Update (as of 3/11/25):

Newly welcoming to the Cornerstone CDC Board of Directors in 2025:

Paula E.W. Carey-Moore

Nathan Plumb

We are honored to have our Board grow, especially with such committed, faith-inspired leaders. More information will be posted shortly.

Dr. Jeremy Moore, Board President, When Jeremy Moore arrived in St. Louis to obtain his doctorate in chemistry, he began attending New City Fellowship and was drawn into God’s presence in St. Louis’ West End neighborhood, relocating there in 2014. Since then, Jeremy has stayed home to care for foster children with medical needs and serves as board president for Cornerstone, the neighborhood CDC, which works toward healing-centered community development. Jeremy has learned how being a neighbor, church life, and volunteer service can leverage his passions and influence to advocate for an equitable, thriving neighborhood with sustained opportunities for affordable housing.

Lisa Potts, Board Officer — Lisa Potts joined the St. Louis Mental Health Board as Project Director of Community Mental Health Services.  She manages a portfolio of 21 projects who have the collective mission to improve the quality of life for city residents by providing a coordinated system of social and behavioral services to build an equitable, thriving community. Ms. Potts has 27 of experience in community building and partnership development in the St. Louis area. Her experience includes community organizing, neighborhood stabilization; developing and managing homeless prevention and affordable housing programs; and directing youth development and employment programs for underserved and gang involved youth. She holds a masters’ degree in Public Administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a minor is sociology and political science. Lisa has always had a love for community - in addition to serving on the Cornerstone Board, she also serves on the Board of the Monsanto YMCA and was a founding Board Member for Park Place Housing & Economic Development Organization, serving Fountain Park & Lewis Place neighborhoods. “I love the individual character of the homes in the West End. I love the proximity to 'everything' of cultural significance - the park, the loop, the metro, the trolley, the museums, small businesses. That's what brought me there - what's keeping me is the neighbors and institutions like Cornerstone - that have God driven purpose to uplift the community and help it prosper” —Lisa Potts

Paul Savage— Paul is a transplant from North Carolina and has been calling St. Louis since 1998. From the very beginning he appreciated St. Louis's urban neighborhoods – the Central West End, Skinker Debauliver and West End. In the years sense moving to St. Louis he has stayed close to the city neighborhoods and their evolution. Paul has a passion for community and believes people and local organizations can make the most effective change together. Cornerstone is a place that has always looked at each person as an individual and recognizes how one person, in one place in their home can be empowered to impact their own future and the future of others through community.

Treena Thompson, Board Officer (Secretary), Program Officer at the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis— For more than 20 years, Treena has devoted her career to assisting impactful non-profit organizations with securing resources to help them fulfill their missions more effectively and efficiently.  A native of Greenville, Mississippi, Treena currently resides in the West End neighborhood with her husband, Duane, and two sons, Matthias and Nathaniel. “I love the diversity in the West End.  It is home to dynamic leaders, creative thinkers, passionate citizens, and a broad range of ages and life experiences—all contributing to the tapestry that makes the West End a special place to live, work and play” Treena T.

Nakischa Joseph, Division Operating Officer/Director of Volunteer Services and Division Operating Officer/Director of Volunteer Services for Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Nakischa is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the banking  industry. She is skilled in Management, Lending, Sales, Accounting, Sales Management and  Team Building. She is a strong business development professional with more than 15 years in  the financial industry. She also serves as the Secretary/Parliamentarian for Urban League Guild of  Metropolitan St. Louis, board member of Cornerstone STL & PEACE Weaving Wellness. Nakischa believes firmly in giving back and reaching back. Nakischa holds a Bachelor’s Degree  focused in Biology from LeMoyne-Owen College and is affectionately known as “The Scientist Banker”. In her free time Nakischa enjoys spending it with family and friends, mentoring young  girls with her Women’s Empowerment Group G.A.B (God’s Anointed Beauties), and singing and  acting throughout the country. By profession she is a Mortgage Loan Officer. By devine  assignment she is a licensed evangelist in the Church of God in Christ for 19 years and a  founding member of Christian Believers STL under the leadership of Administrative Assistant  Shaun Williams. 

Lisette Ortega-Vidal, Board Officer (Treasurer) became DeSales Community Development/Fox Grove Management’s first Chief Operating Officer in 2019, after holding the title of Controller since 2015. Though born in Rhode Island, she was raised in the Dominican Republic, and since 2010 has called St. Louis her home. Lisette likes to do things in threes: she holds three degrees, an MBA and two bachelor’s in management and accounting; has three boys aged 19,17 and 14; speaks three languages (but hopes to learn two more.) Lisette is an avid reader, a sports enthusiast and joyful dancer.

Dart Ford, serves as an Assistant Vice President Community Development Officer at Enterprise Bank & Trust, adept at cultivating and nurturing strategic partnerships. With a keen focus on expanding the bank's footprint, Dart excels at forging new relationships while deepening existing ones. A Certified Financial Education Instructor, Dart is passionate about empowering underserved communities. Recognized for his exceptional contributions, Dart is a proud recipient of the St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40, the Black Tie Community Award for Financial Education, and the St. Louis America Young Leaders Award. He has been inducted into the prestigious Regional Business Council Leadership 100 and honored with Enterprise Bank & Trust's Regional Excellence Award.

Beyond his banking career, Dart is a dedicated author and owner of Bulls-Eye Magical Adventure, where he builds bright futures, one story at a time. His first children's book, "Coco, Cousins, Cash and Coin," combines adventure with essential lessons on counting, money management, and career exploration.

Seth Fankhauser is a Senior Accountant with Mission STL, graduated from Greenville University. Seth Fankhauser is an accounting professional, a dad and father-figure, and an endurance triathlete for fun. I believe people deserve to enjoy their life and the community they live in. My wife and I have served in our community through foster care and we've seen the need for families to be supported and believed in. I love the work Cornerstone does to meet affordable housing needs, elevate residents' voices, and equip people with tools to improve their lives. 

Jeanette Arnold-Jackson, is a a former Senior Employee Consultant at BJC Health Care System with 25 years of experience.  Consulting with client companies and improving fostering a positive workplace culture.  Providing appropriate  counseling, information, treatment and referrals through accurately and assessing an employee's situation. Outside work she enjoy traveling , swimming, yoga and taking my miniature poodle to the doggy park.  Ms. Jeanette is also active with her local church and community.

Gail Montgomery-Edwards is the Chief Operating Officer of Betty Jean Kerr Peoples Health Centers. Gail joins Cornerstone CDC will extensive experience serving the West End footprint in the realm of public health as a nurse and compliance officer in critical organizations leading the community health system.

Cynthia D. Williams is the Assistant Dean for Field Education and Community Partnerships, Washington University in St. Louis. Cynthia Williams has made it her personal mission to empower those who feel marginalized or powerless to find their voice. Since graduating from the Brown School’s Masters of Social Work program, Cynthia has served as an integral member of the School for nearly 33 years. As Assistant Dean for Field Education and Community Partnerships, Cynthia is well known for her patience, intelligence, and ability to find solutions that unify people while respecting individual voices. Cynthia oversees the Brown School’s relationships with over 400 nonprofit organizations, and she is responsible for over 170,000 hours of student service to our community each year. Her close working relationship with students, agency instructors, and faculty is remarkable; where Cynthia senses a need, she finds a way to fill it. Cynthia also serves as the Distinguished Missionary at her local church.