Leadership

Sundy Whiteside

SLACO Board President

Sundy received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology, formerly known as the University of Missouri-Rolla.  Being a native of St. Louis, Sundy is also a graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School.

Sundy has worked as an Equipment Engineer for MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., and as a Project and Information Systems Engineer for JJO Control Systems.  She has also worked for the Community Action Agencies of both St. Louis City and County as a Site and Technology Coordinator.

Sundy has had community involvement and professional affiliations with the National Society of Black Engineers, Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis Board (Technology Committee), National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and appointed by Mayor Francis Slay to serve as a Tax Increment Financing Commissioner for the City of St. Louis (2000-2014).

She has received awards from the City of St. Louis in 2016 from the Neighborhood Stabilization Team for honorable commitment to community service, and in 2008 for outstanding service and unyielding commitment to the Tax Increment Financing Commission.

Amanda Davis

SLACO Board Vice President

I’ve lived in Kingsway East since 2006.  I’m a member of the Kingsway East Neighborhood Improvement Association (KENIA).  Great Neighborhood of neighbors who care about one another. I became a Board Member of SLACO in 2015, and was recently elected Vice President of SLACO’s Board.

Kingsway East and my mission remains the same:  Promoting a culture of civic engagement by connecting and supporting all St Louis working together and with government to build inclusive, safe and livable neighborhoods and communities. It will take all of us to realize our shared goals. As Kingsway East, we will maintain our strong, longstanding community partnerships and expand our efforts to bring new voices to the table.

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.

Sherri Bailey

SLACO Board Treasurer

With her background in Public Policy, Sherri Bailey has a history and evolving commitment as a culturally responsive leader in both the space of community engagement and art. As a leader in the 26th Ward, Sherri is actively engaged with other leaders and businesses. Being active in Public Policy, she provides her community with continuous communications from the federal, state and local areas of government to community-building, engagement art projects.

With 10 years of experience as an event planner, Sherri creatively organized capacity events for: lobby days –Missouri and Illinois, leadership trip to Washington D.C., Illinois vs Missouri legislative softball game at Busch Stadium, press conferences, Public Affairs Networks, neighborhood tours.

According to her strength finder, she is a Connector. She has a natural gift of building successful relationships with high-profile civic leaders in the region, Chambers of Commerce, universities, and minority businesses in the region, to name a few. She has also been successful in fundraising and sponsorships. Working in Public Policy and community engagement is easy for her as she seeks out the strengths of individuals that will make the “dream work”, inspire, and empower to help navigate towards our shared vision. Strength in high-dollar fundraising and creating sponsorships opportunities.

Mark Dowdy

SLACO Board Sergeant at Arms

Electrical Engineer at St. Louis Community College