OUR
STORY
Not many would argue that it’s a tough world in which most young people grow up these days, and circumstances such as poverty, racism, substance abuse, absent parents or other family struggles make it significantly tougher for those experiencing any of
these or other complicating factors. Can you imagine being completely on your own at 18 and expected to independently navigate into adulthood without the support of a family or parents? Many under-resourced young folks finish high school with high hopes of success, but without the know-how or support to achieve those goals.
Founders Bob and Chrissy Stergos have four sons by birth. In 2001, an opportunity presented itself to them. They had a chance to help a young man trying to turn his life around and in need of a new place to grow. With unanimous approval from their sons and each other, the decision was made to invite the young man into their home, sharing not only shelter and food, but also a wealth of emotional and spiritual support. ...

OUR TEAM

Staff

Bob Stergos

CO-FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND MEMBER AT LARGE

Bob Stergos brings 47+ years of working with young people to A Seat at the Table, dating back to his college years of participation in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Post-college, Bob taught high school English, journalism, yearbook and coached at Berkeley and Hazelwood East High Schools. He’s served 25+ years as a Youth and Kids ministry volunteer. Transitioning to a business career in 1983 at Maritz, Bob designed and sold employee engagement, incentive, research and business meeting travel services in St. Louis and Cincinnati.  

For varying timeframes from 2000 thru 2018, Bob and Chrissy invited 5 “at-risk” young men to live with their 4 sons by-birth. Thus, they’ve had extensive first-hand experience at welcoming, resourcing and championing at-risk and under-resourced young people into their home and family before they founded A Seat at the Table in 2018. In the first few years of A Seat at the Table, Bob also served in a part-time position as the St. Louis Regional Manager for CarePortal, a subsidiary of The Global Orphan Project in Kansas City. CarePortal’s online platform routes the needs of local foster families and children to area churches.

Bob participates actively in many civic and church organizations, such as The St. Louis Reconciliation Network, Gateway 2 Flourishing, Send Me St. Louis, The Carver Project, Corporate Faith, The Crossing and One Family Church bible studies, Biblical Business Training (BBT) and regularly attends Venture Café sessions in The Cortex.

Governing Board

KEVIN TOKEN

Board President

Kevin Token is a Principal at  BSA LifeStructures , a nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm specializing in healing, learning and discovery.  

With over 30 years of experience as a systems engineer, Kevin has managed design projects throughout the country.  His background as an engineer gives him a unique perspective that focuses on efficiency and performance to enhance each client's mission.

In 2015, Kevin was named Chairman and CEO of BSA.  The firm’s accomplishments under Kevin’s leadership include transitioning to a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) company, two successful acquisitions and 40% revenue growth.  Kevin recently stepped down as Chairman and CEO to re-focus on the St. Louis market.
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Kevin embraces community stewardship, serving 10+ years as a board member and mentor in the Job and Leadership Training Program for Mission St. Louis. Kevin currently serves as an active board member and secretary of the board for the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council.  Kevin has also served as a school board member and coach of girls’ basketball at St. John Lutheran School and is an active member of New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Pacific, MO.

He has been married to his wife, Jody, for more than 30 years and they have two grown daughters, Megan and Jessica.

CHRISSY STERGOS

Co-Founder and Secretary

Chrissy has a broad array of experiences which have uniquely equipped her to shepherd young people in difficult situations. She earned a Master's of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Seminary and has 20+ years of experience working with a wide variety of individuals, first as a pastor at a local church and currently as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Chesterfield Counseling Associates. Chrissy Stergos is also the co-founder of A Seat at the Table.

Chrissy has worked with under-resourced youth, teens in crisis and survivors of human trafficking (adults and minors). Her counseling practice currently consists of individuals, couples, and families in a wide variety of circumstances and stages of life.  Her life-long affinity toward counseling and her years of experience have given shape to a broad foundation of understanding and knowledge. She teaches regularly, writes occasionally and mentors always.

Married 43 years, Chrissy and Bob have four biological sons and have fostered numerous other young men who’ve become family. She is astonished and grateful that God has invited her into this bigger story of His.

Chrissy is available for speaking engagements, consulting and conversation. To schedule, contact her at [email protected].

Dan Sheffield

TREASURER

Dan has 48 years of experience in accounting, finance, banking, and nonprofits, working with organizations ranging from Fortune 50 corporations to small businesses. For the past 30 years, he has served as CFO, overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, treasury management, investments, audits, and cash management.

His career began at ITT Financial, where he rose to Vice President/Assistant Controller, managing a $3B financing division. He later joined GE Capital as Vice President/Controller, helping establish its SBA division as an industry leader. In 1998, he became SVP/CFO & COO of a startup finance company in Houston, leading it to a successful sale to a $10B private bank. He then played a key role in revitalizing a distressed St. Louis bank, guiding it to a successful merger.
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Following his passion for nonprofit work, Dan joined Jazz St. Louis, streamlining financial processes before transitioning to the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County, where he enhanced financial transparency and trust.

A graduate of the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting), Dan has been active in the Missouri Venture Forum, the Financial Executive Networking Group (FENG), and the University of Missouri-St. Louis Finance Advisory Board.

Dan’s greatest commitment is to his faith. He has served in various church roles, with discipleship being his greatest joy. A member of the church called “The House” in Ferguson since its inception, he leads a Bible & Coffee group, dedicated to mentoring and guiding men in their faith journey.

KIM AUSMER

Member at Large

St. Louis native Kim Ausmer is Chief Operating Officer of Midwest Smiles Family Dentistry in Florissant. Married for 21 years to her husband, Dr. Kenneth Ausmer, they have two sons in college, Kendall and Kenton. She and her family are 20-year members of Hope Church St. Louis.

Kim’s volunteer history includes Girls, Inc Board Member and 2023 Program Vice Chair (2018-current), HEAL Center for the Arts Board Member (2019-current), Drake University Parent Advisory Committee (2023-current). Previous volunteer organizations include Chaminade Mom Club, Junior Achievement, St. Louis Bar Association Fee Dispute Committee, Girls and Boys Club and Connection to Success.

Kim holds a Masters Degree from Webster University in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Information Systems from Maryville University.

Prior to Midwest Smiles, Kim held the title of Assistant Vice President/Project Office Manager with First Services /First Banks Technology Operations where she was fully responsible for pioneering their first Project Management Office. As an entrepreneur, Kim served as a free-lance resume writer and HR consultant with the likes of Lee Hecht Harrison and Washington University’s diversity program students.  

Kim intends to use her knowledge, experience and energy to help advance the mission and vision at A Seat At the Table.

Patrice Mugg

Member at Large

With a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of children and adults, Patrice Mugg has spent decades advocating for positive change in her community. Patrice has a wealth of experience as a special education teacher, church volunteer and leader.  Her past board service includes positions on the Kirkwood School District PTO and Foundation, Vision for Children at Risk as well as a gubernatorial appointee and subsequent Chair of the Missouri Children's Trust Fund.

Patrice’s advocacy extends to her work as a facilitator for Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training, where she educated professionals and community members on protecting children from abuse and supported those who have experienced trauma.
A graduate of Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science, Patrice holds a lifetime Missouri teaching certificate in Special and Elementary Education.
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Married to her husband Jeff for 42 years and a mother of four and grandmother of seven, Patrice finds great joy in serving her family, including her youngest daughter, whom they adopted through the Missouri foster care system. Patrice's passion for children's safety and her lifelong dedication to creating safer communities align perfectly with the mission of A Seat at the Table.

Tiffany Wild

Member at Large

Tiffany Wild, MAC, PLPC is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in St. Louis.  The mission of A Seat at the Table is perfectly aligned with Tiffany and her husband Randy’s calling to serve under-resourced young adults.  Having recently earned a Master's of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary, Tiffany now works for Chesterfield Counseling Associates.

Tiffany’s extensive nonprofit work includes 10+ years of Board tenure with Kidsmart, serving as Chairperson of Development and Operations during her Executive Committee term. Additional experience includes serving as a Youth Leader Volunteer at The Crossing church and well as a Point Woman Mentor at Firstlight.  

A business owner and entrepreneur at the likes of Eat Fit Go, Energy Partners in Conservation and Fortified Consulting, Tiffany brings a unique blend of business acumen and nonprofit experience to the A Seat at the Table board team.

BRIAN WOOD

Member at Large

Brian retired after a 41-year career at Airport Terminal Services in 2021 as their Chief Operating Officer.  He has a history of successfully leading operations through rapid growth both organically and through acquisitions, while maintaining consistently high levels of measurable safety and service standards.  He served on the Board of ATS and on numerous industry groups that developed and governed aviation policy and procedures.

Brian has a passion for mentoring and leading organized youth groups and has been actively involved in different church-based programs for over 20 years. He and his wife Debby have been married for 38 years and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Advisory Board

FAQ

  • What is the mission of A Seat at the Table?
    The mission of A Seat at the Table is to help at-risk 18 to 25-year olds better transition into adulthood by providing a place to live, mentoring and community resources within a Christian family environment.

  • What is unique about A Seat at the Table?
    First, it builds upon…and continues the great efforts by “partner” youth-focused organizations in our local community who all work with at-risk/under-resourced young people up to age 18.  Those partner organizations include the likes of church youth groups and     LOVEtheLOU, Boys Hope Girls Hope, R3 Development, Urban K-Life,  Breakdown St. Louis,  Angels’ Arms and Restoration House STL.

    Secondly, we’re partnering with other community resource organizations to provide educational, vocational, job & life-skill training and counseling in one of two residential parenting models for selected 18 to 25-year olds:

    1.  A duplex in which a “house mom & dad” care for up to four (4) under-parented 18 to 25-year olds who have been selected from “nominating” youth-oriented, well-vetted organizations.

    2.  An existing home in which a couple or family agrees to take in at least one qualifying under-parented 18 to 25-year old.
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  • How can I contribute to the efforts of A Seat at the Table?
    There are a variety of ways you can contribute to the efforts of A Seat at the Table:
    - You can volunteer your time and talents here
    - You can donate funds and/or materials needed

  • Are my donations tax deductible?
    Yes, A Seat at the Table is a 501(c)(3) organization.  After making a donation, you will receive an acknowledgement email or letter that is can be used for a tax donation.

  • How can I apply to be a volunteer for A Seat at the Table?
    You can provide some basic availability and interest-area information here.  

  • How can my spouse and I be considered as a set of house parents for A Seat at the Table?
    Contact Executive Director Bob Stergos here to arrange an introductory conversation, who will then email you a House Parents’ application should mutual interest in continuing the process.

  • What is the nomination/application process for  the A Seat at the Table program?
    Potential A Seat at the Table residents must initially be nominated by one of our partner churches or Partner Youth Organizations:      LOVEtheLOU, Boys Hope Girls Hope, R3 Development, Urban K-Life, Breakdown St. Louis,  Angels’ Arms and Restoration House STL. A link to an application form will then be emailed to those selected for further consideration.  

  • Where can I find your Privacy Policy?
    Our privacy policy can be found here.