Insight City Podcast

Financing Impact in St. Louis with Zack Boyers | Episode 17

This week, John Berglund sat down with Zack Boyers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank focused on community lending and structured finance. Boyers provides leadership and strategic direction to a team of over 500 people delivering tax credit investments, syndications, lending, and other financial solutions that drive inclusive growth and positive impacts for people, communities, and the planet. He joined U.S. Bank in 1994 and has extensive experience in affordable housing, economic and community development, renewable energy, commercial banking, and sustainable finance. Currently, Boyers serves on the boards of LISC and the Children’s Defense Fund, the National Advisory Council of the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, the Regional Advisory Council of IFF, and the executive committee of Greater St. Louis, Inc. Boyers holds an MBA from Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts degree with academic honors from Harvard University.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

Civic Entrepreneurship & Urban Development with Dick Fleming | Episode 16

This week, John Berglund caught up with Dick Fleming, a prominent figure in urban development and economic growth. With over 40 years of experience as a "civic entrepreneur" across multiple major U.S. cities, Dick played a pivotal role in Denver's economic resurgence during the 80s and 90s. He served as the founding CEO of The Downtown Denver Partnership, leading initiatives that transformed the city's landscape, including the development of Denver International Airport. Currently, Fleming serves as the CEO of Community Development Ventures, Inc., where he continues to contribute to urban revitalization efforts, including the development of the Downtown North Insight District.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com
 

Using GIS for Community Impact with Frank Romo | Episode 15

This week on Insight City, Brian Monheiser and Anthony Calamito of GEO261 sat down with Frank Romo, CEO and founder of RomoGIS. With a background in urban planning and geospatial technologies, Romo develops applications for cities, non-profits, and research organizations, aiming to empower communities with tools and skills to create positive change. RomoGIS aims to provide mentorship, internships, and workshops to underrepresented groups in the tech industry, helping them harness the power of maps and data for community advocacy and sustainable impact.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

Charting a New Course for STL Youth with Zekita Armstrong Asuquo | Episode 14

This week on Insight City, John Berglund sat down with Zekita Armstrong Asuquo, Chair and CEO of Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance Academies, a tech-based workforce development organization focused on training under-resourced high school students for entry-level geospatial careers. They discussed Gateway Global's new Geospatial & IT Workforce and Apprenticeship Campus (GIWAC) in North St. Louis, and how it aims to enhance opportunities for youth in this field.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

Mapping the Future of St. Louis with T-Kartor's Simon Bailey | Episode 13

This week, we’re bringing in guest host Brian Monheiser of GEO261 to kick off a special Geospatial series of Insight City. Brian’s first guest is Simon Bailey, CEO of T-Kartor USA, a geospatial solutions company based right here in Downtown North St. Louis. Simon has over 25 years of experience in the geospatial industry, having worked with organizations such as Boeing and the NGA. Under his leadership, T-Kartor USA focuses on providing innovative mapping and data services to various sectors, including defense, government, and commercial clients.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

Maxine Clark's Journey from Bears to Community Impact | Episode 12

This week, John Berglund caught up with Maxine Clark, the founder and former CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, the retail chain that revolutionized the stuffed animal industry. Currently, she serves as the Chief Inspirator at The Delmar DivINe, a transformative real estate project in St. Louis that fosters collaboration among nonprofits and provides affordable housing. Maxine is also actively involved in various philanthropic efforts, focusing on improving public education and supporting women and minority entrepreneurs.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

The Power of Immigrants and Arrey Obenson | Episode 11

This week, John Berglund sat down with Arrey Obenson, President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis. Originally from Cameroon, Obenson immigrated to the United States nearly two decades ago to attend Washington University School of Law. With extensive experience in community engagement and a passion for social justice, he now leads the International Institute of St. Louis, a vital hub for immigrant services and community engagement. The Institute provides resources and support to help new arrivals integrate and thrive in the St. Louis area. Obenson's goal is to foster inclusion and leverage the talents of the immigrant community to build a more prosperous St. Louis.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

Mayor of St. Louis Tishaura O. Jones | Episode 10

This week on Insight City Podcast, we check in with Mayor of St. Louis Tishaura O. Jones. Mayor Jones made history as the city's first Black female mayor, having taken office in 2021. Before becoming Mayor, she served as the Treasurer of St. Louis from 2013 to 2021 and was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 2009 to 2013. Jones is known for her progressive policies and commitment to financial empowerment in the community. John Berglund sat down with Mayor Jones to discuss her path to the mayor’s office, the work she has done for the city, and the work that is still yet to be done. 
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

The Architecture of Reviving Downtown St. Louis with HOK's Margaret McDonald | Episode 9

This week, John Berglund sat down with Margaret McDonald, marketing principal for HOK's St. Louis studio and member of HOK's board of directors. With over 20 years of experience as an interior designer, she is renowned for developing innovative workplace design strategies that enhance performance, health, and wellness, while also excelling in client relations and business development. Beyond her professional achievements, Margaret is deeply involved in the St. Louis community, serving on numerous nonprofit boards and being recognized as one of the city's most influential business women by the St. Louis Business Journal.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com

Attracting International Talent to St. Louis with The Mosaic Projects' Betsy Cohen | Episode 8

For this special 4th of July episode, John Berglund sat down with Betsy Cohen, Executive Director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project, to explore how America's immigrant heritage continues to shape our cities success and discuss the vital role of international talent in strengthening our communities and economy. Betsy Cohen had a long career as Vice President of Marketing at Nestlé Purina, and now leads the St. Louis Mosaic Project, a program within the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership aimed at attracting international talent to the region. Cohen has worked extensively with international students, relocating immigrants, and foreign-born job seekers to help them integrate into the local community and workforce. Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including being named "Business Advocate of the Year" by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce St. Louis and having December 20, 2012 declared "Betsy Cohen Day" in St. Louis for her leadership in community initiatives.
 
Insight City: The city is talking. Are we listening? Insight City provides a space for dialogue with thought leaders, innovators, and community builders from St. Louis and beyond, exploring urban development, innovation, and the keys to creating a thriving urban core. Tune in weekly with your host John Berglund, an architect, developer and author, for insightful conversation at The Post Building in the Downtown North Insight District of St. Louis.
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insightcitypodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-city-podcast/
Produced by CARTEL https://www.yescartel.com/
Hosted by John Berglund
Contact: insightcitypodcast@gmail.com