Champions for Diversity & Inclusion 2026: Founder helps 1,000 foreign-born women rebuild careers in St. Louis

By St. Louis Business Journal

Story Highlights

• Susan Gobbo founded two organizations helping over 1,000 international women.

• Internationally educated professionals face barriers rebuilding careers in new countries.

• Strong family relocation support increases regional talent attraction and retention.

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION

When Susan Gobbo left Brazil for St. Louis, she left behind not only her home but a successful career as a physical therapist. It didn’t take long to realize that years of education and professional experience suddenly meant little in an unfamiliar country where she didn't yet speak the language. Yet, rather than accept that loss of identity, Gobbo set out to build the kind of community she wished had existed for her.

A decade later, Gobbo leads two organizations she founded to transform the experience of internationally educated women and their families throughout the region. She launched the International Spouses/Expat Women Group in 2016, which has helped more than 1,000 international professional women from 98 countries build community and professional connections. The following year, she co-founded International Mentoring St. Louis, a mentoring network that has grown to more than 860 members, including local mentors and international professional women from 90 countries.

In her view, the work is about much more than making newcomers feel welcome. Gobbo sees internationally educated professionals as one of St. Louis' greatest untapped assets. By helping foreign-born spouses rebuild their confidence, reconnect with their careers, and establish a sense of belonging, she believes the region is changing individual lives and strengthening its ability to attract, retain and benefit from global talent.