EP5: United Way CEO Michelle Tucker: Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Dr. Dudley discusses with Michelle D. Tucker how she succeeded in corporate America rising to the level of CEO.  Michelle is the President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis.  To volunteer with the United Way go to www.helpingpeople.org

Full Bio of Guest:  Michelle D. Tucker is the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ President and CEO where she leads one of the number one annual fundraising campaigns across the country raising over $76.3 million dollars in 2019 to help impact our region.  She joined United Way from Epworth Children and Family Services after serving as their first female and African American CEO in its 156-year history. Prior to Epworth, Michelle was a senior vice president at Bank of America for 20 years providing leadership and oversight to key units.  She was most recently responsible for the strategy and execution of the company’s multi-million-dollar local grant-making and community impact efforts.

Michelle has been actively engaged with United Way for more than two decades as a member of its community investment committee and Women’s Leadership Giving Society. She previously held voluntary leadership positions as a cabinet member of United Way’s African American Leadership Giving Society (called the Charmaine Chapman Society), campaign chair of the Charmaine Chapman de Tocqueville Society and co-chair of the 20th anniversary Charmaine Chapman Society Gala

Originally from East St. Louis, Michelle is a certified Six Sigma Greenbelt professional and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a master’s degree in business from Webster University.  She is a 2010 recipient of the St. Louis Business Journal’s Diverse Business Leader Award, a 2011 recipient of the YWCA Leader of Distinction Award, a 2013 recipient of the Professional Organization of Women’s Leader of Distinction Award, a 2013 recipient of the St. Louis American’s Excellence in Business Award, a 2014 recipient of Webster University’s School of Business Alumnus of the Year Award, a 2016 recipient of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Women in Leadership Award and was featured in the 2017 Oprah Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine and Fortune Magazine.  She was recently recognized by the E. St. Louis NAACP with the 2018 Game Changer Award for her outstanding community impact across the region.

Michelle is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Christian Hospital and a member of The Archway Chapter of Links, Inc and The International Women’s Forum.  She serves on the Nine Network Community Advisory Board and Brown School’s Dean’s Professional Advisory Committee at Washington University.  She is a graduate of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellows Program and the FOCUS Leadership St. Louis Program.   Michelle currently resides in Fairview Heights, IL .  She’s been married for over 20 years to Kennard Tucker and is a longtime member of New Life Church in O’Fallon, IL.