Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of St. Louis for 2024. The four counties that make up the city of St. Louis account for nearly 40% of the workforce for the entire state of Missouri. In this thriving city, top industries such as advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, fintech, and bioscience thrive alongside traditional sectors like healthcare, financial services, education, and transportation.
Business leaders in Mound City bring a wealth of education and experience, driving advancement across these diverse sectors. Among them is Holly Breuer, President of Prosper CPAs. With over 20 years of experience in the accounting industry, Breuer launched this public accounting firm in 2022 and now leads an expanding team, focusing on a broadening range of financial services.
Next, we congratulate Erin Oller. A seasoned leader in the aerospace industry, Oller is Director of Domestic Business Development and strategy for Boeing Global Services, a company that delivers complete, cost-competitive service solutions for commercial, defense, and space customers.
Lastly, we honor Kimberly Prescott, a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in the healthcare and life sciences industries. As Director of Talent Acquisition in Global Strategic Skills and Pipelining at Bayer, a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, Prescott has made her mark through groundbreaking diversity initiatives and marketing strategies.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of St. Louis for 2024.
1. Elizabeth Edwards
Head of Global Portfolio & Marketing Strategy, Amazon
Elizabeth Edwards is the Head of Global Portfolio and Marketing Strategy at Amazon. In this role, she designs investment portfolios to create marketing campaigns that are measurably effective, creatively breakthrough, and scaled for impact, and focuses on driving free cash flow over time, ensuring a payback within the year. She first joined the company in 2019, managing the marketing strategy for the Amazon Fulfilment Center and Eastern United States high-volume hiring.
Edwards is a senior marketing leader with over 16 years of experience and a passion for helping companies identify their core value proposition, competitive differentiation, and growth path. She is an expert in applying digital marketing strategies to develop brand awareness, convert leads into buyers, and engage customers. Her expertise extends to buyer journeys, customer experience management, conversion rate optimization, content strategy, and social media. As a technical and data-driven leader, she is committed to agile development, project accountability, and financial discipline.
Previously, Edwards was a chief marketing officer at Young Eye Design. Before that, she held multiple leadership roles at GE Capital, including senior manager of global strategy. Earlier in her career, she worked with Trinity Forum Academy as a fellow in residence. Edwards earned an MBA in Marketing and Global Business from Thunderbird School of Global Management and an undergraduate degree in marketing and global business from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
2. Andrea Barry
Partner, Deloitte
Andrea Barry is a Partner at Deloitte, where she leads and manages teams and projects of varying sizes and complexity. She is recognized for her team-building and problem-solving skills.
Barry also serves Deloitte as a senior audit manager. She leads numerous assurance projects for local and multinational clients, bringing significant experience in financial reporting, internal control structures, contract accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and GAAP accounting. Her expertise is particularly strong in the aerospace defense, and consumer products in the manufacturing industries.
Barry is experienced in SEC financial reporting, technical accounting, internal controls, and assurance and advisory services. Her commitment to developing people, along with recruiting and building diverse and inclusive teams, is highly regarded. Barry graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Master's in Accountancy and an undergraduate degree in accountancy.
3. Joanna Green
US Deals Platform Practice Director, PwC
Joanna Green is the US Deals Platform Practice Director of PwC. PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited is a multinational professional services brand of firms, operating as partnerships under the PwC brand. It is the second-largest professional services network in the world and is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms.
Green works as a data strategist, empowering decision-makers with relevant, timely, and material information. Her role often involves translating unstructured business problems into analytical solutions and tools, with a focus on data in the deals and private equity space, where critical cross-sector data requirements are essential. She started her career in 2006 as a program associate at Mercatus Center. From there, she eventually rose to research associate at Northwestern University, her most recent position before joining PwC.
Green graduated from Stanford University with an MA in Political Economy and from Washington University in St. Louis with an undergraduate degree in political science and Spanish.
4. Natalie Haynes
Partner, EY
Natalie Haynes is a Partner with EY in the Indirect Tax practice. She regularly consults with large organizations to identify areas for improvement related to the sales and use tax function, including evaluating team skillsets, processes in comparison to leading practices, and use of technology tools. She leads teams in the identification of sales and use tax overpayments and the development of supporting documentation for submission to state Departments for overpayment recovery.
Haynes works closely with companies to understand their businesses and design and implement sales and use tax structures that align with business objectives and drive synergies across tax and other business functions. Additionally, she serves as the global account sub-service line leader to several organizations in the Missouri-Kansas market providing clients with indirect tax services across functional areas. In this role, she works with teams across the state and local income, sales and use, excise, property, employment, and value-added tax (VAT), as well as global trade and customs and credits and incentives to share valuable insights with her clients, ask better questions, and enable clients to agilely stay ahead of an ever-changing tax landscape.
Haynes is a regular speaker on indirect tax issues at conferences, including Telestrategies Communications Taxation, Associated Industries of Missouri, COST, and Tax Executive Institute. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a licensed CPA in California and Missouri and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT).
5. Angela Hart
Senior Director Enterprise Cloud Solutions, KPMG
Angela Hart, the Senior Director of Enterprise Cloud Solutions at KPMG, has 25 years of experience leading sales and marketing teams in the competitive cloud technology marketplace. She has an in-depth understanding of the industrial manufacturing and wholesale industries and their operational and strategic challenges pre- and post Covid 19.
Hart is committed to educating and mentoring the next generation of leaders. For years, she has taken an active leadership role in leading women’s organizations at KPMG and Deloitte, holding formal mentoring and sponsorship roles, and recruiting and onboarding new sales teams. Her true passion is the facilitation and training of professionals in the art of selling.
Before joining KPMG, Hart was a senior manager and sales executive at Deloitte. Before that, she was a vice president of alliance development at Enwisen, Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked with Oracle Corporation as a consulting practice director and regional sales manager. Hart graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with an undergraduate degree in advertising and marketing.
6. Elizabeth Wade
VP, Business Development Manager, Chase
Elizabeth Wade is a Vice President and Business Development Manager at Chase, where she helps her clients achieve their financial dreams by leveraging her expertise and experience in the banking industry.
Wade has 26 years of experience. Her true passion is helping clients grow their businesses by making them more profitable and sustainable. She is dedicated to seeing things through to completion, perfecting every interaction, and making the process as simple and enjoyable as possible for her clients. She loves offering the personal touch of a small bank while delivering the benefits of a large bank.
Before joining Chase, Wade was a business banking development consultant at the US Bank. Before that, she was a bank manager and vice president at Pulaski Bank. Earlier in her career, she worked with Central Bancompany as a teller.
7. Erin Oller
Executive Director, Domestic Business Development & Strategy, Boeing Global Services
With 25 years of experience in the aerospace industry, Erin Oller has worked in the public and private sectors and is currently the Director of Domestic Business Development and strategy for Boeing Global Services, a company that delivers complete, cost-competitive service solutions for commercial, defense, and space customers. In this role, she leads a team dedicated to providing critical support to the US Government services business. She is responsible for developing and maintaining customer relationships that align Boeing’s products and services with customer mission requirements, capturing new business, sustaining platform support, and achieving business growth.
Before her current role, Oller led the Program Management Integration Office for Boeing’s Engineering Strategy and Operations organization, where she was responsible for strengthening the engineering function by providing program management, strategy, and integration support. In her past positions with Boeing, Oller was a senior manager for Boeing Enterprise Quality, a senior program manager for the Boeing defense, space, and security program management operations, the integration leader for autonomous systems, the domestic sales senior operations manager for global sales and marketing, and the competitive analysis and assessment lead for training systems and government services. Previously, Oller was a representative for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the single largest aviation association representing over 415,000 pilots and aircraft owners. She also served as the associate director for the Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Alliance, as well as the director of policy development for the Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor. In addition, Oller has been an adjunct professor for Oklahoma State University’s aviation and space science program for 15 years.
Oller holds multiple degrees from Oklahoma State University, including a Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, a Master of Science in Aviation management, and a Doctor of Education in Aviation and Space Science. She is a member of Boeing Women in Leadership, Women in Aviation International, and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association. She serves as an advisory board member for Project Lead the Way and the Advanced Science & Technology Education Center. She is an avid cook and has a passion for helping local communities by volunteering regularly at food banks and preparing meals for families through church organizations. She resides in St. Louis with her husband and their three daughters.
8. Lynn Stover
Regional VP, Walgreens
Lynn Stover is the Regional Vice President of Walgreens, a global leader in retail pharmacy. She first joined the company in 1999 as a pharmacist and has been regularly promoted throughout the years, accepting her current position in 2018.
Stover leads pharmacy, health and wellness, and front-of-store operations across six states. With over 15 years of executive pharmacy experience and dual degrees in pharmacy and business administration, she is dedicated to optimizing performance, profitability, and customer satisfaction while aligning with the company's vision and values.
Stover earned an MBA and an undergraduate degree in pharmacy from Drake University. She is CLIA Waived Health Testing Trained, certified in July 2010, and a Certified Immunizer/CPR through the American Pharmacists Association, certified in June 1999.
9. Anju Gupta
VP, Data Science AI, Northwestern Mutual
Anju Gupta is Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Northwestern Mutual. In this role, she is accountable for providing technical leadership, guiding the company’s AI roadmap, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver business-driven AI solutions.
Gupta joined the company in October 2020 and has been instrumental in helping to shape Northwestern Mutual’s AI initiatives, including building an ethical framework for implementing AI products. She is also a member of the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute executive steering team, which is a partnership that contributes to the formation of a technology ecosystem and advances southeastern Wisconsin as a national hub for technology.
Gupta serves on the AI advisory board for LIMRA/LOMA, the Milky Way Tech Hub Coalition, and a few AI startups. She has been recognized as the 2023 Women of Influence by Marquis, 2023 and 2024 Top 50 Global Data Power Women, and 2024 Top 100 AI professionals in the US.
10. Jennifer First
VP, Business Banking Relationship Manager, Bank of America
Jennifer First is a Vice President and Relationship Manager in Business Banking at Bank of America. In this role, First leads a team of financial specialists that focus on understanding each client’s unique needs to deliver strategic financial guidance and solutions. Her mission is to help local companies thrive by achieving their business goals, no matter how simple or how complex.
With more than 13 years of financial experience, First began her career in the Financial Center, serving in various sales and management roles. In these roles, she helped clients with their personal and business goals. This launched her commercial banking pathway, leading to her current position. First is active in employee networks and furthered her education through the tuition reimbursement program when obtaining her master's degree. She enjoys educating people in the community on financial wellness. She does this to help create a more sustainable future for the clients and communities she serves.
First earned an MA in Business Management and Leadership from Webster University and an undergraduate degree in business, management, marketing, and communications from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
11. Kristin Maher
Managing Director, Head of Fixed Income Trading, Wells Fargo
Kristin Maher is the Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income Trading at Wells Fargo, a diversified, community-based financial services company with approximately $1.9 trillion in assets.
Maher is responsible for the management and oversight of fixed-income advisory trading, debt, and equity syndicate product distribution, and the fixed-income trading liaison and marketing teams, which serve as the direct and central point of contact for the firm's network of 14,000 financial advisors. She is also involved in recruiting financial advisors and capital markets syndicate distribution.
Maher graduated from Pace University with an MBA in Finance and from Villanova University with an undergraduate degree in business administration and finance. She has also completed the Securities Industry Institute (SII) Executive Education Program through Wharton Executive Education.
12. Alicia Hayek
VP, Head of HR Transformation, Fresenius Kabi
Alicia Hayek is the VP and Head of HR Transformation of Fresenius Kabi, a global healthcare company that specializes in lifesaving medicines and technologies for infusion, transfusion, and clinical nutrition. The company’s products and services are used for the therapy and care of critically and chronically ill patients.
Hayek is a business-minded, results-driven HR leader with a proven track record of driving positive change and impact in highly dynamic, complex, and global organizations. A self-motivated collaborator, she is passionate about translating strategy into tangible business outcomes. Hayek started her career in 2000 as a manager of customer and sales support at Sigma Aldrich (acquired by Merck KGaA). From there, she eventually rose to global head of human resources and the Life Science Services Business Unit at MilliporeSigma, her most recent position before joining Fresenius Kabi.
Hayek graduated from Webster University with a Master's in Human Resource Development from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with an undergraduate degree in sociology.
13. Jill Christman
VP. Fraud Vendor & Project Management, Citi
Jill Christman is the Vice President of Fraud Vendor and Project Management of Citi, a diversified financial services holding company that provides a broad range of financial services to consumer and corporate customers.
Christman collaborates with stakeholders to translate broad ideas and business objectives into clear requirements, informing tactical, multi-channel solutions. With a proven track record of successfully managing large-scale, complex projects, she leads multi-skilled teams through every phase of the project life cycle, from analysis and planning to delivery and close-out, consistently delivering award-winning results and high customer satisfaction.
Christman started her career in 1988 as a graphic designer at Obermoeller, Inc. From there, she went on to St. Luke's Hospital, before eventually rising to senior project manager at IBM, her most recent position before joining Citi. Christman graduated from Iowa State University with an undergraduate degree in graphic design.
14. Jenna Mihm
Senior VP & Chief Compliance Officer, Ascension
A strategic and collaborative attorney, Jenna Mihm is currently serving as the Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Ascension, a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. Mihm is responsible for directing teams of cross-functional, multi-departmental associates to ensure the design, implementation of, and adherence to, the Ascension Compliance Program.
Previously, Mihm was a vice president and associate general counsel for Ascension, providing direction and oversight for about 30 attorneys responsible for physician arrangements and services, payor relations/managed care, associate relations/human resources, senior living, and insurance plans. She was also the lead attorney for the Ascension Medical Group, a subsidiary of employed physicians and managed physician practices within Ascension. In addition, Mihm was the head of office for Ascension’s St. Louis legal office and serves as a member of Ascension’s Legal Executive Team.
Mihm is skilled at navigating within a matrixed and complex organization, which requires adaptability, the ability to re-prioritize and shift directions quickly, and is comfortable in high-pressure situations. She is an approachable and trusted partner to clients, providing credible and practical solutions that meet the needs of business clients. Due in part to Mihm’s contributions, mentorship, and oversight of legal team members, Ascension Legal is viewed as a role model for corporate support services delivered by legal associates who provide prompt and thorough legal advice. Mihm graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law with a JD/MHSA and from The University of Kansas with an undergraduate degree in health information management.
15. Jody Boeddeker
Market Access VP & General Manager, Abbott
Jody Boeddeker is the Market Access Vice President and General Manager of Abbott, a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Boeddeker excels at building, growing, and developing sales and market access teams for new and expanding businesses. She is a leader of a passionate, multi-functional market access team, including field account management, payor marketing, professional relations, and advocacy experts, and she’s dedicated to making continuous glucose monitoring the affordable and accessible standard of care for people living with diabetes.
With deep experience in leading sales teams, Boeddeker has successfully built the processes, structure, and talent needed to penetrate new markets and achieve measurable revenue growth across the health plan, managed care, pharmaceutical, and health products and services sectors. Before joining Abbott, she was a vice president at Cigna. Before that, she was a breast care device specialist at Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a division at Johnson & Johnson. Earlier in her career, she worked with Arthur Andersen as a management trainee.
Boeddeker graduated from Northwestern University with an MBA in Marketing and from the University of Michigan with an undergraduate degree in finance and marketing.
16. Katie Haywood
First VP, CBRE
Katie Haywood is the First Vice President of CBRE. CBRE Group, Inc. is an American commercial real estate services and investment firm and the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2022 revenue).
Haywood leverages her in-depth knowledge and understanding of the market and industry trends to deliver strategies and optimal results for her clients’ industrial real estate objectives. She focuses on representing institutional building owners and corporate clients in their need for real estate solutions, including leasing, acquisitions, disposition, and industrial development.
Before joining CBRE, Haywood was a vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle. Before that, she was a broker at Cassidy Turley. Earlier in her career, she worked with Colliers Turley Martin Tucker as a senior associate in corporate solutions. Haywood graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
17. Jamie Mehrhoff
Operating Partner, Broker-Salesperson, Keller Williams Realty St. Louis Southwest
Jamie Mehrhoff is the Operating Partner and a Broker-Salesperson at Keller Williams Realty St. Louis Southwest. Keller Williams, the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, has more than 1,100 offices and 176,000 agents.
Mehrhoff has extensive experience in short sales, foreclosures, and buyer and seller representation, particularly in single-family homes. Her skills include real estate transactions, contract negotiation, and new home sales, making her well-versed in the complexities of the market. She is also proficient in handling investment properties, REO, and relocation, with a strong background in marketing and property management. Additionally, her expertise extends to first-time home buyers, referrals, and working with investors, showcasing her versatility across various aspects of real estate.
Mehrhoff has over 33 years of experience in the real estate industry. She has been with Keller Williams Realty St. Louis Southwest for more than 23 years. In addition to her role at the firm, she has been an active member of the St. Louis Association of REALTORS since 1991. Mehrhoff graduated from Southeast Missouri State University.
18. Kimberly Prescott
Director, Talent Acquisition, Global Strategic Skills & Pipelining, Bayer
Kimberly Prescott is the Director of Talent Acquisition for Global Strategic Skills and Pipelining at Bayer. She is a dynamic leader known for her dedication to fostering diverse workplaces, nurturing talent, and driving forward-thinking initiatives. With a wealth of experience in the healthcare and life sciences industries, she has made her mark at Bayer (Monsanto), Mercy Hospital, and Sisters of Mercy Health System. Throughout her career, Prescott has shown great dedication to helping employees find their purpose, inspire others, and grow at work and home. Putting these values into practice has allowed her to excel in her career and as a leader.
Prescott’s commitment to diversity is evident in how she integrates diversity initiatives into Bayer's recruitment processes, emphasizing diverse panels, gender bias language detection, and upskilling stakeholders in interviews. She goes above and beyond to ensure that marketing and communication strategies align to reach underrepresented groups, focusing on attracting female talent. In her day-to-day, you can find her mentoring, skill-building, and connecting people with the right career opportunities for them. Deeply rooted in the St. Louis area, Prescott has built strong personal and professional connections throughout her life and has contributed positively to the community she proudly calls home. In her career, she prioritizes workplace diversity and talent strategies, while in her personal life, she values balance and resilience in creating a supportive home environment with her husband and four children.
Holding an MBA from Lindenwood University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Maryville University, and an HR Leadership and Strategy Certification from Cornell, Prescott brings a unique blend of skills and knowledge to her leadership role.
19. Julie Kulawiec
Regional VP, Account Management, CarelonRx, Elevance Health
Julie Kulawiec is the Regional Vice President of Account Management for CarelonRx at Elevance Health. Fueled by their bold purpose to improve the health of humanity, Elevance Health is transforming from a traditional health benefits organization into a lifetime trusted health partner.
Kulawiec is an experienced business leader with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. She is a strong healthcare services professional, skilled in strategic planning, disease management, specialty pharmacy, Medicaid, and business process improvement. She has a proven track record of growing the business while maintaining service excellence, and she is also skilled at implementing new talent, focusing on team longevity and morale. Kulawiec started her career in 1988 as an ICU nurse at the Anheuser-Busch Institute on the St. Louis University Hospital campus. From there, she went on to Deaconess Hospital, before eventually rising to director of sales and account management at Accredo, her most recent position before joining Elevance Health.
Kulawiec graduated from Texas A&M University with an MLS in Health Law, Policy, and Management. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with an MS in Clinical Research and from Fontbonne University with an MBA. She received her undergraduate degree from the College of St. Francis.
20. Aparna Deora
Vice President, Biotherapeutics Portfolio and Strategy (BPS), Pfizer
Aparna Deora is a Vice President of the Biotherapeutics Portfolio and Strategy (BPS) group. Based in Chesterfield, Missouri, her group’s mission is to accelerate the delivery of breakthroughs that change patients' lives by enabling clinical trials through efficient built-in quality manufacturing networks, decisive leadership, nimble planning, cutting-edge science, innovative statistical approaches and end to end regulatory submissions.
She has been with Pfizer since 2002, and works at their Chesterfield, MO Research and Development site. She started her Pfizer career in the laboratory with the development of immunoassays, cell-based bioassays, and SPR analyses. She has had various roles over the years including; analytical leadership for a variety of biological products, ranging from mAbs to cell-based therapies, a cross-functional PharmSci Team Lead (PSTL) for several mAb and therapeutic vaccine projects, leading large analytical groups that have developed methods and analytical control strategies, leading the Quality Control, Stability and Microbiology group, and being the BTxPS Vaccine Category Lead.
Aparna received her BS with a dual major in Chemistry and Cellular & Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at Washington University, where she studied the role of a viral accessory ion channel protein in the assembly pathway of HIV-1.
21. Ming Zu
VP, Supply Chain & Global Distribution, Systems & Software, Emerson
Ming Zu is the Vice President of Supply Chain and Global Distribution, Systems, and Software at Emerson, a leading global technology, software, and engineering company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial and commercial markets. Zu leads a very diversified global category management organization, within a $3 billion business platform, across electrical, mechanical, computing, and software categories for the company’s world-class control system platforms. In 2020, the supply network experienced unprecedented challenges, including the global COVID pandemic, the US-China trade war, volcano eruption, tornado damage, and electrical shortages. Under Zu’s leadership and her resilient and proactive management style, her team effectively managed and delivered outstanding supplier performance and successfully minimized business impact through the many crises.
Zu decided to pursue her graduate degree at Olin Business School at Washington University after moving to St. Louis. She is an alumna of McDonnell partner at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Although her undergraduate training was in electronics engineering, studying business was a logical step for her career development. She graduated from Olin Business School and started her career at Emerson Electric in 2008. Over the last 13 years, she has held various positions in analytics, logistics, strategic planning and sourcing, and category management across supply chain functions. As her career has progressed, she has become an influential global supply chain leader.
Zu is a member of the Women’s Society of Washington University, and she’s an active member of the Chinese Education and Culture Center, the largest Chinese American nonprofit organization in St. Louis, serving as the 2018-2020 vice principal of the Art and Culture School. She hosts receptions in her home to welcome Tsinghua University McDonnell Scholars and was a featured speaker for the McDonnell Academy Alumni panel. Zu is a recurring guest speaker for the Olin Business School’s Supply Chain & Information Systems class. She is also a mentor for the Olin Business School’s MBA program, where she provides academic guidance, personal development, and career direction.
22. Casey Reed
Senior Director, Population Health Medical Engagement Team Lead, Sanofi
Casey Reed has spent many years working across multiple aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. She currently serves as the North American Lead of Population Health Medical Engagement at Sanofi. In this role, she leads a large team of medical affairs professionals nationwide as they partner with organized customers to improve patient care and outcomes.
Before joining Sanofi, Reed spent several years working in medical affairs at Pfizer. She also held leadership roles in managed care, specialty pharmacy, and community pharmacy since graduating from SIUE School of Pharmacy. Throughout her career in pharma, Reed has most enjoyed the amazing people with whom she’s had the chance to collaborate.
She is passionate about education, earning her MBA, MS HEOR, and MS in Regulatory Affairs. Reed is working toward her PhD in Health Sciences and Implementation Science. She spends her spare time with her husband and daughter and enjoys watching her daughter play soccer and dance.
23. Shani Smith
Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Nike
Shani Smith is the Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Nike. She first joined the company in 2021 as an HR business partner. NIKE, Inc. is a purpose-driven organization energized by a shared commitment to move the world forward through the power of sport.
Smith is a dedicated servant leader, known for her dynamic and strategic approach in executive-level human resources roles across various industries, including healthcare, retail, industrial, and supply chain in the United States and globally. Throughout her professional journey, she has consistently driven successful retention and strategic initiatives, fostered cultural advancements, improved organizational effectiveness, championed diversity and inclusion, and elevated employee engagement. Smith’s passion lies in reshaping organizations' perspectives, encouraging them to view human resources as a strategic and consultative partner for leaders, thereby supporting the execution of crucial talent and team priorities.
Previously, Smith was a senior human resources business partner at Sonova Group. Before that, she was a human resources manager at KeHE Distributors. Earlier in her career, she worked with Massage Envy as a sales supervisor. She earned an MBA in Human Resources Management and an undergraduate degree in human resources management and services from Lewis University.
Shani Smith is the Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Nike. She first joined the company in 2021 as an HR business partner. NIKE, Inc. is a purpose-driven organization energized by a shared commitment to move the world forward through the power of sport.
24. Wanda Bax
Field VP, GPO Sales, McKesson
Wanda Bax is the Field Vice President of GPO Sales at McKesson, a global healthcare company. Bax started at the company in 2017 as the national director of GPO sales and was promoted to her current position in 2020.
Bax has a dynamic marketing and sales career, characterized by a charismatic approach and practical experience in various business management applications. Her expertise includes negotiations, sales and marketing, team building, and quality assurance. Her specialties include exceptional communication and sales skills in key account management, new business development, networking, and relationship building. She is also successful in negotiations and project management.
Before joining McKesson, Bax was a director at Intalere (formerly Amerinet, Inc.). Before that, she was a director at MedAssets. Earlier in her career, she worked with McKesson Medical Surgical as a sales associate. Bax graduated from Lindenwood University with a degree in business.
25. Alecia McGuire
Director of Sales, Commute with Enterprise, Enterprise Holdings
Alecia McGuire is the Director of Sales for Commute with Enterprise, part of Enterprise Mobility. Commute with Enterprise is one of the largest and most cost-effective vanpool operations in North America, taking the equivalent of approximately 50,000 vehicles off the road each year. This alternative commuting solution offers customizable programs to help overcome transportation challenges. Alecia is based in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Enterprise Mobility global headquarters, where she leads the Commute with Enterprise sales team across the southern U.S. Alecia oversees a team of 18 executives, including three sales managers and 15 sales executives, providing leadership and professional development. Her team achieved back-to-back milestone years in 2024 and 2023. She also leads several special projects for the division, including expanding the number of paid drivers within the business and leading its convention and trade show engagements.
Alecia began her career with Enterprise Mobility in 2004 in Beaumont, Texas. She earned several promotions and joined National & Enterprise's Business Rental Sales Team in Houston. After several years in multiple roles creating travel programs for companies across Houston, Alecia was promoted to lead the team in 2018, overseeing nine executives. Alecia was promoted to her current role in 2020.
Alecia received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. She has been a board member of the Texas Business Travel Association, an active United Way Women's Initiative contributor, and led a Kid's Meal campaign raising 23,000 juice boxes for the Houston-based non-profit organization. In 2019, Alecia was recognized as one of the Top 40 Women in Travel by the Global Business Travel Association. She is passionate about the impacts vanpooling has on businesses, their employees, and surrounding communities. Alecia loves to share pictures of her two grandchildren, roots for the Houston Texans, and is always ready to cheer on her friends and their kids at any sporting event or activity.
26. Alison Engelhardt
VP, US Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Alison Engelhardt is the Vice President of US Bancorp Investments, Inc., the fifth-largest banking institution in the United States.
Engelhardt is a communicative, collaborative, and results-driven professional with a strong background in complex tax credit equity, relationship management, training, economic development, and strategic planning. With over 15 years of experience in Investment/Production and New Markets Tax Credits, she is an assertive team player known for her superior interpersonal and organizational skills, complex problem-solving abilities, and focus on internal and external partnerships. Her proactive approach, attention to detail, and positive response to challenges enable her to effectively manage a variety of projects, personalities, and relationships in fast-paced environments.
Engelhardt started in 2006 as a project management assistant at Opus Northwest, LLC. From there, she went on to the St. Louis County Economic Council, before eventually rising to vice president and assistant director of asset management of environmental finance at US Bancorp Impact Finance, her most recent position before joining US Bancorp Investments, Inc. Engelhardt graduated from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis with a degree in English.
27. Susie Brandt
VP, Sales, AbbVie
Susie Brandt is the Vice President of Sales at AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company. She brings successful national-level experience in sales, management, marketing, and finance across device (buy and bill) and pharmaceutical sales. She has a proven track record of hiring and developing sales leaders while implementing marketing strategies that drive significant sales growth.
Brandt has worked closely with teams in marketing, compliance, regulatory, training, analytics, market access, and commercial operations. Her responsibilities have included developing sales strategies, creating tactical plans, managing sales deployment, preparing for product launches, developing sales leadership teams, and executing all sales goals. Brandt started her career in 1998 as a sales representative at Forest Laboratories (now Allergan). From there, she eventually rose to vice president at Allergan, her most recent position before joining AbbVie.
Brandt is a 13-time President’s Club winner, Regional Director of the Year, and a recipient of multiple leadership awards. She has successfully launched over 20 products in various therapeutic areas, including psychiatry, neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, pulmonology, pain management, and women's health. Brandt graduated from the Maryville University of Saint Louis with an MBA and from the University of Missouri-Columbia with an undergraduate degree in marketing.
28. Zundra Bryant
Senior VP, Global People Experiences & Services, Cushman & Wakefield
Zundra Bryant is the Senior Vice President of Global People Experiences and Services of Cushman & Wakefield, a global commercial real estate service with 52,000 professionals worldwide.
Bryant is a strategic visionary known for taking organizations to the next level through the development and execution of strategic plans, leading teams, optimizing services, and consistently delivering results. As an accomplished people leader, she excels at cultivating strong leaders and staff in engaging environments, enabling them to reach their fullest potential. A tech-savvy and innovative leader, she is skilled in managing complex initiatives, creating value-added programs, and driving successful process improvements to achieve corporate goals. Additionally, she is a strong corporate citizen, leading diversity and inclusion initiatives while actively serving on civic and community boards.
Previously, Bryant was a vice president of people business solutions at Centene Corporation. Before that, she was a director of project management and shared services at Mastercard. Earlier in her career, she worked with Minnesota Life as a senior analyst in management consulting services. Bryant earned an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Webster University and an undergraduate degree in insurance-actuarial science from Howard University.
29. Lena Haas
General Partner, Head of Wealth Management Advice & Solutions, Edward Jones
Lena Haas is the General Partner and Head of Wealth Management Advice and Solutions at Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 firm that provides financial services in the US and through its affiliate in Canada. Haas also serves on the Enterprise Leadership Team, which is responsible for providing advice and counsel to the managing partner in helping the firm grow its impact and create value for clients, colleagues, and communities today and in the future. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Edward Jones Money Market Fund and Bridge Builder Trust, as well.
Haas joined Edward Jones in November 2017 to lead the firm's Banking and Trust areas and subsequently expanded her leadership to the Investment Advisory and Products areas. In 2022, she became head of the Wealth Management Advice and Solutions division. Haas was named an Edward Jones principal in January 2018. She helps support the firm's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by serving as the senior executive sponsor for the Latinx/Hispanic Business Resource Group. She also represents the firm on the SIFMA Private Client Committee.
Before joining Edward Jones, Haas was a senior vice president with E*TRADE Financial, where she led the Wealth Management business and served as president of E*TRADE Capital Management. Before joining E*TRADE, Haas held a variety of leadership roles at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Fidelity Investments. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in Boston and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She has also completed the Kellogg School of Management Women’s Senior Leadership program.
30. Stacy Brown
Chief Human Resources Officer, Rabobank
Stacy Brown is the Chief Human Resources Officer of Rabobank. In this role, she has been recognized for her accomplishments and assumed additional responsibility, now supporting the North American region with over 1,500 staff. She is credited with establishing foundational infrastructure, accelerating operational efficiency, and designing a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
Brown is a highly accomplished executive known for building productive teams and transforming company cultures to achieve exceptional results. She is a thought leader, operational expert, and creative innovator who partners with boards and leaders to design and execute strategic plans that foster high-performance work cultures, employee engagement, and retention of top talent while driving long-term sustainable revenue growth and profitability. Previously, Brown led HR at Larson Financial Holdings, an entrepreneurial wealth management firm, where she improved back-office operations to drive scale. Before Larson, she overhauled compensation design for a $1 billion engineering firm, supported 3,600 associates across over 500 branches at an investment management firm, and advanced engagement at a $7 billion national group purchasing organization. She started her career at MidAmerica Transplant, where she was promoted twice to support the rapidly growing organization.
Brown earned dual Master of Arts degrees in Business and Human Resources Management from Webster University. She holds a BA in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial/Organizational Studies from the University of Missouri. A recognized expert in her field, she is a State Examiner for the Missouri Quality Award and a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
31. Kristi Tramont
Senior Director, Global Fraud Operations, SoFi
Kristi Tramont is the Senior Director of Global Fraud Operations of SoFi. She first joined the company in 2021. Creating modern financial products and services that help people borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money better, SoFi helps people achieve financial independence and realize their ambitions.
Tramont is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience managing successful sales, service, and operational initiatives driven by a commitment to excellence. Previously, she was a sales and client experience manager at PNC. Before that, she was a program and project manager at Citi. Earlier in her career, she worked with Anheuser-Busch as a contemporary market supervisor.
Tramont earned an undergraduate degree in marketing and communications from the University of Tulsa.
32. Libby Newport
VP, Strategic Global Sourcing, Cencora
Libby Newport is the Vice President of Strategic Global Sourcing of Cencora, a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization. Newport is responsible for all operational and financial deliverables related to non-IT indirect sourcing strategic initiatives and activities for the organization.
Newport is an achievement-oriented executive with extensive experience driving strategic growth through business acumen, strong analytical skills, and an inclusive management approach. She is recognized as a versatile leader with broad experience in finance, operations, relationship management, and strategic contracting. Known for her ability to lead teams to peak performance and successfully negotiate contracts, she has consistently been promoted to higher levels of responsibility throughout her career. Her dedication to excellence and strong work ethic earned her a spot in the 2012 Class of 40 under 40 by the St. Louis Business Journal, recognizing her professional advancement and community impact.
Newport started her career in 1994 as a manager of the leadership development program at AT&T. From there, she went on to Express Scripts, before eventually rising to vice president of pharma trade relations at Ascent Health Services, her most recent position before joining Cencora. Newport graduated from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in business administration and accounting.
33. Carrie Funk
VP, Fiserv Debit Networks, Fiserv
Carrie Funk is the Vice President of Fiserv Debit Networks of Fiserv, a global technology leader enabling money movement for thousands of financial institutions and millions of people and businesses.
Funk is an award-winning sales and account manager with proven sales and organizational skills. She is capable of training and maintaining an enthusiastic, productive staff. With excellent experience in account management, she consistently exceeds all sales goals and directives set by the corporation. She possesses a unique skill set that includes data analytics, relationship building, and sales development. She has spent 29 years in the payments and financial services landscape, showcasing her extensive industry knowledge and expertise.
Before joining Fiserv, Funk was a strategic global business development and prepaid debit solutions at Discover Financial Services. Before that, she was a vice president of issuer and program management at MasterCard. Earlier in her career, she worked with First Data Corporation as a sales executive. Funk graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in journalism and communications.
34. Emily Thibodeau
VP Event Management, Maritz
Emily Thibodeau is the Vice President of Event Management of Maritz. Her specialties include event strategy and design, corporate event planning, management, and operations.
Thibodeau has a proven ability to lead, demonstrating strong alignment with corporate strategy and goals. Experience-driven and service-oriented, she effectively balances the needs of employees and clients. Her expertise lies in identifying innovative solutions and motivating teams to achieve their best. Previously, she worked with NCR as a global account manager.
Throughout her career, she has been recognized with several awards, including the Standing Ovation Award in 2018 and 2011, the YWCA Women of Distinction in 2016, the Aspire to Inspire Award in 2008, the Tradition of Service Award in 2006, and the Client Focus Award in 2006. Thibodeau graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with an undergraduate degree in business, public relations, education, and French.
35. Anya Corson
Owner, CEO, Anya's Apothekere
Anya Corson is the Owner and CEO of Anya's Apothekere, a luxury lifestyle brand made with the finest natural and organic ingredients to enhance one’s mind, body, and spirit. All of their products are handmade in small batches in St. Louis, Missouri using the highest quality ingredients on the market.
Corson also serves as the guest relations and banquet server at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. She was previously in a similar role at 801 Restaurant Group. Earlier in her career, she was a doula and Certified Lactation Counselor at Green Beginnings, as well as a manager in promotions for MySpace and The Weinstein Company.
Corson graduated from Brandeis University with an undergraduate degree in American studies, where she participated in Division III Volleyball and Club Ice Hockey.
36. Candace Davies
Senior VP, Product Development & Commercialization, Security Solutions, Mastercard
Candace Davies is the Senior Vice President of Product Development and Commercialization and Security Solutions at Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry. Davies started there in a VP role in charge of product development and innovation, as well as security and decision products.
Davies is an expert business technologist recognized for creating innovative tools and processes that streamline and report on product development and commercialization insights. She routinely saves $5 million in operational and marketing costs through self-developed, proprietary tools that enhance product roadmap development, commercialization workflow management, product nomenclature and branding, sales effectiveness, RFP response management, and the management of systemic business rules and requirements.
Davies started her career in 1998 as a communications manager in international sales at Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. She graduated from Webster University with an MBA in International Business, from Washington University in St. Louis with an undergraduate degree in biology, from the University of Missouri-Columbia with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management, and from The Broadcast Center with an undergraduate degree in radio/television broadcasting, copywriting, and production.
37. Dr. Laura Pletz
Regional VP, Medicine - West, BluePearl Pet Hospital
Dr. Pletz is a 2000 graduate of the University of Missouri - College of Veterinary Medicine. She started her career at Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic, where she was also one of the practice owners. In 2012, Dr. Pletz joined Royal Canin, where she held various leadership positions. In 2023, she accepted the position of Group Medical Director with BluePearl Pet Hospital, a leading provider of veterinary specialty and emergency services, and was promoted to Divisional Vice President of Medicine in May 2024. Dr. Pletz also sat on the board of directors for The Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative from 2018 - 2023, serving as President from 2022-2023.
BluePearl began in 1996 as a single practice in Tampa called Florida Veterinary Specialists. The practice thrived, adding new locations in Florida and New York, eventually becoming BluePearl Veterinary partners in 2008. Continuing to expand throughout the country, BluePearl quickly became a leader in specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals. In 2015, BluePearl joined Mars Veterinary Health, giving them new, unprecedented opportunities for growth and support.
Today, they are 100+ specialty and emergency hospitals strong. Their veterinarians use innovative procedures, high-tech equipment, and the latest treatment methods to provide comprehensive medical care to pets. They combine this expertise with a love for animals and the belief that kindness is the foundation of veterinary medicine.
38. Beth Gunter
Chief Revenue Officer & Partial Owner, Spry Digital
Beth Gunter has shattered glass ceilings and redefined success throughout her illustrious career, epitomizing the essence of a trailblazing leader by spearheading results-driven growth, profitability, compassion, and empowerment through community mentorship. As a pioneer fostering growth and profitability as Spry Digital’s esteemed Chief Revenue Officer for nearly two years, Gunter has swiftly propelled her team to unprecedented heights. Her initiatives have led to a striking 272% increase in average sale value and a remarkable 350% increase in sales revenue. This trailblazing approach has left an indelible mark, shaping a legacy of progress and empowerment.
Under her leadership, Gunter has steered her team to remarkable accomplishments, establishing themselves as a creative digital powerhouse of innovation, notably enhancing Spry's social media presence by 157%. Her 20-year career has sculpted a legacy of innovation and empowerment in her wake. But her journey transcends the gambit of agency aisles with an unwavering dedication to elevating women and children in her community through mentorship, as she does for St. Louis Business Journal's Mentoring Monday, as a Titan 100 judge, and engaging speaker events across the region, including G.R.I.T.
Gunter is an executive philanthropy board member, volunteer, and social activist for BJC Children's Hospital's Foundation Board and chair-elect, Gamechangers Athletes, Gateway to Hope, Ashley Hall School, and Friends of Mardi Gras. Through this work, she transforms the lives of women and children and has sown the seeds of hope and possibility for generations to come.
39. Sarah London
Chief Executive Officer, Centene
Sarah London is CEO of Centene, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. She has spent her career at the intersection of health data, technology, and healthcare delivery transformation. Before her 2022 appointment to CEO, she was Centene’s vice chairman, where she was responsible for strategy, technology, ancillary services, enterprise compliance, and quality, as well as for Centene’s portfolio of independent healthcare companies.
Before Centene, London was an operating partner at Optum Ventures, the venture capital arm of UnitedHealth Group. Previously, she held roles at Optum Analytics, first serving as vice president of client services and later becoming its chief product officer, where she drove the strategy and commercialization of the company’s integrated data solutions for the provider, payer, and life sciences markets. She joined Optum after it acquired Humedica, a clinical analytics start-up, where she led the client services and operations team.
London’s career has been driven by her early experiences working to improve healthcare for people of all backgrounds, holding positions at Accretive Health (now R1 RCM), which works with health systems and providers on their revenue cycle to create greater financial stability and better patient experiences, and at Health Leads, a leading national organization that systemically addresses social determinants of health through data and unique community partnership models. London graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, where she played Division I tennis. She also holds a Master of Business Administration with High Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
40. Meredith Osborn
Senior VP & Director of Human Resources, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust
Meredith Osborn is the Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources at Parkside Financial Bank & Trust. She helps to align Parkside’s human resources with the organization's goals. She is responsible for benefits administration, training and development, performance management, and talent management.
Osborn is a valuable resource for employees who have a challenge, question, or concern. She listens carefully and demonstrates empathy to develop strong, trusting relationships with employees. Adept at evaluating a situation from multiple perspectives, Osborn brainstorms solutions, next steps, and strategies to support a successful outcome. Her goal is to provide an answer, a solution, and a sense of peace, and ensure team members continue to have a positive experience at Parkside.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Business from Southern Illinois University, Osborn went on to receive a Master of Arts in Human Development and Counseling from the University of Illinois. She is a Senior Certified HR Professional. Before joining Parkside, Osborn served as human resources director for an advertising agency with offices in Denver and St. Louis and as a counselor and wellness coordinator for the Student Health and Counseling Center at Saint Louis University.
41. Carla Bailey
Head of Learning & Leadership Development, Washington University in St. Louis
Carla Bailey is the Head of Learning and Leadership Development at Washington University in St. Louis. She leads the strategic design and delivery of leadership and professional development programs for all management and staff of the University. She provides training and resources that support the development of management and staff skills and grow their capabilities, as well as advice and guidance to managers in areas of organizational development. In addition, she facilitates customized leadership and team-building workshops.
As an international bestselling author and highly sought-after professional speaker, Bailey is a regularly featured guest on various podcasts and panels. She also serves as emcee for events. As a certified executive coach, she helps leaders evolve and grow their leadership capabilities to lead better and inspire others to unleash their potential to achieve personal, professional, and organizational success. As a human resources and business executive and learning and organizational development consultant, she has served in several senior leadership roles within Corporate America, facilitating, consulting, and coaching executives and senior leaders on effective success strategies that create growth and performance optimization.
Before joining Washington University, Bailey was president and CEO at Cosie Consulting, LLC. Before that, she was vice president of human resources and organizational effectiveness at UMB Financial Corporation. Earlier in her career, she worked with Tenet Healthcare as a senior human resources manager. Bailey graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with an MBA in Executive Leadership and Entrepreneurship, from Saint Louis University with a Master's in Leadership and Organizational Development, and from Fontbonne University with an undergraduate degree in organizational management.
42. Ashley Senters
HR Business Partner, McClure Engineering-St. Louis (MEP)
Ashley Senters is the HR Business Partner at McClure Engineering, an employee-owned engineering firm in St. Louis, Missouri. Senters brings over 14 years of HR experience to this role, including a background that spans nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, and various corporate environments.
A dynamic HR professional, Senters has a wealth of experience in crafting exceptional workplace cultures and driving talent acquisition strategies. She is passionate about recruiting top-tier talent and fostering an environment where employees thrive, and she’s adept at blending strategic vision with hands-on execution to enhance organizational growth and success. Throughout her career, Senters has been dedicated to empowering teams, streamlining processes, and achieving long-term, impactful results. Along with her professional experience, she uses the knowledge gained from obtaining her Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Lindenwood University to bring a strategic mindset to the workplace.
43. Kate Spencer
Managing Director, Valuation & Advisory, Colliers
Kate Spencer is the Managing Director of Valuation and Advisory of Colliers. She first joined the company in 2021. Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 68 countries, their 19,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients.
Spencer brings a wealth of knowledge to the Colliers’ team. With a nearly 20-year career, including five years of experience managing self-storage valuation members across the country, she assists the national self-storage director on business development, portfolio management, and quality control for the practice group. Spencer is a key member of the St. Louis Valuation and Advisory Services Group, building a dynamic local team and financial institution network. With a record of service excellence, she is committed to delivering best-in-class valuation and consulting services.
Previously, Spencer was a managing director of the self-storage valuation and advisory practice group at Cushman & Wakefield of Texas, Inc. She has a degree in real estate and marketing from The Wharton School.
44. Katie Medeiros
VP of Growth, LifeGuides
Katie Medeiros serves as the VP of Growth at LifeGuides.com. She came to her new role after partnering with LifeGuides as the VP of Strategic Business Development at Global Payments/Heartland, a Fortune 500 Fintech company, where she managed partner relationships in the Payroll/HCM business. Immediately seeing the unique value proposition of LifeGuides, she was honored to join the team.
Medeiros has over twenty years in tech leadership roles focusing on product-market fit and go-to-market strategies to drive and scale sales. She prides herself on successfully designing collaborative business partnerships to drive growth. Prior to focusing on FinTech solutions at Global Payments/Heartland, she spent eight years at Care.com, as an integral part of the team that grew the business from an early-stage start-up to a public company and finally to the private sale to IAC (Angi.com) for $500M. Medeiros takes pride in building healthy teams in a culture of collaboration, with a focus on valuing the collective work while ensuring that corporate culture enables team members to feel heard, seen, valued, and invested in by their leaders.
Highly relevant to the new age of hybrid and remote work, LifeGuides is a professional mentoring platform designed to partner with enterprises to increase employee retention and drive talent acquisition and engagement by connecting employees to a Guide/Mentor to support professional and personal growth.
She is a graduate of Saint Louis University where she played D1 Field Hockey and earned her MBA from Babson College with a focus in Entrepreneurship. Medeiros currently serves as a Women’s Leadership Advisory Board Member at Lindenwood College and is a graduate of both CORO Women in Leadership and Focus St. Louis’ Impact Fellows Program. She has been a multi-decade volunteer and supporter of youth development with the American Youth Foundation.
45. Lisa Ware-Alexander
VP, Deputy General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer, Bunge
Lisa Ware-Alexander is the VP, Deputy General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer of Bunge. She brings over 25 years of experience transforming enterprises, influencing strategic direction, and providing expert counsel on corporate governance, ethics, capital markets, M&A, global regulatory affairs, ESG, and crisis and risk management.
Ware-Alexander is a well-versed and driven senior leader. At Bunge, she influences business growth and development by advising C-level leaders on legal aspects of capital markets, financing transactions, and trade structured finance transactions. She leads the company's governance, securities, and capital markets practice groups and is responsible for deploying the global ethics and compliance program. Previously, Ware-Alexander was a vice president, general counsel, employment, and chief compliance and ethics officer at Nutrien. Before that, she was a director of compliance and ethics at Dover Corporation. Earlier in her career, she worked with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center as a research associate scientist.
Ware-Alexander earned a JD in Law from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, and an undergraduate degree from Tennessee Technological University. She also studied leadership at the Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education.
46. Christine Hoffmann
Managing Director, St. Louis, Interior Investments
Today, Christine Hoffmann is the Managing Director, St. Louis, for Interior Investments. With an impressive product portfolio, a skilled team of more than three hundred fifty enthusiastic people, and a technology platform that fosters constant innovation in process management, Interior Investments is a catalyst for creating incredible workplaces on time and on budget.
Hoffmann has an impressive 30-year tenure in the furniture and design industry. She brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to Interior Investments. Her journey in the industry began with renowned companies Knoll and Herman Miller, laying a solid foundation for her current role with Interior Investments, a certified MillerKnoll furniture dealer. Hoffmann previously served as vice president at Modern Business Interiors, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by driving strategic growth and operational excellence, earning numerous awards and team accolades along the way.
Her passion for creating inspiring environments, client relationship management, and hospitality ensures that their partners in Missouri will continue to receive exceptional service under her leadership. Hoffmann graduated from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis with an undergraduate degree in business.
47. Caroline Battles
System VP, Governance & Executive Communications, SSM Health
Caroline Battles is the System Vice President of Governance and Executive Communications at SSM Health, a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system dedicated to advancing innovative, sustainable, and compassionate care for patients and communities throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Battles is a strategic and action-oriented public affairs executive with extensive experience in building the capacity to influence and advance company and public policy initiatives at the national, state, and local levels. With a strong background in government and external affairs, policy development, strategic communications, organizational strategy, and healthcare, she excels at navigating complex situations, engaging stakeholders, and building trusting relationships internally and with third-party organizations critical to achieving strategic goals.
Previously, Battles was a vice president of advocacy and external relations at Ascension. Before that, she was chief of staff at the US House of Representatives. Earlier in her career, she worked with the State of Missouri in the Office of the Governor as a director and project manager. Battles earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and an undergraduate degree in political science from Drake University.
48. Rose Thompson
Chief Operating Officer, ButcherJoseph & Co.
Rose is Chief Operating Officer at ButcherJoseph & Co., a national investment banking firm that advises privately held businesses on ownership succession transactions – specializing in middle market mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) advisory. Since joining ButcherJoseph in 2013, Rose has counseled hundreds of business owners as they navigate sale alternatives and pursue ownership transition transactions.
Over her extensive career spanning two decades, Rose has cultivated a diverse skill set spanning human-centric leadership, sales and operations management, financial acumen, client relations, marketing and communications, strategic planning, and community engagement.
Rose’s dedication to both her professional endeavors and community contributions has earned her several prestigious awards and accolades, including being named a Titan 100 awardee in 2023 and 2022, a former 40 under 40 honoree from the M&A Advisor, a Best Boss by Small Business Monthly in 2020, and recognition from Mergers & Acquisitions magazine as one of the most influential women in middle market M&A in 2021.
In addition to her passion for privately held businesses, Rose is a deeply committed advocate for canines. She has earned advanced certifications for working with people and animals through her volunteerism with the Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis. Alongside her husband, she resides in St. Louis with their three dogs and occasional foster dog(s). Rose earned both her Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in communication from Saint Louis University.
49. Holly Breuer
President, Prosper CPAs
With over 20 years of experience in the accounting industry, Holly Breuer launched a new public accounting firm, Prosper CPAs, in December 2022 with five CPAs and supporting staff. Initially concentrating on tax compliance and outsourced accounting services, the firm has expanded its focus to include assurance services and merger and acquisition consulting. In addition to her client work, Breuer is a highly requested speaker in the St. Louis business community and assists attorneys and wealth advisors with their clients in areas of business and tax consultation.
Her focus has always been people-centered and she cares equally about staff and clients. Breuer also feels strongly about giving her time to assist her profession. Currently, she is a member and immediate past hair of the Missouri Society of CPAs’ Women’s Initiative Committee. She is also a past member and Chair of the Society’s Firm Leadership Committee. Additionally, Breuer has given her time to mentor new CPAs and to join roundtable discussions and presentations for the Society when asked. She has been consistently recognized for her exceptional quality of care, earning multiple awards throughout her career. She was named Top Small Business Accountant by St. Louis Small Business Monthly in 2023, 2022, 2014, and 2012 and Top Small Business Executive in 2014. In 2012, she was also honored as a Women to Watch in the Experienced Leader category by the Missouri Society of CPAs.
Breuer is proud to be a St. Louisan, born and raised, and enjoys giving back to her community. She is currently a committee member for the St. Louis Ronald McDonald House Golf Scramble and spent six years as a member and chair of the Finance and Audit Committees of St. Elizabeth Adult Day Care Centers, working with the Sisters of St. Joseph.
50. Lauren Pincus
VP & Specialist, Operational Excellence, Equifax
Lauren Pincus is the Vice President and Specialist of Operational Excellence of Equifax, an American multinational consumer credit reporting agency. Pincus is a global leader with significant accomplishments in continuous improvement (CI) and learning and development (L&D) programs. Throughout her career, she has consistently added value by strategically managing and aligning L&D and CI priorities.
From her early role as a senior logistics analyst to her current position as global director of continuous improvement and learning and development, she has driven measurable improvements in savings, performance, and project efficiency. Pincus combines keen attention to detail with big-picture thinking to drive change management and process implementation on a global scale. Her leadership, grounded in a deep understanding of Lean and Agile methodologies, enables her to effectively direct high-performing teams and implement training and workflows that foster optimal performance and consistent growth.
Pincus’ notable achievements include a 90% global project completion rate, delivering $1 billion in cumulative benefits between 2019 and 2022, and scaling new design thinking programs. In 2019, she received top recognition within her company and was granted partner status. Pincus graduated from Purdue University with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering.