Leadership

Catherine Smith-Morgan

SLACO Board President

Catherine Morgan-Smith is the President of the SLACO Executive Board of Directors. Catherine is enamored with everything involved around the ‘communities of people.’ Catherine is a lifelong resident of the City of St. Louis and became Academy/Sherman Park Neighborhood President with a commitment to impact change by working with and on behalf of the community. 

Working 20+ years in the private and public sectors in the field of accounting (i.e., Auditing, Budgeting, Financial Analysis, Financial Accounting, Risk Management, Legal Compliance and Operational Risk Management, and Financial/Regulatory Reporting), Catherine saw an avenue for her skills to serve and advocate for the community.

In June 2019 she became President of Academy Sherman Park Neighborhood Association by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. To further sharpen her skills Catherine sought opportunities to educate herself on all manners of development and leadership. In September 2020, Catherine became a Neighborhood Leadership Fellow (NLF) graduate from the highly selective and advanced leadership training program at University of Missouri Saint Louis Missouri University Extension, to serve in the St. Louis Promise Zone, City of St. Louis. As a leader in the community Catherine uses her foresight, compassion, and strategic planning skills to lead the community toward progress. In December 2022, Catherine became a graduate of Urban Land Institute St. Louis (ULI) to drive housing and real estate development to help the community thrive and sustain itself. In 2023Catherine serves a member to the Restorative Justice Movement Center (RJM)’s Board of Directors which aims to initiate the healing process within individuals, families and the community who are exposed to symptoms of trauma, mental illness, substance abuse and trauma for our most vulnerable and formerly incarcerated populations. In 2023 Catherine serves on the Community Advisory Board (CAB) of PreventEd, which works to prevent the harms of alcohol and other drugs through education, intervention, and advocacy. PreventEd has ledthe conversation around alcohol and other drugs in spreading solution without the stigma. In 2024, Catherine serves a member of the St. Louis Chapter of The Drifters, Incorporated. The Drifters is a national women’s organization who focus on charitable, civic, and social endeavors to support the elderly seniors and the student-college bound population.

Catherine has a full-time career as V.P., of Citi’s Independent Compliance Risk Manager. Additionally, Catherine is a wife, mother, daughter, and caretaker. Catherine is a resolute member of The Westside Missionary Baptist Church where she relies on God for spiritual truth and insight. 

Sherri Bailey

SLACO Board Vice President

A dedicated community activist with a passion for working with neighborhood leaders, she is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis’s (UMSL) Neighbor Leadership Fellow Program. Her journey in community service began in the Academy-Sherman Park neighborhood, where she took on the role of a neighborhood leader. 

With over 20 years of experience in public policy, she has organized numerous Lobby Day events and provided unwavering support to policy councils. Her work has always been driven by a deep commitment to the community and a desire to make a positive impact.

Currently, she is channeling my passion for service into education as a Special Education Teacher at Soldan High School. Here, she has the privilege of supporting scholars, helping them navigate their educational journey and reach their full potential.

In addition to my teaching role, she serves as the Vice President of the St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO). In this capacity, she works tirelessly to promote and improve the quality of life in all neighborhoods throughout the St. Louis region.

Her career is a testament to her belief in the power of community and the importance of civic engagement. She is committed to fostering strong, vibrant neighborhoods and empowering others to become active participants in their communities.

Angela Drake

SLACO Board Secretary

Angela Drake is single mother of 3 beautiful children. A St. Louis native, Angela realized early on that she had a love for the beautiful architectural buildings here in North St. Louis and a passion to bring them back to their glory. Angela pursued her real estate career and received her license in March 2003. She became a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Missouri Association of Realtors (MAR) and St. Louis Associations of Realtors (SLAR) and continues to be an active member.

Angela’s interest in the St. Louis vacant land bank, St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority (LRA), led her to research and gain an understanding of how to purchase LRA properties.  This knowledge gave her the incentive to become more involved with the neighborhood association, which lead to her involvement with St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO).  After joining SLACO, Angela was nominated and elected as the Executive Board Secretary and is currently serving in that position.  Her continued involvement with SLACO and the vacancy issues within her community lead to her to becoming a LRA Committee Member which then led to the formation of the Finest 15 which is a collaboration between SLACO and LRA.  Angela was instrumental in organizing this newly found committee, whose mission is to promote homeownership by educating individuals on how to purchase, and secure financial resources for the renovation of LRA properties and becoming proud home owners.  Currently the Finest 15 has assisted over 50 people with purchasing LRA property, some of which have become individual homes and others as investment property.

Angela is committed to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association and community improvements.  She is the organizer of the Hyde Park “Purpose for The Park” Fundraising Gala and the Hyde Park HouseTours.

Michael J. von Gebel

SLACO Board Treasurer/Interim Executive Director

Michael is an Illinois native, having lived in the St. Louis Metro region for 21 years. He received all his early education in Jesuit Catholic Schools.  He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and, former elected official. Michael has over 20 years of experience in the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector, complemented by a degree in Business Management. His leadership has driven community development initiatives and fostered partnerships that enhance local economic growth. Michael has worked with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Metro/Bi-State, Missouri Dept of Conservation, City of St. Louis, and MoDOT to bring the right resources and improvements to the Vandeventer Neighborhood.   Michael is serving his 4th term as President of Vandeventer Community Development Corporation.

Michael supports stronger tax relief for seniors.  He embraces initiatives and development that provide a growth environment for black working-class families. 

Michael is dedicated to environmental projects to address the impact of the city’s heat dome. His commitment to sustainability and community health reflects his belief in the importance of environmental stewardship. He has traveled the world and enjoys gardening.

Mark Dowdy

SLACO Board Sergeant at Arms

Electrical Engineer at St. Louis Community College (Retired)