WHO WE ARE

MISSION

Our mission is to connect international women and their families with St. Louisans, empowering them to thrive in the region. Through meaningful mentorships, we enhance intercultural awareness and make St. Louis a more welcoming, inclusive and attractive destination for global talent.

VISION

Through the transformative power of cross-cultural mentoring, we strive to turn newcomers into proud St. Louisans and enable them to serve as ambassadors for our region, propelling our city to flourish economically.

OUR STORY

How It All Began

The St. Louis International Mentoring Program started in late 2017 as a pilot with just ten women - five international mentees and five local mentors. By June 2018, co-founders Susan Gobbo and Annie Schlafly, backed by the St. Louis Mosaic Project, officially launched the program. Originally a complement to Mosaic Project’s Women’s Connector Program and the St. Louis International Spouses/Expat Women Group, it quickly grew into a dynamic network, linking over 650 international and local families. This program doesn't just connect people; it empowers them, encouraging families to make St. Louis their home. In 2022, it achieved 501(c)(3) status and embarked on a rebranding journey in 2024 to reflect its mission with a fresh name, logo, and slogan. It's more than meaningful mentoring—it's about transforming lives.

A Refreshed Brand

Today the organization goes by the name, International Mentoring St. Louis (IMSTL). The new logo depicts two wings that represent mentors and mentees coming together in St. Louis for a transformative experience surrounded by an abstract representation of the iconic Gateway Arch to symbolize the program’s origin. The round seal evokes the organization’s global outreach, and the new slogan, “Transforming Lives Through Meaningful Mentorship,” highlights its impact on internationals, locals, the St. Louis region and beyond.

International mentoring st. Louis, mentoring international women program in st. louis. founder susan gobbo and Annie schlafly

FOUNDERS SPOTLIGHT

Meet Our Founders

Discover the inspiring journey of founders Susan Gobbo and Annie Schlafly and learn how they are transforming St. Louis through International Mentoring St. Louis. Watch their story and see the impact of their vision on the community.

Hear from our founders

OUR LEADERSHIP

Susan Gobbo

PROGRAM DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

Annie Schlafly

CO-FOUNDER

Board of Directors

Annie Schlafly

PRESIDENT

Kris Brill

VICE PRESIDENT

Rachel Paul

SECRETARY

Chelsey Winsor

TREASURER

Taty Guimarães Carraro
Seraj Gaffas
Aaron Kelly

Ida Martikainen
Lucie Paschke

Board of Advisors

Liz Austin
Hannah Bailey
Aster Beyene
Lusnail Haberberger
Marty Hereford
Jenny Hoelzer
Janet Horlacher
Brooke James
Ulugbek Kamilov
Greg Keller

Kerrin Kowach
Helen Lee
Richa Luthra
Claudio Oliveira
Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano
Tatiana Rojas
Donn Rubin
Suzanne Sierra
Galya Genova Stoeva
Sarah Woodburn

Board of Directors

Annie Schlafly
PRESIDENT

Kris Brill
VICE PRESIDENT

Rachel Paul
SECRETARY

Chelsey Winsor
TREASURER

Taty Guimarães Carraro
Seraj Gaffas
Aaron Kelly
Ida Martikainen
Lucie Paschke

Board of Advisors

Liz Austin
Hannah Bailey
Aster Beyene
Lusnail Haberberger
Marty Hereford
Jenny Hoelzer
Janet Horlacher
Brooke James
Ulugbek Kamilov
Greg Keller
Kerrin Kowach
Helen Lee
Richa Luthra
Claudio Oliveira
Gabriela Ramirez Arellano
Tatiana Rojas
Donn Rubin
Suzanne Sierra
Galya Genova Stoeva
Sarah Woodburn

“Clayco is a proud sponsor of this program that shares many of our core values by working to eliminate prejudice, discrimination, and biases to cultivate safe and inclusive spaces.”

BOB CLARK
Executive Chairman & Founder at Clayco
“The St. Louis City Soccer Club always recommends the program to the families of the international players because it is a good way to acclimate to St. Louis.”

CAROLYN KINDLE
President of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation & CEO of St. Louis City SC
“This is a true gem for international professionals who, like me, seek to rapidly integrate while building personal interactions and making our enterprises successful.”

LUZ CALDERÓN
Colombia, Mentee
“The heartbeat of an organization is its people. IMSTL actively promotes inclusion by engaging with community networks.”

TEESHA HERNANDEZ
Mentor
“The program's mission meets one of the key goals of employers hiring worldwide: to make families feel at home by developing social and professional connections.”

FRANÇOIS FRAUDEAU
Former President & CEO, Novus International Inc.
“The significance of this mentorship extends beyond the exchange of knowledge; it involves building connections, gaining insights, and navigating life with guidance.”

NERMEEN RAMADAN
Egypt, Mentee
“As a mentor, the impact was actually made on me; the group inspires me daily with their creativity, bravery, and friendship. It has been life-changing!”

LIZ DEBOLD AUSTIN
Mentor
“IMSTL is playing an important role in enhancing St. Louis’ economic prospects by effectively integrating internationals into the community.”

TOM MELZER
Co-founder & Managing Director, RiverVest Venture Partners
“IMSTL truly provides the opportunity to experience the world from the heart of the U.S., and no passport is needed.”

MARY MCHUG
Mentor
“I found a wonderful community of people from all over the globe that became my support system.”

APRIL JOY ESPEJO
Philippines, Mentee
“The heartbeat of an organization is its people. IMSTL actively promotes inclusion by engaging with community networks.”

TEESHA HERNANDEZ
Mentor
"Bringing together people from diverse backgrounds breaks down barriers, promotes understanding, and creates a more welcoming and inclusive community for all.”

LAVASHA KOTTWITZ
Mentor
“IMSTL was absolutely critical for our successful recruitment of international professional talent to St. Louis.”

DEREK BARTLEM
Former Managing Director & Head of Research Center at KWS
“The concept of mixing locals willing to meet and help internationals is brilliant and a one-of-a- kind experience for both parties.”

LUCIE PASCHKE
Germany, Mentee
“I wish all multinational companies offered something like this for their employees when they transfer families around the world.”

PAULA DUNSON
Argentina, Mentee
“IMSTL has helped me feel at home in St. Louis. It is like a huge family.”

PATRICIA BARBERA SANCHEZ
Spain, Mentee
“IMSTL fosters a sense of belonging in St. Louis through meaningful relationships, enjoyable activities, and enriching experiences.”

CHRISTINA LAWRENCE
Mentor
“The program not only serves internationals who come to STL but also enriches the lives of locals who thrive on new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.”

JENNIFER BARRS
Mentor

WHO WE ARE

MISSION

Our mission is to connect international women and their families with St. Louisans, empowering them to thrive in the region. Through meaningful mentorships, we enhance intercultural awareness and make St. Louis a more welcoming, inclusive and attractive destination for global talent.

VISION

Through the transformative power of cross-cultural mentoring, we strive to turn newcomers into proud St. Louisans and enable them to serve as ambassadors for our region, propelling our city to flourish economically.

OUR STORY

How It All Began

A Refreshed Brand

FOUNDERS SPOTLIGHT

Meet Our Founders

OUR LEADERSHIP

Susan Gobbo

Annie Schlafly

Board of Directors

Board of Advisors

Board of Directors

Board of Advisors

“Clayco is a proud sponsor of this program that shares many of our core values by working to eliminate prejudice, discrimination, and biases to cultivate safe and inclusive spaces.”

“The St. Louis City Soccer Club always recommends the program to the families of the international players because it is a good way to acclimate to St. Louis.”

“This is a true gem for international professionals who, like me, seek to rapidly integrate while building personal interactions and making our enterprises successful.”

“The heartbeat of an organization is its people. IMSTL actively promotes inclusion by engaging with community networks.”

“The program's mission meets one of the key goals of employers hiring worldwide: to make families feel at home by developing social and professional connections.”

“The significance of this mentorship extends beyond the exchange of knowledge; it involves building connections, gaining insights, and navigating life with guidance.”

“As a mentor, the impact was actually made on me; the group inspires me daily with their creativity, bravery, and friendship. It has been life-changing!”

“IMSTL is playing an important role in enhancing St. Louis’ economic prospects by effectively integrating internationals into the community.”

“IMSTL truly provides the opportunity to experience the world from the heart of the U.S., and no passport is needed.”

“I found a wonderful community of people from all over the globe that became my support system.”

“The heartbeat of an organization is its people. IMSTL actively promotes inclusion by engaging with community networks.”

"Bringing together people from diverse backgrounds breaks down barriers, promotes understanding, and creates a more welcoming and inclusive community for all.”

“IMSTL was absolutely critical for our successful recruitment of international professional talent to St. Louis.”

“The concept of mixing locals willing to meet and help internationals is brilliant and a one-of-a- kind experience for both parties.”

“I wish all multinational companies offered something like this for their employees when they transfer families around the world.”

“IMSTL has helped me feel at home in St. Louis. It is like a huge family.”

“IMSTL fosters a sense of belonging in St. Louis through meaningful relationships, enjoyable activities, and enriching experiences.”

“The program not only serves internationals who come to STL but also enriches the lives of locals who thrive on new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.”