Our Mission

The Missouri Works Initiative is formed to eliminate barriers to economic opportunities by connecting Missourians to the necessary resources to build life-sustaining careers.

Serving as a non-profit organization sponsored and supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO, the Missouri Works Initiative is strategically positioned to address the state’s changing workforce needs, whether those needs are:

  • Creating healthy and recovery friendly workplaces
  • Connecting laid off workers with job-search or upskilling resources for future employment
  • Or collaborating with community partners to offer innovative points of entry to traditional apprenticeship opportunities.
Pre-apprentice workers filling holes with drywall

Staff

Lauren Cauley

Lauren Cauley

Programs Assistant
Jenn Clark Bader

Jenn Clark Bader

Building Union Diversity - St. Louis (BUD-STL) Coordinator
Rudy Chavez

Rudy Chavez

Missouri Apprentice Ready - Kansas City Coordinator
Maggie Farrell

Maggie Farrell

Program Manager for Manufacturing Apprentice Ready
Austin Fox

Austin Fox

Missouri Apprentice Ready - Operations Manager- Construction Programs and Springfield Instructor
Dr. John S Gaal

Dr. John S Gaal

Worker Wellness Director
Harriett Holt

Harriett Holt

BUD-STL Mentor and Facilitator
Tracy Hykes

Tracy Hykes

BUD-STL High School Coordinator
Jimmy Lappe

Jimmy Lappe

Dislocated Worker Coordinator
Megan Price

Megan Price

Executive Director
Russ Unger

Russ Unger

Missouri Apprentice Ready - Mid-Missouri Coordinator

Board Members

Jake Hummel

Missouri AFL-CIO President and Missouri Works Initiative President

Merri Berry

Missouri AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and Missouri Works Initiative Secretary-Treasurer

Reginald Thomas

Missouri AFL-CIO Vice President and Missouri Works Initiative Vice President

John Stifler

President, St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, Heat, Frost, Insulators and Allied Trades Local 1

Frank Jacobs

Business Manager I.B.E.W. Local 1

Doug Beck

Missouri State Senator and President, Missouri Building and Construction Trades

Gina Walsh

Insulator Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Deputy Director

Emily Martin

Chief Operating Officer, Guarantee Electrical

Chris Madison

Partner at Anders CPAs + Advisors