Valerie
Patton is a builder, visionary and strategist. She defines her work
as “high-touch, high-feel.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For more than nine years, she has been the executive director of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative, which creates sustainable change in local workforce diversity, inclusion and leadership.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>On November 9, Patton will receive the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2011 Non-Profit Executive of the Year at the Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon. The event will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative offers a yearlong fellows program, where professionals of color meet monthly to sharpen their leadership skills and explore aspects of inclusion.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“When we developed the fellows program, we were looking for solutions to ‘brain drain,’ retention of talent and advancement of talent,” Patton said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Forty-seven percent of graduates have been promoted and/or have had significant increase in responsibility. And 27 percent have been appointed to boards and/or commissions.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Valerie Patton and the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative are doing some of God’s work for this region,” said David L. Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, who will introduce Patton at the Nov. 9 Salute.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“We badly need to retain our minority talent in this business community and to build upon it by making St. Louis a more nurturing and dynamic place for this talent. In a competitive global economy, we have no choice in the matter if we wish to succeed.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Michelle (Chelle) Adams, an internal audit services partner with RubinBrown LLC, participated in the session that ended in September.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The initiative has been a great networking opportunity to get like-minded people together,” Adams said. “As you find that foundation here, you are more likely to stay in St. Louis because you have so many people you can go to and network with.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Our graduates are doing many things throughout the community professionally and personally to make the St. Louis region go from good to great,” Patton said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Patton was born and raised in North St. Louis City. In the eighth grade, she moved to North St. Louis County, and that’s where she still resides. Her mother and father are her primary role models.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“They were the leaders of the village – grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, scout leaders, employees, employers, the young people in my life, etc.,” she said. “They influenced my career path by instilling values which lead me to do the right thing, to be kind to all, to be fearless, to try anything once and to do my best and give God the rest.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>After obtaining a B.B.A. in accounting and information systems at Howard University, she earned her M.A. in management and computer data management from Webster University. She also earned a masters of social work in social and economic development at Washington University.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I’ve reinvented myself three times during my career,” she said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>She spent 20 years in the telecommunications industry, five years in banking and the last nine years with the Initiative. Many people have inspired her to be the leader she is today. Her “shero” is Frankie Muse Freeman, a local legend for her work as a civil rights attorney and being the first woman appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1964.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Many have said to me over the years to ‘keep it real,’ stand up for what is right and identify what can be improved,” she said. “I also know when to step back and let others lead the charge.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Patton said St. Louis is a work in progress.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Work is being done to recruit talent of color to the region,” she said. “We need to continue to work to insure all people feel valued and included so people want to come here to live, work and play. We all have something to contribute for the greater good.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The 12th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, networking reception at 11 am, luncheon program at noon. Tickets are $100 for VIP/Preferred seating, $75 for general admission. Call 314-533-8000 for more information or to purchase tickets.
