARCH Air Medical/ @airmethods ● Joe Monroe of the Illinois Department of Transportation ● Brent Wood of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis ● Yan-Qi, Ph.D., P.E., of @siuedwardsville On the second day, participants took a deep dive into team building and the strategic doing process. Special thanks to the team at Amazon Fulfillment Center STL8 for hosting our group!