Five new St. Louis executives on how to lead

Reported by St. Louis Business Journal

(St. Louis Business Journal) Each quarter, the St. Louis Business Journal gathers together the newest top corporate leaders for a program we call the Executive Network.

At the heart of the program is a private dinner, each with a new cohort of CEOs, presidents, nonprofit executive directors, higher education leaders, law firm managing partners, and others during which they discuss their professional lives and pathways into leadership. It's a free event for participants, thanks to the help of program sponsors St. Louis Community College, Husch Blackwell and PNC Bank.

The next dinner is on May 22, then on Aug. 14 and Nov. 13, all held at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. If your company has a new executive who may benefit from joining the network, contact myself at esiemers@bizjournals.com or Publisher Robert Bobroff at rbobroff@bizjournals.com.

Here are some details on the newest Executive Network participants.

SUZANNE SIERRA

Executive director, St. Louis Mosaic Project, part of the World Trade Center-St. Louis

Start date: Joined Mosaic in September 2018, began work as executive director on March 17. 

The organization: The Mosaic Project works with businesses, ethnic chambers, universities, and other community partners to connect work-authorized international students, professionals and their families to resources that will help them find success professionally and personally.

Describe your leadership style: Collaborative, adaptive and growth-oriented.

What you hope to accomplish in your first year? Driving home the economic impact that international, work-authorized individuals have on our region and collaborate with our economic development partners to broaden relationships with the business community so they tap into this skilled, global talent pool.

Biggest current challenge? Federal policies affecting visas and uninformed/confused perception about legal immigration that unfairly creates roadblocks.

On the weekends you can find me... With my husband and friends, trying a new restaurant, enjoying art or a performance at one of the many museums or venues in St. Louis.

Your favorite place in St. Louis? The Missouri Botanical Garden. I have a brown thumb and the splendor of the Garden is inspiring!