ABOUT IPP
WHAT WE DO
The IPP’s mission is to build a strong regional economy that benefits everyone. Achieving this requires input from all stakeholders in our community.
The IPP helps the region tackle big challenges by aligning efforts across sectors. By bringing together business, civic, nonprofit, and community leaders in a professionally facilitated process, we create pathways to durable solutions.
By investing in how our region connects and collaborates, we are unlocking St. Louis’ capacity to execute bold, transformative projects.
Diverse stakeholders are collaborating to design scalable solutions. Dedicated funding for both implementation and evaluation ensures that our solutions are resourced for success. Shared data informs strategy and aligns stakeholders.
Leaders across our region are investing time, resources, and expertise in this process through the IPP’s Steering Committee, Collaborative Partner Committee, and Solution Design Cohort.
SOLUTION DESIGN COHORT
The initial Solution Design Cohort is a broad group of St. Louisans who work in collaboration to create dynamic solutions for increasing Quality Jobs in the region. This group includes nonprofit representatives, leaders from corporations, institutions, community associations, and community voices of varying backgrounds.
Tamiko Armstead
Cardinal Ritter College
Prep High School
Sean Armstrong
Washington University in St. Louis
Vianey Beltran
Wells Fargo
Yoni Blumberg
WEPOWER
D’Andre Braddix, EdD
SLCC
Maggie Farrell
Missouri Works Initiative
Kyon Favell
St. Louis Community Member – Youth
Kiara Fortson
ArchKey
Hillary Frey
St. Louis Youth Jobs
Leslie Gill
Rung for Women
Keith George
BJC Health
Richard von Glahn
Missouri Jobs with Justice
Michael Holmes
Urban League of
Metropolitan St. Louis
Brandi Jahnke
Connections to Success
Connie Johnson
SLATE
Shanise Johnson
Boys & Girls Club of
Greater St. Louis
Michael Jones
Friendly Temple Church
Jerrick King
St. Louis Community Member – Youth
Shannon Koenig
St. Louis County Housing
Evelyn Kumeh
St. Louis Community Member
Irene Li
St. Louis Community Member
Sal Martinez
Employment Connection
Jamerah McNichols
St. Louis Community Member – Youth
Bob Olwig
World Wide Technology
Suzanne Sierra
St. Louis Mosaic Project
Patricia Smith
St. Louis Community Member
Kristin Sobolik
University of Missouri,
St. Louis
Susan Stith
Concordance
Michael Woods
Dream Builders 4 Equity
QUALITY JOBS CHAMPIONS
Three Quality Jobs Champions promote the successful implementation of solutions by securing strategic partnerships, providing thought leadership, and inspiring ambassadorship among both the Solution Design Cohort and the Collaborative Partner Committee.
KEITH GEORGE
Vice President, Talent Strategies at BJC Health
Keith George has over 12 years of experience in human resources and talent acquisition. Keith has held various leadership positions at prominent organizations such as BJC HealthCare, Ascension, Comcast, Lumeris, and Discover Financial Services. Keith’s roles have focused on talent strategy, workforce analytics, talent acquisition, talent management, and development. Keith has a demonstrated track record of driving innovation and transformation in the healthcare and media industries.
LESLIE GILL
President & CEO, Rung for Women
For over 25 years, Leslie Gill has made a significant impact on the St. Louis community. Her leadership at Rung for Women focuses on providing holistic self-sufficiency and career paths for women, helping them move up the economic opportunity ladder. Leslie’s experience includes serving as the CEO of Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center and Executive Director of College Summit. Recognized for her leadership, Leslie was awarded the Titan 100 Award recognizing top CEOs and executives in 2024 and named among the St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Businesswomen in 2022.
EVELYN KUMEH
Founder, Humanity First
Evelyn T. Kumeh is the founder of Humanity First, a mission-driven organization advancing equitable opportunities and inclusive growth. With a degree in Political Science and International Relations, she brings extensive experience in government investigations and community engagement. Evelyn previously served as a Job Developer with the International Institute of St. Louis and investigated workforce, housing, and public accommodation discrimination with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.
STEERING COMMITTEE
The Steering Committee is the core group responsible for overseeing the integrity of the Inclusive Prosperity Partnership, its process and results. This broad cross-sector committee ensures each step aligns with the mission of building a stronger economy benefiting everyone.
Kelvin Adams
St. Louis Community Foundation
Jeremy Al-Haj
Missouri Workers Center
Dustin Allison
Greater St. Louis Inc.
Karen Branding
Regional Business Council
Dara Eskridge
Invest STL
Sam Fiorello
Cortex Innovation Community
Sal Martinez
Employment Connection
Annissa McCaskill
Forward Through Ferguson
John McDonnell
James S. McDonnell Foundation
Lisa Potts
St. Louis Mental Health Board
Jason Purnell
James S. McDonnell Foundation
Jim Wild
East-West Gateway
Council of Governments
STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jason Purnell
IPP Steering Committee Chair
Dr. Jason Purnell, President & CEO, James S. McDonnell Foundation, leads governance duties, oversees fund development, and provides strategic vision. Dr. Purnell is a forward-thinking architect for change with vast experience uniting different stakeholder groups to drive impactful strategies.
Dr. Purnell joined the James S. McDonnell Foundation as president in 2023 after leading the community health improvement strategy at BJC HealthCare. This work built on his scholarship at Washington University’s Brown School, where he and his collaborators released the seminal report “For The Sake Of All” on African American health in St. Louis.
Dr. Purnell holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a doctorate from The Ohio State University, and a master’s in public health from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Diverse Healthcare Leaders, has received the St. Louis American’s Person of the Year award, and St. Louis Magazine’s A-List Editors’ Choice Award: People Shaping the Region.
COLLABORATIVE PARTNER COMMITTEE
The Collaborative Partner Committee works in partnership with the Steering Committee to provide a vital layer of support and advocacy. They are champions of the Inclusive Prosperity Partnership who keep the program well-resourced and connected to the broader community.
Akberet Boykin Farr
Emerson
David Clunie
Edward Jones
Bridget Flood
Incarnate Word Foundation
Jim Forst
Skip Viragh Foundation
Elizabeth George
St. Louis Community Foundation
Claire Hundelt
Marillac Mission Fund
Molly Hyland
Commerce Bank
Orv Kimbrough
Midwest Bank Centre
Steve Lawler
Pershing Charitable Trust
Juanita Logan
World Wide Technology
Marcela Manjarrez
M Strategic Communications
Jim Mann
Enterprise Holdings Inc.
Michelle Miller
Philanthropy Missouri
Julie Peters
Midwest BankCentre
Jeff Pittman
St. Louis Community College
Bill Polk
Pershing Charitable Trust
Kelly Pollock
Berges Family Foundation
Eriko Pope
NISA Charitable Fund
John Posey
East-West Gateway
Council of Governments
Dwayne Proctor
Missouri Foundation for Health
Kathy Reeves
Retired, Enterprise Holdings Inc.
William “Bill” Rodgers
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Julie Russell
Missouri Foundation for Health
Emily Stuart
Marillac Mission Fund
David Stiffler
Edward Jones
Mark Viragh
Skip Viragh Foundation
Jim Wild
East-West Gateway
Council of Governments