
This event is for Forum members only.
Members: Complimentary admission with prior registration
Civil Dialogues was conceived by journalists Jean Becker, former Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush, and Linda Lorelle, former NBC-affiliate news anchor. Both graduates of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Becker and Lorelle decided to use their skills, networks and passion for our democracy to work toward bringing us together. The mission of Civil Dialogues is to create a safe space for constructive, civil conversation on some of the most important, contentious topics of the day. The facilitated conversation with a panel of local representatives from various fields is designed to leave those who participate feeling seen, heard, and empowered to continue engaging in civil dialogue.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Jean Becker and Linda Lorelle
Parking is onsite at the St. Louis County Library, Clark Family Branch.
Doors open at 5:30 PM.
A list of St. Louis Forum registrants will be supplied to the event check-in staff.
Reserved seating will be available for St. Louis Forum.
Registration Begins: 5:30 pm
Panel Begins: 6:30 pm

This event is open to Forum members and non-members.
Members: $40.00
Guests: $45.00
This bus tour visits historic neighborhoods throughout both north and south St. Louis, exploring the evolution of 20th-century racial divides, how they were perpetuated, and how they affect us all today. The past and present are illustrated through themes of disinvestment, housing vacancy, white flight, and more in neighborhoods such as Dutchtown, Benton Park, Mill Creek Valley, St. Louis Place, and The Ville. In exploring this complex topic, guides will provide space for dialogue and reflection throughout this meaningful experience.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins. This tour includes short walking distances between multiple stops. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are strongly encouraged.
Arrival & Check-In: 9:00 am
Bus Boarding & Tour Begins: 9:15 am
Tour Concludes: 11:30 am
Optional Lunch: 11:30 am
This event is for Forum members only.
Forum Cares is a new initiative that brings members together to give back to and learn more about the local nonprofit community. For our next outing, we will be volunteering in Rung for Women's garden on Thursday, April 30, from 9-11 a.m. We'll be planting seeds, pulling weeds, and harvesting produce. There will be an option to have lunch together afterwards.
By way of background, Rung for Women harvested over 4,000lbs of produce in 2025. They donate everything to members, staff, and the surrounding community. They also provide recipes and cooking classes—everything from pickling to 30-minute meals.
There's no cost to participate. Rung can accommodate 18 volunteers in its garden.

This event is for Forum members and guests.
Members: $40.00
Guests: $50.00
Join us on May 6 at DOORWAYS’ Jefferson Avenue Campus for a dynamic Housing Rights Panel designed to inform, challenge, and inspire women leaders across the St. Louis region. This timely conversation will explore the urgent realities facing low-income individuals and those battling homelessness, while examining the structural and policy barriers that continue to limit access to safe, stable, and dignified housing. Moderated by fellow Forum member Opal Jones, the discussion will feature leading regional experts who are shaping housing solutions on the ground and advocating for systemic change.
During this engaging session, participants will:
Gain insight into the region’s most pressing affordable housing and homelessness challenges
Examine gaps in policy at the local, state, and federal levels—and what must change
Understand the complexities of developing and operating quality affordable housing
Learn how advocacy efforts are evolving and where leadership is urgently needed
Identify tangible ways to collaborate, influence policy, and drive meaningful progress
This forum is an opportunity not only to learn—but to lead!
Registration Begins: 3:30 pm
DOORWAYS Campus Tour: 3:45-4:45 pm
Panel Discussion: 5:00-6:00 pm
Wrap Up/Q&A: 6:00-6:30 pm
Event Concludes: 6:30 pm
Opal Jones
CEO, Doorways
Cynthia Duffe
Executive Director, Gateway Housing First
Tammy Laws
Director of Operations, Gateway Housing First
Colleen Hafner
Executive Director, Rise
Colleen is Rise Community Development’s Executive Director, a role she took on in an interim role in November 2023, and permanently in August 2024. She joined Rise in 2018 as a Project Manager, where she helped coordinate the real estate development process for Rise and its partners. In 2021 she transitioned to CDFI Director, guiding the organization’s lending and capitalization strategy and the growth of its operations. Prior to joining Rise, Colleen was Asset Manager – Compliance for St. Louis Equity Fund, and Vice President of its affiliate CDFI, Gateway Community Development Fund, Inc. She has over 19 years of experience in the housing and community development finance field.
She received both her bachelor’s in business administration and master’s in public policy administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, along with a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management. Colleen earned her Low-Income Housing Tax Credit compliance certification from Novogradac and is pursuing her Economic Development Finance Professional certification from the National Development Council.
Colleen serves on the Board of Directors for Tower Grove CDC, the Missouri Workforce Housing Association, and the Women’s Affordable Housing Network of Missouri. She is a member of the Advisory Board for Enterprise Financial CDE, as well as a committee member for Northside Community Housing, the Community Builders Network of Metro St. Louis (CBN), and the Urban Land Institute’s St. Louis Chapter.
The Issues Exploration committee is committed to curating experiences to deep dive into Human Rights topics over the next two years. We will be guided by the principles in the mission statement below:
Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that belong to every individual, and for women, these rights must include equitable access to healthcare, housing, safety, economic opportunity, and reproductive autonomy.
Our work recognizes that feminism, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and intersectionality are essential lenses through which we examine human rights issues.
We are committed to fostering civil discourse around the regional challenges women face, while honoring the diverse experiences that shape their lives. Through inclusive education and dialogue, we aim to advance understanding and action toward a more just and equitable society for all women.

This event is open to Forum members and guests.
Members $95.00
Guests $125.00
Join us to celebrate our 2026 Trailblazer: JoAnne Levy!
The Trailblazer Award was created in 1994 to recognize a woman who is an influential community leader, “the first” in her field, or who has made a significant contribution toward elevating the image of women in business.
This event is the premier celebratory St. Louis Forum event of the year, bringing together leaders from across the region to honor exceptional achievement and impact. The awardee represents the very essence of the St. Louis Forum—leadership, innovation, service, and a commitment to advancing women in business and the community.
Click here to learn more about our Trailblazer!
Registration & Networking Begins: 11:00 am
Meal & Presentation Begins: 12:00 pm
Event Concludes: 1:30 pm

This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
Please join me at BrickTop's for a great meal and even better conversation. Your first drink is on me.
Location address will be provided to registrants prior to the Dine Around.
Tiffany Slater
CEO & Senior HR Consultant, HR TailorMade
This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
I'm excited to have you join me for an intimate Cuban-inspired dinner in the Central West End. Dine Arounds are one of my favorite ways to connect with women in the Forum in a smaller setting, with great conversation and a meal that feels like a mini getaway. Expect bright flavors, cozy vibes, and fun.
Please note that alcoholic beverages may be served with dinner; nonalcoholic selections will also be available.
Parking is available on the street or the nearby garage - entrance off Forest Park just past Euclid.
Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano
VP, Entrepreneurship, Cortex Innovation District

This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
Please join me for an art filled Forum dinner gathering in our home and studio. Food and beverages provided including nonalcoholic items. Bring your favorite appetizer to share!
Location address will be provided to registrants prior to the Dine Around.
Stacey Morse
Co-Founder, The Morse Group

This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
The Dine Arounds are my favorite time of year, and I look forward to hosting you! Join me for an evening of good food, great conversation, and connecting with fellow St. Louis Forum members in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Location address will be provided to registrants prior to the Dine Around.
Dawn Gipson
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Centene Corporation

This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
I'm excited to host Forum members at my home (O'Fallon, MO) for a Chef prepared meal. Please include any dietary restrictions when you register.
Location address will be provided to registrants prior to the Dine Around.
Zundra Bryant
SVP, Global People Experiences and Services, Cushman & Wakefield
This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
Join me for mouthwatering Syrian fare at Sultan Mediterranean Restaurant in the city's Grove neighborhood. Delicious menu featuring many grilled meats and vegetarian options. For instance, savor the Sultan Pilaf (protein and vegetarian filo dough pockets filled with rice, nuts and raisins). Only caveat is that the owners (for religious purposes) do not serve or allow alcoholic drinks. But there are plenty of tasty alternatives!
Anna Crosslin
This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
Please join me for a light meal and laughter in the private dining room at 801 Local in Frontenac.
Eulonda Nevels
Partner, EMD Consulting

This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
Please join me at my home in Clayton for a vegetarian or maybe pescatarian dinner. A note for those with pet allergies, I have indoor cats.
Location address will be provided to registrants prior to the Dine Around.
Wendy Edelstein
Founder and Executive Coach, Changeover Coaching
This event is open to Forum members and prospective members.
Members: Free
Prospective Members: Free
Spend an inspiring afternoon with internationally acclaimed soprano Patricia Racette as she leads a master class for singers at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL). Guests will enjoy performances by four of the most exciting early-career singers in the country, and a behind the scenes look at Pat’s expertise and mentorship as she coaches these young artists in real time.
This event is especially meaningful as Pat begins her first year as OTSL’s new Artistic Director—and as the first woman to hold this role—making it a wonderful opportunity to experience how an accomplished artist is shaping the next generation and redefining leadership in the arts.
The master class is open to the public, but St. Louis Forum member Nicole Ambos Freber has reserved a limited number of seats for Forum guests and will host a VIP meet and greet with Patricia Racette following the class. Join us for an afternoon of music, conversation, and connection.
Patricia Racette
Artistic Director
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Master Class: 2:00-4:00 pm
VIP Meet & Greet: 4:00-4:45 pm
This event is for Forum members only.
Members: $40.00
Building meaningful relationships is at the core of the Forum. Let's all make new connections across St. Louis Forum at our upcoming Speed Networking event! Be sure to bring plenty of business cards to exchange with fellow members. Light appetizers and beverages will be served.
Registration & Networking: 5:00-5:30 pm
Welcome & Instructions: 5:30 pm
Speed Networking: 5:30-6:30 pm
Closing Remarks & Wrap Up: 6:30 pm

This event is open to Forum members.
Members: $60.00
Please join us for a quarterly networking luncheon hosted by our Trailblazers. You'll have the opportunity to connect with other members and get to know and learn from our Trailblazer Award winners.
This event is for Forum members only.
Join us for St. Louis Forum's Annual Meeting! This year we'll review the 2025-26 fiscal year, share what to expect in 2026-27, and will hold board member elections over lunch with plenty of time for networking and socializing.
11:00 am Registration & Networking
11:30 am Program & Lunch Begins
1:30 pm Event Concludes
Registration closes one week prior to the event. Refunds will be issued to your prepay balance or original payment method if requested before registration closes. After the registration deadline, attendance numbers are finalized with the venue and/or caterers, and refunds will no longer be available. Please note that registration may be extended under certain circumstances; however, the stated deadline will remain the final date for refund eligibility. For additional information, please contact admin@stlforum.org.