The Women’s Leadership Society (WLS) is a growing community of over 3,000 women who collectively give their time, talent and treasures to help people in the St. Louis region. We use the power of our community to bring driven women together to address social issues and work to create a solid foundation for our region.
Community
Our members network with fellow members through formal and informal events throughout the year. We use the power of our community to bring driven women together to make a positive impact in the communities we call home.
Leadership
We strongly believe that every woman can harness the skills required to lead at work, in the community, and at home. Our members come from different industries and backgrounds and use their unique experiences to inspire and challenge one another. Through the Women’s Leadership Society, we’re working to create a solid foundation for the St. Louis region.
Mentorship
The Women’s Leadership Society is proud to offer the WLS Mentorship Program, led by and for our Leadership Givers who identify as female. We are a community of engaged and inspired women who help each other reach personal and professional goals. The program runs annually and is offered exclusively to Leadership Givers. Learn more about our mentorship program!
Your Dollars at Work
provides a month’s supply of diapers for 75 toddlers
provides a two-week hotel stay for a domestic violence victim needing immediate shelter
supplies five homebound seniors hot meals for six months
Ready to Join?
A gift of $1,000 or greater gives you access to join one or more Leadership Giving Societies and helps people in the St. Louis region live their best possible lives.
Step Up to the Next Level
Are you seeking to take the next step in your charitable giving journey? There are several ways to incrementally increase your giving level over a few years while immediately unlocking benefits through our Leadership Giving and de Tocqueville Societies.
We would be delighted to assist you in achieving your philanthropic objectives through our Step Up Programs. To learn more, please contact Meghan Freeman, Director of Leadership Giving, at meghan.freeman@stl.unitedway.org or (314) 539-4035.
Alexis Hershey, Midwest BankCentre, 2023 Chair
Steph Auping, Leadership & Co.
Andrea Barry, Deloitte
Emily Brasel, BJC HealthCare
Alexis Bruce-Staudt, Saint Louis University
Sharon Callahan, LewisRice LLC
Julianne Callaway, Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. (RGA)
Anne Drozda, Wells Fargo
Karen Dupske, Daugherty Business Solutions
Julie Erickson, Rx Outreach
Shannon Favazza, Edward Jones
Keri Feldman, Spire
LaVicki Hart, Coldwell Banker Gundaker
Cheryl Jones, Girls Incorporated of Saint Louis
Karen Jordan, Dentons
Anne Kilburn, Citi
Michelle Ko, Edward Jones
Alana Kunkel, Slalom
Melissa Lackey, Standing Partnership
Nancy LeVault, Programs and Services for Older Person
Janell Lobdell, Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. (RGA)
Karen Lucy, Cornerstone Center
Rita Mahn, Stifel
Margaret McDonald, HOK
Debbie Meyer, Washington University in St. Louis
Jackie Mudd, Ascension
Julie Nieman, Burns & McDonnell
Jamie Orf, KellyMitchell Group, Inc.
Susan Plank, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Kristen Polchinski, U.S. Bank
Christy Sales, Edward Jones
Kristen Sanocki, Thompson Coburn
Tracy Shepard, Edward Jones
Mary Stadter, Daugherty Business Solutions
Susan Stith, Retiree from Cigna
Pam Weston, Centene Corporation
Mary Ann Wymore, Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Patricia Zahn, University of Missouri – St. Louis
2022: Susan Stith
2021: Margaret McDonald, Susan Stith
2020: Margaret McDonald, Michelle Ko
2019: Sharon Price John, Michelle Ko
2017-2018: Ellen Theroff
2015-2016: Penny Pennington
2013-2014: Marilyn Bush
2011-2012: Cassandra Sanford
2009-2010: Deb Hollingsworth
2008: Jan Holloway
2006-2007: Ellen Sherberg
2004-2005: Merry Mosbacher
2002-2003: Patricia Mercurio
2000-2001: Linda Locke, Juanita Hinshaw
1998-1999: Francine Katz
1996-1997: Mary Ann Krey