St. Louis, Missouri |August 18, 2026 – YWCA Metro St. Louis is thrilled to announce its 2026 Leaders of Distinction, who will be honored at Leader Lunch 46 on Thursday, December 3, at The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. Leader Lunch is St. Louis’ longest-running event celebrating professional achievement, and this year marks its first at the new Central West End venue.
Women make up more than half of Missouri’s workforce, with more than 1.43 million women employed across the state, according to Missouri Economic Research and Information Center analysis of U.S. Census data.[1] Their contributions extend across industries, organizations and sectors throughout the St. Louis region. Leader Lunch recognizes women whose leadership and professional accomplishments are helping shape the future of our community.
“This year’s Leaders of Distinction reflect the breadth and impact of women’s leadership across the St. Louis region,” said Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Knott, MBA, YWCA Metro St. Louis President and Chief Executive Officer. “For 46 years, YWCA Metro St. Louis has brought people together to celebrate and elevate women whose accomplishments, leadership, and contributions are helping shape our community. We are proud to honor this year’s remarkable leaders and celebrate the example they set for those who will lead our region in the years ahead.”
The 2026 YWCA Leaders of Distinction are:
Linda B. Haley, CFRE | President & CEO, Let’s Build Hope
Tracy E. Hart | CEO & Executive Chair, Tarlton Corporation
Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE | President & CEO, SSM Health
Michelle Li | Founder, Very Asian Foundation and Anchor, NewsChannel 5
Gwen Mizell | SVP, Chief Sustainability Officer & President of Ameren Foundation, Ameren
Sandra M. Moore | Managing Director, Advantage Capital
Traci O’Bryan, NCIDQ | CEO, Arcturis
The Honorable Mary Russell | Judge, Supreme Court of Missouri
Miranda Walker Jones | President & CEO, The Little Bit Foundation
Leaders of Distinction are nominated by their peers and selected by the YWCA Honoree Selection Committee based on their professional accomplishments and community contributions. Leader Lunch 46, YWCA Metro St. Louis’s primary fundraiser, will be held Thursday, December 3, at The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza. Doors open at 10:00 AM for the Holiday Bazaar, a curated shopping experience featuring women-owned businesses, with lunch and the program running from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The program will also include Fund A Need, a live donation opportunity benefiting YWCA Metro St. Louis clients and services.
Individual tickets and tables are on sale now at ywcastl.org/LL46. All proceeds support YWCA Metro St. Louis, which provides its services free of charge to more than 10,000 individuals and their families each year. This event typically sells out, so early purchase is recommended.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, contact:
Sarah Korte, Senior Director of Development | skorte@ywcastlmo.org, 314.531.1115 ext. 5258
For more information on Leader Lunch 46, visit ywcastl.org/LL46.
[1] Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Women in Missouri’s Workforce, May 2025.
ABOUT YWCA:
YWCA Metro St. Louis is a leading provider of services that promote safety, stability, and opportunity across the region, serving more than 10,000 individuals and families each year. YWCA Metro St. Louis is dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and survivors by facilitating a future where every person is safe, supported, and heard. Programs include crisis response and housing, early childhood education through Head Start and Early Head Start, and career readiness and supportive services for individuals and families.