A baker, a scientist, a body builder and more: Highlighting the Cortex community

Sometimes, it’s worth taking a step back for a fresh look at what’s always been there. In 2024, we took a few moments and looked across the 200 acres of the Cortex Innovation District.

We found a baker. A few scientists. A couple of chefs. A body builder. Educators and innovators. They are Cortex. And our look back at a dozen employees and founders of Cortex-based companies showed the heart of this community.

We called our 2024 initiative “We Are Cortex” and launched the series to highlight ambassadors of the district, individuals whose work fuels our city’s progress. Each of our 2024 ambassadors illustrates the living innovation ecosystem of Cortex, an ecosystem that fuels, protects and heals — transforming St. Louis for generations to come.

Here’s a look back at our 12 “We Are Cortex” ambassadors from 2024.

● Shalaka Burlawar, senior scientist, IFF. Creating sustainable foods for tomorrow from plant-based proteins. “To think differently, we need to work with different people.” 
● Michael Gallina, chef/owner, Take Root Hospitality. Innovator in the kitchen, St. Louis booster in the community. “Innovation comes with just seeing what comes in from the farmers each day.” 
● Iz Hernandez, community operations coordinator, CIC. Taking the friction out of day-to-day business for clients. “I have never had a place where I could openly be myself.” 
● Adjo Honsou, FUFU n’ Sauce, owner and founder. Immigrant-scientist-turned-chef because she craved her homeland cuisine. “Surviving is not enough anymore. Thriving is the goal.” 
● Jade Johnson, senior manager of recruitment and admissions, Per Scholas. Breaking barriers with tech education. “It feels so amazing to be able to change people's lives.” 
● Lydia Long, bake lab technician, AB MAURI. Extending the staff of life. “I am so passionate about baking. I love it so much.” 
● Bake McBride, assistant manager, MOVE by BJC. Taking care of bodies. “I really enjoy the people, just to see the entrepreneurs that are coming through.” 
● Mike Milton, founder and executive director, Freedom Community Center. Outreach to break the cycle of harm. It's been great to be in a community that all has the same vision.” 
● Cory Pride, software developer, UNLOCKED LABS. Helping train inmates for post-incarceration careers. “I think most humans seek something to grasp onto that has meaning.” 
● Justin Raymundo, vice president of innovation ecosystem-building, BioSTL. Innovative and inclusive training for new career opportunities. “If we really want change, it starts with really investing in the people.” 
● Guillermo Rivera, co-founder and CSO, CapyBio. Innovations in cell regeneration and medical therapies. “This is the stuff of dreams, right? I don't think this would have been possible without Cortex.” 
● Irina Shalinskaya, account executive, AON. Helping companies assess and mitigate their risk exposure. “Cortex does a good job as being a microcosm for the greater St. Louis area.”

But we’re not done. With another year comes a new batch of Cortex ambassadors who spotlight the ways innovation begins in this community, how new technologies and the people behind them protect, heal and transform our communities.