Five University of Missouri–St. Louis alumnae are among the Most Influential Business Women, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. The weekly newspaper’s annual list recognizes St. Louis female business leaders representing industries ranging from finance to health care.
Click image to enlarge. (Graphic by Wendy Allison)
The UMSL alumnae honorees include:
Kathy Boyd-Fenger, PhD education 2012
Cheryle Dyle-Palmer, BA sociology 1974 and MA sociology 1976
Jennifer Ehlen, BSBA 1999
Sara Foster, BA communication 1983
Sandra Marks, BSBA 1981
Boyd-Fenger is the head of school at Logos School. After graduating in 1979 from Logos, an alternative school for at-risk students, the newspaper reports she devoted her career to helping struggling teens. She has worked for three decades at Logos, including as a teacher and therapist before her current role.
Dyle-Palmer is the chief operating officer of Parents as Teachers. The COO oversees more than 2,000 programs in all 50 states and six additional countries, annually reaching half a million parents and children, according to Dyle-Palmer’s Business Journal profile.
Ehlen is a vice president of the Thompson Street Capital Partners’ deal origination team. The newspaper reports that her role at the firm, which has committed capital investments totaling more than $800 million, involves obtaining potential acquisition targets through her relationship development with banks, brokers and others.
Foster is the executive vice president, chief human resources officer and director of internal support services for Commerce Bancshares Inc. She oversees 4,861 employees and is responsible for human resources, organizational development, legal, compliance, audit, security and flight operation at Commerce, according to the Business Journal.
Marks is principal at Marks & Associates, a diversity consulting business. The firm’s clients have included BJC HealthCare and SMS Marketing, and the newspaper credits Marks for playing a key role in the development of St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones, RubinBrown Partner Steven Harris and other political and business leaders.
Visit the St. Louis Business Journal website for a complete list of Most Influential Business Women.
