Speaker Criteria

 
What We Look for in Selecting Speakers

Our speakers embody the diversity we promote in our vision and mission: St. Louis Forum is comprised of a diverse network of female executives, from a variety of industries, who engage with and support one another while sharing in unique learning opportunities. Our speakers provide rich learning opportunities that stem from diverse perspectives, backgrounds, fields of study, and areas of interest.

Some of our past speakers covered topics, such as:
 
  • "The Power of Personal Energy for Women: Reclaiming Mental Capacity and Redefining Potential"—Sarah Deane, MEvolution
  • "Ally is a Verb"—Moderator: Tricia Sanders, MBA, PMP (High Five Strategies, Alchemy STL), Panelists: Matthew R. Kerns, MFA (St Lou Fringe), Katy Erker-Lynch (PROMO)
  • "Operation Food Search: Healing Hunger through Strategy, Collaboration and Innovation"—Kristen Wild, Operation Food Search
  • "Perspectives on Writing and Publishing Your Book"—Panelists: Jennifer Bardot, MA, MS, Adrian Bracy, Betsy Cohen, Nancy Erickson
  • "The Journey Back to Leadership"—Speakers: Ximena Vasquez (Exp Realty), Nalini S. Mahadevan (MLO Law LLC), Orly Peters (“Habuyta” - A Bite of Home), and Moji Sidiqi 
  • “Mastering LinkedIn for Networking and Influence Building”—Kathy Bernard, CEO of WiserU.com, gave St. Louis Forum tips-and-tricks on crafting and fine-tuning a winning LinkedIn profile.
  • “St. Louis Food Scene” —Cat Neville, an Emmy award-winning food journalist, educated members on food sourcing and shared anecdotes about her experience working with growers from across the nation.
  • “Sneak Preview of the Gateway Arch Renovation” — Erin Hilligoss, National Park Service Education Director, gave members a sneak preview of arch renovation plans, as well as a private tour of the Gateway Arch Museum.
  • “Corporate Espionage”—Special Agent Patty Kenney, FBI St. Louis Division, shared some of her insights into foreign affairs and how they hit close to home.

We look for speakers engaged in an array of topics, including but not limited to:
 
  • Business
  • Healthcare
  • Non-Profits
  • Politics, so long as the delivery is even-handed and both sides of an issue are presented
  • Career highs, mile-stones, achievements, successes
  • Challenges, road-blocks
  • Community projects and business development, such as the Arch renovation

Please keep in mind, we avoid the following:
 
  • Self-promotion of a product, service, etc.—our speaking events are learning opportunities and not platforms from which to sell.
  • Inflammatory topics—we appreciate controversy, so long as it’s presented even-handedly and not in such a way as to disenfranchise our members.

As a member, if you have a prospective speaker you would like to recommend, please reach out to St. Louis Forum Administrators at admin@stlforum.org.