Women’s Foundation Appointments Project – STL Continues to Deliver Results
St. Louis, MO – Today, Women’s Foundation announced the appointments of Jennifer Matthew and Donna Schmitt by Mayor Francis Slay to the Saint Louis Mental Health Board of Trustees (MHB). The Saint Louis MHB voted unanimously to recommend both women for appointment after their nominations. Mayor Slay has partnered with Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project in order advance gender equity in city leadership positions.
“Donna Schmitt and Jennifer Matthew will be wonderful additions to the Saint Louis Mental Health Board; with their experience in criminal and civil legal matters, as well as volunteer work with charitable organizations that focus on mental health, they will add important voices to the board,” said Mayor Francis Slay.
“Women’s Foundation is very pleased to have assisted Donna and Jennifer through the Appointments Project,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “Their appointments are another sign that, in partnership with Mayor Slay, we’re able to produce results to advance more women in city leadership positions.”
Jennifer Matthew is an Assistant Circuit Attorney prosecuting felony crimes in St. Louis City for the Circuit Attorney’s Office. She has worked there for over ten years and focuses on crime strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence in the City of St. Louis. Jennifer also worked in the Circuit Attorney’s Child Support Unit handling criminal and civil matters. Jennifer graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in 2004.
"I am grateful to the Women’s Foundation Appointments Project for their insight and direction throughout this process," said Jennifer Matthew. "I'm looking forward to working with the other Trustees and using my experience to help make a positive impact on St. Louis City."
Donna Schmitt, a partner in the Intellectual Property practice group at Armstrong Teasdale, LLP, strategically manages and protects global trademark portfolios and works to identify trends and new enforcement tools to address counterfeiting to curb the sale and distribution of counterfeit products. In addition, Donna serves on several committees, including the Board of Directors of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition. Donna graduated from Washington University School of Law in 1991. Donna is a member of the Advisory Board for Whole Kids Outreach and has served on boards that focus on mental health.
“Working with the Saint Louis Mental Health Board of Trustees allows me to engage in two of my passions: giving back to the community and assisting local mental health and children’s services groups. In this role, I hope to help these groups grow and be successful in the use of their grants,” said Donna Schmitt.
Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions.
Twenty-nine (29) women have been appointed to boards and commissions in Missouri and Kansas through the Appointments Project since its launch in the spring of 2014. The Appointments Project is currently active in helping recruit and train more women to serve on boards and commissions for the States of Missouri and Kansas, the Cities of St. Louis and Kansas City, MO, and Olathe, KS.
Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research philanthropy, and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.
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