June Fowler, BJC senior vice president of communications, marketing and public affairs and the 2018 Inspirational Leader of the Year for GMLF retired in December after a distinguished career and much support for our organization.

“June will be leaving behind an indelible mark on BJC and on those of us who have had the pleasure of working alongside her,” said BJC president and CEO Rich Liekweg. “She has been the heart and the drive behind countless BJC initiatives, never failing to exceed the original vision.”

Fowler’s BJC career spans 18 years. After joining BJC in December 2003, she became the face of the organization in the St. Charles County community when BJC was at a pivotal moment in the effort to gain community approval for building the system’s first new hospital, Progress West. From those early days, her scope of responsibilities steadily expanded over the years to include executive leadership of BJC brand marketing, government relations, community health, employee wellness and community benefit.

Among her notable achievements are BJC’s “World’s Best Medicine. Made Better.” brand awareness campaign and the newly invigorated THRIVE employee wellness program. She also was instrumental in numerous win-win regional partnership projects such as the Hudlin Park lease renewal, Kingshighway/Forest Park interchange, Cortex corridor redevelopment and the new Central West End Metro station. From June’s imaginings grew creative community benefit initiatives including the BJC Book Brigade, BJC Scholars and BJC Gives Back. Most recently, she has helped establish BJC’s inaugural Office of Community Health Improvement. And, under her leadership, BJC engaged with partners across the region and across the state to gain voter support for Medicaid expansion in Missouri.

Beyond her work on behalf of BJC, Fowler is highly engaged in the St. Louis community, serving organizations ranging from Citizens for Modern Transit and Lambert St. Louis International Airport to The Muny, Cortex Innovation Community and KIPP St. Louis. She also serves in roles with UMB Bank, Washington University and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and has been involved over the years with the Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis, Metropolitan Association for Philanthropy and children’s services at her church.

Fowler’s list of honors and awards is long and varied, including recognition for outstanding leadership and service from St. Louis Suburban Journals, KMOX Radio, St. Louis Business Journal, Coro, YWCA of Metro St. Louis, St. Louis American, University of Missouri – Columbia, Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge and Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.

“BJC was made stronger because of June’s impact, and I thank her for her years of service,” said Liekweg. “Congratulations to June on an accomplished career at BJC and best wishes on her well-earned retirement.”

Elected to Lead Cortex

The board of directors for the Cortex Innovation Community elected June McAllister Fowler to serve as the next board chair. Fowler is the first African American chair and first female chair in the district’s 19-year history. Fowler will lead the board as it finalizes a new strategic plan and focuses its efforts on continuing to accelerate development within Cortex and fostering equitable economic growth in the St. Louis region.

Bob Cannon, BJC group president and interim chair of the Cortex board of directors, said, “June’s extensive public, private and nonprofit experience plus her knowledge of Cortex and the St. Louis community make her the best choice to lead Cortex’s board at this time.”

“June Fowler has a deep understanding of Cortex’s mission, history and aspirations for the future,” added Cortex CEO Sam Fiorello. “June understands Cortex’s opportunities and challenges and has extensive strategic planning experience and a passion for advancing equitable economic growth in our region. I look forward to working closely with June to advance Cortex’s mission.”

“The history of Cortex has proven that we can achieve sustainable change when we work together,” said Fowler. “As we move into the future, the board and management of Cortex look forward to collaborating with others as we continue our focus on growing jobs and providing a platform for inclusive economic growth that reaches all corners of our community.”

June will complete the term of previous board chair Hank Webber running through December 2022.