Meet the Team
Sign of the Arrow is a nonprofit organization owned and operated by the Pi Beta Phi St. Louis Alumnae Club. The shop is guided by a Board of Directors and supported by a dedicated team of two full-time and five part-time associates, along with more than 80 volunteers. Our volunteer community ranges from newcomers to individuals who have served for more than 40 years, including several second-generation volunteers whose families have supported the organization across generations.
Julie Filian
General Manager
Julie brings a lifelong love of community, crativity, and retail to her role as General Manager. Raised in Kirkwood and a graduate of Drake University with a degree in Retail Management, she has worked in department stores, boutiques, a nonprofit gift shop in Okinawa, Japan, and May Company’s corporate buying and product development offices.
She especially enjoys the shop’s philanthropy events, where creativity and connection come together in meaningful ways. Under Julie’s leadership, the store continues to be a place of inspiration, generosity, and community.
Laura Murray
Finishing Manager
Laura has been SOA's Finishing Manager since 2022 after volunteering for four years. A St. Louis native, she is married with two children and brings both an interior design background and training from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design to her work.
Caroline Seele
Full-Time Assistant Manager
Caroline joined SOA as Assistant Manager in 2024 and now serves as Needlepoint Manager. She is an experienced needlepointer, finisher, and all-around arts and crafts enthusiast who loves traveling and spending time with her rescue pup, Fitzwilliam Montgomery Carson Seele.
Joan Ball
Sales Floor Volunteer
Joan has been part of SOA for more than 15 years, serving in many roles along the way. A St. Louis native, she has managedWalden Books, run her own catering business, volunteered as a Sales Volunteer, served as Treasurer on the Executive Board, became Assistant Manager in 2020, and now also manages threads. She has two children, two grandchildren, and has loved needlepoint since learning from her mother’s best friend in fifth grade.
Annie Garea
Part-Time Assistant Manager
Annie first joined SOA in 2006 as an Arrowette while she was in high school, and we’re happy to have her back as Assistant Managersince2024. Needlepoint runs in the family—her mother has volunteered for 20 years. Annie is also mom to a husky mix named Dolly Parton and proud aunt to two nephews.
Nick Spector
Part-Time Assistant Manager
Nick is an elementary school music teacher who joined the SOA staff in 2025 as a part-time Assistant Manager and is also serving as the Class Development Director. Nick enjoys spending time with his family and stitching in his free time!
2026 Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is comprised of experienced community leaders who manage finances, policy and personnel, and who determine the availability of philanthropic funds.
Board of Directors:
Back Row: Jodi Zook, Janet Wheatley, Lee Snyder, Tracy Holtzman, Susan Venn, Sue Sahrmann, Merry Gnaegy
Front Row: Holly Thomas, Mary Hopkins, Susie Glenn, Julie Filean (General Manager)