Every year at this time, we put our strategic plans together for the new fiscal year and our mighty team of three comes up with an internal working theme that guides our direction and narrative. Recently, the themes have been Belonging and Connections and we're pretty sure you've heard or read those words in many of our material. This year's theme is IMPACT: a powerful or major influence or effect.
We chose to focus on this word because we want to reinforce the positive, lasting impact that attracting and retaining foreign-born to live and work in St. Louis has on our economy. From applying their skills to open jobs and opening new businesses, to diversifying our collective mindset and culture, to introducing us to other parts of the world, people who choose to come to St. Louis from other countries strengthen our region and make us a dynamic metropolitan area.
A perfect example of this is the International Mentoring Program, created and led by volunteer Annie Schlafly and supported by Susan Gobbo. The program, supported by Mosaic, matches one international woman with one local woman for mentoring and friendship and since 2018, has embraced more than 200 women and their families into St. Louis. In the words of mentee, Taty Carraro from Brazil, "the program is priceless." Click the button below to hear Taty and others talk about the impact the program has had on them! This video will be shared with Human Resource departments across our region to help them attract international talent considering a move to St. Louis.
Warmly,
Betsy, Suzanne & Bomi