After more than 20 years of a career in the corporate world, Valerie Patton has retired from her position as chief DEI officer of Greater St. Louis Inc.
Ten-time Grammy winners Take 6 (left to right: Alvin Chea, David Thomas, Mark Kibble Claude McKnight, Khristian Dentley, and Joe Kibble) will help IN UNISON Chorus and The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra usher in the holiday spirit as part of IN UNISON Christmas on Friday, December 13 at Stifel Theatre.
On Tuesday afternoon, friends, colleagues and family members gathered at the St. Louis Marriott downtown to celebrate her four years with GSL and her outstanding career and accomplishments.
Patton leaves behind a legacy of fellows, Bryant said. He said she taught them lessons she learned the hard way, so they did not have to. He said she provides a network of people of color to help each other solve problems and collaborate in the corporate space.
Patton managed workforce diversity and inclusion for the business community through GSL, a civic advocate whose mission is to attract more businesses and foster economic growth in the region for all residents and communities.
She also led an annual fellowship program and served as a mentor for some key-players in the corporate industry in the area.
Patton took to the stage near the end of the event to thank her friends, family, colleagues and God for her success. She spoke of how important it was to watch the girls in her family and mentees grow into strong women in leadership roles.
“It is really something to see all the people here,” Patton said.
“I’m not going anywhere. There’s still much work to be done.”
Michelle Tucker, United Way of Greater St. Louis CEO, shared that she has known Patton for 20 years, since they first started together at Bank of America. She said Patton’s fellows program is a catalyst for professionals in diverse groups to plant their careers in the corporate world and watch them grow.
“She inspires diverse groups to want to make an impact on the community,” Tucker said.
Tucker said Patton will not slow down, despite retiring from the role. She said the next chapter of her life will be fueled by her passion to improve the lives of those who live in the greater St. Louis area.
“I don’t think Valerie will know how to retire,” Tucker said. “I think this will definitely be a next chapter for her.”
A mentee of the fellows program, Ed Bryant, vice president of public affairs at Heartland Coca-Cola, said Patton inspires people of color to seek leadership roles.
“Valerie is just a great leader,” Bryant said.
“One thing she’s always encouraged us as leaders is to stand really strongly in our spaces. That’s what she does, she stands really solidly in her space.”
Patton leaves behind a legacy of fellows, Bryant said. He said she taught them lessons she learned the hard way, so they did not have to. He said she provides a network of people of color to help each other solve problems and collaborate in the corporate space.
“I don’t think I would have been where I am now in my career, if it hadn’t been for folks like her,” Bryant said. “She was a trailblazer.”
Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith said the economic landscape and the leaders who run it in the region should mirror the people who work, live and play in the St. Louis area.
“I think it’s very important for our region, given the history of St. Louis. [Valerie’s] position has been a pivotal role in transforming the lives and transforming the landscape of the workforce here.”
Lakesha Mathis, GSL vice president of strategy, said Patton took a chance on her, and helped her build her career. She said what makes Patton such a good leader is that she listens to people.
“If any leader can be half the leader she is,” Mathis said, “this region is going to see some growth.”
We went to Normandy High School together. Congrats
Congratulatons Valerie ‼️You had a ground breaking career and you made a real difference for African Americans in the corporate world.