FOCUS St. Louis

08/21/2026

Congratulations to our FOCUS alumnae who have been selected as 2026 YWCA Metro St. Louis Leaders of Distinction!
➢ Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE (Leadership St. Louis 2002)
➢ Traci O'Bryan (Leadership St. Louis 2011)
➢ The Honorable Mary Russell (Leadership St. Louis 2002)
➢ Miranda Walker Jones (Women In Leadership 2003)

Learn more: https://www.ywcastl.org/2026-ywca-leaders-of-distinction/

✨ Meet the 2026 Leaders of Distinction! ✨

YWCA Metro St. Louis is proud to honor nine extraordinary women whose leadership, dedication, and impact are helping shape a stronger St. Louis community.

These remarkable leaders will be recognized at our 46th Annual Leader Lunch, celebrating women who lead with purpose and inspire meaningful change.

👏 Join us in congratulating our 2026 Leaders of Distinction!

Learn more about this year’s honorees and Leader Lunch: https://www.ywcastl.org/2026-ywca-leaders-of-distinction/

08/20/2026

Congratulations to FOCUS alum Pastor Andre Alexander on being named as the Visionary Award recipient for St. Louis Magazine's A-List Awards 2026! A 2023 graduate of our Leadership St. Louis program, Pastor Alexander was also recognized as a Community Changemaker at our 2025 What's Right with the Region Awards.

Learn more: https://www.stlmag.com/a-list/visionary-award-2026/

THE BUILDER Pastor Andre Alexander Pastor Andre Alexander is emphatic and direct when he talks about housing and homeownership. To him, they are things that everyone should be able to attain, regardless of financial background. “We treat it much like it’s an option, an add-on, nice to have. But ...

08/19/2026

Congratulations to FOCUS board member Missy Kelley on her upcoming retirement!

Missy’s career has been marked by thoughtful leadership, a deep commitment to St. Louis, and a genuine passion for making a difference in the community.

We’re especially grateful for all the ways Missy has invested in FOCUS, from being part of our inaugural cohort of Impact Fellows to sharing her wisdom as a panelist for our Women's History Month Breakfast to serving as a mentor for Speed Mentoring. A familiar face at FOCUS forums and events, Missy took her commitment a step further by joining the FOCUS board in 2024, where she continues to serve as Executive Vice Chair. We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from her leadership, perspective, and belief in the power of people to strengthen our region.

Please join us in wishing her the best in her next chapter!

Read more: https://www.stlmag.com/business/missy-kelley-retires-anders-downtown-st-louis/

08/17/2026

Please join us in congratulating FOCUS alum Marilyn Ratkin and her husband Gary Ratkin, who were recognized this summer with the 2026 Jane and Whitney Harris St. Louis Community Service Award from Washington University in St. Louis!

Learn more about their contributions to our region here:

Marilyn and Gary Ratkin are the recipients of the 2026 Jane and Whitney Harris St. Louis Community Service Award. The award recognizes couples who contribute to the culture and welfare of the greater St. Louis community in an outstanding manner.

08/16/2026

Congratulations to FOCUS Leadership St. Louis alum Leslie McClure, Ph.D., who will be recognized with the 2027 Mary and Alfie Gray Award for Social Justice from the Association for Women in Mathematics!

Leslie Ain McClure, Ph.D., will receive the 2027 Mary and Alfie Gray Award for Social Justice from the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) at the January 2027 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Chicago.

More: https://loom.ly/O79sVFM

McClure, dean of the College for Public Health and Social Justice and a professor of biostatistics, is being recognized for her commitment to justice through leadership and mentorship and for applying mathematical sciences to advance social justice.

08/14/2026

Congratulations to FOCUS Women In Leadership alum Beth Elderson being named as Chief Program Officer for Starkloff Disability Institute!

We're thrilled to announce Beth Elders has joined SDI as our first-ever Chief Program Officer, a new role marking a major milestone in our organization's growth!

Beth brings 25+ years of nonprofit leadership experience, most recently as Executive Director of the Missouri Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, plus several leadership roles at the American Red Cross. As CPO, Beth will lead our program strategy, strengthen coordination across our teams, and help ensure our work stays innovative, effective, and grounded in the needs of the disability community across the St. Louis region and beyond.

Her arrival is an investment in our people, our programs, and our mission. Welcome, Beth—we're so glad you're here!

08/09/2026

Congratulations to FOCUS Women In Leadership alum Elizabeth Eisele on being named as Chief Communications Officer for St. Louis County!

Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2026/08/07/st-louis-county-communications-chief-retires.html

08/07/2026

Congratulations to FOCUS alumnae Kelly Po***ck (Leadership St. Louis 2013 / Women In Leadership 2001), Sheila Forrest (Women In Leadership 2002), and Beth-Anne Yakub (Impact Fellows 2019), who will be honored at ULSTL's Salute to Women in Leadership!

Learn more: https://www.ulstl.com/salute-to-women-in-leadership.html #/

08/06/2026

Love to see the many ways that our FOCUS alumni show up to lead in our community. After completing a six-year term on the Missouri State Board of Education, Leadership St. Louis alum Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge is now serving as chair of the St. Louis Region Future of Public Education Task Force.

Learn more:

Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, who recently completed a six-year term on the Missouri State Board of Education, has been named chair of the St. Louis Region Future of Public Education Task Force. The task force held its inaugural meeting last week and plans to develop and evaluate four options for the fut...

08/05/2026

Some of the most valuable things our FOCUS graduates take from their programs are the relationships they build. It's always inspiring to see how those connections and friendships form, evolve, and stand the test of time. They provide support and encouragement during challenging moments, celebrate one another's successes, and spark collaboration and innovation across sectors.

This week, members of the Leadership St. Louis 2006–07 cohort celebrated those relationships at their 20-year reunion, graciously hosted by class member R.J. Crunk, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. FOCUS President & CEO Dr. Yemi Akande-Bartschhad the pleasure of joining the group, and thank you to cohort members Marci Mayer Eisen, Michael Ruwitch, Sean Thomas, Mark Lindgren, Roseann Weiss, LaShanda Boone Maida Coleman, R.J. Crunk, Denise Liebel, Frank Van Bree and Keith Politte for a wonderful evening of connection and reflection.

Inspired by stories like these? We're excited to bring our entire FOCUS alumni community together again at the 2026 Alumni Reunion on Sept. 30 at Commerce Bank. We hope you'll join us to reconnect with classmates, expand your network, and celebrate the lasting impact of the FOCUS community.

Learn more and register here: https://focus-stl.org/events/focus-alumni-reunion-2026/