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YWCA’s Leader Lunch is St. Louis’ longest running annual event that celebrates professional women for their achievements at work and their contributions in the community.
Honorees are nominated by community members and selected by a volunteer panel of members of the Academy. Each year, a new class is inducted into the Academy of Leaders at the luncheon, where they are honored by an audience of 900+ area professionals.
Leader Lunch 45 will be held at Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel on December 12, 2025.
Sponsorship Opportunities
YWCA offers many opportunities for sponsorship support of this annual event, from Presenting and other top-tier categories, to partners, industry, and in-kind sponsorships that help our non-profit agency defray the cost of event production.
Leader Lunch celebrates professional women, educates the community, and raises funds to support the crucial services YWCA Metro St. Louis provides for women and families in our region.
To discuss a level of sponsorship that best suits your business, contact:
Aimee Frey, Chief Development Officer
afrey@ywcastlmo.org
314.531.1115, ext. 5230
Future Leader Scholarship
The Future Leader Award recognizes an outstanding female high school senior in the St. Louis region who demonstrates leadership, vision, and a commitment to creating positive change in her school or community. The selected Future Leader will receive a $1,500 scholarship to support her educational goals and will be honored on stage at Leader Lunch 45 on December 12, 2025, alongside the region’s most influential women leaders. This award celebrates the next generation of changemakers and gives young women a platform to share their vision for a more equitable and empowered future.
Applications are due by October 3, 2025: Submit Your Application Here
Leaders in the Workplace program
The Leaders in the Workplace program gives employers the opportunity to honor select employees for their contributions in the workplace. These women receive acknowledgement at the event and in the program.
To find out more about Leaders in the Workplace, contact:
Aimee Frey, Chief Development Officer
afrey@ywcastlmo.org
314.531.1115, ext. 5230
Volunteer
We can’t throw an event this big without volunteers! We have dozens of positions available, including selection committee, event setup, registration, and more.
Interested in volunteering?
Contact Maribeth Kalfoglou
mkalfoglou@ywcastlmo.org
314.531.1115, ext. 5235
Nominate a Leader of Distinction
Nominations are now closed for 2025 Leaders of Distinction. Nominations for 2026 Leaders of Distinction will open on Monday, December 15 through May 2026.
Every year at Leader Lunch, YWCA Metro St. Louis presents awards to local women who exemplify excellence in their chosen professions and show significant dedication as a volunteer and/or commitment to the success of other women.
Candidates for the award are chosen among women who are actively employed in the workplace; the exception is the “Philanthropy/Volunteerism” category which requires women who are actively engaged in volunteer activities. Nine Leaders of Distinction are chosen each year by the YWCA Honoree Selection Committee, a group comprised of previous honorees, the Academy of Leaders.
Nominees:
- Must be currently employed, or an active volunteer in the community
- Must be a resident of the St. Louis Metropolitan area
- Must be able to attend the Leader Lunch ceremony in December
- Should not have previously received the award; however, nominations may be resubmitted from prior years
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