Ashley and Brett like to call themselves the “House of Misfits.” Every animal in their home has been adopted, so when it came time to grow their family, it felt natural to consider adoption, too. “We’d been talking about it for years,” Ashley said. “At first, we thought about a baby, but the more we…
Hope Grows When Trust Begins: How one therapist’s work in Treatment Foster Care changed her own life
Stephanie is a mother of three grown biological children, an IT professional and a rural Missourian. But for the girls she’s fostered through Catholic Charities ministry Good Shepherd, a Children and Family Support service line partner of Marygrove, Stephanie is much more: a steady presence. A safe place. The woman she herself needed as a child.
For Liz and Bill, fostering through Catholic Charities ministry Marygrove, a Children and Family Support service line partner of Good Shepherd, has meant opening their hearts, reuniting siblings and learning to meet children right where they are. Along the way, they’ve witnessed powerful transformations, not only in their foster children, but in themselves, too.
New Board Members
Marygrove Welcomes New Board Member, Jim Binz
Jim serves as Chief Credit Officer at Stifel Bank & Trust, where he brings extensive experience in financial management, risk assessment, and strategic planning. He hopes to leverage this expertise to help strengthen Marygrove’s financial policies, evaluate key risks, and contribute to long-term financial strategy. Jim is also passionate about advancing Marygrove’s mission through fundraising and community engagement.
He previously served on the Board of Directors for Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club, including work on the Treasury and Fundraising committees, and completed a term on the Board of Education at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Parish. Jim and his wife, Christine, live in St. Louis.
Marygrove Welcomes New Board Member, Anne Bisch
Anne is a recently retired Nurse/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In addition to caring for children at the bedside, she also held roles in quality, document and program management with a strong focus on metrics and process improvement. Deeply family-oriented, Anne enjoys mentoring and coaching youth, and spending time with her 13 nieces and nephews and 5 great nieces and nephews. In retirement, Anne is looking forward to travel, music, volunteering, and staying active in her community. Anne is excited to serve on Marygrove’s Board, where she can support youth and young adults while living out her Catholic faith.
Marygrove Welcomes New Board Members, Villie Appoo and Nelly Howell
Originally from Mumbai, India, Villie moved to St. Louis in 1975 to study at the Brown School at Washington University. Her practicum at Grace Hill Settlement House sparked a lifelong dedication to public health and community service. She spent over 30 years at Grace Hill, helping expand health programs for underserved populations and establishing new health centers.
Villie later became the first CEO of the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, where she led a successful merger and strengthened the organization’s regional impact on young girls. Now retired, she enjoys time with her two children, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren in St. Louis. A passionate traveler and volunteer, Villie remains committed to giving back and staying active in her community.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in finance and auditing, Nelly has built a dynamic career across global corporations. Since 2008, she has held key roles at Nestlé SA / Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, spanning the U.S. PetCare business, global strategy, and internal audit for North America. She currently serves as Head of Finance for Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada, leading cross-border teams from her base in St. Louis.
Beyond her professional career, Nelly is an avid reader and podcast enthusiast who enjoys staying active, walking her dog, and gardening. She is a dedicated mother to her son, Andrew, who graduated from Chaminade College Preparatory School this year and will be attending Indiana University in the fall.
Nelly is deeply committed to service and community impact, passionate about helping individuals realize their full potential, all while fostering a culture of encouragement and support, ensuring that others have the opportunities they deserve to succeed.