Business alumnus Jomo Castro and public policy and administration alumna Rachel D’Souza-Siebert, as well as adjunct business faculty member Vish Tripathi, were among the 20 individuals honored with a 2020 Diverse Business Leaders Award. The awards are meant to recognize those who promote diversity in business throughout the region. (submitted photos)

The St. Louis Business Journal honored two University of Missouri–St. Louis alumni and one adjunct faculty member last week for working to make the St. Louis region more equitable.

Business alumnus Jomo Castro and public policy and administration alumna Rachel D’Souza-Siebert, as well as business instructor Vish Tripathi, were among the 20 individuals honored with a 2020 Diverse Business Leaders Award.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the awards will be formally bestowed during a digital event on Tuesday. The awards are intended to recognize those who promote diversity around race, sexual orientation and disability.

Castro is the regional director of external affairs at AT&T and has collaborated with legislators, community, business leaders and customers on several technology and philanthropy initiatives. He also serves on the board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro St. Louis, where he works to strengthen AT&T’s ties to the Hispanic community.

“It’s an honor to be named as a Diverse Business Leader, to collaborate with amazing leaders and to make a positive impact on the region,” Castro said.

D’Souza-Siebert is the founder and principal at Gladiator Consulting and is an expert on community-centered fundraising. In her role, she helps nonprofit clients offer opportunities for St. Louis residents to thrive. Additionally, she is an advocate for women’s heart health, having previously served as the national spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign.

“In a year with few ups and many downs, it is especially humbling to be honored among this group of Diverse Business Leaders,” D’Souza-Siebert said. “I am grateful for the many members of the UMSL community – like Dan Sise, Paul Sorenson and John McClusky – who have always made room for me at their table and amplified my voice and my work.”

Tripathi is a senior director at Daugherty Business Solutions and has more than 20 years of experience as an IT professional and project manager. He has continually worked to share his expertise, teaching project management and MBA courses at UMSL and working with Project Management International’s St. Louis chapter. In addition to his IT and project management work, he’s also the executive director of planning at Bal Vihar of St. Louis – a nonprofit organization that aims to foster Indian culture in children.

“I am feeling pretty honored and humbled to be included with other aspiring leaders and change-makers,” Tripathi said. “For me, being a diverse business leader is a lifestyle.”