VentureLab St. Louis Hub
Rooted in a city known for its rich history, innovation, and community spirit, our St. Louis hub is supporting entrepreneurial learning for youth across the region. Through powerful partnerships with local educators, organizations, school, and community members, we’re cultivating the next generation of diverse changemakers. Together, we’re creating transformative learning experiences that equip young people with the mindsets and skills to dream big, take risks, and solve real-world problems.
Thank you, St. Louis, for championing youth entrepreneurship and empowering tomorrow’s innovators.
Want to join us? Reach out to explore how you can partner with VentureLab today. Email [email protected]
St. Louis VentureLab Certified Community
The VentureLab Certified Community is a growing network of passionate educators and program leaders who have completed our professional development and certification programs. By joining, they’ve deepened their understanding of entrepreneurial mindsets and skills while gaining tools to empower youth through hands-on, ESTEAM®-based learning. Certified members are champions of creativity, resilience, and collaboration, sharing best practices, mentoring peers, and modeling what it means to be lifelong learners. Together, this community is shaping classrooms and out-of-school programs where every young person can see themselves as an innovator and changemaker.
Meet Peter Gioia, a VentureLab Certified Educator in St. Louis
VentureLab celebrates Peter Gioia, CAPSA Manager at Mission: St. Louis Beyond School, whose passion for youth development is transforming lives through entrepreneurship education. From sparking creativity in hesitant students to inspiring persistence in young innovators like Timothy, Peter exemplifies the power of VentureLab programs and mindsets to prepare youth for success in school, career, and life.
VentureLab and Mission St. Louis Featured In The St. Louis American
Beyond School sparks young entrepreneurs! 🌟 K–8 students in St. Louis joined Mission: St. Louis’s 16-week “Beyond School” entrepreneurship program—teaming with VentureLab—pitching ideas like cleaning products and a wellness app to judges on May 8, 2025. This program builds resilience, community focus, and business smarts by helping kids prototype, pitch, and problem-solve in a fun, failure-friendly space.
St. Louis Advisory Council
Elizabeth Rains
Program Success Manager
VentureLab
Elizabeth Rains is the Program Success Manager at VentureLab, with over a decade of experience designing and delivering educational programs and five years refining operations for small teams—known for her process-driven approach and commitment to keeping learners at the center.
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Rains
Erin Malone
Vice President of Education
Mission: St. Louis
Erin Malone is an experienced Program Director in the non-profit sector, skilled in program development, fundraising, research, and community outreach, with a Master of Arts in Reading from Webster University.
LinkedIn: Erin Malone
Lindsey Forsyth
Community and Economic Development Director
Lindsey Forsythe is a strategic, community-focused Program Director known for forging impactful partnerships, guiding cohesive teams, and delivering programs that strengthen local engagement.
LinkedIn: Lindsey Forsyth
Ben Chambers
Founder and Principal
True North Nonprofit Strategy
Ben Chambers is the Founder and Principal Consultant at True North Nonprofit Strategy, where with a decade of experience in politics, public advocacy, and nonprofit fundraising, he empowers organizations through sustainable fundraising strategies and grant development.
LinkedIn: Ben Chambers
Cynthia Chapple
Founder
Black Girls Do STEM
Cynthia Chapple is a research chemist and founder of Black Girls Do STEM, a nonprofit cultivating curiosity and equitable STEM opportunities for Black girls through immersive, culturally affirming learning experiences in the St. Louis area.
LinkedIn: Cynthia Chapple
Brandi Brooks
Director of MECCA
Harris Stowe State University
Brandi Brooks is the Director of MECCA at Harris-Stowe State University, where she leverages over a decade of expertise in marketing, technology, and operations to design innovative, scalable programs that bridge workforce development and entrepreneurial pathways.
LinkedIn: Brandi Brooks
Mark Cowsert
Assistant Director
Missouri AfterSchool Network
Mark Cowsert is the Associate Director of Partnerships at the Missouri AfterSchool Network (MASN), where he champions the expansion of career awareness and post-secondary access programs while overseeing entrepreneurship initiatives, policy engagement, and strategic resource development across the state.
LinkedIn: Mark Cowsert
St. Louis Partners
Thank you to our funding and in kind partners.
Connect & Collaborate
Contribute to transformative educational initiatives! Contact VentureLab’s Director of Philanthropy, Monica Morales.
Interested in entrepreneurial education opportunities? Contact VentureLab’s Director of Education, Scott Mann.
Make an impact in Missouri! Contact VentureLab’s St. Louis-based Program Success Manager, Elizabeth Rains.
Media Inquiries? Contact VentureLab’s Director of Communications, Sandy McBride.