Lori Elbert Willis is Director of Communications for St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets, Inc. ranked 8th in the Forbes magazine listing of the nation's "Largest Privately Owned Grocers."

Since joining Schnucks in 2001, Willis has been responsible for developing internal and external communications. She is spokesperson and media liaison for the company, which includes more than 100 combination food and drug stores throughout the Midwest.

Willis also coordinates the communications efforts of The Greater St. Louis Food Employers Council, a labor-relations partnership between the area's largest union grocers that oversees the interests of more than 13,000 store associates.

Willis graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1978 and earned a Mass Communications degree from Lincoln University of Missouri in 1982. Over the years, she has been instrumental in developing long-term communications strategies for non-profit, public and private companies.

Willis, and her husband, Mick, have three children -- Ryan, Taryn and Paige. The family resides in Ballwin, Missouri and attends Church on the Rock in St. Peters. Willis is active in local United Way leadership efforts. She currently serves as chairperson of the Ballwin Board of Adjustments and secretary of the St. Louis Chapter of the women's food organization, Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI).