Bill Siedhoff

Bill Siedhoff is currently the Director of the Department of Human Services for the City of St. Louis, having been appointed by Mayor Francis G. Slay in 2001. Prior to that, he served in state government, starting as a social worker with the Division of Family Services and later becoming the statewide Director of the 6,000-employee agency.

While he has been recognized for his significant accomplishments in his professional life with several awards and honors, his voluntary service to the St. Louis community is truly remarkable. He currently serves on over 30 boards and committees, and chairs many of them. A Washington University in St. Louis alumnus from the Brown School, Bill continues to serve on committees for the university, most notably the Governing Council for the School of Medicine. At the United Way of Greater St. Louis, he serves on two committees and also chairs the Government Division of their annual campaign. On the educational front, he holds the distinction of being a member of practically every school of social work advisory board in the state and currently serves on four such boards.

His service to the community comprises much of his daily life professionally and voluntarily. Both on and off the job, he spends his time in activities directed to addressing the needs of others. Even when exercising on his bicycle, he is likely in downtown St. Louis engaging homeless people in conversations about their circumstances while sharing a park bench.

Bill has championed many causes over the years, advocating passionately for new resources and methods to protect and assist individuals and families. He is a founding member of the Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, helped establish the Family Support Network and is considered one of the leading proponents of assisting ex-offenders in their efforts to return to society from prison. Mayor Slay, in speaking about Bill said, “I’m struck by his commitment to helping people that seems to have no bounds. He seems indefatigable and the results are that our community is far better off because of his strong leadership and engagement in addressing some of society’s toughest problems.”