Ursuline Academy was thrilled to learn that there were two alumnae represented in the 2021 Class of the Business Journal’s Most Influential Business Women. Liz (Lemp) Swyers ’00 and Erin (Rieck) Valentine ’95 were two of the 25 women selected for this year’s honor. They were recognized during a special ceremony during a luncheon in August. We are incredibly proud to celebrate both Liz and Erin and all their achievements. According to their website, the Most Influential Business Women Awards program, established in 1999, annually recognizes the accomplishments of the region’s women business leaders. The honorees have made an impact not only in the industries in which they work but at local nonprofits and in the communities they represent.
Liz (Lemp) Swyers ’00 is chief marketing officer of 1220 Artisan Spirits and 4 Hands Brewing Co., where she is responsible for mobilizing her team to distribute and expand two of St. Louis’ craft beverage brands. During her tenure, 1220 Artisan Spirits has expanded to a portfolio of seven spirits. At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Swyers oversaw the distribution of 25,000 gallons of hand sanitizer throughout the St. Louis community.
Erin (Rieck) Valentine ’95 is vice president of business development at McCarthy Holdings, where she manages a business development team that builds relationships with clients and partners in the company’s core building markets of health care, education, and advanced technology, and manufacturing. Valentine sits on the boards of Kidstruction, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Development board, and St. Louis Forum, among others.