New CEO for Saint Louis Fashion Fund

Saint Louis Fashion Fund has a new Chief Executive Officer. The nonprofit is welcoming Monique Levy to its leadership.

“We are thrilled to welcome Monique to our fashion family and to lead the next phase of our program of work,” said Madeline Akins, Board Chair, Saint Louis Fashion Fund. “She is a multi-talented professional who not only has an extensive business background in marketing, operations, event management, and fund-raising, but has also served as in-house counsel for both start-ups and established small businesses. She possesses a creative vision and energy that will continue to move the Fund forward in its efforts to revitalize and enrich the fashion ecosystem. I am confident that Monique can guide the Fund’s 10-year view and its goal to double the retail industry by 2030 in St. Louis.” 

According to Akins, Levy has arrived at just the right time as the Fund is preparing to move into its new headquarters in July. Earlier this year, the Fund announced that it was moving from its original space at 1533 Washington Avenue to Grand Center at 3333 Washington Avenue, a historic building, owned and operated by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in Grand Center Arts District. 

“I am incredibly excited to lead such an innovative organization that will allow me to tap into my long-standing curiosity and love of fashion,” said Levy. “I look forward to working hand-in-hand with St. Louis’ civic community to bring new jobs and businesses to the region such as Evolution St. Louis, a premier high-tech knitwear manufacturer that found its way to St. Louis in 2019, thanks to the incredible and persistent efforts of Fashion Fund Co-Founder Susan Sherman. I look forward to collaborating with the leading-edge team at Evolution to attract additional creatives and businesses to our city.”

Rodney Crim, CEO & President, of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and Fashion Fund Board Member, said: “The Fund and its Impact Leadership Team (ILT), which was spearheaded by Board Members Kristin Johnson and Mike Carr, has committed to a new 10-year view and is dedicated to the business of fashion and economic growth while serving as the hub that connects our fashion community and provides resources to a thriving, diverse ecosystem. The ILT team was instrumental in evaluating candidates to meet the needs of that 10-year view, and we are all confident that Monique is the one to facilitate and implement that plan.” 

Prior to Saint Louis Fashion Fund, Levy was the Director of Development and Operations for Gateway to Hope, a local nonprofit organization that focuses on healthcare access and equity for women facing breast cancer.

She received her bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Florida and earned her J.D. from St. Thomas School of Law in Miami.

Saint Louis Fashion is a nonprofit dedicated to the business of fashion, creating 20,000 fashion-related jobs and doubling its existing $3.3 billion in economic growth to $6 billion by 2030, while serving as the hub that connects our fashion community and provides resources to a thriving, diverse eco-system.

Tune in next Tuesday at 4:30pm for a special “Speaking of Fashion” virtual session featuring Casandra Diggs, President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Details below. Click here to RSVP for the link.