St. Joseph Chapter
Our Purpose
Growing and empowering future female leaders in St. Joseph, MO and beyond.
Who We Are
At Quorum St. Joseph, we are catalysts for change in our community. We provide the encouragement, support and resources for women and girls to reach higher, break down barriers for each other, and blaze trails for generations of women to come. We are an inclusive network that focuses on celebrating women’s success and nurturing the next generation. By sharing connections, skills, and passion, we create an environment where women are inspired to lead and take action for change.
Membership Opportunities
We are inviting the women of the St. Joseph area with diverse backgrounds and experiences to unite, share, learn, and empower one another to be impactful leaders.
Benefits Quorum St. Joseph Offers:
- Four in-person learning and connecting moments a year with speakers. These are open to members and mentees of members for free. Potential members pay $15 per event.
- Four in-person learning and connecting gatherings of Quorum St. Joseph members to view content and discuss challenges, initiatives, and actions unique to the women of the St. Joseph area.
- Access to a diverse and dynamic network of women.
- Mentoring opportunities – be a mentor, mentee or both.
- Ability to collaborate on local collective action initiatives.
- Opportunity to invite next generation leaders to larger local events.
A twelve-month membership for the Quorum St. Joseph chapter costs $60.
Quorum Initiative Global Membership:
Quorum Initiative St. Joseph is part of a larger global organization that focuses on accelerating the advancement of women. Members of our chapter are invited to join the global membership, events and initiatives that interest you.
If you’d prefer, a $300 twelve-month membership to the larger global organization includes additional opportunities to interact with global Quorum members, discounted registration for the annual HOW Women Lead Change Forum and HOW Retreat, and membership in the St. Joseph chapter.
For more information or to join Quorum’s global organization, reach out to diane@thequoruminitiative.com
Upcoming Events
Past Events
“Pink Dragon” Book Discussion and Video Chat with Author Sona Jepsen
Jan 13, 2026
Join Quorum St. Joseph as we kick off the new year with an inspiring group discussion and live video chat with Quorum member Sona Jepsen — acclaimed leadership expert and author of Pink Dragon™: Breathe Fire Into Your Life and Leadership.
Drawing from her powerful book, Sona will share practical ways to lead with clarity, courage, and authenticity in times of change.
Come ready to connect, reflect, enjoy light refreshments, and take away actionable insights to ignite your own leadership journey.
Virtual
Join Quorum’s St. Joseph chapter as we close out 2025!
Dec 4, 2025
Celebrate all we’ve accomplished and start shaping plans for even greater impact in 2026.
A relaxed, members-only evening to reconnect, make new connections, and toast to another year of change.
Cash Bar | Light Appetizers | Meet & Greet
Virtual
The Den
519 Felix Street
Join St. Joseph chapter to attend.
Defining Moments: Film Screening, Lunch and Workshop
Sep 20, 2025
We’ll be screening Defining Moments, a featurette-length documentary celebrating the groundbreaking leadership and legacy of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Frances Hesselbein—a true pioneer for women, volunteerism, diversity, and opportunity.
Following the screening, we’ll share lunch and dive into a hands-on workshop exploring how we can apply Frances’ powerful example to create meaningful change in our lives, our communities, and beyond.
We’re honored to be joined by Sarah McArthur, Executive Producer of Defining Moments. In addition to her work on the film, Sarah is Editor in Chief of the award-winning Leader to Leader journal and a trusted advisor to renowned leaders including:
- Alan Mulally, former CEO of Boeing Commercial Airlines and Ford Motor Company
- Connie Dieken, Emmy® award-winning journalist and top leadership communication coach
- Marshall Goldsmith, #1 best-selling author and leadership expert
Virtual
Finding Your Through Line: A Conversation on Purpose-Driven Leadership
Jul 8, 2025
On Tuesday, July 8th, the Quorum St. Joseph community gathered at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce for an inspiring evening focused on reconnecting with purpose in uncertain times. Guests viewed Finding Your Through Line, a Quorum Speaker Series conversation with Archana Mohan, author of The Through Line, moderated by Carlinde Kallianiotis, CEO of Ginger Leadership Communications US.
The program highlighted Archana’s Reach In, Reset, Reach Out framework, offering strategies for navigating challenges with clarity and resilience. After the screening, Quorum St. Joseph Co-Chair Karen Foley led a discussion on applying these ideas to personal leadership journeys. The conversation sparked reflection and action, with attendees sharing stories, insights, and encouragement—a reminder of the power of community and the value of pausing, reflecting, and reaching out to shape the future.
Virtual
Chapter Panel on Leadership and Advocacy
The Quorum St. Joseph Chapter recently convened an inspiring group of leaders for a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Katy Schwartz-Drowns, Program and Admissions Coordinator at The American Legion Boys State of Missouri. The event focused on leadership, civic engagement, advocacy, and self-discovery. Drawing inspiration from Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan, the panelists shared valuable insights and practical strategies for navigating high-stakes discussions effectively. The engaging conversation provided attendees with tools to strengthen their communication skills and advocate for meaningful change in both their personal and professional lives… continue reading
The panel featured SJQI members:
• Natalie Hawn, CEO, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
• Carol Burns, award-winning volunteer and business owner in St. Joseph
• Lavell Rucker, MSW, School Social Worker
• Tara Wells, retired schoolteacher/principal and current Certified Personal Trainer and YMCA Spin Instructor
Forty attendees gathered for an unforgettable experience hosted by Quorum members Melody Smith, EdD, and Karen Foley. The event was filled with laughter, deep reflections, and heartfelt applause. The energy in the room was palpable, as women supported and uplifted one another throughout the discussion. Dr. Schwartz-Drowns skillfully guided the conversation, weaving together key themes and reinforcing the importance of fostering strong leadership and advocacy within the community.
This dynamic event showcased the power of open dialogue and collaboration, leaving participants feeling empowered and inspired to take action in their own leadership journeys. The Quorum St. Joseph Chapter continues to create impactful opportunities for women to connect, grow, and lead with confidence.
Collective Action Initiative
Quorum St. Joseph launched a week-long Madam President Camp for girls ages eleven to thirteen in 2023. With an initial enrollment of 24 attendees, we have a goal of growing it to over 100 attendees every summer. The girls interact with seasoned professionals and follow a leadership development program that helps them build confidence, understand their innate skills as leaders, engage in discussions around civic responsibility and support each other. With the help of many, we are building the next generation of leaders for our community. To learn more about Madam President Camp, check out their website.
