St. Louis, MO – North County Incorporated (NCI) brought together a crowd of nearly 600 guests at the Marriott St. Louis Airport on May 8th for its 49th Annual Leadership Breakfast. The annual milestone event serves to recognize and celebrate the dedicated area leaders whose contributions continue to shape and strengthen the North County community. This year’s program was emceed by Melanie Johnson, Journalist for KSDK-TV.
“NCI is pleased to recognize these exceptional North County leaders. It’s so awe-inspiring to know these individuals and their organizations are making a difference in the lives of so many of our residents and for the businesses,” said NCI President and CEO Rebecca Zoll.
2026 NCI Leadership Award Honorees
Business Development Leadership Awards:
- The Boeing Company
- Industrial Commercial Properties, Hazelwood Business Park
Community Development Leadership Awards:
- City of Florissant, Amphitheater Project
- City of Jennings, Community Center
- Just Moms STL and The Pink Angels Foundation: Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Declaration & Services
- Louis Internship Program, Boys & Girls Club
- The SoulFisher Ministries
Equity In Action Leadership Award:
- Wendy Gordon, Florissant Arts Commission
Elmer Belsha Leadership Award:
- Nettie Collins-Hart, Hazelwood School District
Legacy Award:
- Terry Proffitt, North County Resident
Public Service Awards:
- Karen Goodwin, City of Florissant
- Terry Gannon, St. Louis REALTORS®
Visionary Leadership Award:
- Chancellor Kristin Sobolik, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Special Recognition Awards:
- Jessie Klostermann, Rebuilding Together
- Omicron Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.™
- Louis County Public Health Department for the Health Resources and Services Administration Designation
NCI’s 49th Annual Leadership Breakfast sponsors to date include Platinum sponsors: Commerce Bank, Bommarito, Industrial Commercial Properties, and SSM Health DePaul Hospital. Premier sponsors include Cardinal Legacy Towing Group, Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Christian Hospital, City of Florissant, City of Hazelwood, Enterprise Mobility, EnVision By Design, Mercy, Navigate Building Solutions, Negwer Materials Inc., Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, Saint Louis Zoo, SERVPRO Team Chestnas, St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, St. Louis Economic Development, St. Louis County, Stifel, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Corporate Sponsor: Bi-State Development, Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, Hazelwood School District, Jennings School District, Kent Miller Photography, and Rotary Club of Florissant.
About North County Inc.
North County Inc., founded in 1977, is an economic and community development advocacy organization serving the North St. Louis County community with a focus on economic development, education, healthcare, and transportation. NCI builds collaborative partnerships and coordinates resources and efforts of civic and business leaders to speak as a unified voice on regional issues.