When Bank of America Senior Vice President Michelle D. Tucker announced her early retirement from a 20-year career in banking to accept the role of chief executive officer at Epworth Children & Family Services, she never doubted that it was the right decision to make.
“I have a tremendous passion for the well-being of youth and families across our community,” she said. “Providing leadership to Epworth’s historic efforts will enable me to more directly impact vulnerable populations and connect closer to a vital mission.”
Tucker joined Epworth in April as the first African-American CEO in the agency’s history.
For over 152 years, Epworth has been committed to keeping families together, preventing abuse and neglect, and encouraging self-sufficiency for at-risk youth and families through a continuum of services. With a staff of nearly 250 employees made up of psychologists, caseworkers, youth advisers and others, Epworth provides services to more than 13,000 youth and families annually.
Chris Jones of BancorpSouth, Epworth’s Governing Board chair, said Tucker’s “demonstrated successful history combined with her extensive knowledge of our community uniquely position her to lead Epworth as we continue growing forward.”
Tucker is originally from East St. Louis, spending the past nine years as a community leader while collaborating with various nonprofit agencies to provide advisory and support. She has dedicated a significant degree of time to understanding issues and challenges facing youth and families experiencing difficult times.
“Although not always intentional, many times we simply don’t recognize the signs of an abusive home, mental health challenges or homeless situations, especially when it involves youth and families right here in our community,” Tucker said. “My challenge to myself and others is to take the time to notice, acknowledge, report, support and truly get involved in providing solutions and assistance to those in need that have become invisible to too many.”
Tucker is a certified Six Sigma Greenbelt professional with a B.A. in English from SIU-Edwardsville and an M.A. in Business from Webster University, with experience in strategic planning, process design and operations management. She was one of the establishing chairs of the Bank of America Black Professional Affinity Group in St. Louis and was a member of their national Diversity Action Council. She most recently worked as Bank of America’s Enterprise Business and Community Engagement market manager responsible for local grant-making, corporate sponsorships and community outreach. She has held numerous leadership positions and been recognized for various accomplishments in the community.
Tucker will be featured among four Leading Women in Business from St. Louis in the September issues of The Oprah Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazineand Fortune Magazine reaching nearly 135,000 subscribers.
Her award distinctions include the St. Louis America Foundation’s Excellence in Business Award, St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Diverse Business Leader, YWCA Leader of Distinction (corporate), Professional Organization of Women’s Leader of Distinction, Webster University’s George Walker School of Technology Alumnus of the Year and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Women in Leadership Award.
She is a member of the Board of Directors at Downtown STL, Inc. and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is a graduate of FOCUS’ Leadership St. Louis program and the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellows Program. Tucker is a member of the United Way’s African American Leadership Giving Society and a member of The Archway Chapter of Links, Incorporated. She has been married for nearly 18 years to Kennard Tucker, of Edward Jones.
