Laura Storm
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Laura Storm is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Foster Together, where she leads with a deep commitment to serving vulnerable children and families. Guided by both compassion and vision, she is driven not only to meet critical needs, but to inspire and equip others in the community to step into that mission alongside her.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Teaching and Curriculum with an emphasis in Literacy from the University of Missouri–Columbia. Her background in education informs her approach to advocacy—rooted in connection, empowerment, and the creation of meaningful support systems for families navigating foster care. In recognition of her impact, Storm was named FOX2/KPLR11 Remarkable Women recipient in 2024 and honored as a Missouri Athletic Club Women of Distinction in 2025.
She lives in South St. Louis County with her husband, Kevin, and their four active children, where life is full, busy, and rarely quiet. Their family is actively involved in church at Faith Oakville and values being part of a community that shares their heart for serving others.
Jess Fitzgerald
Volunteer Lead
I’ve been part of Foster Together since the very beginning—back when everything operated out of Laura’s basement. As a college friend of Laura’s, I learned about what she and her family were doing and felt called to jump in and help. Nearly eight years later, I’m still here and just as committed to the mission.
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Over the years, I’ve used my strengths in organization and collaboration to help support and grow the volunteer community that makes Foster Together so special. Today, I serve as the Textile Donation Lead, overseeing donation sorting, storage, and seasonal transitions. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays an important role in keeping the boutique organized, welcoming, and ready to serve each family well. My deep respect for foster parents—and the incredible love, time, and energy they give—continues to drive my involvement. I’m grateful to continue serving in a way that supports the families at the heart of this mission.
Rebecca Kadlez
Outreach & Education Specialist
Rebecca Kadlez brings both personal experience and deep passion to her work with foster families. Since 2017, she and her husband have welcomed more than 60 children into their home through foster care and have adopted six children, giving her firsthand insight into both the joys and challenges of the foster care journey.
As Foster Together's Outreach & Education Specialist, Rebecca helps build meaningful connections within the foster care community through our Friends in Fostering Mentorship Program, Explore Fostering events, and educational classes that equip foster parents for success while helping them meet state training requirements. Her lived experience allows her to encourage, guide, and advocate for foster families with authenticity and compassion.
Rebecca is passionate about ensuring that no foster parent feels alone. Through her commitment to building community and providing support, she helps create a village where caregivers feel equipped and empowered as they care for children who need safe, loving homes.
Rita Lautenschlager
Volunteer Lead
I remember the exact day that Laura shared with me her vision of helping kids. We were standing in my kitchen with her four children running around and she said, "Mom I'm going to start collecting clothes for foster kids and give them away." Her vision was not only a wonderful example to her children on how to live their lives in service, but it also gave me what I didn't know then a new "purpose" for my life. I retired from my 43 year position at the hospital to begin my new favorite job of babysitting my granddaughter, Ella.
From the very first bag I helped pack in Laura's basement, the mission of Foster Together was born. What an honor it has been to be a part of Foster Together from its inception. I enjoy bike riding, reading and jigsaw puzzles. I have enjoyed delivering meals for local families through Meals on Wheels. And now I am fortunate to be a part of a wonderful mission helping Foster families and their sweet children. This mission is important to me because it enables me to be a part of something much bigger than myself. In my retirement years I still feel fulfilled and part of a team that collectively is making a difference in the world. There has been no greater honor than to share in my daughter's vision, nurturing its growth, and watching it evolve to bring incredible support to foster families.
Emily Stelzer
Operations Director
Emily’s journey with Foster Together began in 2019 during a season of transition. After the birth of her second child, she stepped away from her previous role to focus on raising her family. While she cherished that time at home, she also felt a desire to reconnect with a sense of purpose outside of motherhood—one that aligned with her background in business, utilizing the skills she learned from her MBA at Maryville University.
She first learned about volunteering with what was then known as the South County Foster Closet during a walk with a friend. Intrigued by the mission, Emily eagerly agreed to come along—even though, at the time, the organization was still operating out of founder Laura Storm’s basement, and required permission to bring a complete stranger. Thankfully, the answer was yes.
What started as a simple Wednesday volunteer shift quickly grew into something much deeper. Emily connected immediately with the heart of the mission, and her passion for the work is deeply rooted in her own experience as a mother. Parenthood transformed the way she views the world and strengthened her compassion for children facing difficult circumstances. As Foster Together has grown, so has Emily’s role within the organization, eventually leading her to serve as Operations Director. Through every season, her commitment to serving children and families with excellence and compassion has remained unwavering.
Outside of Foster Together, Emily enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing at the lake, cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals, and making memories on trips to Disney.
Mallory Thiele
Volunteer Lead
I’m a math nerd with a love for kids of all ages! Truthfully I wish I could still be a kid, as I love puzzles, playing school, sports, dolls, kid songs, and dancing like no one is watching!
At this stage of life instead of working on Excel sheets, I enjoy helping families shop at Foster Together's boutique for all the important necessities, and especially for the fun things like books and toys. ​I became connected to Foster Together through a friend, and I kept coming back. I love my hard working husband and two beautiful daughters and appreciate that I have the time to give to volunteer helping other children and foster families. A child’s smile and laugh are precious and give me all the drive I need to continue serving!
