People In Business

Award-winning author, speaker, and editor Jacqueline “Jackie” Duty is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with the release of two books that celebrate language, culture, and empowerment. Following the success of her beloved children’s book Dash the Dachshund, Duty has now launched a Spanish edition, Dash el Perro Salchicha, available on Amazon just in time for Hispanic…

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Chaya Gopalan, Ph.D., a professor in both SIUE’s School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) and School of Nursing (SON), leads a partnership between STEM faculty of collaborating four-year and two-year institutions awarded $2 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant, titled “Developing STEM Education Reform Leaders through…

Mathis, Marifian & Richter Ltd. (MM&R), a law firm that serves the St. Louis and its Metro East region, recently welcomed Sara L. Gottman to its litigation team. Gottman brings a unique blend of creativity, discipline and real-world experience to her legal practice, according to the official announcement. Before becoming an attorney, she built a…

Moehn, Singh, Smith promoted to new roles Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced organizational changes designed to drive consistent and continuously improving operating performance and enhance the breadth and depth of experience of its executive team, strengthening the company for the future. The changes are effective Jan. 1, 2026. Michael Moehn, currently senior executive vice…

  On Oct. 13, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) presented a Congressional Gold Medal to Collinsville resident Betty Wrigley, 98, for her service as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is America’s oldest and highest civilian award. In 1943, at 15 years old, Wrigley left her hometown of St.…

The Third Judicial Circuit of Madison County recently announced the return of the Honorable Sarah D. Smith, Circuit Judge, following her two-week mobilization to serve in a senior leadership role during Bright Star 2025, one of the largest multinational military exercises in the world. The exercise, held in Egypt, concluded in mid-September and brought together…

BARBERMURPHY, a leading commercial real estate brokerage serving central and southern Illinois, and Greater St. Louis, Mo., recently announced the addition of Vito LaFata IV to its team of experienced brokers. LaFata joins BARBERMURPHY with a statewide focus on industrial and land development properties throughout Missouri — particularly along the I-44 Corridor, one of the…

Cork Tree Creative Inc., a marketing agency headquartered in Edwardsville, Ill., recently announced its Fall 2025 intern: Carson Philipps. Philipps is an Edwardsville native and a recent graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in applied communication studies with a minor in mass communications. Through his undergraduate studies, he…

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced the appointment of Schneidine Louis as the new director of the International Trade Center (ITC). Louis brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having served as a diplomat and holding a master’s degree in international…

The award-winning short documentary Clerk: The Story of Louis Finley Day, directed by Tony Allen, was recently honored with recognition from the International Independent Film Awards in New York. The film tells the powerful and deeply human story of Louis Finley, whose life was forever changed after a devastating house fire in Alton, Ill., on…