Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday Season, A Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

We are thankful for all of you and your support this year

and look forward to what 2025 will bring!

Cheers to Connection, Collaboration, and Celebration!

Last week's Women's Leadership Holiday Happy Hour was a festive reminder of the power of women supporting women.

Thank you to our Women's Leadership Sponsor, SERVPRO of West Kirkwood and Sunset Hills Jan Mullaney and Kristie Gabel for supporting the group this year. 

Congratulations to our prize winners and thank you to everyone who joined us for a fantastic evening together!

Dedicated Home For Arts & Sciences To Break Ground In Spring - WashU & Alberici

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the first dedicated home for Arts & Sciences on the Danforth Campus took place at Washington University in St. Louis.

The building will house some of the school’s premier departments and programs and serve as a cornerstone for scholarly and educational partnerships with other schools and units across campus.

The building, which will be west of Olin Library and northwest of Graham Chapel at the heart of the Danforth Campus, will be named Michael W. and Quirsis V. Riney Hall in recognition of a pledge from Michael, BSBA ’08, and Quirsis “Kaisy” Riney, St. Louis business leaders and philanthropists. 

A new quad will be created between the building and the west side of Olin Library that will be called the Michael W. and Quirsis V. Riney Quadrangle.

Arts & Sciences, the largest school on the Danforth Campus, announced plans for the new building in December 2021 during the launch of its 10-year strategic plan.

While the school occupies roughly 40 buildings for Arts & Sciences departments, centers and programs, it does not have a dedicated home on the Danforth Campus.

Riney Hall will provide the school with that vital and recognizable space as it executes its ambitious strategic plan under the leadership of Feng Sheng Hu, the Richard G. Engelsmann Dean of Arts & Sciences.

“Riney Hall will be the crown jewel of Arts & Sciences, providing the school a state-of-the-art facility to house key departments and units, bring together student-facing academic services and resources, and create signature event and gathering spaces that will foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas for the entire WashU community,” said Hu, who is also the Lucille P. Markey Distinguished Professor.

“We’re grateful to Michael and Kaisy for their extraordinary support to help advance WashU’s liberal arts and sciences into a new era of interdisciplinary leadership,” said Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. “The finest modern universities have two things in common: strength in the liberal arts and a demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary discovery and dissemination.

IMPACT Strategies Begins Construction of Federico Kia Renovation

IMPACT Strategies, Inc. recently began renovation of the Federico Kia dealership in Wood River, IL at 1911 E Edwardsville Rd. The relaunch of the new Kia brand identity was the catalyst of Federico’s renovation. Kia wants their “customers to engage not only through the products but also through all the experience elements.” In the new Kia store design, “Kia aims to shift the mindsets of the consumers and provide them with meaningful and relevant experience with Kia.”

As the construction manager, IMPACT Strategies is managing the demolition and renovation of the existing 33,486 SF building, including extensive updates to the exterior. IMPACT collaborated with the Federico family & Kia’s design team early in the preconstruction phase to maximize efficiencies for constructability and design standards for an aggressive construction timeline. Federico Kia will stay operational throughout the project.

“IMPACT is proud of our long-standing partnership with the Federico family and thrilled to bring our extensive experience in the automotive industry to Federico Kia as we serve as their trusted partner on this exciting renovation in Wood River” said IMPACT Strategies’ President, Mark Hinrichs.

Federico has two dealerships under their umbrella in Wood River – Federico Kia & Federico Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, both offering vehicle sales and service. As a premier Kia dealership, Federico is proud to serve customers across Illinois and Missouri with a wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles while offering a fast and convenient buying experience.

Everyday Excellence, One Habit at a Time with Jeff Koziatek

Habit #2: Dig

Affect sustainable growth by looking honestly at the root and taking action.

• Ask questions
• Expand self-awareness
• Apply values, vision, and mission
• Take appropriate steps

Keep the roots that serve and grow you. Cut the roots that limit and bind you.

Remember:

To change the symptom, we must tackle the root.

Performance Tips:

• When you dig, be honest about what you find.
• What are you pretending not to know? Courageously face and address it.