Two decades after its founding, the Fellows Experience, an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc., welcomed its 20th cohort this week, bringing 86 new Fellows to GSL offices in Downtown St. Louis for their first session of 2026.
Founded originally as the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative, the nine-month leadership development program has evolved in recent years, partnering with companies and organizations headquartered in St. Louis to grow mid- to senior-level talent. The result is a stronger leadership bench for companies like BJC Healthcare, Centene, and Edward Jones, and a stronger talent pipeline throughout the St. Louis region.
This year, the Fellows Experience awarded the inaugural Valerie E. Patton Scholarship, a new pathway that expands access to the leadership program. This year’s recipient — known as the Community Impact Fellow — is Robert Powell III, Founder, BGG Foundation, who empowers young people through gaming.
The Bottom Line
St. Louis must attract and retain both talent and business to thrive. Programs like the Fellows Experience help grow both, focusing on individual growth to build organizational capacity.
“This cohort is vibrant, passionate, and ready to lead,” said Dr. Trezette Dixon, Senior Director, Greater St. Louis, Inc. “The Fellows program is an investment, not only in the Fellows themselves, but in their ability to innovate, influence, and shape our region.”