A Legacy of Women Business Leaders: Proudly Spotlighting Past Honorees

Emerging leaders often look to those who have paved the way for insight and inspiration, especially in times of rapid change and opportunity. As we honor this year’s Most Influential Business Women, we not only celebrate their accomplishments but also take a moment to reflect on the legacy and lessons of those who came before them.

We are proud to spotlight past honorees who continue to lead with vision, resilience, and purpose. These trailblazing women share their insights, strategies, and personal values to uplift the next generation of leaders.

Personal Reflections from Past Honorees
Their personal reflections and quotes below offer practical advice and encouragement, reinforcing the importance of leadership and community in driving professional and personal growth.
 
“Starting a business from scratch and building it into a sustainable organization is a continued journey. One that never ends in an ever-changing marketplace. Build a team who loves change, not simply for change sake, rather, because they want to be the best servicing your customer's needs, while recognizing you have to stay nimble and always learning to stay in the game.”
  “Lead with authenticity and listen with humility. Your team will follow your example more than your words. Build trust by being transparent, staying grounded in your values, and genuinely valuing the voices around you. Leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating space where the best answers can emerge. Make curiosity your compass and empathy your edge.”
  “Be Brave. Set your fears aside and do the right thing, whether that be for your business, your customers, your employees, or yourself.” “Walk into a room like you own it. Be curious as to what you have to do, what your coworker is doing. Work hard, be responsible, and show that you can be a leader. Don't worry about making mistakes—everyone makes mistakes—so take risks, open your mouth. And if you think a situation is wrong, speak up, and say why it's wrong. Your voice is important. I think if I was younger, I would go back and say just ask that question or just participate in that event because the more difficult the experience, the more you're going to grow. Look at the company as a whole, see what you have to offer, try to examine where it started, where it's going. Never, never, never shy away from saying what you want and believing in what you believe in. Do whatever you want and give it 100%, because by doing that, you're going to be better at it than everybody else because you want it!” —Sara Stock’s favorite quote is quoted from the She Lift  Podcast by Cynthia Kirkpatrick. “I encourage emerging leaders to embrace our town and its people. Although I am not a native St. Louisan, I have lived here for three decades and have come to love our community. I recommend new leaders go "all in" getting to know our city, everything from its sometimes-flawed history to the opportunities that abound. Engage in organizations such as FOCUS St. Louis, Greater St. Louis Inc., and one or more of the 20+ chambers of commerce in the bi-state area. Invest time in networking, learning about other organizations, and establishing partnerships. This will facilitate both professional and personal development.”
  “Never over promise and underdeliver, be respectful of your adversaries, and give back to your community in as many ways as you can.” “Leading with Love. Lead with love. It’s not soft—it’s powerful. Love shows up as respect, empathy, accountability, and a deep commitment to helping others grow. When people feel seen and valued, they’ll go further than you imagined. No matter how big your goals get, never lose sight of the people who help you reach them. Relationships will always be your greatest asset.”
  “Think of yourself as a servant leader. It is a privilege to lead others; it is a role that allows you to empower others in a way that creates positive ripples throughout their lives, throughout your company, and throughout the community.” “The direction your life takes is shaped by the choices you make. Choose to pursue your passions valuing your unique strengths and perspectives, assert yourself and speak up, embrace new opportunities and challenges, cultivate supportive relationships, nurture your mind and your body, and make time to give back to others.” “Knowledge of your strengths and self-awareness are key to being a collaborative team member.  Strong teams and leaders help everyone grow.  If you find yourself on a weak team or under a weak leader, consider making a change.”
 

At First Bank, we recognize that leadership is cultivated over time and across generations. That’s why we are deeply committed to supporting privately-owned businesses and nonprofits, not just as a financial institution, but as long-term partners in their growth.

For more than a century, we’ve provided customized banking and advisory services designed to help businesses succeed through succession planning, transitions, and evolving market landscapes.

First Bank is committed to making a positive difference in every community in which we do business. We are helping to build stronger communities one neighborhood at a time.

The work we do today can make a difference for a lifetime. For us, that means helping children from under-resourced communities get the education and support they need to succeed later in life. This includes supporting schools to provide a strong educational foundation, building mentorship programs, supporting leadership and exploration, creating new entrepreneurship opportunities, and helping young people get the most out of the world around them.
 
Whether a business is in its first generation or its fifth, our goal is to help it thrive. We offer tailored financial strategies and insights at every step—from startup through expansion, acquisition, and legacy planning—ensuring that the values and visions of today’s leaders carry into the future.
 
In supporting events like the Most Influential Business Women recognition, First Bank affirms our belief that strong leadership, especially when inclusive and diverse, is essential to strong communities and long-term business success.

Rebecca Fritsch
SVP, Commercial Banking
(314) 995-8763
[email protected]

Rebecca Fritsch has over 20 years’ experience in banking and corporate finance. As a trusted advisor, she provides financial solutions to companies, including lines of credit, financial structuring, and payment solutions. Rebecca has a Business Degree from Valparaiso University and a Masters’s Degree in Finance from St. Louis University.