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Academy of Leaders

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Leaders of Distinction

Each year, YWCA Metro St. Louis honors nine Leaders of Distinction at its Annual Leader Lunch. These women will take their place among the YWCA Academy of Leaders (some 300+ honorees from the past four decades) thereby joining the most notable group of accomplished women in St. Louis.

Nominees are put forward by their peers and are selected by a panel based on their professional achievements and contributions to the community.

Learn more about YWCA’s Leader Lunch.

*Deceased

2024
  • Elizabeth Mannen Berges
  • Leann Chilton
  • Lesley Hoffarth
  • Farzana Hoque
  • Taliya J. King
  • Helen Lee
  • The Honorable Ellen Sue Levy
  • Debbie Monterrey
  • LaTonia Collins Smith
2023
  • Akberet Boykin Farr
  • Donna Erbs
  • Constance Gully
  • Carolyn Kindle
  • Nalini Mahadevan
  • Chrissy Nardini
  • Natalie Self
  • Shelby Schagrin
  • Marilyn Robinson, MSW, Ed.D.
2022
  • Sheila Burkett
  • Rhonda Carter Adams
  • Simone Cummings, PhD
  • Hazel Donald
  • Qiaoni Linda Jing
  • Cheryl Jones
  • Emily Martin
  • Kim Norwood
  • Erika Schenk
2021
  • Cathy Arshadi – Corporate
  • Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, SPHR, MBA, Ph.D. – Corporate
  • Renee Brummell Franklin, MBA, MAT – The Arts
  • Gloria Carter-Hicks – Entrepreneurship
  • Charli Cooksey – Racial Justice
  • Aparna Deora, Ph.D. – Corporate
  • Kelly Gast – Corporate
  • Kristian Yarmani Nelson – Future Leader
  • Carol J. Voss – Philanthropy
  • Kristen Wild – Non-Profit
2020
  • Jane Arnold – Corporate
  • Kayla Baker – Future Leader
  • Marsha Benney – Corporate
  • Sara Yang Bosco – Corporate
  • Mary Elizabeth Grimes – Education
  • Kendra Holmes, Pharm.D. – Health Management
  • Kristin Johnson – Corporate
  • Ashley Kemper – Philanthropy
  • Melissa Lackey – Entrepreneurship
  • Karla Scott, Ph.D. – Racial Justice
2019
  • Barbara C. Archer – Entrepreneurship
  • Carol Duhme * – Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Alison Ferring – Philanthropy
  • Ruth Kim – Corporate
  • JoAnne Levy – Health Management
  • Mary McKay, Ph.D. – Racial Justice
  • Celeste Player, Pharm.D. – Corporate
  • Theresa Ruzicka – Non-Profit
  • Lisa Stump – Corporate
  • Kaylin Walters – Future Leader
2018
  • Raevyn Ferguson – Future Leader
  • Lisa Flavin – Corporate
  • Amy Hunter – Racial Justice
  • Nancy Kranzberg – Philanthropy
  • Julia Mize – Corporate
  • Daffney Moore – Government
  • Kelly Pollock – The Arts
  • Sharon Price John – Corporate
  • Ruth Saphian – Corporate
  • Faith Varwig – Entrepreneurship
2017
  • Karen Aroesty – Racial Justice
  • Diane Compardo – Corporate
  • Jovita Foster – Corporate
  • Kennedi Ginger – Future Leader
  • Jennifer Labit – Entrepreneurship
  • Tara Nealey, Ph.D. – Corporate
  • Noemi Neidorff – Philanthropy
  • Emily Pitts – Corporate
  • Leila Sadat – Professions
  • Mary Stillman – Education
2016
  • Leah Amos – Future Leader
  • Tamiko Armstead – Education
  • Maureen Borkowski – Corporate
  • Rebecca Hatter – Non-Profit
  • Ghazala Hayat, M.D. – Racial Justice
  • Toni Kutchan, Ph.D. – Science
  • Evelyn Rice-Peebles – Government
  • Thelma Steward – Philanthropy
  • Susan Stith – Corporate
  • Jackie Yoon – Corporate
2015
  • Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Ph.D. – Racial Justice
  • Rebeccah L. Bennett – Entrepreneur
  • Mary Bonacorsi – Professions
  • The Honorable Judy Draper – Government
  • Marilyn Fox* – Philanthropy
  • Joan Magruder – Non-Profit
  • Kathleen Mazzarella – Corporate
  • Noa Rose – Future Leader
  • Lisa Safarian – Corporate
  • Kristen Sorth – Government
2014
  • Zundra Bryant – Business/Corporate Management
  • Rita Chang – Future Leader
  • Doreen Dodson – Professions
  • Cathy Dunkin – Business Ownership/Entrepreneurship
  • Christine Houston – Business/Corporate Management
  • Maria del Carmen Jacob – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary Koomar – Business Corporate/Management
  • Penny Pennington – Business/Corporate Management
  • Elizabeth (Beth) Stroble – Education
  • Eileen (Otero) Wolfington – Racial Justice
2013
  • Marilyn Bush – Business/Corporate Management
  • Theresa Carrington – NonProfit
  • Jane Eckert – Entrepreneur
  • Sharon Harvey Davis* – Racial Justice
  • Elaine Mahon – Future Leader
  • Lisa Nichols – Business/Corporate Management
  • Gwendolyn Packnett, Ph.D. – Education
  • Nicole Ringenberg – Business/Corporate Management
  • Suzanne Sitherwood – Business/Corporate Management
  • Gail Taylor – Business/Corporate Management
2012
  • Nina Barbleh – Future Leader
  • Mary Burnes – Business/Corporate
  • Shirley Cunningham – Business/Corporate
  • H. Jill Fivecoat – Business/Corporate
  • Sharon Frey M.D. – Education
  • Mildred Galvin – Business/Corporate
  • Darlene Green – Government
  • Jane Killebrew-Galeski – Business/Corporate
  • Jamala Rogers – Racial Justice
  • Sandy Tsai – Entrepreneurship
2011
  • Mary Frontczak – Business/Corporate Management
  • Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge – Government/Politics
  • Barbara Harbach – The Arts
  • Wendy J. Henry – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary Ann Lazarus – Business/Corporate Management
  • Emma Mutrux – Future Leader
  • Lydia Padilla – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Jane Towater * – Racial Justice
  • Michelle D. Tucker – Business/Corporate Management
  • Ronda F Williams, Esq.* – Business/Corporate Management
2010
  • Molly Cline, Ph. D. – Business/Corporate Management
  • Anna Crosslin – Racial Justice Leader
  • Eileen Hedrick – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Mary P. Heger – Business/Corporate Management
  • Ann Marr – Business/Corporate Management
  • Virginia McDowell – Business/Corporate Management
  • Vickie Newton – Communications
  • Marcia Niedringhaus – Business/Corporate Management
  • Kathleen (Kitty) Ratcliff – Nonprofit Management
  • Allison Marie Wallace – Future Leader
2009
  • Joyce Aboussie – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Katherine Button Bell – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary Kullman – Business/Corporate Management
  • Laura Coghlan – Future Leader
  • Darcella Craven – Nonprofit Management
  • Consuelo Madere – Business/Corporate Management
  • Billy Mayo, Ed.D – Racial Justice Leader
  • Krista Mosby – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary Elizabeth Nelson – Government/Politics
  • Agnès Rey-Giraud – Business/Corporate Management
2008
  • Billy Collier – Nonprofit Management
  • Sharon D. Fiehler – Business/Corporate Management
  • Zelema Harris – Education
  • Debra Hollingsworth – Business/Corporate Management
  • Brenda S. Loftin, JD – Racial Justice
  • Jillian M. Lynum – Future Leader
  • Claire McCaskill – Government/Politics
  • Nancy C. Pechloff – Business/Corporate Management
  • Cheryl D. Walker – Professions
  • Jennifer Williams – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
2007
  • Katherine J. Anderson* – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Lynn Beall – Communications/Media
  • Joyce Blackwell – Business/Corporate Management
  • Marie Carroll – Business/Corporate Management
  • Pam Cavness – Business/Corporate Management
  • Dong Nghi Huynh – Future Leader
  • Celerstine B. Johnson, Ed.D. – Racial Justice
  • Nancy LeMaster – Nonprofit Management
  • Pamela Meanes – Business/Corporate Management
  • Ann Carroll Wells – Business/Corporate Management
  • YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Committee on Administration – President’s Award
2006
  • Valerie Bell, JD – Racial Justice
  • Adrian Bracy – Business/Corporate Management
  • Melanie DiLeo – Business/Corporate Management
  • Agnes Gioconda – Business/Corporate Management
  • Jan Holloway – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary “One” Johnson – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Cynthia Prost – Nonprofit Management
  • Marilyn Robinson, Ed.D. – Government/Politics
  • Patricia Smith Thurman – Business/Corporate Management
  • Jan Torrisi-Mokwa* – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Maggie Winkler – Future Leader
2005
  • Mary Atkin – Business/Corporate Management
  • Virginia A. Barnes* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Carol Daniel – Communications/Media
  • Tessa Greenspan – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Sandra M. Moore – Racial Justice
  • Brenda D. Newberry – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Thuy-Linh Nguyen – Future Leader
  • Cheryl D. Polk – Nonprofit Management
  • Karen Seibert, Ph.D.* – Science & Technology
  • JoAnn M. Shaw – Business/Corporate Management
  • Carol J. Valenta – Nonprofit Management
2004
  • Kathryn S. Bader – Business/Corporate Management
  • Christine Bierman – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Cynthia J. Brinkley – Business/Corporate Management
  • Darnetta Clinkscale – Nonprofit Management
  • Betsy H. Cohen – Business/Corporate Management
  • Judy Ethell – Business/Corporate Management
  • June McAllister Fowler – Nonprofit Management
  • Kathryn E. Nelson* – Lifetime Racial Justice Award
  • Kiku Obata – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Susan Wilson Solovic – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Lucy Yang – Future Leader
  • Risa Zwerling – Business/Corporate Management
2003
  • Sheila Bader – Racial Justice
  • Elizabeth “Beth” Davis – Communications/Media
  • Sara E. Foster – Business/Corporate Management
  • Deborah Collins Grossman – Business/Corporate Management
  • Rachel McLaughlin – Future Leader
  • Sandra M. Moore – Nonprofit Management
  • Merry Mosbacher – Business/Corporate Management
  • Pam Nicholson – Business/Corporate Management
  • Emily Rauh Pulitzer – The Arts
  • Sharon Thomas Robnett* – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Patricia Wente – Nonprofit Management
  • Jane Wulf – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
2002
  • Barbara Bartley-Turkington – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Maxine Clark – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Lois Conley – Urban Investment
  • Elizabeth “Beth” Fitzgerald – Nonprofit Management
  • Brooke Nevils – Future Leader
  • Marian Nunn – Business/Corporate Management
  • Tammy Shields – Business/Corporate Management
  • Yvonne Tisdel – Business/Corporate Management
  • Yvette Whitehead – Business/Corporate Management
  • Marquita Wiley – Business/Corporate Management
2001
  • Deanna Daughhetee – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Fay Fleming – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Lissa Hollenbeck – Business/Corporate Management
  • Becky S. Kueker – President’s Award
  • Joan D. Malloy – Business/Corporate Management
  • Patricia L. Mercurio – Business/Corporate Management
  • Rita Montgomery-Hollie – Professions
  • Cheryl Morley – Business/Corporate Management
  • Patricia W. Nichols, Ph.D.* – Education
  • Sarath Priya Rednam – Future Leader
  • Stephanie Riven – The Arts
  • Rabbi Susan Talve – Racial Justice
2000
  • Sally Bliss – The Arts
  • Judge Susan E. Block – Racial Justice
  • Georgia Frontiere* – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Mildred L. Jamison, RN – Nonprofit Management
  • Linda Martinez – Professions
  • Valerie E. Patton – Business/Corporate Management
  • Cherish Perry – Future Leader
  • Judith A. Roberts* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Sandra Van Trease – Business/Corporate Management
  • Barbara Wilkinson – Business/Corporate Management
1999
  • Karen Branding – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary Leyhe Burke, Ph.D. – Education
  • Jacquelyn Dezort – Business/Corporate Management
  • Sandra Farragut-Hemphill – Government/Politics
  • Kathleen Kiesel Flemming – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Linda Locke – Business/Corporate Management
  • Alison Nash, M.D. – Professions
  • Beverly Noble-Barnes – Government/Politics
  • Tiara Lynn Pettis – Future Leader
  • Maggie Potapchuk – Racial Justice
  • Ellen Sherberg – Communications/Media
  • Patricia Whitaker – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
1998
  • Donnis Casey – Business/Corporate Management
  • Charmaine S. Chapman* – Nonprofit Management
  • Ruby Christian-Harriman – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Norma Clayton – Science & Technology
  • Priscilla Hill-Ardoin – Business/Corporate Management
  • Dean Keyes – Urban Investment
  • Donna A. Kindl – Business/Corporate Management
  • Stephanie McCutcheon – Health Management
  • Wendy Monso – Property Management
  • Frankie Muse Freeman, JD* – Racial Justice
  • Kathleen T. Osborn – Education
  • Mahauganee Dawn Shaw – Future Leader
1997
  • Mildred Rogers Anderson, Ph.D.* – Education
  • Jo Ann Harmon Arnold* – President’s Award
  • Ann Beatty, Ph.D. – Professions
  • Judy Bentley – Community Service
  • Margaret Bush-Wilson* – Racial Justice
  • Karen Carroll – Communications/Media
  • Dianne Chong, Ph.D. – Science & Technology
  • Rebecca Anne Francis – Future Leader
  • Joanne Griffin – Business/Corporate Management
  • Laura Herring – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Patricia Rich – Nonprofit Management
  • Jane Sauer – The Arts
  • Mavis Thompson – Government/Politics
1996
  • Antoinette Bailey* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary F. Cannon – Communications/Media
  • Christine A. Chadwick – Community Service
  • Jill McGuire – The Arts
  • Jennifer Mueller – Future Leader
  • Deborah J. Patterson – Nonprofit Management
  • Barbara A. Schaal, Ph.D. – Science & Technology
  • Bishop Ann B. Sherer – Professions
  • Sharon Tucci – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Elizabeth “Betty” Van Uum – Government/Politics
  • Mildred Winter – Education
1995
  • Gail W. Brase* – Nonprofit Management
  • Lisa Galluzzo – Future Leader
  • Dudley Grove – Community Service
  • Jean Hamilton – Professions
  • Cecilia A. Nadal – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Carol North – The Arts
  • Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM – Business/Corporate Management
  • Dora B. Schriro* – Government/Politics
  • Victoria L. Sork, Ph.D. – Science & Technology
  • Gwendolyn W. Stephens, Ph.D.* – Education
  • Helen M. Weiss* – Communications/Media
1994
  • Mary Ellen Finch, Ph.D. – Education
  • Maggie Holtman – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Sharon Homan, M.D. – Professions
  • Gwen Krivi, Ph.D. – Science & Technology
  • Deanne Lane – Communications/Media
  • Emmy McClelland – Government/Politics
  • Amanda L. Murphy, Ph.D. – Nonprofit Management
  • Tina Potthoff – Future Leader
  • Sheryl Solomon – Business/Corporate Management
  • Harriet Traurig* – The Arts
  • Donna Wilkinson* – Community Service
1993
  • Jo Ann Harmon Arnold* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Mary Conti, M.D. – Professions
  • Myrtle Hilliard Davis* – Nonprofit Management
  • Mary Engelbreit – The Arts
  • Nelda Lee – Science & Technology
  • Carolyn Losos – Community Service
  • Sheila Lumpe* – Government/Politics
  • Twanisha McDaniel – Future Leader
  • Robin Smith – Communications/Media
  • MaryAnn Krey Van Lokeren – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Barbara Woods* – Education
1992
  • JoBeth G. Brown – Business/Corporate Management
  • Laura Chik – Future Leader
  • Jane Freund Harris* – Community Service
  • Ruth Lewis* – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Betty Marver* – Nonprofit Management
  • Patricia McKissack – The Arts
  • Soraya Nouri-Moghaddam, M.D. – Professions
  • Betty Thompson* – Government/Politics
  • Virginia Weldon, M.D.* – Communications/Media
  • Gloria Waters White* – Education
1991
  • Patricia Barrett* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Huldah C. Blamoville, M.D. – Professions
  • Nancy Gill – Future Leader
  • Joan Kelly Horn – Government/Politics
  • Jean Neal – Nonprofit Management
  • Deborah Silverberg – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Betty Sims* – Community Service
  • Sharon Stevens – Communications/Media
  • Agnes Wilcox* – The Arts
  • Katie H. Wright, Ed.D. – Education
1990
  • Noreen Carrocci, Ph.D. – Education
  • Mary Case, M.D. – Professions
  • Laurna Godwin – Communications/Media
  • Toyanna Hearon – Future Leader
  • Susan Pettit – Health Management
  • Dorothy Pillman* – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Anna Polizzi Keller – Business/Corporate Management
  • Kaye Steinmetz* – Government/Politics
  • Jeanne Treavor* – The Arts
1989
  • Cuesta Ray Benberry* – The Arts
  • Marion G. Cairns* – Government/Politics
  • Edith Catherine Cunnane* – Nonprofit Management
  • Doris DeBerry Eldridge* – Education
  • Karen Foss – Communications/Media
  • Lisa Renee James – Future Leader
  • Patricia Ann Unland Musgrave, R.N. – Professions
  • Martha L. Perine – Business/Corporate Management
  • Palmer Adele Reynolds – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
1988
  • Tammie S. Benzinger, M.D., Ph.D. – Future Leader
  • Lynn R. Broeder – Nonprofit Management
  • Jan Garden Castro – The Arts
  • Cassandra Colvin Carr – Business/Corporate Management
  • Bonita S. Cornute – Communications/Media
  • Susan S. Elliott – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Linda A. Fisher, M.D., M.P.H.* – Professions
  • Frankie Muse Freeman, JD* – Government/Politics
  • Anne Elizabeth Price, Ph.D. – Education
1987
  • Susan Cejka – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Katherine Dunham* – The Arts
  • Sr. Mary James Gallagher* – Nonprofit Management
  • Juanita H. Hinshaw – Business/Corporate Management
  • Dee Joyner – Government/Politics
  • Mary Kimbrough* – Communications/Media
  • Beej Nierengarten-Smith, Ph.D. – Nonprofit Management
  • Billie McKindra Phillips* – Education
  • Mary A. Tillman, M.D.* – Professions
1986
  • Sr. Betty A. Brucker, FSM* – Health Management
  • Ellen R. Conant* – Government/Politics
  • Barbara Gibbs Ostmann – Communications/Media
  • Bernice Richter-Cohen – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Yvonne E. Thompson – Business/Corporate Management
  • Blanche M. Touhill, Ph.D. – Education
  • Irma Schira Tucker* – The Arts
  • Carol F. Williams, M.D. – Professions
1985
  • Jacqueline Dudley, R.N.* – Professions
  • Kim Hindrew – Communications/Media
  • Charlotte Lehmann – Business/Corporate Management
  • Marylen Mann-Jacobs – Nonprofit Management
  • Sue Shear* – Government/Politics
  • Willie Mae Ford Smith* – The Arts
  • Joyce Thomas, Ph.D.* – Education
  • Ann Tretter – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
1984
  • Betsey A. Bruce – Communications/Media
  • Sue Clancy – Community Service
  • Clara D. Craver*, D.Sc. – Professions
  • Gayle P.W. Jackson – Business/Corporate Management
  • Judith E. Meador – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Ann Quill Niederlander, JD* – Government/Politics
  • Sheila Ruth, Ph.D. – Education
  • Susan Slaughter – The Arts
1983
  • Linda S. Barton* – Communications/Media
  • Eddie Mae Binion* – Nonprofit Management
  • Pearlie Evans* – Government/Politics
  • Ruth K. Jacobson* – Special Achievement
  • Merele Johnson – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Annelise Mertz* – The Arts
  • Suzanne Saueressig, DVM * – Professions
  • Margaret A. Stroup* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Doris Trojcak, Ed.D. – Education
1982
  • Eunice W. Farmer * – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Hulda Grobman, Ed.D.* – Education
  • Delores Johnson* – Community Service
  • Gini Laurie* – Communications/Media
  • Marcia B. Mellitz – Government/Politics
  • Patricia L. Monteleone, M.D. – Professions
  • Lucille A. Rascher* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Christine Ely Smith – The Arts
1981
  • Olivia E. Calloway* – Community Service
  • Nancy S. Everett – Professions
  • Ellen F. Harshman, Ph.D. – Education
  • Betty Lee* – Communications/Media
  • Sarah Linquist* – The Arts
  • Myrtle C. Reynolds * – Unsung Hero
  • Marge S. Rittenhouse – Business/Corporate Management
  • Sara Scroggins – Education
  • Marcia H. Smith – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Harriett Woods* – Government/Politics
1979/1980
  • Sharon Belson – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Gertrude B. Busch* – The Arts
  • Irene E. Cortinovis – Community Service
  • Arvilla Droll* – Community Service
  • Queen Dunlap-Fowler, Ph.D.* – Education
  • Anna C. Forder – Government/Politics
  • Sylvia Frankel* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Judi Hofer* – Business/Corporate Management
  • Alma Kessler* – Communications/Media
  • Veda Martin* – Community Service
  • Martha G. Rounds* – Entrepreneur/Business Owner
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