Jump to Content

St. Joseph Chapter

Our Purpose

Growing and empowering future female leaders in St. Joseph, MO and beyond.

Who We Are

At Quorum St. Joseph, we are catalysts for change in our community. We provide the encouragement, support and resources for women and girls to reach higher, break down barriers for each other, and blaze trails for generations of women to come. We are an inclusive network that focuses on celebrating women’s success and nurturing the next generation. By sharing connections, skills, and passion, we create an environment where women are inspired to lead and take action for change.

Membership Opportunity

We are inviting the women of the St. Joseph area with diverse backgrounds and experiences to unite, share, learn, and empower one another to be impactful leaders.

Benefits Quorum St. Joseph Offers:

  • Four in-person learning and connecting moments a year with speakers. These are open to members and mentees of members for free. Potential members must pay $15 per event
  • Four in-person learning and connecting gatherings of Quorum St. Joseph members to view content and discuss challenges, initiatives, and actions unique to the women of the St. Joseph area
  • Access to a diverse and dynamic network of women
  • Mentoring opportunities – be a mentor, mentee or both
  • Ability to collaborate on local collective action initiatives
  • Opportunity to invite next generation leaders to larger local events

A twelve-month membership for the Quorum St. Joseph chapter costs $60.

Current Collective Action Initiative

Madam President Camp

Quorum St. Joseph launched a week-long Madam President Camp for girls ages eleven to thirteen in 2023. With an initial enrollment of 24 attendees, we have a goal of growing it to over 100 attendees every summer. The girls interact with seasoned professionals and follow a leadership development program that helps them build confidence, understand their innate skills as leaders, engage in discussions around civic responsibility and support each other. With the help of many, we are building the next generation of leaders for our community. To learn more about Madam President Camp, check out their website.

St. Joseph Chapter Events:

The second annual Madam President Camp – St. Joseph was held at Missouri Western State University on July 15 – 17.

Quorum – St. Joseph is the sponsor of MPC-SJ for girls 11-13 (grades 6-8.) Girls will engage in activities and curriculum focused on:

  • Leadership 
  • Civic Education
  • Communication 
  • Activism
  • Self-Discovery

We at SJQI are thrilled to underwrite this initiative with our time, talent and treasure.

Presenting Sponsors:

  • Missouri Western State University (Quorum member, Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, President, will engage on the last day.)
  • St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, represented by its President and CEO, SJQI member Natalie Hawn

Quorum – St. Joseph members with direct roles in the camp include:

  • Mary Messner, MPC Board Chair
  • Karen Woodbury, MPC Camp Director
  • Tara Wells, SJ MPC Facilitator and Maintains Curriculum Updates
  • Karen Foley, Carol Burns, and Carol Robb, Camp docents 
  • Melody Smith, MWSU liaison

Additional key contributing participants include:

  • Kristie Arthur, Facilitator
  • Karen Schwartzkopf Couldry, Docent
  • Katy Schwartz Drowns, Facilitator
  • Jen Martin, Docent
  • Katie McCullough, Facilitator
  • Fiona Sansone, Facilitator
  • LaVell Rucker, Facilitator
  • Annually, up to six MWSU (women athletes and/or student leaders) serve as MPC mentors

Karen Woodbury was interviewed for an article in the St. Joseph News Press NOW about this year’s camp.

Quorum Initiative Global

Quorum Initiative St. Joseph is part of a larger global organization that focuses on accelerating the advancement of women. Members of our chapter are invited to join the global membership, events and initiatives that interest you.

If you’d prefer, a $300 twelve-month membership to the larger global organization includes additional opportunities to interact with global Quorum members, discounted registration for the annual HOW Women Lead Change Forum and HOW Retreat, and membership in the St. Joseph chapter.

For more information or to join Quorum’s global organization, reach out to diane@thequoruminitiative.com

Scroll to Top