Newsmakers: Aug. 3-9, 2026

Architecture
Claire Summers became a full-time employee at Esterly Schneider and Associates Inc. Previously an intern at the firm and now an architectural designer, Summers recently graduated with a master’s in architecture from Drury University.

Education
Kristen McGauley, a first-grade teacher at Ozark South Elementary within Ozark School District, was named 2026-27 Regional Teacher of the Year by the Southwest Regional Professional Development Center Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning. Previously recognized as Ozark’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in August 2025, McGauley has 14 years of experience. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education from Missouri State University and an education master’s in curriculum and instruction leadership from Evangel University.

Engineering
Olsson Inc. promoted Sarah Foster to president from executive vice president of markets for the multistate engineering and design firm, which has an office in Springfield. Foster joined Olsson in 2018, working first in business development and then leading the firm’s western region. She then joined Olsson’s water practice before elevating to executive vice president for all Olsson markets. Foster is a licensed professional engineer and earned a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of Colorado Denver.

Healthcare
Citizens Memorial Hospital named Ladonna Webb as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist. She has more than 25 years of experience as a registered dietitian and 11 years of experience as a certified diabetes care and education specialist. Webb has a bachelor’s from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation hired Marcella Peck as administrator of Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility, a long-term care practice in Bolivar. Peck has more than 25 years in long-term care leadership, regulatory compliance and resident-centered care experience. She earned a bachelor’s in social work from Missouri State University and is a licensed nursing home administrator and advanced care planning facilitator.

Nonprofit
Community Partnership of the Ozarks hired Marlon R. Graves as gun safety and violence reduction engagement coordinator. Graves’ career includes working at the Miami Dade College’s Re-Entry Program in Florida. The CPO program includes coordinating community engagement events, supporting collaborative initiatives and outreach efforts.

Four new members joined the Leadership Springfield Board of Directors. They are Jessie Hughey, SBA loan sales manager at The Bank of Missouri; Anna Larriu, regional marketing senior associate at Forvis Mazars LLP; Nichole Lemmon, executive director of virtual learning and strategic planning at Springfield Public Schools; and Andrew Walker, director of fleet assets at TransLand. Additionally, Leadership Springfield announced its 2026-27 board officers. They are President Jana Greig, CEO of the Centerstone Foundation; Past President Brad Coy, senior corporate category manager in the defense industry; Vice President Spencer Harris, president of Mostly Serious and co-founder of Habitat Communication & Culture; Treasurer Gretchen Russell, shareholder at KPM CPAs & Advisors; and Secretary Dustin Bobbitt, chief operating officer at PFM Financial Advisors LLC.