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Speaker Information

Laura Arnold, Mayor of Webster Groves: Mayor Laura Arnold was elected to the City Council in 2018. She was elected Mayor in 2022. She serves as the Council liaison on the Crossroads Special Business District Advisory Commission, and the Traffic Advisory Commission. Laura Arnold is a retired college professor with research and teaching focus on American Government and Politics, especially legislative institutions. Her career included positions at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Webster University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis teaching a wide range of courses. Her research has appeared in the American Political Science Review, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Political Science Quarterly, and Congress and the Presidency. She is also active in several community organizations, including serving as chair of the Steering Committee of Arts & Faith St. Louis. She is also an active member of Webster Groves Presbyterian Church. 

She received the Heart of Gold Award, Heart of the Community Awards from Webster-Rock Hill-Shrewsbury Chamber of Commerce in 2017, and the Founder’s Award from Metro Edge Figure Skating Club in 2012. Laura earned a BA in Political Science from Northwestern University, an MA in Political Science from George Washington University, and a PhD in Political Science from Ohio State University. Laura Arnold has lived in Webster Groves for over 40 years. She and her husband live in Webster Park and have three grown children. 

Sidney Clark, Mayor of Olivette: Serving his hometown has always been a calling for Council Member Sidney Clark. Elected on April 24, 2018, he brings over a decade of experience in leadership and public service to the Olivette City Council. His deep roots in the community and unwavering commitment to its residents continue to shape his vision for Olivette’s future. Council Member Clark began his journey in civic engagement as a neighborhood trustee, where he actively advocated for the needs of Olivette residents. Today, his work on the Council is driven by a clear agenda: supporting the city’s growth and development while ensuring every resident—especially the everyday citizen—has a voice at the table. 

Born in the City of St. Louis and raised in Olivette from the age of two, Council Member Clark is a proud alumnus of Ladue Horton Watkins High School, class of 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Lindenwood University in 1994. He later received both a Master of Arts in Organizational Development (2008) and a Master of Business Administration (2011) from Webster University, along with a Chancellor’s Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Council Member Clark and his wife, Tammy, live in Olivette with their three children—Collin, Sydney, and Cameron. He is deeply passionate about youth leadership and spent 11 years mentoring and serving as a troop leader with the Boy Scouts of America. Outside of public service, he enjoys cooking and is a talented visual artist, skilled in both painting and free-hand sketching. For Council Member Clark, serving on the Olivette City Council is not just a role—it’s an honor and a reflection of his enduring dedication to the community he proudly calls home.