Vivian Eveloff has been the director of the Institute for Women in Public Life at the University of Missouri-St. Louis since its creation in 1996. Prior to assuming this position, she was a public policy professional at Washington University, the Monsanto Company and in her own consulting firm. She was also Director, Spokesmanship for Monsanto and provided professional speakers training to other corporations and non-profit organizations.

In the St. Louis community, Vivian was a founder of the Metro St. Louis Women's Political Caucus and went on to Chair the organization at the local and state levels. She also helped launch the Missouri Women's Action Fund which helped to elect more Missouri women at the state and federal levels. She has worked with local governments and advocacy groups for diverse issues from the arts to daycare and zoning as part of her commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the area.

Eveloff was also appointed by Governor Carnahan to serve for a decade on the MO Commission on Removal, Retirement, and Discipline of Judges and also was elected a democratic committeewoman for the Hadley Township in St. Louis County. She has worked in a number of campaigns as well. This experience is the basis for the Campaign School program the Sue Shear offers to the community annually. Many of the attendees of this program have gone on to win elections for local and state offices.