Gateway to Growth

What does it really take to welcome someone into a brand new country? How does immigration shape the growth of a city like Saint Louis? And what can nonprofit work teach us about building a career rooted in purpose? 🌍🤝🏙️ In this episode of Gateway to Growth, our host sits down with Blake Hamilton, President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, to explore the story of immigration...

What skills will matter most in an AI-driven economy? How can universities better prepare students for the future of work? And what role can community, leadership, and even relationships play in shaping the future of a city? 🤖🎓🌆 In this episode of Gateway to Growth, Jamal Cornelious sits down with Jackson Nickerson, Dean of the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University, t...

What does it look like to build a successful career while also pursuing your passions and creating meaningful community? 🎧✨🏃🏾‍♀️ In this episode of Gateway to Growth , Jamal Cornelious sits down with St. Louis creative, community builder, and entrepreneur Anastasia Harris to explore how she balances a career in public health research while growing multiple passion-driven ventures. Anastasia we...

On this episode of Gateway to Growth , host Jamal Cornelious sits down with entrepreneur, inventor, and Posie Pots founder Kay Wells for an inspiring conversation about career pivots, entrepreneurship, innovation, and finding purpose through creation. Kay shares her journey from working as a mechanical engineer for companies like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Amazon to leaving the corporate world...

On this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with for a thoughtful conversation about entrepreneurship, community building, and what it really means to create meaningful work and culture. Matt shares his journey from growing up in Iowa and studying engineering to finding purpose through nonprofit work, entrepreneurship, and community leadership in St. Louis. He reflects on...

On this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Vanessa Cooksey, President and CEO of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, for a powerful conversation about leadership, purpose, and the role of arts in building stronger communities. Vanessa shares her dynamic and non-linear career journey—from working at Mary Kay and Cartoon Network to leadership roles across corpo...

On this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Mikala McGhee Bass for a powerful conversation about growth, reinvention, and the winding path of a modern career. Mikala shares her journey from being a student-athlete to working service jobs after college, breaking into broadcasting, winning Miss Missouri USA, and ultimately building a career in corporate communications....

In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Dr. Darryl Diggs, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at the Special School District of St. Louis County, for a powerful conversation about leadership, education, and the impact of relationships. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Diggs shares how his journey, from living overseas to g...

In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Dr. Allie Foddrill, chiropractor and founder of The Well Yard in Maplewood, Missouri, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, community, and a new approach to patient-centered care. Originally from Michigan, Allie came to St. Louis to attend chiropractic school at Logan University—but what started as a temporary stop qui...

In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Kristin Mosley, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at St. Louis City SC, for a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and building spaces where everyone can thrive. Kristin shares her journey from growing up as the only Black girl in her private school classroom to leading DEIB efforts insid...

In this episode of Gateway to Growth , host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Dr. Trezette Dixon , Vice President of the Fellows Experience at Greater St. Louis Inc., for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, purpose, and building inclusive talent pipelines in St. Louis. Dr. Dixon shares her journey as a first-generation college student and professional, tracing her career from higher educatio...

In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Charli Cooksey, Founder and CEO of We Power, for a powerful conversation about equity, power, and what it will take to truly transform St. Louis. Charli shares her journey growing up in North St. Louis while also navigating spaces of privilege. That experience shaped her lifelong commitment to justice and systemic change. F...

In the debut episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious kicks things off with a conversation that’s “coming from inside the house.” He sits down with STL Bucket List’s own Olivia Wiselogel, account manager, content creator, and Chicago transplant who’s helping shape St. Louis’ creative scene. Join us as we chat about being two Chicago kids who have planted roots in STL and love it, while...

Introducing Gateway to Growth 🎙️  Hosted by Jamal Cornelious, Gateway to Growth is a podcast centered on thoughtful career conversations with people from St. Louis, spanning every stage of the professional journey, from interns to the C-suite. Each episode explores real career paths, lessons learned, and the pivotal moments that shape success.    Coming soon—subscribe now to start your journey. Ma...