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2020 Mentors[seat 1] Nicole Adewale LEED APCo-founder, ABNA Engineering Inc.Nicole Adewale is a co-founder of ABNA; which is a full-service Civil Engineering Firm that provides Structural and CivilEngineering Design Services for commercial buildings, transportation infrastructure, sewer systems and other publicutilities. Nicole began her career at IDOT, where she was a resident engineer for major roadway and bridge constructionprojects. Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, is acertified LEED AP and is currently pursuing an Urban Affairs degree at Harris Stowe State University. She fuels herpassion for the community by volunteering with such organizations as FIRST Robotics, NSBE, SLU, UMSL, School Districtof University City and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.Fun Fact: I am a published poet, essayist and former columnist for the St. Louis Limelight magazine.[seat 2] Yemi Akande-BartschPresident & CEO, FOCUS St. Louis; Director, Leadership St. LouisRecognized as an accomplished, innovative, and visionary leader specializing in implementing strategic plans andorganizational development, Yemi has led FOCUS St. Louis since 2014. She spent ten years of her career in Cleveland whereshe held senior leadership roles with Cleveland Leadership Center and Cleveland Executive Fellowship. Yemi’s passion is toeducate emerging and established leaders and mentor them to success. As a leader in the community, she is affiliated withand/or serves in key roles with various organizations. She holds three degrees from the University of Oklahoma, including aPH.D. in Communications, Intercultural, Political and Organizational Communication, an M.H.R. in Human Relations andOrganizational Development, and a Master of Arts in Public Relations, Journalism & Mass Communications. She earned herB.A. in Speech Communications from Southwest Baptist University.Fun Fact: I love to travel.[seat 3] Zekia Armstrong AsuquoPresident, Gateway Global LogisticsZekita Armstrong Asuquo is the President of Gateway Global Data Logistics Co., MBE/WBE owned geospatial data firmheadquartered in St. Louis, MO. She is also the Chair of Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance, anorganization focused on STEM based learning and workforce preparedness. Zekita has been published and featured insome of the most influential news publications including ABC World News, The Root, Diversity Journal and ChristianityToday. She has also been a guest on national and local radio shows with influencers like Roland S. Martin (Chicago),Rebecca Roberts (DC) and Charlie Brennan (STL). Zekita is a member of STLMADE GeoFutures regional committee, St.Louis Opera Theatre Engagement and Inclusion Task Force, and former President of NAWBO St. Louis.Fun Fact: I am a huge fan of luxury real estate![seat 4] Bonnie BarczykowskiCEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern MissouriBarczykowski is responsible for driving long-term growth, developing new and creative initiatives to meet the needs of
members and their community, along with advancing Girl Scouts as the premier leadership organization for girls. Prior tojoining Girl Scouts in 2012, she was a business owner, author and motivational speaker. She’s owned and operated fivesuccessful Curves locations and has also led local and national training seminars and was the keynote speaker at manyhealthcare and fitness workshops and conventions. In the community, she serves on the Missouri Botanical GardenEducation Mission Council. In the past, she’s been a Board Chair for the Greater North County Chamber of Commerceand for the St. Louis Curves Co-Op. She was a member of the board for Marygrove and Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.[seat 5] Marie-Hélène BernardPresident & CEO, St. Louis Symphony OrchestraMarie-Hélène Bernard joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as President and CEO on July 1, 2015. Before that, sheserved in many executive management positions at orchestras across the country. Prior to joining the orchestra world,she practiced corporate and tax law in Canada and remains a member of the Québec Bar Association. Since she beganher tenure, SLSO completed a five-year strategic plan and experienced significant increases in both attendance andticket revenue, as well as with earned and contributed revenue, leading to balanced budgets for several consecutiveseasons. Marie-Hélène serves on the boards of United Way of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Regional Chamber, GrandCenter, Inc. and is on Radio Arts Foundation Honorary Advocacy Council. Recent honors include receiving the A-ListAward for “Arts Leader” (2016) from St. Louis Magazine and as one of the “Most Influential Business Women” (2016), bySt. Louis Business Journal.[seat 6] Dr. Angie BesendorferRegional Vice President & Chancellor, WGU MissouriDr. Angie Besendorfer is the Regional Vice President & Chancellor of WGU Missouri, the state’s online, competencybased university. She champions college attainment for working Missourians who wish to pursue a bachelor’s ormaster’s degree. Angie leads the efforts to connect students and community stakeholders with WGU Missouri’s onlinecompetency-based model for increasing levels of higher education throughout Missouri. She has spent 25 years in thefield of education in Missouri, implementing innovative and technology-focused learning strategies. Before joining WGUMissouri, Angie was the assistant superintendent of Joplin Schools for eight years leading advancement in curriculum,instruction, assessment, and facilities. She was also an adjunct professor at Missouri State.Fun Fact: I love cameras and I have a large collection of them.[seat 7] Winnie CaldwellCo-founder, Books N Bros LLCWinnie Caldwell is a St. Louis, MO native and the Co-founder of Books N Bros. Winnie studied corporatecommunications at Lindenwood University and proceeded to work in a fast-paced industry blogging, content creating,teaching and empowering others. She began blogging in 2012, which led to speaking engagements across the country.She also manages and builds websites for others as well as teaches teens how to do the same through a local financialliteracy startup. Her son, Sidney Keys III, is the 14-year-old founder of Books N Bros LLC. When Sidney came up with theidea in 2016, he wanted it to be for boys as a form of social justice. Books N Bros has since grown from 7 members toover 350 internationally. The company participated in 3 fellowships and has given over 15,000 in resources back to thelocal community. Books N Bros has been featured on networks such as Disney Marvel's Hero Project, SteveTV, GoodMorning America, The Hallmark Channel, CNN Heroes, Oprah's O Magazine and more.Fun Fact: I live vicariously through my 10lb ShihTzhu who goes by the name of Roxy. She’s bossy, fierce and knows whatshe wants (mainly bacon).[seat 8] Christine Candio, FACHEPresident & CEO, St. Luke’s Health CorporationChristine Candio was appointed president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. in January
2015. Prior to joining St. Luke’s, she served over six years as CEO of Inova Alexandria Hospital in northern Virginia and asSVP of Inova Health System. Christine began her career as a nurse, progressed through nursing leadership ranks atseveral hospitals during the past three decades. Christine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from WilliamPaterson University and a Master of Public Administration degree with a focus in healthcare management from FairleighDickinson University. She is board-certified in healthcare management and is a Past Chairman of the American College ofHealthcare Executives, an international professional society of more than 40,000 healthcare. Currently, she is theChairman of the advisory board of the George Washington University MHA Program and a member of the MissouriHospital Association Board of Trustees.Fun Fact: In 2018, I was one of 40 business leaders throughout the country to be selected to participate in a six dayimmersion with all branches of the military. The program is one of a kind sponsored by the U.S. Secretary of Defense andis called – Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. The week was kicked off at the Pentagon with a private briefing fromthe 26th Secretary Of Defense James Mattis.[seat 9] Fran CaradonnaCEO, The Saint Louis BreweryFran Caradonna is the CEO of The Saint Louis Brewery, the makers of Schlafly Beer. Before joining Schlafly, she was cofounder and vice president of The Signature Beer Company, one of Schlafly’s first wholesalers, as well as co-founder andchief executive officer of O’Fallon Brewery. After joining the Schlafly Beer team as both chief financial officer and chiefadministrative officer, Fran was appointed as chief executive officer in July 2019. In a few short months, her leadershiphas made a palpable impact on the organization, and her stewardship brings a renewed focus on the talents.Fun fact: When I was in high school, it was the responsibility of upperclassmen to drive the busses so I was a school busdriver when I was 17 years old![seat 10] Maxine ClarkCEO, Clark-Fox Family FoundationFounder, Build-A-Bear WorkshopIn 1997, Maxine founded Build-A-Bear Workshop and today there are more than 500 stores worldwide and nearly 190million stuffed animals have been sold. In June 2013, she stepped down from her CEO role to apply her entrepreneurialskills to her passion for improving K-12 public education and to invest in and mentor women and minorityentrepreneurs. Her next “act” is to make public education much more consumer friendly. She launchedBlueprint4SummerSTL in 2015, a free and easy-to-use mobile app designed to help ALL families navigate the bestsummer activities and pre-college programs for their children. Her latest venture is the Delmar DivINe —thetransformation of a neighborhood eyesore into a multi-use real estate development to open in late 2020. Maxine is alsoa Managing Partner of Prosper Women’s Capital, a St. Louis based fund created to invest in women owned businessesand a member of the Board of Advisors of Lewis & Clark Ventures, a St. Louis based private equity firm.Fun Fact: In 2006, Maxine published her first book “The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart”.[seat 11] Betsy CohenExecutive Director, St. Louis Mosaic ProjectBetsy Cohen is Executive Director for the St. Louis Mosaic Project, a public-private collaboration of the St. LouisEconomic Development Partnership and community leaders. The goal is that by 2025 our region will have the fastestgrowth rate of foreign-born people. The St. Louis Mosaic Project is part of the World Trade Center-St. Louis of the St.Louis Economic Development Partnership. Betsy is on the Advisory Board of St. Louis University School of Business. Shewas recognized as a top businesswoman by the St. Louis Business Journal and the YWCA. She is an advisor to The YieldLab agricultural accelerator. Betsy received her BA from Wellesley College and MBA from the Harvard BusinessSchool. She worked with international colleagues in her previous role as a vice president at Nestle Purina.
Fun Fact: I have been a “connector” since I had 20 international pen pals at the same time while I was in grade school.[seat 12] Talia GoldfarbFounder & Owner, Myself BeltsTalia is the owner of Myself Belts, a patented, one-handed, easy to fasten belt line for children and adults. Talia wasfeatured on ABC’s Shark Tank Season 6 and partnered with Daymond John. Myself Belts have been featured innumerous magazines such as The Huffington Post, People Magazine, US Weekly, Woman’s Day, and Forbes.com. Taliahas a Masters in Social Work and worked for many years as a school social worker and therapist for children in fostercare. Motherhood altered her professional path, as it was her son’s sagging pants that led to the invention of MyselfBelts. While continuing to run Myself Belts, Talia recently launched Entrepreneurial Insight LLC, a consulting businessthat blends her training as a therapist with her entrepreneurial experience as a way to provide guidance and support toentrepreneurs.Fun Fact: I went to an all girl’s school in Rhode Island from k-12th grade.[seat 13] Loretta GrahamCEO, Girls Scouts of Southern IllinoisLoretta Graham goes above and beyond what is required in service to others. THE BEST leader, she serves as the CEO forGirl Scouts of Southern Illinois. Loretta first joined Girl Scouts in 1991. She works with communities to be a voice andface for girls and develops volunteer programs and council activities at the organization. Loretta is committed tomeeting the needs and interest of girls and developing strong leadership skills. She has a BA in Communications. Lorettawas recently awarded Mr. Rogers Neighborly Award and is the winner of the 2018 Transformative Leadership Award.She was featured in the St. Louis Small Business Monthly as one of the Most Admired Business Leaders. She’s a boardMember for Caritas and a member of the SIUE Meridian Society. She also teaches at Brown School WashingtonUniversity in St. Louis.Fun Fact: I play the Clarinet and I’m also an avid basketball player.[seat 14] Rhonda Hamm-NiebrueggeDirector of Airports, St. Louis Lambert International AirportRhonda has been the Director of St. Louis Lambert International Airport since January 2010. The Airport serves morethan 14.7 million passengers annually. Rhonda manages 500 employees with revenues averaging 165 million dollarsannually. She is also Chairwoman of the 17-member St. Louis Airport Commission. Prior to STL, Rhonda logged over 25years in aviation management positions with American Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA) and Ozark Air Lines. Rhondacurrently serves on the National Freight Advisory Committee. She also serves as a board member for the St. LouisRegional Chamber, Christian Hospital (BJC HealthCare), the International Women’s Forum, Ranken Technical CollegeBoard and the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation.Fun Fact: I am the proud grandma of two little boys, Jackson and Hank![seat 15] Katie HopkinsPresident/COO, Truck Centers, Inc.Truck Centers, Inc. is a third-generation family owned business that is celebrating 50 years in 2020. Katie Hopkins,President/COO has been with the company since 1996 in a multitude of roles and began the current role in 2019. Katiegraduated with a degree in Business Administration - Management from Truman State University and has graduatedfrom several industry specific programs including the Dealer Executive Education Program with Babson College. Katiehas been active for many years as a member on the Missouri dealer board, and also with the American Truck Dealers asthe first “NextGen” board member.
Fun Fact: My husband and I have a German Shepherd, Chief who is certified as a therapy support dog and he visitsschools, memory care homes, etc.[seat 16] Cheryl JonesPresident & CEO, Girls Inc.Bio to come.[seat 17] Missy KelleyPresident and CEO, Downtown STL, Inc.Missy Kelley leads efforts to make Downtown St. Louis a thriving business district, neighborhood and entertainmentdestination. She works closely with St. Louis City civic and business leaders to address issues and opportunities inDowntown St. Louis. Missy represents the interests of Downtown businesses, residents and visitors to Downtown St.Louis, in the regional conversation as a member of the Board of Directors for the following organizations: St. LouisRegional Chamber, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation, St. Louis Fashion Fund,Grand Center, Inc., and Technology Entrepreneur Center. Prior to joining Downtown STL, Inc., Missy spent over 20 yearsin business strategy and marketing roles at many Fortune 500 companies.[seat 18] Dasha KennedyFounder, The Broke Black GirlDasha Kennedy, the creator of The Broke Black Girl and The Girlpreneur Expo, is a millennial financial coach, author, andspeaker. Dasha provides resources and a community to advance financial literacy and business acumen to women ofcolor; helping more than 60,000 women kickstart their personal finance journey and 100 women-led small businessowners generate more than 70,000 back into the St. Louis economy.Fun Fact: I am a poet. My 8th-grade teacher introduced me to the writings of Edgar Allen Poe and I wrote 7 out of the 10poems that were performed at my middle school's Poetry Festival.[seat 19] Lyda KrewsonMayor, City of St. LouisIn April 2017, Lyda Krewson won a historic election to become the first woman to serve as mayor of St. Louis. Prior tothe election, Lyda served as 28th Ward Alderwoman. She is also a CPA and served as the CFO for an international designfirm until her election as Mayor in 2017. As Mayor, she has focused intently on public safety, naming Judge JimmieEdwards as Director of Public Safety and John Hayden as Chief of Police. She also led the effort to pass Proposition P, ahalf cent sales tax to provide salary and benefit increases for police and firefighters, and a million each for summer jobs,recreation for kids, mental health, and demolition. Lyda is also focused on reducing vacant buildings, cleaning up St.Louis, increasing economic and workforce development, and providing good service to all St. Louis residents, businessesand visitors.Fun Fact: The Mayor enjoys Pixy Stix candy for lunch on occasion.[seat 20] Peggy LentsFounder & CEO, Lents & AssociatesPeggy founded Lents & Associates in 1987 to provide strategic marketing, communications and public relations services.The firm works with diverse for-profit and nonprofit clients, locally and nationally. She is integrally involved both in theSt. Louis region and nationally, having served on multiple organization boards, including the Dean’s Leadership Councilfor Harvard University’s Kennedy School. The firm has dedicated pro bono service for a wide variety of nonprofitsthrough the years. A frequent guest lecturer, Peggy has worked with Washington University, Webster University, andHarris Stowe State University as well as professional groups. Early in her career, Peggy served in the public sector in
Washington, D.C. in Congress. Among other awards, Peggy was one of the St. Louis Business Journal “25 Most InfluentialWomen in Business”.Fun Fact: I am a first generation American.[seat 21] LaShana LewisFounder & CEO, L. M. Lewis ConsultingLaShana is a technologist working in the diversity space with over 20 years of experience. L. M. Lewis Consulting is acompany which aims to make employers more diverse through recruitment, hiring, and retention best practices. Shecurrently serves as Director of the St. Louis Equity in Entrepreneurship Collective, an organization focused on buildingsystems of race and gender equity for St. Louis' early-stage, entrepreneurial ecosystem. LaShana lends her I.T.knowledge as a technical consultant, serves as a role model for diversity in technology, and has met with PresidentBarack Obama as part of the nationwide TechHire Initiative, which encourages employers to hire and train people withnon-traditional tech backgrounds.Fun fact: I surprised by friends on Christmas 2017 with a ticket to Adult Space Camp, a place I dreamt of going to since Iwas 10 years old.[seat 22] Audra Danielle NoyesOwner, Designer, AUDRAAudra Danielle Noyes is a globally recognized fashion designer and entrepreneur. Audra trained under top fashiondesigners Alber Elbaz of Lanvin & John Galliano in Paris. In 2014, she launched AUDRA, her namesake women’s luxuryclothing brand. Audra has been recognized and featured in leading industry publications including Women’s Wear Dailyand Forbes for her business and design acumen. Her designs have been worn by Hollywood icons such as SusanSarandon & Tracee Ellis Ross, and graced the pages of fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, and Instyle. AUDRA issold nationwide in esteemed boutiques including Stanley Korshak (Dallas), additionally at the St. Louis atelier and on thebrand’s website www.audraofficial.com.Fun Fact: I was a competitive field hockey player in high school.[seat 23] Susan A O’Malley, CPA, CVAPrincipal, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)Susan O’Malley is a Principal with more than 25 years of public accounting experience assisting private businesses andindividuals with accounting, tax and consulting needs. At CLA, Susan is responsible for managing all aspects of clientengagements, including tax compliance, tax planning, research and business consulting. She has significant experience inthe taxation areas of S corporations, partnerships and high net-worth individuals.Fun Fact: I was building character for my daughter by giving her goldfish crackers every time she received at shot at thedoctor’s office for not crying. Now she is in the medical field![seat 24] Lydia PadillaFranchise Owner, TRC Staffing Services, Inc.TRC Staffing Services, Inc. is a personnel placement firm for temporary, full-time employment and permanentemployees. Lydia, a 30-year veteran of the staffing industry, and her associates provide traditional staffing services,professional and technical contractors, management and consulting services, and placement of bilingual personnel forsome of the country's leading companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Born in San Diego, shemoved to Memphis, TN, in 1995 to open and operate a staffing franchise with multiple offices. In 2000, ready for thechallenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, she moved to St. Louis to launch her own franchise of TRC StaffingServices, Inc. She and her husband live in historic Lafayette Square where they are rehabbing a historic home.
Fun Fact: My husband and I practically run a free B&B with random designers, artist, musicians and students staying atour home.[seat 25] Lorri A. RippelmeyerPartner, Anders CPAs AdvisorsLorri is a partner in the Tax Services Group and a leader of the firm’s Sports, Arts & Entertainment Group. Lorri firstjoined the firm in 1987 with a business college certificate. She worked toward her bachelor’s and master’s degrees andprepared for the CPA exam, all while working full time. She now provides tax solutions for individuals, companies andseveral prominent professional athletes. Lorri is one of the leaders of the firm’s Women’s Initiative and in 2012, wasnamed one of St. Louis’s Most Influential Business Women by the St. Louis Business Journal. Lorri serves on the boardsof University of Missouri St. Louis Women’s Leadership Council, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation and volunteers forVolunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts.Fun Fact: My dad played professional baseball.[seat 26] Ronda L. Sauget D.Mgt, MBAExecutive Director and CEO, Leadership Council Southwestern IllinoisThe Leadership Council is a not-for-profit member-based economic development corporation in Southwestern Illinoisworking to unite the region for growth. In Ronda’s current role, she is responsible for identifying and mobilizing leadersin business, industry, labor, education and government, and building effective partnerships to address regionaleconomic development issues, often playing a leadership role in advancing those initiatives that top the LeadershipCouncil’s priority list.Fun Fact: I thrive on developing winning competitive positioning strategies to overcome challenging problems![seat 27] Laura K. SawyierStylist & Consultant, Founder of SALON x LKSA former Creative Director and events producer for nearly a decade, Laura launched her eponymous consulting practicein 2017 to engage women around their self-image. By exploring the relationships we have with our visualrepresentation, Laura has helped clients clarify how they express themselves authentically in their personal andprofessional lives — regularly working with dynamic women, including Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, stay-athome moms, consultants, fashion designers, realtors. Her brand work has been featured in Elle India, Fast Company, TheZoe Report, and Travel Leisure. Additionally, Laura is a published writer focusing on applied psychology in fashion, andthe founder of SALON x LKS; a St. Louis-based fashion-forward event series celebrating self-growth, femaleentrepreneurship, and empowerment.Fun Fact: I was a competitive skier growing up.[seat 28] Shelley SeifertChairman & CEO, First BankShelley Seifert has served as Chairman and CEO of First Bank since May 2019. She joined First Bank in the fall of 2014 asChief Administrative Officer and promoted to COO in 2015. First Bank is a 6B bank headquartered in St. Louis, withlocations in the greater St. Louis region and throughout California. First Bank focuses on serving family and otherprivately held businesses with superior lending and treasury capabilities, as well as servicing the owners and theirfamilies through our wealth management group, and their employees with products and education. Outside of the bankshe’s on the board of directors of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and St. Louis Regional Chamber. She’s also anadvisory board member at Webster University’s School of Business and Venture for America.
Fun Fact: I love travel and have had the opportunity to visit more than 30 countries.[seat 29] Judy SindecuseCEO & Managing Partner, Capital InnovatorsAfter obtaining a JD from Harvard Law School and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University,Judy founded seven different businesses, each of them profitable within six months. As founder and CEO of CapitalInnovators, Judy now helps companies and founders reach the next level in their business. Capital Innovators is anaccelerator that has invested in more than 100 startups. Many of the entities that now comprise this robust ecosystemthat has been ranked as high as #1 can trace their birth back to Capital Innovators. The 120 companies in the CapitalInnovators portfolio have gone on to raise over 330 million in additional funding and to create more than 1,300 jobs.Judy is a director on the board for Cortex, the nonprofit organization that is responsible for the rapid real estatedevelopment of the innovation district in St. Louis City.Fun Fact: I play in a pool league.[seat 30] Kristen SorthDirector, St. Louis County LibraryKristen Sorth became St. Louis County Library’s first female director in November 2013. In 2014, the library began itsmulti-million-dollar capital improvement campaign, which has, to date, renovated or replaced 18 of its 20 branches. AtKristen’s direction, the library has transformed its buildings, programs and services, creating award-winning partnershipswith organizations such as Operation Food Search and We Stories. She is a member of FOCUS St. Louis, Big Brothers BigSisters of Eastern Missouri, YWCA, the Urban Libraries Council, and Missouri Public Library Directors. Kristen has aMaster’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a Master’s in Library andInformation Sciences from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.Fun Fact: My family and I share our home with three standard poodles we love - George, Fitz and brand new puppyLouie Pashmina.[seat 31] Susan TrautmanCEO, Great Rivers GreenwaySusan Trautman is working to advance a vision of improving the quality of life in St. Louis by building a 600-mile web ofmore than 45 greenways, parks and trails that are connecting St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. TheDistrict is also the steward of Proposition P, which provided 100 million in public funds to assist with the renovation ofthe Gateway Arch, Kiener Plaza and the Riverfront. Susan was honored with the NAACP 2018 Ina Boon Social Justiceaward. She was recognized as a Missouri Athletic Club’s 2016 “Women of Distinction and a 2011 St. Louis Business “Top25 Influential Business Woman”. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Regional Health Commission, and on theBoard of Beyond Housing.Fun Fact: I love the outdoors and can be found on trails in all parts of our region, state and national parks.[seat 32] Tessa TrelzPartner, Stinson LLPTessa Trelz, in the 33rd year of her legal career, provides counsel on corporate transactional and governance matters forpublic and private companies, guiding clients in a variety of industries, including finance/payments and manufacturing,through mergers and acquisitions and corporate structure, governance, compliance and finance matters. Tessafrequently handles joint ventures, licensing arrangements, outsourcings and other strategic commercial transactions inwhich technology and intellectual property assets are key. She is regularly listed in Best Lawyers in America and SuperLawyers . A career-long leader in the advancement of women in the law, she has been honored, among numerousother professional awards and recognitions, by being named a St. Louis Most Influential Business Woman by the St.
Louis Business Journal and by receiving both an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and the Chancellor’s WomenTrailblazer Award from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.Fun Fact: Tessa and her husband, who she met in law school and who has a commercial litigation practice here in St.Louis, have 3 sons (26, 24 and 17) of whom they are enormously proud.[seat 33] Janna WestbrookFounder, Provider PoolBio to come.[seat 34] La’Crassia WildernessFounder, Butter Love by L.C.La'Crassia is the creator and owner of Butter Love By L.C which was established in 2014. She took her love for mixing andher love for nature and created a brand that is truly organic. At a young age, she found herself mixing things in secretand that love has carried her to new heights. Suffering from skin ailments, she tried to find ways to decrease herconditions. Soon after, she continued forward, channeling her energy towards healing others. La’Crassia believes thatthe Earth provides everything you need to be healthy. Most of her work is created with ingredients that are grown andnot processed. Working with her hands has always been a preference as is focusing on the
Dr. Angie esendorfer is the Regional Vice President & hancellor of WGU Missouri, the state's online, competency - based university. She champions college attainment for working Missourians who wish to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree. Angie leads the efforts to connect students and community stakeholders with WGU Missouri's online
