Board of Directors

“Every school has wonderful students and strengths, and every school has challenges.”

Dr. Bender has been an educator for over 25 years serving in three different school districts in capacities ranging from a Coach and Social Studies Teacher to Disciplinarian and on to Assistant Principal and Principal. She has served in high schools, middles schools, comprehensive schools and magnets.  Her work has spanned schools in affluent communities and communities in financial distress.  Throughout the many changes she says that certain things remain true everywhere: every school has wonderful students and strengths, and every school has challenges.

Outside of work, Dr. Bender is very active in her neighborhood, Skinker-DeBaliviere, where she has lived for nearly 45 years.  Living in a neighborhood where people fought for a diverse, safe and pleasing community, she learned early on that it is the people that make neighborhoods, not the homes.   Her efforts have been pivotal in bringing a playground to the neighborhood, and for the last several years she’s lead fundraising efforts for the neighborhood organization.   She lives down the street from the house she grew up in and spends a lot of time with her family.

Ms. Bender is an avid gardener, a huge Cardinal Baseball fan, loves live music and is pursuing a personal goal of trying to run a half-marathon in every state, though she is quick to point out she is early in that journey.  Dr. Bender has served on the Board of Innovative Technology Education Fund since 2012.

Read Beth’s Op-Ed on Life and Success After High School

“Community activity is key.”

Dr. Sharpe recently retired from the Jefferson City Public Schools as the Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services and Personnel.

She began her career as a first grade teacher in the Webster Groves School District. She then served as an elementary teacher and principal for the Hannibal Public Schools. In 1991 she assumed responsibilities as Elementary Director for the Jefferson City School District, a position she held for 8 years before becoming Assistant Superintendent in 1999.

Julia graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education and completed her Masters, Specialist, and Doctorate degrees in Educational Administration at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Throughout her career, she has been very active in the communities in which she lived, serving on various boards, including Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Council for Drug Free Youth, Head Start, Juvenile Attention Center, and the Governing Board of the MU Partnership for Educational Renewal. She also served as the Rotary Scholarship Chair and was a part of the Allocation Committee and Long Range Planning Committee for the United Way.

“Give the kids the tools and they will amaze you.”

Joseph P. Komos is the Vice President in the Administration of St. Louis University High School (SLUH) which he joined in 2011.  Prior to joining SLUH Mr. Komos served in a variety of financial and technology leadership positions with several privately held companies in the St. Louis area.  Mr. Komos is a certified public accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants.  Mr. Komos is a 1981 graduate of St. Louis University and holds a B.S.-B.A. with an emphasis in accounting.

“In today’s classrooms, access to cutting edge technology and the knowledge of how to use it responsibly is the best way to ensure that our young people are truly prepared to navigate this new world.”

Lori Willis is a well-respected communications professional with more than 30 years of experience and a proven track record in serving all types of business models spanning a variety of industries including education, performance improvement, gaming and grocery.  Recently, she launched her own communications consultancy, Willco Communications and Strategic PR.  Immediately prior, Lori served as director of communications for Schnuck Markets, Inc., a family-owned grocery company of 100 stores and 14,500 teammates across the Midwest.  In the 14 years she was with Schnucks, Lori served as company spokesperson and was responsible for all internal and external communications.

Lori is a member of the Executive Board of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and in 2014, served as marketing chair for the campaign.  

“Creativity and innovation must be nurtured and celebrated to give children every opportunity to develop and succeed!”

Raven Akram is a practicing attorney on Macy’s Law Department’s in-house litigation team. In this role, Raven handles a variety of legal business litigation matters on behalf of Macy’s and its affiliates. Raven also serves on Macy’s Diversity Council, which is dedicated to enhancing diversity in the legal profession. Prior to joining Macy’s, Raven was in private practice at a law firm where she counseled and defended small businesses, restaurants, hotels, and municipalities in a variety of civil rights matters. Raven also served as chair of the firm’s Charitable Efforts Foundation and was an active member of the diversity committee and women’s forum.

Raven earned her Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of law and her Bachelors of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University. While earning her J.D., Raven won the Best Advocate Award in the Midwest Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition and she was awarded the St. Louis University School of Law Volunteer of the Year Award for Excellence in Public Service. In 2013, Missouri Lawyers Weekly honored Raven in the category of “Rising Star” at its annual Women’s Justice Awards. In 2011, Raven was honored by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of St. Louis’s top 30 Under 30 up and coming business professionals.

“It’s about the authentic integration of technology with the curriculum.”

Robert Cole is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Studies and serves as the Director for Undergraduate Teacher Education.  He was a public school teacher and professional developer before coming to Saint Louis University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a M.Ed. from Lesley College and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Louis University.

His expertise and research are centered on the authentic integration of technology into the curriculum and the implementation of the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards for Technology in Education.

Dr. Cole regularly consults for ISTE in the areas of online curriculum development, curriculum alignment and assessment with the ISTE Standards. He teaches in the areas of the use of technology in the professional setting and instructional technology. He was awarded an Innovative Teaching Fellowship through the Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning in the 2013-2014 academic year.

“Innovation is about bringing tools, ideas and most importantly people together.”

“One success at a time.”

As Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis for over a decade, Kimberly is responsible for the overall operation of the St. Louis affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.  Locally, Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis has built over 350 houses, consistently ranking in the Top 50 of all Habitat affiliates nationwide.

Kimberly’s primary duties include board recruitment and development, strategic planning, community relations, and advocacy.  Kimberly initially began as Development Director with Habitat for Humanity in 1997 after relocating to St. Louis from Tennessee where she held management positions in both the public and private sector.  In 2012, she was selected as one of the twenty-five “Most Influential Women” by St. Louis Business Journal.  A graduate of East Tennessee State University, her educational background is in Marketing and Organizational Management.

Kimberly serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Rise (formerly, RHCDA), the Board and Executive Committee of The Community Builders Network of Metro St. Louis, the Board of Innovative Technology Education Fund, and as Past-President of the Missouri Affordable Workforce Housing Association.  Additionally, she is a member of the US Council for Habitat for Humanity International and, as such, has a committee assignment as Chair of the Governance Committee.

“Changing the world, one child at a time.”

Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore is the Founder and CEO of a young start-up company, UPstart Innovations, LLC, a medical technology development organization. At UPstart, “we collaborate with medical professionals, researchers, and offices of technology management to develop and translate novel, next generation life science concepts into fundable, market-ready product and service businesses. Previously, Cheryl served as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) with BioGenerator, a private investment firm created by BioSTL to identify promising technologies/services and facilitate the formation of successful, sustainable life science companies in the St. Louis, MO region.  Cheryl has identified and provided mentoring as well as due diligence to early stage organizations with unique technologies in various markets such as asthma, cancer, rehabilitation and physical therapy markets, raising initial capital funding. She has also served as a judge in several local and national business plan competitions including Washington University’s Skandalaris’ Business Plan Competition, Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest National Tour (St. Louis) and Global Startup Weekend HEALTH:Bio (St. Louis). 

Cheryl holds a Masters of Business Management from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts, Biology from Fisk University.  She is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, earning her degree from Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine.  She has led marketing teams that have won several awards for marketing innovations, including the American Marketing Association highest award, The Award of Excellence and The Bronze Quill award.  She is a Board of Trustees Member, Academy of Science–St. Louis; Board Member, Prosper Institute, Prosper Women Entrepreneurs; Advisory Board Member, BALSA Foundation; Advisor Board Member, HealthyMe Mobile Solutions; Board Member Youth Learning Center; Advisory STEM Board Member, Harris-Stowe State University and is active in the St. Louis, MO chapter of Jack and Jill of America.

“Inspiring the Engineers and Scientists of tomorrow.”

Carol Nelson is the K-12 Project Manager of Education Relations for Boeing. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing strategies for K-12/STEM outreach. She is responsible for establishing relationships with local high schools and middle schools, collaborating with School administration and community partners on K-12/STEM related event opportunities, engaging Boeing personnel in support of these relationships, and acting as the coordinator and integrator for current and future engagements with local schools. The primary focus is on developing student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and educating these students on opportunities within Boeing and the Aerospace Industry.

Nelson, who joined the Company in 2007, has worked in Boeing’s Global Services & Support HR organization and also served an administrative role in Future Combat Systems. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Lindenwood University and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University.

“Technology is a permanent and important part of everyone’s life. As an educator I have a duty to ensure that every student in every school has the opportunity to explore its potential and use it effectively and that every teacher has the capacity to make this possible.”

My career as a teacher began in 1978 working in a large comprehensive high school in South East England as a teacher of history predominantly, but over the years I also taught French, sociology, sex and health education, and physical education.

Having gained my Master’s degree from the University of London, I moved from the classroom into school administration becoming the principal of a high school close to the South East of London. After working in that position for seven years it was time for a change. I moved to Myanmar to become the founding principal of an international school for 3 to 18 year old in Yangon.

I returned to school to complete my doctorate at Maryville University where I now work as an assistant professor of education teaching graduate students who aspire to be principals and superintendents. Whilst I have enjoyed all of the aspects and roles in my career, this current position is just fabulous.

“Improving educational outcomes for all children.”

Miriam: The Learning Disability Experts currently supports the Miriam School and Learning Center leaders in educating children with complex learning disabilities.

Under Andy’s leadership, the Miriam has experienced significant growth. Miriam recently completed a successful Centennial Comprehensive Campaign by raising $5.3 million, and oversaw the successful Capital Campaign that raised $2.2 million to construct the Mary Ann Lee multipurpose addition and playground. All development efforts focus on improving the educational outcomes for the children Miriam serves.

In the fall 2007, Miriam established the Learning Center, which offers consultation, tutoring, and diagnostic/therapeutic services for St. Louis children with learning disabilities. The Learning Center serves approximately 300 children each year.

Preceding his work at Miriam, Andy directed the Coro Leadership Center St. Louis where he began in 1992 as a Coro Fellow and worked his way up to Executive Director. Previously Andy worked in Washington DC at the Council for Excellence in Government and prior to that was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire.

Andy earned a master’s in Public Administration from American University and a bachelor’s in History from College of Wooster.  A New Jersey native, Andy currently resides in Tower Grove neighborhood of St. Louis with his wife Lisa and their three sons Adam, Brian, and Christopher.