Jo M. Slawski, Vice President
Early Career
Jo Slawski is a former financial service professional, educator and military spouse with a long history of public service.
Receiving a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington University in St Louis and a Master of Finance from Saint Louis University, Jo worked in the financial services industry as an Equity Analyst and Trust Investment Officer with Mercantile Trust Company in St Louis, Missouri. There, she was responsible for the investment of approximately 400 accounts. She also participated in and helped implement the Trust training and continuing education program.
Military Wife
When her husband, Dan, went on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Jo became a full-time stay-at-home mother to care for their three sons. During this time, while she volunteered for many school activities, she developed an interest in primary education. After separation from the military, the family moved to Kearney, Nebraska. Jo worked at Edward Jones for four years as a Branch Office Administrator where she was responsible for the execution of investment trades, ensured compliance with company and industry regulations, served as a client liaison and organized educational and social functions.
A New Path
However, with her previous interest in education, she then pursued a degree program at the University of Nebraska-Kearney in Early Childhood Unified certification and embarked on a new career as a beloved and respected Kindergarten teacher. Jo subsequently earned Certification in Gifted Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia and volunteered her time as a Gifted Education Teacher and Advocate in the Kearney Public Schools. After her husband’s retirement from his full-time medical practice, they moved to Columbia, Missouri where she served as a Gifted Education substitute teacher in the Columbia Public Schools.
Currently
In addition to her professional activities, Jo has been active in community service. In Kearney, Nebraska, she served at Holy Cross Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Confirmation Coordinator and as Chair of the Board of Education. Jo was a Board Member for Leadership Kearney and the Kearney Community Steering Committee. She was also a Kearney Community Bible Study Teacher/Administrator and a Buffalo County Citizen Advocate for a special needs individual. At The Crossing Church in Columbia, Missouri, Jo has served as a Women’s Study facilitator and Crossing Kids Sunday School Teacher. She is currently completing course work toward a Master of Arts in Ministerial Counseling at Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis.
Jo and her husband have been married for 40 years, have three grown sons, three daughters-in-law and two grandsons.
