Conversations with Suzanne Sierra

By Voyager STL

Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Sierra.

Hi Suzanne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?When I moved to St. Louis in the early ’90s, I was working remotely for a public affairs firm—well before remote work was common! I had a strong desire to work in Hispanic marketing, so I sent my resume to the only two local organizations I knew that were doing that kind of work at the time: Fleishman-Hillard (FH) Public Relations and Anheuser-Busch. Both responded with the standard “thanks, we’ll keep your resume on file…” but I wasn’t discouraged.

Instead, I began networking with anyone in PR or communications who would meet with me. Everyone was so generous with their time and often connected me to others. One person suggested I reach out to someone who, as it turned out, lived in my apartment building and worked at FH. Even though I had already received a rejection letter, I met him briefly, handed him my resume, and left it at that. Just a week later, I received a call from the VP of Hispanic Marketing—his account executive had just left—and within three weeks, I was hired.

Fleishman-Hillard was where I truly cut my teeth in the industry. My main client was Anheuser-Busch, and after five years at the agency, I transitioned in-house and spent the next 15 years at AB in a variety of communication roles, including Government Affairs, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Crisis Communications.Following that chapter, I launched my own PR business and ran it for 10 years. During that time, I gravitated toward nonprofit work and issue management. I also discovered a passion for community building and served on the City Council for Olivette, which sparked an interest in economic development.

A pivotal moment came when I was accepted into the FOCUS St. Louis Leadership St. Louis Program. Over nine months, I was deeply immersed in regional issues and connected with like-minded, driven peers. That experience ignited a desire to advocate more intentionally for the Latino community. I shared this goal with my cohort, and shortly after, someone forwarded me an RFP for a Latino Consultant position with the St. Louis Mosaic Project, led by founding Executive Director Betsy Cohen.

Through that two-year project, I worked closely with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to build stronger ties with small businesses on Cherokee Street. We partnered with the Cherokee Business District and local Aldermen to officially designate a portion of the street as “La Calle Cherokee.” I also began forming meaningful relationships with Latino leaders across the region.

When the project ended, I stayed in touch with Betsy. A year later, she was looking for someone to help elevate Mosaic’s work—and I jumped at the opportunity. I was hired full-time as Senior Program Manager in fall 2019. In March of this year, I was honored to be promoted to Executive Director.

I truly feel like I’m living my purpose. Mosaic’s mission is to connect international newcomers who arrive in St. Louis with the resources they need to thrive, both personally and professionally. We collaborate with businesses, universities, K–12 schools, faith-based groups, nonprofits, cultural institutions, and the region’s various ethnic and business Chambers of Commerce. It’s a cliché, but it really does take a village—and I’m proud to be part of that ecosystem, helping individuals and families integrate deeply into our region so they love it here, stay, and invite others to join them.

My passion for this work is rooted in my own family’s story. My parents immigrated from Colombia to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where my father began practicing medicine. They barely spoke English, didn’t know anyone, and my mother felt isolated and homesick. But early on, they met another Colombian woman who welcomed them, introduced them to others, and offered support. She was their own personal Mosaic Project. It’s an honor and privilege to now be in a role where I can do the same for others who simply want to work hard, build a family, and contribute to their community.

I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?Like many people, one of my biggest early-career struggles was battling the internal voice that told me I didn’t quite belong in the spaces I found myself in. That sense of self-doubt—and feeling like I was the only one experiencing it—was incredibly isolating. But over time, as I built a strong network of friends and started a family, I found my footing. I became more confident in asking questions, admitting when I didn’t know something, and giving myself grace. I also learned that those feelings of doubt are more common than we realize—many of us carry them quietly, and simply knowing I wasn’t alone made a big difference.

I’ve also been fortunate to work with supportive, empowering bosses who believed in me, challenged me, and pushed me to grow. And even the ones who weren’t as supportive still taught me valuable lessons—mainly what not to do. Every experience, good or bad, helped shape the leader I am today. Keep reading