The Power of Presence: Leaders Inspiring What’s Next
Schedule
Tue Feb 03 2026 at 08:00 am to 09:30 am
UTC-06:00Location
Missouri Botanical Garden | Maryland Heights, MO
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Reserve your spot for the FOCUS Black History Month panel discussion!Our 2026 forum, The Power of Presence: Leaders Inspiring What’s Next, will spotlight the stories, strategies, and leadership philosophies that define and drive transformative change.
Together, our panel will:
● Share personal journeys of resilience, vision, and leadership.
● Offer practical insights for leading with authenticity and purpose.
● Explore how Black leaders are shaping a more inclusive and equitable St. Louis.
● Engage in meaningful dialogue on legacy, innovation, and collective progress.
This gathering is more than a celebration — it’s a call to reflection and renewal. We aim to honor the past, learn from the present, and chart a bold path forward together.
Panel
● Moderator: Yinka Faleti, Venture Partner, Ascend Venture Capital (FOCUS Board Members & LSL 2019)
● Tommye Austin, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President Patient Care Systems & Chief Nurse Executive, BJC Health System
● Rodney Crim, CEO & President, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (Experience St. Louis 2003)
● Neosha Franklin, President & CEO, Community Impact Network (Women in Leadership 2021)
● Dr. Natissia Small, CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
Tickets:
FOCUS Members – $25
Nonmembers – $35
Reserve your spot at https://focus-stl.org/events/the-power-of-presence-leaders-inspiring-whats-next/.
Special thanks to the Missouri Botanical Garden for hosting!
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Where is it happening?
Missouri Botanical Garden, 1332 Redwood View Ct, St Louis, MO 63146-1847, United States, Maryland HeightsEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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