All members will receive an email link directing them to their electronic ballot for 2027 officers. Bios and information about the candidates are below.
Chair – Elect:
Diana Stoyanova, Regulatory Knowledge and Information Management Lead, Bayer
Service to the Section: Member (2004 – present), Chair of the Program Committee (2026 – present)
Secretary:
Christina Bagwill, Field Sales Engineer III, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Service to the Section: Member (2009 – present), Expanding Your Horizons Conference: Site Host Co-Chair, Career Panelist Chair/Co-Chair, Keynote Speaker, and volunteer (2008 – 2020)
Treasurer:
Paul Miller, Retired, Vice-President of Portfolio Management, NeuroTrauma Sciences
Service to the Section: Member (2024 – present), Treasurer (2025 – present)
Councilor:
Donna Friedman, Professor, St. Louis Community College
Service to the Section: Member (1975 – present), Councilor, 1994-present; Chair, Audit Committee, 1996-present; Chemical Bond Business Manager, 1999-present, 1983-1985; Chair, Bylaws Committee, 2009-2011, 1993-1994; Member, Steering Committee, 2006, 1999-2000, 1997, 1990-1993; Parliamentarian, 2002-2005; Chair, Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2011, 2005; Investment Trustee, 1999-2004; Distinguished Service Award Recipient, 2003; Chair, Science Fair Subcommittee, 1995, 1992; National Chemistry Week Coordinator, 1994, 1991; Director, 1993; Section Chair, 1992; Chair-Elect, 1991; College Awards Subcommittee Chair, 1989-1990; Awards Committee Chair, 1988; Treasurer, 1986-1987.
Division of Chemical Technicians: Treasurer, 2007-2009; Chair, Bylaws Committee and Parliamentarian, 2003-2006;
ACS national service: Member,Council Policy Committee (CPC), 2022-present; Chair, CPC Caucus Task Force, 2026; Member, CPC ACS Governing Documents Subcommittee, 2023-2026; Chair, CPC ACS Governing Documents Subcommittee, 2022; Chair, CPC Long-Range Planning Subcommittee, 2022-2025; Vice-Chair, Council Policy Committee 2022-2024; Chair, CPC Council Conduct Subcommittee, 2023-2024; Member, ACS Board Committee on Strategic Planning, 2022-2024; E. Anne Nally Award for Volunteer Service Recipient, Midwest Region 2023; Chair, Committee on Constitution and Bylaws 2021, 2022, 2014; Member Committee on Constitution and Bylaws 2019-2022, 2009-2014, 1995 -2000; Associate, Committee on Constitution and Bylaw, 2008, 1994; Member, Committee on Committees (ConC) 2016-2018; Secretary, Committee on Committees, 2018; ConC Liaison to Society Committee on Education, 2016-2018; ConC Liaison to Committee on Nomenclature, Terminology and Symbols, 2016-2018; Member, Committee on Budget and Finance, 2015; Member, Committee on Education Task Force to Revise the ACS Guidelines for Chemistry in Two Year College Programs, 2013-2015; Career Consultant, 2006-2011; Committee on Technician Affairs Distinguished Service Award Recipient, 2010; Member, Committee on Membership Affairs 2003-2008; Associate, Committee on Membership Affairs 2001-2002; Member, Committee on Technician Affairs, 2006-2007, 1992-1994; Associate, Committee on Technician Affairs,1991.
ACS honors: Fellow of the American Chemical Society (2012); Distinguished Service Award (2010)
Alt Councilor (3 year term):
Leah O’Brien: Distinguished Professor Emerita of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
Service to the Section: Member (1983 – present), Chair succession (2002–2004); Women Chemists Committee chair (1997-2008); hosted “Battle of the Burets” Laboratory Contest for High School Student Teams (2007, 2015).
Service to the Midwest Region: Joint Midwest–Great Lakes Regional Meeting general chair (2011); Midwest Award Symposium coordinator (2003-present); Board of Directors executive officer [Secretary (2010), Chair-Elect (2011), Chair(2012)]; Board of Directors member representing St Louis Section (2007-present).
ACS honors: Fellow of the American Chemical Society (2012); Distinguished Service Award (2013)
Director
Cristina DeMeo: Professor of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Service to the Section: Member (2003 – present), Chair, Women’s Chemist Committee (2014 – present), Director (2024 – present)
Cynthia Chapple: Founder and Executive Director, Black Girls Do STEM
Service to the Section: Member (2014 – present), Chair Succession (2021 – 2023), Co-chair, Committee on minority affairs (2018-2020), Steering Committee (2019), Salute to Excellence Award (2019)
Rhonda Woerndle: Active Ingredient and Production Analytics Lead, Bayer
Service to the Section: Member (2016- present), ACS St. Louis Science and Technology Award (2016), Steering Committee (2017 – 2020), Program Committee Chair (2018 – 2020), co-organizer of Cocktails with Chemists (2018 – present), Chemistry is pHun volunteer (2018 – present), Director (2021 – present)
Elizabeth Bergman: Senior Biologics Account Manager, Waters
Service to the Section: Member (2016- present), Chair succession (2024–2026), organized and run the STL ACS Awards Night Dinner and Symposium (2020 – present).