Monday, March 1, 2027
Networking: 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Program: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
River City Casino & Hotel Event Center
777 River City Casino Blvd
Saint Louis, Missouri
Directions for passenger drop-off and garage parking (PDF).
R.S.V.P. by February 17, 2027
Sponsorship opportunities available (PDF).
The Courage to Build Bridges:Leading Across Differences to Create Understanding, Leadership, and Belonging
In this keynote, Dr. Yemi Akande-Bartsch, President & CEO of FOCUS St. Louis, educator, global leadership strategist, and Nigerian-born civic leader, invites audiences to rediscover one of the most important acts of leadership in our time: The courage to build bridges.
Drawing from her childhood in Nigeria, her journey to the United States, and more than two decades of developing civic leaders, Dr. Akande-Bartsch shares how the bridges that transform communities are rarely made of steel and concrete. They are built through courage, curiosity, humility, and a willingness to see the humanity in those whose experiences differ from our own.
Through powerful personal stories and lessons from leading one of the nation’s premier civic leadership organizations, she explores three bridges every leader is called to build: the Bridge to Understanding, the Bridge of Leadership, and the Bridge of Belonging.
Whether connecting people across cultures, generations, sectors, or differing viewpoints, Dr. Akande-Bartsch demonstrates that lasting change begins when we choose conversation over assumption, collaboration over division, and shared purpose over individual interest.
Inspired by the School Sisters of Notre Dame’s enduring commitment to education, human dignity, and global solidarity, attendees will be challenged to see bridge-building not as an occasional act, but as a daily leadership practice—one that strengthens organizations, transforms communities, and helps shape a more hopeful future for all.
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Ph.D.
President & CEO, FOCUS St. Louis
Dr. Akande-Bartsch has more than 20 years of experience in designing and facilitating leadership training, development, and coaching programs. Prior to assuming the role of President and CEO of FOCUS St. Louis in 2014, she served as vice president of leadership and alumni programs for the organization. Previous positions include serving as senior director of civic education for the Cleveland Leadership Center and managing partner at YsA Group, a leadership training and development company. She was a lecturer at The Boler School of Business and assistant professor of communication and theatre arts at Ohio’s John Carroll University, and was the host of a weekly radio show called Making the Case on Cleveland’s WJCU 88.7 FM. She also worked in the field of international education for many years.
Dr. Akande-Bartsch holds a doctorate in communication from the University of Oklahoma. She also earned two master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma, the first in human relations and organizational development, and the second in public relations, journalism, and mass communication. She earned her bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.
Dr. Akande-Bartsch currently serves on the boards of directors for the Sheldon Arts Foundation, Greater St. Louis, Inc. and the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy. She is also a member of the Association of Leadership Professionals, the International Leadership Association and a graduate of Missouri Leadership Challenge, 2013-14.
She has been recognized with the Royal Vagabond Leadership Award, YWCA Leader of Distinction, St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Businesswomen and Diverse Business Leader Awards and as St. Louis American Foundation’s Non-Profit Executive of the Year.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Rohrich-Tyler | 314-633-7032 | drohrichtyler@ssndcp.org