St. Louis Workforce Development Board Elects 2026 Officers

ST. LOUIS, MO - The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) announces the election of new officers for the St. Louis Workforce Development Board (SLWDB) for 2026. The election took place during the Board's January 27 meeting.

The newly elected officers are:

Charlotte Hammond, President and CEO of Challenge Unlimited, brings more than two decades of experience in finance, operations, and workforce development leadership. Since becoming CEO in 2016, she has led the nonprofit's expansion from three to eight states, strengthening employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities nationwide.

"I am honored to serve as Chair of the St. Louis Workforce Development Board," said Hammond. "This role allows me to support SLATE's mission to strengthen our workforce, expand access to opportunities, and ensure employers can connect with the talent they need to grow."

Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises at Bi-State Development, oversees key regional transportation and logistics operations, including Gateway Arch operations, the St. Louis Downtown Airport, and the St. Louis Regional Freightway. Her work has earned national recognition for advancing multimodal transportation priorities and regional collaboration.

"A strong workforce is essential to regional growth and economic competitiveness," said Lamie. "I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to expand career pathways and strengthen employer partnerships across the St. Louis region."

William Bell, Technology Infrastructure Coordinator for the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, brings extensive experience in workforce training, apprenticeship development, and community outreach. His work has focused on breaking down barriers to skilled trades careers and expanding access to high-quality training.

"It is an honor to serve as Secretary of the Workforce Development Board," said Bell. "Through this role, I look forward to supporting SLATE's efforts to connect residents with training, opportunity, and long-term career success while strengthening our workforce systems."

The St. Louis Workforce Development Board provides strategic leadership and oversight of workforce programs administered by SLATE Missouri Job Center under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Board is composed of leaders from business, labor, education, government, and community organizations committed to strengthening the City's workforce and economic vitality.

To learn more about the St. Louis Workforce Development Board, visit: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/slate/saint-louis-wdb/index.cfm