FOCUS St. Louis

06/01/2026

Congratulations to FOCUS alum Stephen Davis (Emerging Leaders 2020) on being appointed as Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of St. Louis Government!

Davis, a seasoned leader in economic development, joins the Mayor’s Office from the St. Louis Development (SLDC), where he has served as vice president of strategic partnerships and initiatives since 2022.

05/29/2026

Just one week remaining to apply for our fall 2026 cohort of FOCUS Emerging Leaders! If you're an early-career professional wanting to take on a greater leadership role in your career and the community, this is the program for you.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore your unique strengths, examine regional issues from different perspectives, expand your leadership skills, and build lasting connections.

Learn more and apply by June 5: https://focus-stl.org/programs/emerging-leaders/

05/25/2026

The Community Changemakers category in our What's Right with the Region Awards is designed to recognize individuals who are making a difference in their organizations and our community.

Check out the inspiring stories of this year's honorees: Gary Huelsmann, Raphael Morrìs, Christopher Ryan and Dr. Lizette Smith!

Congratulations to Gary Huelsmann, Raphael Morris, Chris Ryan and Dr. Lizette Smith! These honorees were recognized in the Community Changemakers category at...

05/24/2026

The Emerging Initiatives category of our What's Right with the Region Awards was designed to shine a light on newer programs and organizations that are already starting to make an impact.

Thank you to Archway Refugee Connections, Brickline North Community Development Corporation, Sow Joy Peoples Fund, and The People's Response for their efforts in our region! Learn more about these organizations in the video below.

Congratulations to Archway Refugee Connections, Brickline North Community Development Corporation, Sow Joy Peoples Fund and The People's Response! These hono...

05/24/2026

The health of a region can be affected by many factors, from education to housing to the environment. We're grateful to our What's Right with the Region honorees in the Promoting Community Health and Well-being category for all they are doing to make our community a healthier place to live, work and play.

Congratulations to Assisi House, Crown Center for Senior Living, Just Moms STL and Pink Ribbon Good - St. Louis! Check out their stories below.

Congratulations to Assisi House, Crown Center for Senior Living, Just Moms STL, and Pink Ribbon Good - St. Louis! These honorees were recognized in the Promo...

05/23/2026

Did you join us at the 29th Annual What's Right with the Region Awards? Relive the memories and see if we caught you in one of the photos.

Check out the full album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1428974845941943&type=3

05/23/2026

05/21/2026

Please join us in congratulating all of our 2025-26 FOCUS graduates! Representing all ages and career levels, from high school students to CEOs, these leaders came together from a wide range of sectors, industries and backgrounds to deepen their understanding of themselves and our region.

Each of these graduates took time out of their busy lives and careers to invest in their growth and in our community. They showed up with curiosity, a willingness to engage in tough conversations, and a desire to build new connections and work toward real solutions.

We can’t wait to see how their leadership journeys continue to unfold as we welcome them to the FOCUS network of more than 11,000 alumni!

Meet this year's graduates: https://focus-stl.org/congratulations-to-our-2025-26-focus-graduates/

Thank you to all the organizations and employers who supported our graduates, including our program sponsors: Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated, Emerson, Kwame Charitable Foundation, LSL Class 45, Ameren Missouri, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis, Big League Impact, Blues for Kids, CardinalsCare, MOHELA, Safety National, The Saigh Foundation, and Jordan Charitable Foundation.

05/20/2026

One of the best parts of our annual What's Right with the Region Awards is getting to shine a light on organizations making a difference in our community.

Thank you to this year's honorees in our Improving Equity & Inclusion category for all they do to improve access and opportunity:
● City Academy
● The Eastern Region Alliance, a collaborative effort of the Productive Living Board, Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources and Developmental Disability Advocates
● The St. Louis Black Repertory Company
● St. Francis Xavier College Church's ID & Birth Certificate Program

Check out their stories below!

Congratulations to City Academy, The Eastern Region Alliance, The Black Rep and St. Francis Xavier ID & Birth Certificate Program! These honorees were recogn...

05/19/2026

Are you an early-career professional looking to level up your leadership skills and make a lasting impact in the St. Louis community? Applications for our fall cohort of FOCUS Emerging Leaders are due by June 5!

Through Emerging Leaders, you will have the opportunity to:
-- Connect with fellow leaders and changemakers
-- Transform your understanding of our region
-- Leave with the tools to take an active role as the next generation of St. Louis civic and professional leaders

Learn more and apply here: https://focus-stl.org/programs/emerging-leaders/