Young Leader awardees chosen

A diverse group of 20 outstanding African-American professionals under age 40 has been selected as the 2014 class of Young Leader award recipients.

Chosen by their peers, the awardees will be profiled in the February 13 edition of The St. Louis American and will be honored at the St. Louis American Foundation’s fourth annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception on Thursday, February 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. Emerson is again supporting the Young Leaders event as the presenting sponsor.

This year’s impressive class of Young Leaders includes a partner at one of the area’s largest CPA firms, an analytical chemist and a senior vice president from one of the nation’s largest brokerage firms.

Other Young Leaders include the local executive director for Teach for America, the special events director for a local boys’ and girls’ club, and the founder and executive director  of an organization that educates youth and professionals in leadership, business etiquette and professional branding. Yet another leader currently manages the development of Boeing Research and Technology projects for implementations in India.

While their career paths are diverse, they have one thing in common. They are all high-performing, young African-American professionals who have distinguished themselves in their professional field while also giving back to the community. They are deserving of this accolade from their own community.

“A critical element of sustainable progress and success in a community is able, committed leadership,” said Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation. “These young people represent our best hopes and aspirations for the future of our community.”

The 2014 Young Leader awardees are:

Jeffrey L. Bickley

Human Resources Consultant

McDonald’s Corporation, USA

Danielle Y. Blount

Senior Analyst, Diversity and Inclusion

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Cedric Cobb

Business Consultant 

EDGE Business Solutions & YP

Vanessa F. Cooksey

Senior Vice President, Head of  Community Affairs

Wells Fargo Advisors

Irasa L. Downing

Central, U.S. Area HR Leader

Edward Jones

Timon W. Edwards

Senior Manager

The Hackett Group

Sheena R. Hamilton

Attorney

Armstrong Teasdale LLP

Steven L. Harris

Partner

RubinBrown LLP

Naretha Hopson

Founder & Executive Director

Ever-Appropriate Etiquette Institute

William E. Fronczak, CSEP

PR & Special Events Director

Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club

Henry A. Johnson, III

Assistant Vice President

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Keisha Mabry

Business Development Manager

Dot Foods

Alexandria McCuien

Specialist-Applications Developer

AT&T

Clarissa Okpaleke

Sr. Recruiter

Farm Credit Bank

Brittany N. Packnett

Executive Director

Teach For America

Kewana Regans

AVP Financial Center Manager

UMB Bank

Ronald L. Roberts

Vice President

McCormack Baron Salazar Development, Inc.

Candice M. Smith

Project Manager

The Boeing Company

Ramon T. Stewart

Vice President

Securities Trading

Citi

Tasha Turner

Analytical Chemist II

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

The St. Louis American Foundation’s 4th annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 13 at Four Seasons Hotel in downtown St. Louis, and will include limited complimentary beer and wine, as well as hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Tickets are $25 each and can be reserved by calling 314-533-8000, emailing kdaniel@stlamerican.com or visiting stlamerican.com.