Ellen Sherberg, publisher of the St. Louis Business Journal, founded the Women’s Leadership Giving Initiative in 1996 to encourage and recognize women who make leadership gifts of $1,000 or more to the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

The Initiative’s “Power of the Purse” theme reflects the reality that women in our community have a strong impact on economic and quality-of-life issues. Every year, more women join the Initiative because they understand The Power of the Purse — and how their power can help others. Since its establishment, the Women’s Leadership Giving Initiative has raised nearly $45 million.

Thank you to all the women who have made this Initiative a success and to our previous chairs for their dedication to the “Power of the Purse.”

Join Women's Leadership Society

If you would like to find out more about what it means to become a Leadership giver, please contact Orvin Kimbrough at  orvin.kimbrough@stl.unitedway.org or 314-539-4249.

Download a Leadership Giving Initiative pledge card to join today.

Subscribe to Leadership e-newsletters and e-vites to stay in touch. You'll receive exclusive invitations, important news, information about the agencies and people you're helping and more. 

Women's Leadership Society cabinet

Deb Hollingsworth, AT&T, 2009 chair   Angela Adler, Express Scripts Inc. Schuyler Andrews, St. Andrews Resources for Seniors Suzie Andrews, Stark & Associates, Inc. Marcia Barber, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Ann Beatty, Psychological Associates Colleen Beckemeyer, AXA Advisors LLC Kasey Bergh, Nestle Purina PetCare Company Maureen Borkwoski, Ameren Traci Brown, Edward Jones Erin Budde, Wells Fargo Advisors Tammy Burton, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Nanci Daesch, Monsanto Company Patricia Duft, Covidien Sara Foster, Commerce Bank - St. Louis Sonya Gotto, Advanced Resources, Inc. Kristin Guehlstorf, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Zelema Harris, St. Louis Community College Ann Hendrich, Ascension Health Wendy Henry, BKD Stephanie Herbers, Washington University in St. Louis Lauren Herring, Impact Group Jan Holloway, Monsanto Company

Susan Huber, Ascension Health Karen Jordan, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal Whitney Kenter, Financial Management Partners Jennifer Estes Klaverkamp Becky Kueker, ARCTURIS Sally Lee, UPS Peggy Lents, Lents & Associates LLC  Karen Luebbert, Webster University Jane Martin, Coldwell Banker Gundaker Kayla Mays-Madkins, Ability Building and Restoration LLC Melissa Merlin, Husch Blackwell Sanders Molly Mrsich, UPS Dr. Lucy Morros, Lindenwood University Merry Mosbacher, Edward Jones Kathy Osborn, Regional Business Council Christy Oldani, RSM McGladrey Lydia Padilla, CBIZ Business Solutions Alexis Palmer, Citi Valerie Patton, St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association Anne Petersen Whitney Power, UPS Lisa Richter, richterintel Peggy Roberts, Huntleigh McGehee Sue Rollins, St. Louis County Housing Authority Cassandra Sanford, Kelly Mitchell Group Inc. Jennifer Schwesig, Armstrong Teasdale LLP Meg Shuff Kristine Swan, Monsanto Company Lisa Thorp, Thompson Coburn LLP Tessa Trelz, Armstrong Teasdale LLP Melissa Van Dyke, Maritz Inc. Jennifer Visintine, Thompson Coburn LLP Debbie Walters, Collaborative Strategies, Inc. Colleen Watermon, University of Missouri - St. Louis Patricia Whitaker, ARCTURIS

Past chairs: