Introducing Marygrove’s Fab 5 in 25

Anne-Marie Berger, Senior Producer/Director, Nine PBS

Storytelling has always been a part of Anne-Marie’s life. Growing up in St. Louis, her grandma and aunt would tell tales of the Great Depression, the war, long gone family, and the dime store. She would retell those stories in her head as she’d go through the old photos in their South St. Louis attic. She also tends to ask a lot of questions. So, after graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, pursuing a career as a storyteller was a natural fit. She began her career with Nine PBS in 2000, and in addition to being a part of Living St. Louis since its inception, she’s covered issues such as the heroin epidemic, racism, poverty, education, and healthcare. Anne-Marie is the recipient of 15 Mid-America Emmy Awards, former Trustee for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and currently serves as the Vice-President of Awards for the Mid-America Emmy Chapter.

 

Bethany DeMaggio, Realtor, DeMaggio Partners

With a lifelong passion for service and sales, Bethany brings decades of experience and heart to the real estate industry. As the oldest of five children, she began working at the age of 13 in a local restaurant and never looked back. Her early start laid the foundation for a successful career in pharmaceutical and medical sales, where she consistently excelled while also navigating personal real estate transactions—buying and selling homes across the years.

In 2016, she made the leap into full-time real estate and quickly became a standout in the field. Since then, she has been a top performer every year within her brokerages and is currently ranked in the top 1% of agents in the St. Louis, MO region. Known for exceeding expectations, Bethany is deeply committed to delivering peace of mind, exceptional customer service, and open communication throughout every transaction. To her, referrals are not just a compliment—they are a true honor and responsibility.

Outside of real estate, Bethany is a dedicated mom, proudly serving as her children’s “Uber driver” and biggest cheerleader at sporting events. She shares her home with three fluffy corgis—Samson, Delilah, and Cessna—and finds joy in cooking for loved ones, tackling tough workouts, traveling, reading, and giving back to her community. A water lover at heart, she feels most at peace anywhere near the waves. For Bethany, the best journeys always lead home.

Cabanne Howard, CEO, Kaleidoscope Management Group

Cabanne Howard is a wellness enthusiast, dynamic business owner, and proud mother of two. She is the founder of Kaleidoscope Management Group (KMG), a leading marketing and consulting practice built upon her diverse experience across the corporate, hospitality, real estate, arts, and nonprofit sectors.

A natural strategist and critical thinker, Cabanne is known for crafting effective, customized communications solutions that consistently deliver results—on time and under budget. She thrives on growing brands and building genuine relationships, which has made her a trusted partner to clients and collaborators alike.

Cabanne earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has since cultivated a national network of top-tier communications professionals. Through KMG, she and her team bring decades of combined experience across public relations, branding, advertising, consumer insights, web and graphic design.

Whether guiding a new brand to life or reenergizing a legacy organization, Cabanne’s passion lies in creating meaningful impact through thoughtful strategy, storytelling, and connection.

Retta Tussey, Founder & Creative Director at Retta Jane

With over two decades of design experience, Retta is a multifaceted creative entrepreneur who seamlessly bridges the worlds of fashion and interiors. As founder and creative director of Retta Jane, she launched her vision with a luxury ready-to-wear brand for tween and teen girls that embodies classic Americana. Now expanding into womenswear, Retta Jane continues its mission of creating timeless pieces designed to transcend trends and be cherished for generations.

Simultaneously, Retta has revitalized her high-end residential interior design practice, offering clients her signature aesthetic that blends sophistication with livability. Her integrated approach draws on her expertise in illustration and product development, creating cohesive experiences across fashion and home environments.

Recognized as one of the Business Journal’s “30 Under 30,” Alive Magazine’s “Buzz List,” and “St. Louis’ Best Dressed,” Retta continues to enhance her credentials with fashion certificates from Parsons School of Design. Throughout her ventures, she remains dedicated to quality craftsmanship, authentic design, and creating meaningful connections between people and the spaces and garments they love.

Erin Valentine, Vice President, McCarthy Building Companies

Erin serves as Vice President at McCarthy, where she brings more than two decades of experience in driving innovative solutions and exceptional client experiences across the firm’s Central Region. Since joining McCarthy in 2001, Erin has worked closely with clients and project teams to enhance project delivery, ensuring results that align with both strategic goals and operational excellence.

Erin leads McCarthy’s Building Controls and EQUIP teams—two critical components that significantly impact project success. The Building Controls team integrates non-proprietary systems into construction projects, enabling seamless facility operations from day one and providing owners with long-term flexibility and efficiency. EQUIP delivers end-to-end medical equipment planning, installation, and close-out services, serving healthcare clients nationwide with precision and care.

In her leadership role, Erin focuses on building and nurturing relationships across McCarthy’s vertical markets while serving as a passionate advocate for women in construction. She is an active member of McCarthy’s Partnership for Women employee resource group and dedicates her time to several community and professional organizations, including St. Louis Forum, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Development Board, the Associated General Contractors, and the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).

Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Louis University and a master’s in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis. With a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and equity, Erin continues to shape the future of construction while making a lasting impact in the communities she serves.

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.

Marygrove Welcomes New Board Member, Jamela Griffin

With over 17 years of experience in security, governance, risk management, and compliance, Jamela is a seasoned leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to our team. Currently serving as the Vice President of Security Governance and Risk at Navvis Healthcare, Jamela excels in guiding multi-disciplinary teams to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, enhancing resilience and ensuring compliance.

Jamela’s strategic vision and innovative solutions drive exceptional performance, while her commitment to mentoring fosters team growth and a culture of accountability. Known for translating intricate regulations into actionable strategies, she has successfully led numerous projects that have significantly reduced risk exposure and improved compliance across organizations.

A St. Louis native, Jamela faced significant obstacles early in life, but her resilience and determination fueled an unwavering commitment to success. She earned degrees in Management Information Systems (Columbia College) and Information Technology Management (Webster University), while balancing the responsibilities of parenthood. Her career includes impactful leadership roles at Navvis Healthcare, Boeing, and Centene, where she led initiatives that delivered innovation and collaboration.

Passionate about youth empowerment, Jamela actively mentors young individuals facing similar circumstances, proving that dedication and perseverance can lead to success.