Angie Cody
Executive Director - Founder
Certified Diversity Executive with over a decade of experience in developing, implementing and leading global diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Exceptional ability to create sustainable objectives, drive a culture of inclusion, develop metrics and analyze internal/external data that gives direction to a sound and achievable strategy. Nationally recognized as a passionate and inspirational subject matter expert, engaging speaker and thought leader. Founded the St. Louis Diversity & Inclusion Consortium. Awarded the St. Louis Business Journal’s Diverse Business Leader’s Award in 2018. Recognized as Mogul’s Top 100 Innovators in Diversity & Inclusion in 2017. Led Inclusion and Diversity Council to achieve Top 10 Leader Circle status in the nation as recognized by Prism International for three consecutive years.
Terrie Hart
Executive Director - Founder
Terrie Hart has a rich history of driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, notably as the former Workforce Diversity Manager at BJC Healthcare. During her tenure, she spearheaded the establishment of the Employee Resource Group (ERG) program in 2017, known today as BJC Connections. Her contributions were instrumental in implementing numerous best practices in DEI, drawing from her extensive 30-year HR background within BJC.
Terrie leads TRY-Consulting, a solution-focused service dedicated to empowering service-oriented professionals through personalized solutions and comprehensive support. She has served as an adjunct professor at Webster University, specializing in Human Resources in Healthcare within the MHA program. Prior to this, she held the role of Human Resource Business Partner at St. Louis Children's Hospital (SLCH) for over a decade. Terrie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Illinois State University and an MBA in Marketing and Communication from Lindenwood University.
Lisa Suggs
Executive Director - Founder
Lisa retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis in January, 2022 as Senior Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for the previous six years. She assisted with the creation and support of the Bank's seven Employee Resource Groups and their chairs, the Executive Sponsors, and members. She developed an Ally Campaign with an all-ERG project team that was rolled out Bank-wide in 2018. The voluntary half-day training was attended by more than 40% of employees. Follow-up programming presented by ERGs provided skillful advocacy tools to support ally practice, while the four-year campaign developed a workforce that recognized privilege and its impact on those without. She has extensive experience in nonprofit and university program management, fundraising and grant writing, and training development and delivery. Her strategic leadership skills include recruitment, management of, and collaboration with volunteer leadership from diverse communities, as well as experience in organizational development, process improvement and evaluation in both professional and community-based settings. She is a 41 year resident of the city of St. Louis, has held both citywide elected and state-appointed offices and is a co-founder of the Historic Shaw Art Fair, started in 1993.
Michelle Emery
Managing Director - Strategy
With extensive experience in the retail industry, Michelle Emery has cultivated her talents as a transformative leader. Her expertise lies in driving business operations, enhancing profitability, and fostering team development, all with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the Vice President of DEI - Colleague & Customer at Macy's, Michelle spearheaded the creation and implementation of cutting-edge DEI programs, earning recognition for Best Learning & Development Program supporting DEI. She also revitalized and rebranded the organizations employee resource groups while also expanding ERG presence for frontline colleagues. Collaborating closely with senior executives, she successfully integrated DEI principles into business practices, fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Now, at the helm of Inclusive Culture Solutions, her consulting firm based in St. Louis, she is dedicated to assisting organizations in cultivating inclusive workplaces through curated solutions and DEI skill development. Her focus is clear: to unite people to drive better business outcomes through sustainable, inclusive practices, improving organizational efficiency and innovation.
LaShana Lewis
Managing Director - Technology
LaShana Lewis is a technologist working in the diversity space with over 20 years of experience. She is currently CEO of L. M. Lewis Consulting, a company which aims to make employers more diverse through recruitment, hiring, and retention best practices. She recently served as Director of the St. Louis Equity in Entrepreneurship Collective, an organization focused on building systems of race and gender equity for St. Louis' early-stage, entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lewis lends her I.T. knowledge as a technical consultant and has served as Director of I.T. for Givable, a microdonation platform. She also serves as a role model for diversity in technology, and has met with President Barack Obama's administration as part of the nationwide TechHire Initiative, which encourages employers to hire and train people with non-traditional tech backgrounds.