Leadership

Catherine Smith-Morgan

SLACO Board President

Catherine, a lifelong resident of St. Louis, has dedicated herself to making a positive impact on the community through her extensive experience in accounting and finance. With over 20 years of experience in both private and public sectors, Catherine specializes in auditing, budgeting, financial analysis, risk management, legal compliance, and financial/regulatory reporting. 

In June 2019, she was elected President of the Academy Sherman Park Neighborhood Association, demonstrating her commitment to community leadership. To further enhance her skills, Catherine pursued educational opportunities in development and leadership, graduating as a Neighborhood Leadership Fellow from the University of Missouri Saint Louis Missouri University Extension in September 2020. 

She continued her educational journey by graduating from the Urban Land Institute St. Louis (ULI) in December 2022, focusing on housing and real estate development. In 2023, Catherine served as a board member for the Restorative Justice Movement Center and the Community Advisory Board (CAB) of PreventEd, actively working to prevent the harms of alcohol and other drugs through education, intervention, and advocacy. Furthermore, she was elected to the SLACO Executive Board as Vice President and later as President in 2024, showcasing her strong leadership and commitment to community organizations. 

In the same year, Catherine also joined the St. Louis Chapter of The Drifters, a national women’s organization dedicated to charitable, civic, and social endeavors supporting elderly seniors and college-bound students. While excelling in her full-time career as Vice President of Citi’s Independent Compliance Risk Manager, Catherine also fulfills important roles as a wife, mother, daughter, and caretaker. She is an active member of The Westside Missionary Baptist Church, where she finds spiritual guidance and strength.

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, a single mother of 3, is a St. Louis native with a passion for restoring the architectural beauty of North St. Louis. In March 2003, Angela obtained her real estate license and became a member of the National Association of Realtors, Missouri Association of Realtors, and St. Louis Associations of Realtors. 

Her interest in the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) led her to research and understand the process of purchasing LRA properties. This knowledge motivated her to become more involved with the neighborhood association and subsequently with the St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO), where she currently serves as the Executive Board Secretary. 

Angela’s dedication to addressing vacancy issues in her community led her to become a LRA Committee Member and to co-found the Finest 15, a collaborative effort between SLACO and LRA. She played a pivotal role in organizing the Finest 15, which aims to promote homeownership by educating individuals on purchasing LRA properties and securing financial resources for renovation. To date, the Finest 15 has facilitated the purchase of over 50 LRA properties, transforming some into individual homes and others into investment properties. 

Angela is also deeply committed to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association and is actively involved in organizing fundraising events such as the Hyde Park ‘Purpose for The Park’ Fundraising Gala and the Hyde Park House Tours.

Michael J. von Gebel

SLACO Board Treasurer/Interim Executive Director

Michael, a native of Illinois, has lived in the St. Louis Metro region for 21 years and received his early education in Jesuit Catholic Schools. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a former elected official, with over 20 years of experience in the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector and a degree in Business Management. 

His leadership has driven community development initiatives and fostered partnerships to enhance local economic growth, working with organizations such as Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Metro/Bi-State, Missouri Dept of Conservation, City of St. Louis, and MoDOT. Currently serving his 4th term as President of Vandeventer Community Development Corporation and serves on the Board of Directors of AMICSTL.

Michael was honored with Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor award in 2025 and assumed the temporary role as SLACO’s Interim Executive Director in December 2025. Michael advocates for stronger tax relief for seniors and initiatives that provide a growth environment for black working-class families. 

He is dedicated to environmental projects addressing the impact of the city’s heat dome, reflecting his belief in the importance of environmental stewardship and community health. Having traveled the world, Michael enjoys gardening.

Mark Dowdy

SLACO Board Sergeant at Arms

Electrical Engineer at St. Louis Community College (Retired)