Leadership

Global St. Louis is led by Arrey Obenson, former CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, whose experience in immigration, advocacy, community development, and institutional leadership uniquely positions him to spearhead this initiative. His vision for St. Louis as a welcoming and global region aligns with the goals of the business and civic leaders as well as the aspirations of the broader region.

Arrey Obenson leads Global St. Louis with a proven track record of turning bold visions into reality. Named a “Great Immigrant, Great American” by the Carnegie Corporation in 2022, he has spent over 20 years breaking down barriers and building stronger communities.

As President of the International Institute of St. Louis, Obenson made headlines with his innovative refugee resettlement program, finding homes for nearly 2,000 Afghans. His Latino Outreach Initiative breathed new life into St. Louis’s workforce.

Before this, Obenson served as Secretary General of Junior Chamber International (JCI), where he transformed the organization’s global operations. Now, as author of “Bridging the Opportunity Gap” and co-founder of Transformunity LLC, he is focused on creating opportunities for others to succeed.

His work with the United Nations Association and the Ban Ki-moon Center for Global Citizens shows how immigrant leaders can strengthen American communities while building international connections. Obenson’s leadership of Global St. Louis is not just about making the region more welcoming—it is about turning St. Louis into a thriving global hub where everyone can prosper.