Ryan McCrea is focused on making an impact by helping organizations maximize and develop talent through creative people solutions. He’s passionate about helping others own their career and providing thought leadership on strategic talent management, leadership development, mentoring, team dynamics and culture building.

Ryan is currently the Head of Learning and Leadership Development at Ameren where he leads a team focused on corporate learning and development programs. Prior to Ameren, Ryan was Vice President – Manager of Talent Development at Commerce Bank. In this position, he launched a corporate-wide professional development program, while overseeing the strategy around people and leadership growth.

Ryan has certifications in Situational Leadership, 4 Stages of Psychological Safety, DiSC, MBTI and is also a Social and Emotional Intelligence Coach. Ryan received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Ryan lives in St. Louis with his wife, Susan, and two adorable cats, Zooey and Coco. He loves music, movies, fashion, pop culture and art. Ask him about any of these topics and you may never get away. To hear more from Ryan on Organizational Development, Leadership and Work follow him on LinkedIn. 

Krista Junge is the Director, Quality and Training with the BJC Revenue Cycle. She started her career working with adults with developmental disabilities, and then transitioned to a position developing programs for volunteers. It was here that she learned she could “get paid” to do what she loved – develop people and organizations. After completing a graduate program at SIU-E, she joined Maritz Performance Improvement Company and designed training programs for Fortune 500 companies. Her experience at Maritz prepared her for expanded roles at United Healthcare and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where she helped create a new Corporate Training Department.

Just as Krista was getting antsy for a change, a position opened at BJC’s Missouri Baptist Medical Center that focused on leadership development and employee engagement. She then transitioned into a BJC Shared Services role and expanded her responsibilities to include talent management, team development and leadership coaching.

After several years in this space, she realized she had one more leap off the career cliff in her, so she joined the BJC Revenue Management team – the financial side of patient care. It truly was a leap off the cliff into a whole new world. She’s been in this role for several years and can just now speak the language – most of the time. She built RCM Quality and Training function from the ground up and is loving her team and responsibilities.

Krista attributes much of her success to active participation in the STL ODN, ATD, and other professional organizations.

David is a Leadership Consultant at BEATTY. He is an expert at providing leaders with objective information to support organizational change, decision-making, and personal development. He is experienced in C-Suite selection & succession planning, performance management, and leadership development, specializing in analyzing and interpreting psychological assessments, and managing 360 feedback programs. Drawing upon his knowledge of statistical research, he is able to distill large quantities of data and translate it into usable information and actionable takeaways. He aims to equips leaders with the knowledge needed to make impactful decisions while nurturing their personal development.

David earned a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. In his free time, he loves travelling and learning about new cultures as well as enjoying the latest stand-up comedy special. Connect with him on LinkedIn!

Joani is a consultant, coach, facilitator, speaker, and leader experienced in organization development, executive assessment, leadership development and coaching, career development, and organizational transitions in internal and external roles. Her expertise includes innovative work that strengthens organizational and leadership capability, employee engagement, and inclusion and belonging to accelerate positive impact. 

She is owner of Joani Alsop Coaching & Consulting.  Previously she was Director of Coaching with a start-up nonprofit, Director of Learning and Women in Leadership Program Facilitator for FOCUS St. Louis, an Executive Coach and Consultant with a global consulting company, and Director of Career Management at Maryville University.

Joani holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership & Development and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Maryville University.  She completed her coach training as a Master Business Coach and Performance Leadership Coach with B-Coach Systems. She is a FOCUS St. Louis graduate of Class 57 Women in Leadership Program, and FOCUS Diversity Leadership Fellowship Program. She is Dare to Lead trained, a Certified Happiness Trainer, Certified in the Birkman and MBTI assessments, and experienced with 15 other leadership assessments, including DISC, Hogan and EQi 2.0.

Joani has served in prior roles on the Executive Team as Volunteer Chair and Communications Chair as well as on the STL-ODN Program, Conference, and Mission-Vision committees.  Joani is also a member of the International Coach Federation, where she serves on the board of the St. Louis Chapter as Inclusion and Belonging Director.

Joani enjoys yoga, dance, singing in a community choir, travel, networking, and spending time with friends and her two nephews in St. Louis.

Kesha is a Talent Strategist, Recruiting Consultant, Career Coach, and Keynote Speaker with over 25 years of experience in Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, and Leadership Development. As the Co-Chair of Membership for the St. Louis Organization Development Network (STLODN), she is committed to fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and engaged community of professionals dedicated to advancing the field of organization development and talent strategy.

With a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Leadership from Judson University, Kesha brings a strategic and relationship-driven approach to membership engagement. She is passionate about connecting professionals, expanding STLODN’s reach, and creating opportunities for members to learn, collaborate, and grow.

As a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and DEI advocate, Kesha specializes in building inclusive workplaces, strengthening professional networks, and facilitating impactful learning experiences. Her ability to engage diverse audiences and cultivate meaningful relationships aligns perfectly with STLODN’s mission to support professionals in their growth and organizational impact.

As Co-Chair of Membership, Kesha is excited to welcome new members, enhance engagement, and drive value for those looking to expand their expertise in organization development, leadership, and workplace transformation.

 Areas of Expertise:
 Talent Strategy & Employee Engagement
 Career Development & Coaching
 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
 Organizational Development & Leadership
 Networking & Professional Growth

 Connect with Kesha on LinkedIn

As a self-proclaimed 'People Person,' Lindsay's passion for Organization Development comes from the joy of connecting with people paired with her background in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology. She is currently the Talent Development Lead at Afinitas, a Barry-Wehmiller company. She is passionate about employee experience, employee development through a meaningful and thoughtful talent development cycle, and creating learning systems and environments that help employees grow.

Lindsay received her master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville, and has her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Work from Fontbonne University.

When she's not working, she is likely with her husband and dog trying a new coffee shop in St. Louis (Espresso Yourself on Macklind is her favorite), trying to reach her 2025 reading goal of 100 books, or diving into a new craft or crochet project. She is a beginner gardener, an avid thrifter, and is also learning some new languages!

This is her first year on the STL-ODN Executive Team, so connect with her on LinkedIn!

Mikayla Blankenship is a passionate benefits specialist dedicated to fostering inclusive teams and driving organizational initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Pre-Law from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she played a key role in implementing and researching a college-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training program.

Mikayla began her career with the St. Louis Cardinals, focusing on building a diverse workforce and enhancing fan engagement. Now at Carevet, she continues to deepen her HR expertise through the lens of OD. 

Outside of work, Mikayla enjoys exploring St. Louis, spending time with her dog, and cooking with loved ones. She is also committed to community service through her volunteer work with the Edwardsville Overnight Warming Location (OWL) and Granite City Community Care Center. Connect with her on LinkedIn! 

Ramona Jones is User Experience Content Designer and a life-long learner who enjoys helping others to grow and succeed. She combines her knack for writing and love for creating with technology with the skills she learned in her Master's of Art degree in Leadership and Organizational Development. Her superpowers are partnering and collaborating. As a customer advocate, content design thought leader, and organizational development practitioner, Ramona gets to use all the skills she gleaned to support teams and improve the user experience.

Ramona is the author of the two books, From Tongue, To Ear, To Heart: So Says The Wise, and Your Legacy Voice: The Prelude To Your Breakthrough. She is also a mental well-being advocate, and coauthor in the two-volume book, Tear The Veil, along with 18 Fearless Visionaries on a mission to restore hope to heal individuals, families, and communities through sharing “from pain to triumph” stories. You can read more about Ramona on LinkedIn Profile.

Kelly Black serves as the Director of Organization Development at Nidec Motor Company, where she leads global strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and success. Passionate about people development, Kelly focuses on high-potential talent identification, succession planning, performance management, leadership development, and mentoring to empower individuals and teams to reach their full potential.

Before discovering their passion for Organization Development, Kelly spent 17 years at Boeing in various finance roles and in HR supporting IT, building a strong foundation in organizational strategy and problem-solving. With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Human Resource Management, Kelly brings a unique combination of expertise and experience to her work.

Outside the office, Kelly enjoys rowing with the St. Louis Rowing Club, exploring new destinations, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Aaron Adams is a business professional who assists organizations in making improved decisions through evidence-based practices and a comprehensive approach to organizational effectiveness, development, and design.

Drawing on a profound understanding of human behavior and organizational systems, he specializes in developing strategies that enhance team alignment, leadership effectiveness, and operational success. With a career spanning diverse industries, Aaron has demonstrated a proven track record of diagnosing intricate organizational challenges and facilitating transformative change. Aaron’s expertise encompasses organizational transformation, designing impactful methodologies, integrating technology to optimize workplace performance and enhance employee engagement.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Aaron brings a unique perspective to challenges, inspired by his unwavering dedication to his passions and his relentless pursuit of results. He lives in Saint Louis with his wife Megan, and daughter Hazel.