Episode 38: IMSTL - International Mentoring and Building Community Artwork

SLU International Business Now: Conversations That Matter

This podcast series has been developed by the Boeing Institute of International Business in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University to extend the impact of our programs. In this series, critical thought leaders from around the world address current key business issues. Series guests share their expert perspectives on a variety of topics ranging from post-Brexit Europe to Covid Market Recovery, Geo-Economic Strategies, the Green Deal, and much more. Through the Podcast format, these unique business conversations will reach beyond the classroom to a global audience. Academic and business listeners will have immediate access to first-hand insights and assessments, with the aim of promoting future discussion across these listener communities and encouraging community action. To learn more about the Boeing Institute of International Business and international business academic programs in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University, please visit biib.slu.edu.

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SLU International Business Now: Conversations That Matter

Episode 38: IMSTL - International Mentoring and Building Community

April 21, 2026 • Season 5 • Episode 4

0:00 | 44:34

Join guest host, Aubrey Zobrist as she chats with a panel of IMSTL representatives, including IMSTL Co-founder and Program Directo, Susan Gobo, about the IMSTL mission of connecting international women and their families with St. Louisans, empowering them to thrive in the region.

The St. Louis International Mentoring Program started in late 2017 as a pilot with just ten women - five international mentees and five local mentors. By June 2018, co-founders Susan Gobbo and Annie Schlafly, backed by the St. Louis Mosaic Project, officially launched the program. Originally a complement to the Mosaic Project’s Women’s Connector Program and the St. Louis International Spouses/Expat Women Group, it quickly grew into a dynamic network, linking international and local families. In 2022, we became our own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and embarked on a rebranding journey in 2024 to reflect our mission with a fresh name, logo, and slogan. In December 2025, we celebrated a new milestone when the World Trade Center St. Louis formally approved bringing International Mentoring St Louis under its international umbrella as a complement to its Mosaic Project initiative.

Learn more about IMSTL at their website. https://www.imstl.org/

Susan Dealis Gobbo's journey from Brazil to the U.S.A. marked a transformative entry into a new chapter of her life. She navigated and overcame multiple challenges, learned from her setbacks, rediscovered her identity, and rebuilt herself. Transitioning from a successful healthcare professional to an impactful social entrepreneur in a new land, Susan found her calling! Through more 10+ years of her civic work, she’s supported many international women to feel heard, recover their identities, find their path, build meaningful relationships, and integrate into their new community while championing diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Her numerous accolades for her achievements fuel her ongoing commitment to advocating for the international community. By sharing her story with vulnerability, Susan intends to resonate with and uplift other international women who may feel “alone” in a new country.

Sarah Stauffer, originally from Philadelphia, moved to St. Louis in 2019 and is a two-time mentor with IMSTL, serving in both 2023 and 2024. She currently assists with initial interviews for the program and setting up new connections.

Donna Eovaldi career in the insurance industry spans 38 years, including time with Midwest Employers Casualty as Senior VP of Underwriting. She currently serves as a mentor for IMSTL.

Magdalena Fiserova, originally from the Czech Republic, move to St. Louis in 2025. She has served in multiple roles with Nestle and is currently a mentee in the IMSTL program.

Guest host Aubrey Zobrist is a Brand Manager with Bunzl Distribution NA and is a graduate of SLU's Executive Master of International Business