Introducing Winston Calvert

Winston Calvert, Chief Executive Office of The Equity Network

Winston Calvert, Chief Executive Office of The Equity Network, joins the Network after serving as Dr. Sam Page’s Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer since 2019.

“Winston has been by my side for years and remains a close friend,” Dr. Page said. “I am confident he will have a big impact for our community in his new role, and I wish him the best.”

Before joining Dr. Page’s administration, Calvert, a graduate of Washington University School of Law, enjoyed a high-profile legal career tackling difficult, controversial cases.

As a young attorney with Armstrong Teasdale LLP, Calvert represented and resolved St. Stanislaus Parish’s 125-year-long property dispute with the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Vatican. Later, in 2014, as City Counselor of the City of St. Louis, Calvert crafted a legal strategy to bring marriage equality to the State of Missouri, successfully arguing his case before the Missouri Supreme Court.

While in city government, Calvert also spearheaded several other significant reforms, including overhauling the city's laws regulating businesses, cutting taxes on micro-businesses, the City's response to the Ferguson protests, creating the Civilian Oversight Board, retaining the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and reforming municipal courts. Calvert also drafted an ordinance creating a City-wide minimum wage and crafted an inventive legal strategy that culminated in the Supreme Court's unanimous decision upholding the ordinance.  

Calvert’s accolades include being named a Law Firm Leader by Missouri Lawyers Weekly, for leadership of the City Counselor's Office; the Legal Champion of the Year by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for representing St. Stanislaus; a Rising Star by Super Lawyers; and featured in Generation Now by St. Louis Magazine.

While serving Dr. Page’s administration, Calvert played a crucial role leading county government through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been a privilege to serve in county government,” Calvert said. “I appreciate Dr. Page’s continued support, but the opportunity to serve the people of the St. Louis region in this new role was something I just couldn’t pass up.”

Calvert’s tenure in county government was praised by county leaders from both sides of the political aisle.

“In the past two years, Winston has played a key role in shaping an agenda that cares for all county residents, especially those most vulnerable,” remarked Councilwoman Lisa Clancy. “I’m glad he’ll be able to continue this mission in his new role and I wish him the best.”

Calvert brings his legal knowledge and passion for equity to his new role at the Network.

“Everyone in our community deserves a shot at economic mobility, but many find their path undermined by generational poverty, systemic racism, and neighborhood disinvestment,” Calvert added. “In this new role, I hope to partner with community members to make sure more people have real opportunities to experience economic mobility.”

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