JAG Missouri is excited to announce the addition of new members to its Board of Directors. These individuals bring diverse expertise, leadership, and a deep passion for empowering young people to succeed in their education and careers. The new members will work alongside the Board to support JAG Missouri’s mission of helping students achieve a brighter future. 

The newly appointed Board members are: 

• Sarah Cook, Vice President, Human Resources Officer, Oak Star Bank – Sarah brings extensive human resources and business expertise, with a strong background in talent recruitment, retention, and succession planning. 
• Claudia Kehoe, First Lady Elect – Claudia is dedicated to advancing educational initiatives and community partnerships, with a focus on supporting Missouri’s youth and future leaders. 
• Angie Besendorfer, Chief Impact Officer, AstrumU – Angie is an innovative leader in education and workforce development, specializing in creating opportunities for individuals to thrive in the workforce. 
• Robert Barrientos, Founder, RJ Barrientos and Associates – Robert is a respected professional with deep knowledge in business development and strategy, particularly in helping organizations grow and build impactful networks.

“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional individuals to our Board of Directors,” said Shantra Tucker, Executive Director of JAG Missouri. “Each brings invaluable insights and experience that will help us expand our reach and continue to improve the outcomes of our students. With their leadership, we are poised for even greater success in the years to come.” 

JAG Missouri has made remarkable progress in its mission to prepare students for post-graduation success. With over 5,000 students served in 115 programs across the state, JAG Missouri has consistently achieved outstanding results, including: 

• 99% graduation rate 
• 83% positive outcome rate (a combination of students employed, continuing education, or serving in the military) 
• 70% employment rate 
• 66% further education rate

These impressive results demonstrate the effectiveness of JAG Missouri’s model, which focuses on personalized support, career readiness, and life skills training for students who face significant barriers to graduation and employment. The addition of these new Board members will enhance JAG Missouri’s ability to create more opportunities for students and help the organization continue to grow its impact across the state. 

“We are deeply grateful to have such dedicated leaders join our Board,” added Tucker. “Their guidance and support will help us continue to develop innovative programs and strengthen our partnerships with local businesses, schools, and community organizations, further advancing our mission of making a difference in the lives of Missouri’s students.” 

About JAG Missouri 

JAG Missouri (Jobs for America’s Graduates Missouri) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping students overcome barriers to graduation and transition successfully into the workforce or higher education. With a proven track record of success, JAG Missouri’s programs have helped thousands of young people gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to build a successful future. The organization’s unique approach to career readiness and life skills development ensures that every student has the support they need to succeed, regardless of their challenges. 

For more information about JAG Missouri and its programs, jag-missouri.org or contact: Shantra Tucker at exeutive@jag-missouri.org.