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Economic Impact Awards

Real estate projects can transform the environment and revitalize a community, often beyond the boundaries of the project. This award honors a CREW-St. Louis member or members who played a pivotal role in a real estate project that was completed or achieved a significant measurable milestone in the last year, having a positive impact on the community.

Nominee(s) has/have demonstrated continuous and exceptional contribution to CREW-St. Louis, through examples which could include the following:

  • Was the driving force to obtain funding for improvements to a blighted building which generated construction jobs, brought new businesses and/or people to the community, and then led to renovations of other buildings and revitalization of that neighborhood.

  • Led leasing efforts and developed a plan to bring stores to an outdated retail location, reenergizing the community and bringing new revenues to the city.

  • Provided financing (debt or equity) for a project that may be seen as risky or was passed over by others. The project is an important first step in a master plan for the community, maybe a real grocery store in an inner-city location or housing at a transit hub. Economic impact is measured by not just this project, but by the improvement in the quality of life in that community.

  • Provided unique contributions and expertise to get a project off the ground, perhaps a design solution, a creative approach to construction techniques, or structuring the financing. The project was important to the community but may not have been brought to completion without the efforts of the CREW-St. Louis member(s).

  • Smaller projects may have just as much impact on the community or impacts that are not easy to measure.

Please note: This award is designed to honor an individual member, or a group of members, who played a pivotal role in a real estate project which had a significant and measurable positive impact on the community.

Award Winners:

2024 Winners: CITYPARK

  • Michelle Chambliss-Cain, Faith Group

  • Amy Hughes, H2 Ltg Lighting Design

  • Anna Leavey, Anna Leavey, LLC

  • Helen Lee, Tao + Lee

  • Spencer Mason, David Mason + Associates

  • Margaret McDonald, HOK

  • Ashley Rau, HOK

  • Lisa Reed, Reed Burkett Lighting Design

  • Sondra Rotty, Tarlton

2023 Winners: The Armory

  • Liz Austin, Green Street Real Estate Ventures

  • Michelle O'Toole, O'Toole Design Associates

  • Addie Bunting, Wies Offsite

  • Sarah Luem, Capes Sokol

2022 Winners: Delmar DivINe  

  • Jen Nevil - Principal Lamar Johnson Collaborative  

  • Jenna Knatt - Business Development Manager CI Select  

  • Maxine K. Clark - CEO, Clark-Fox Family Foundation, INspirator, The Delmar DivINe  

  • Addie Bunting - Weis Drywall  

  • Monica Conners - Ameren UE-Solar Consultant 

  • Becky Vehmeyer with MillerKnoll

2021 Winners: St. Louis Union Station 

  • Tracy Howren, UMB Bank

  • Lisa Morrison, Lawrence Group 

  • Erin Valentine, McCarthy Building Companies

  • Valerie Gaadt, Midwest Elevator Company 

  • Abigail Kepple, Enterprise Bank 

  • Crissy Maurer, Enterprise Bank

2020 Winners: Pfizer Research and Development Facility, Chesterfield, MO, members include:

  • Angie Earlywine, Lamar Johnson Collaborative

  • Jen Nevil, Lamar Johnson Collaborative

  • Kelly Pimmel, Lamar Johnson Collaborative

  • Susan Woodland, formerly with Interior Investments LLC

2019 Winners: Habitat for Humanity Headquarters, members include:

  • Kimberly McKinney, Habitat for Humanity 

  • Linda Loewenstein, Lawrence Group

  • Margaret McDonald, HOK

  • Lauren A. Talley, Cushman & Wakefield

2018 Winners: Sarah Davis and Brittany Burke, CRG; Julie Panagos, Koman Group; Farris Hughes, Fifth Third Bank; Jenny Marler, Dentons US LLP; Eryn Bassett, Environmental Operations Inc. (Everly on the Loop)

2017 Winners: Sue Pruchnicki, Bond Architects Inc.; Rebekah Bahn Kingston, Gwen Knight, Wendy Timm and Pam Boelhauf, Colliers St. Louis; Melissa Vighi, Lashly & Baer P.C.; and Julie Drummond, Color-Art Integrated Interiors (Renovation and new branches for St. Louis County Library)

2016 Winners: Monica Conners and Katy Jamboretz, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership; Nanci Napoli, St. Louis County Port Authority; and Kelly Cochran, St. Louis Title  (Joint redevelopment of Westport Plaza by World Wide Technology and Lodging Hospitality Management)

2015 Winners: (Two projects were honored)

  • Monica Conners, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership; Pam Boelhauf and Spencer Toder, Colliers International; and Lynn Schenck, JLL – SKF industrial plant relocation

  • Dawn M. Humphreys, Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. – Peak Resorts public stock offering