Wendell E. Kimbrough, who has served Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) for more than two decades, including his long tenure as CEO, has announced his retirement, effective September 30, 2025.
Since joining ARCHS in 2005, Kimbrough has partnered with its board of directors and staff to create a grant model that supports funded agencies with business consulting and compliance expertise. During his tenure, he helped it grow into one of the region’s most successful grant-making organizations.
According to Kimbrough, ARCHS’ mission is to improve the lives of children and families facing disparities and disadvantages in St. Louis’ most resources deprived communities.
“ARCHS works to disrupt generational poverty by advancing lifelong learning,” he said.
Its portfolio of state and federal funded grants enhances the work of over 50 human service agencies which serve over 270,000 St. Louisans.
“ARCHS’ board and staff have been fortunate to benefit from Wendell’s leadership. He has balanced community needs and fiduciary stewardship to ensure state and federal funding made meaningful impacts on the lives of St. Louis families,” said chair Sherrie Wehner.
During Kimbrough’s tenure, ARCHS has received national and regional honors including three quality improvement awards related to the Baldrige Excellence Framework and six “What’s Right with the Region” recognitions from FOCUS St. Louis.
Kimbrough’s community leadership roles include serving on the Missouri Governor’s Pre-K Readiness Panel, the St. Louis Mayor’s Commission on Children, Youth and Families, the After School for All Partnership of St. Louis and the St. Louis Prayer Breakfast Committee.
He is an immediate past board chair of Philanthropy Missouri and immediate past board treasurer of Kids Win Missouri and Clark Atlanta University’s Alumni Association, respectively.
He is also an active member of both Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the NAACP.
A native of East St. Louis, Illinois, Kimbrough holds a master’s degree in business administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, a bachelor’s in business administration from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta and is a graduate of the FOCUS St. Louis Leadership Training Program.
A search for Kimbrough’s replacement is being led by ARCHS’ executive board.