February 10, 2025

ST. LOUIS – The Carnahan Policy Center will honor Advantage Capital Chief Impact Officer, Sandra M. Moore along with three other distinguished Missourians and two graduate students with the 2025 Mel and Jean Carnahan Public Service Awards on Tuesday, February 11, at the University of Missouri School of Law in Columbia. These awards recognize individuals dedicated to public service and improving the lives of Missourians.

Moore will receive the award in the law category for her years of public services as a lawyer as well as a strong advocate for the people and communities of Missouri.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Carnahan Policy Center and the State of Missouri as the 2025 Carnahan Public Service Award recipient in law,” said Moore. “Throughout my career, including my time at Advantage Capital, I have been dedicated to empowering communities and historically underserved groups by investing in human capital, fostering quality job creation, supporting affordable housing development, and advancing economic mobility. It is incredibly meaningful to have this work acknowledged in connection with the enduring legacy of public service exemplified by Governor and Senator Carnahan.”

This year’s honorees include:

  • Sandra M. Moore (St. Louis) – Chief Impact Officer at Advantage Capital and former Missouri Labor Director, dedicated to economic development in underserved communities.
  • Peter Herschend (Branson) – Co-founder of Silver Dollar City and long-serving Missouri State Board of Education member, championing public education.
  • Gerard Grimaldi (Kansas City) – Healthcare policy leader at University Health/Truman Medical Centers, instrumental in expanding access to affordable care.
  • Corrine Beakley (posthumous) – Lifelong public servant focused on child welfare and disaster preparedness in Missouri.

Additionally, Juliana Payne and Alicen Dietrich, graduate students at the University of Missouri, will receive Carnahan Scholarships in Law and Public Service, respectively, for their commitment to public service.

The awards, named for Gov. Mel Carnahan and U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, celebrate individuals who embody their belief in public service as a noble calling.

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About Sandra M. Moore

As Managing Director and Chief Impact Officer at Advantage Capital, Sandra M. Moore oversees the firm’s impact investment strategy to ensure the financing it provides leads to the growth, development and empowerment of people and entrepreneurs in the communities where they live. Her extensive career includes 20 years as the President and CEO of notable national and local non- profits, as well as a member of a governor’s cabinet and several years as a federal administrative judge.

About Advantage Capital

Advantage Capital is a leading impact investment firm with an emphasis on driving capital to underserved areas. The firm provides flexible financing to growth-ready entrepreneurs and industries located in communities that often lack access to conventional sources of capital. Since 1992, the firm has invested more than $4 billion in more than 900 companies to support more than 70,000 quality jobs. The firm also invests with intention in affordable housing developments and renewable energy solutions to grow economies and communities. Learn more at Advantagecap.com.

Contacts

Advantage Capital
Joe Stosberg, Communications Manager  
jstosberg@advantagecap.com

Advantage Capital is an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Such registration, however, does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This release has been prepared for informational purposes and to announce a prior event, and nothing herein should be construed as an offer of investment advisory services or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities or investment product. All offers of investment