The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is pleased to announce and welcome new members and officers to the board of directors effective June 7, 2022. Joining the board are Martha Aronson, Cory Bricker, Judy Gladney, John Milonas, and Jermal Seward II. Below are brief biographies of The Scholarship Foundation’s new board members.
Martha Aronson was one of the first employees of The Scholarship Foundation and served in part-time and contracted roles from 1982-2018. She operated the very first computer donated to the organization and supported the creation of the first student database the organization maintained. Martha was instrumental in shaping the former board gatherings and communications which occurred periodically (until COVID intervened). Since leaving the staff, Martha has remained connected by supporting annual and major gifts fundraising, co-chairing the centennial anniversary events committee, and providing important historical context to the work the organization has done over time. She holds bachelor’s degrees in mathematics from Northwestern University and data processing from Washington University.
Cory Bricker is Vice President for Business Development with Cass Information Systems. He has more than 20 years of executive payments and logistics experience. Cory started his career at Arthur Andersen where he became the Regional Specialist for the JD Edwards transportation module. He later moved to Cass Information Systems, where he has held several key roles including heading sales of freight audit and payment business functions, lead of supply chain finance efforts, and head of corporate development and integrated payments business units. Cory’s master’s degree in finance is from University of Missouri, where he has taught business and finance classes in the past.
Judy Gladney has been a lifelong champion of education and civil rights. She is semi-retired, working part-time as Assistant Court Clerk in Bellefontaine Neighbors. Judy’s mother, Clarice Gladney, served on the board of directors of The Scholarship Foundation in the early 1970s. Judy attended Howard University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Washington University.
John Milonas is currently a Realtor with RedKey Realty Leaders. Prior to his career in Real Estate, John was a Product Manager in Consumer Packaged Goods working on Duncan Hines, Lender’s Bagels, and Hostess Snack Cakes. John is a former Scholarship Foundation student and has been a donor to the Foundation in recent years. John holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Jermal Seward II is Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel at Family and Workforce Centers of America. His prior positions were in the financial services industry, most recently at Saint Louis Bank. Jermal’s board and committee experiences include City Academy, the Business Development Committee with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, and the St. Louis Art Museum’s Committee for Planned Giving. His bachelor’s degree in psychology is from Xavier University of Louisiana and he earned his J.D. at Washington University School of Law. Jermal and his wife, Rachel Seward, live in the Central West End and are active supporters of St. Louis Public Schools.
New board officers beginning two-year terms in 2022-2023 are: Matt Dace who will serve as Vice-President of Program; Karen O. Drake, who has been elected to serve as Vice-President of Advocacy after ably serving as interim for the year remaining on Board President Lauren Nash Ming’s unexpired term; and Jacqueline Meaders Booth, who will serve as secretary. The new officers join President Lauren Nash Ming, Debra B. Kennard (Vice-President of External Relations), Jill Nowak (Treasurer), and Clayton M. Evans (Member-at-Large).