Join a Board Meeting
We love seeing families and community members at our Board meetings!
Please join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 4:30-6:00 PM. There are no meetings in December or July.
We meet at KC Girls Prep Academy, 5000 East 17th Street. Or, join via Zoom. Login information is available on our Calendar page.
The agenda will be made available to the public the fourth Monday of the month.
Our annual calendar of meetings, policies, and bylaws and protocol for public comment are on our Policies page.
Official minutes from the Board of Directors’ open sessions are available for public inspection. To ensure a staff member is available to assist you, these records may be reviewed onsite by appointment. Please contact our administrative office at (816) 268-2573 to schedule a time.
Interested in serving KC Girls Prep through committee or board participation? Do you know someone who would be a great fit for the Board team?
Email boardchair@kcgpa.org to learn more!
Meet Our Board
Debby Ballard, Board Member
Debby recently retired from a thirty-five year career with Sprint, where she held management positions in corporate social responsibility, organizational development and sales. Most recently, she served as a director of Community Affairs and as president of the Sprint Foundation, where she was a catalyst for positive outcomes for communities at both a local and national level. Her efforts have led to millions of dollars invested in positive programming in areas of Education (K-12), Youth Development, Arts & Culture, Community/Civic Infrastructure and Disaster Relief. She has received numerous honors, including the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from University of Central Missouri and an honorary doctorate from William Jewell for her civic and community leadership. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s ATHENA Award for achieving professional excellence, her work in the community, and actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership development. She also was recognized as one of The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business. Debby holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Central Missouri. She resides in the Kansas City area with her husband Gary and they have 3 adult children.
Current Term: October 1, 2022 - October 31, 2026
Trese Booze, Board Member
Trese Booze is an accomplished executive leader with nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and community development. She has dedicated her life to expanding opportunities for communities and families who need them the most.
Trese serves on the Board of Directors of Little Hearts Academy, an early childhood education center in Kansas City, and on the Board of Heart of God Apostolic Ministries. She brings senior leadership experience from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and LISC.
A doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California, her research focuses on how collective philanthropic investment strategies drive transformational change in education. A Kansas City native with deep community roots, Trese is a strategic and grounded leader committed to dismantling barriers and advancing equitable systems for every student. She is honored to bring her expertise and passion to this board.
Current Term: June 24, 2026 - June 28, 2028
Thalia Cherry, Board Member
As CEO of Cherry, Thalia Cherry has secured numerous contracts with cities, municipalities, counties, and state governments, as well as large retail companies. She has significant experience in managing large-scale projects, developing and implementing strategies that align with the companies’ organizational goals and producing large-scale product distribution. The company established the Cherry Foundation in 2012 as a method to support education and athletic initiatives across the nation. Since the inception of the foundation, the company has invested ten percent (10%) of the annual revenue on an annual basis.
Thalia established history in 2015 when she created a policy for the institution of the first leadership board for young people. The Mayor and City Council of Kansas City unanimously adopted the policy. Consequently, she developed a partnership with the 14 school districts that border the Kansas City boundaries in the areas of education and work force development, which yielded economic development partnerships with over 75 private, public and nonprofit entities. Thalia was instrumental in leveraging one million dollars annually to support education and employment options for young people in Kansas City.
Current Term: Feb 26, 2024 - Feb 28, 2026
Susan Escher, Board Member
Susan Escher brings more than 30 years of experience in product development, operations, and financial leadership, with a track record of success in C-suite and board-level roles across a variety of industries. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Symphony Financial Group, a strategic planning and consulting firm focused on enterprise projects and M&A. Previously, she served as COO and CFO at AS Software, where she led finance, compliance, and product development efforts. She also held executive roles at HungerRush and Menufy, where she played a key role in the company’s growth, operational improvements, and successful acquisition. Earlier in her career, Susan held leadership roles in global software and data companies and served as Chief Investment Officer and Board Director at Investors Fiduciary Trust Company.
In addition to her professional work, Susan is a dedicated community leader and mentor. She serves on the Board and Finance Committee of Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, as well as the boards of the Bloch School of Business Alumni Association, Band of Angels, and the Kansas City Society of Financial Analysts. She is the former Board Chair of Sheffield Place, an organization supporting women and children transitioning from homelessness. Susan was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Missouri in 2024 and is a member of the Kansas City Business Journal’s Women of Influence class of 2022. She holds a BS in Business from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and she is both a CFA charterholder and a Certified Financial Planner.
Current Term: March 26, 2025 - March 31, 2027
Judge Lisa White Hardwick, Board Member
Lisa White Hardwick has served as a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District since 2001, including a term as Chief Judge from 2010 – 2012. Judge Hardwick is actively involved with Supreme Court committees to improve judicial administration in Missouri. Currently, she co-chairs the Missouri Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. In private practice with the law firm of Shook, Hardy, & Bacon from 1985 – 2000, Judge Hardwick was the firm’s first attorney of color and then partner in 1991. She served as a trial court judge on the Jackson County Circuit Court from 2000 – 2001. In her judicial career, she was the first African-American woman to serve as circuit judge in Jackson County and on any appellate court in Missouri. As a community leader, Judge Hardwick is Board President of the Delta Educational and Economic Development Foundation (DEED Foundation), helped found Academie Lafayette, and serves a variety of other community institutions.
Current Term: June 24, 2019 - September 30, 2026
Chris Hernandez, Board Member
Chris Hernandez is an Emmy Award-winning journalist with a trifecta of deep experience in the news media, government and non-profit communications.
Chris currently works as a communications consultant, following 25 years as a television news reporter in markets across the country, including Kansas City, Cleveland Chicago, the nation's third largest market. Chris then leveraged his media experience to serve nearly a decade as communications director for the City of Kansas City. In that role he led communications and community engagement at City Hall, handling many crisis communications incidents, as well as fun events like rolling out the country's most successful modern streetcar system, the Royals Championship parade and first Chief's championship celebration.
As a consultant Chris has advised and trained organizations on media relations, crisis communications and on-camera training.
Chris has served as a board member and volunteer for a variety of local non-profit organizations, while also serving as an emcee, moderator, panelist or presenter at more than 600 public events and conferences. He aspires to be known as a communicator, connector and world traveler.
Current Term: June 24, 2026 - June 28, 2028
Jeff Hill, Board Member
Jeff Hill is a nonprofit executive and operations leader serving as Chief Operating Officer of Greater Kansas City LINC, Inc., one of the region's largest community-serving organizations. His career spans executive operations, financial oversight, public funding compliance, and nearly a decade in school-based roles managing teams and academic programming directly embedded in Kansas City public and charter schools. Earlier in his career, he served as Advocacy Coordinator for Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR), leading multilingual campaigns on behalf of immigrant and refugee families.
Jeff holds an MPA from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas, a Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, and a BA in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. He is a national Education Policy Fellowship Program alumnus, fluent in English and Spanish, with conversational proficiency in Portuguese, and is the father of two students in Kansas City Public Schools.
Current Term: June 24, 2026 - June 28, 2028
Mayor Sly James, Board Member
Sylvester “Sly “ James Jr. served as Mayor of Kansas city, Missouri from 2011 to August 1, 2019. During his tenure, Kansas City enjoyed a renaissance boasting nationally recognized success in modern transportation development - from a new streetcar to a new, single terminal airport - third grade reading initiatives, SMARTcity technology deployment, and adoption of a 20 year infrastructure repair program. He served on the Advisory Board of the US Conference of Mayors, as a past Chair of the National Conference at Democratic Mayors, and as a past President of the African American Mayors Association.
Before holding office, James practiced law for 26 yers as a trial attorney with trial, litigation, and mediation experience as both a defense and plaintiff’s attorney with over 70 cases try to juries and over 200 mediations. He was the first African-American Associate and Partner and the Blackwell, Sanders, Metheny, Weary, and Lombardi Law Firm and, prior to that he served the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era.
Current Term: June 24, 2019 - September 30, 2026
Christine Kemper, Board Member
Following a fifteen-year career that began in the U.S. Department of Justice and evolved to include roles in business communications, politics and higher education, Christine founded a marketing and research consultancy that has advised local, national and global brands since 2002. She is co-founder of The Collectors Fund and The Kansas City Collection, two enterprises that invest in art and build markets for artists, as well as YEP, an internship and scholarship organization focused on nurturing entrepreneurship among high school students. She has served in leadership roles for dozens of regional nonprofit organizations, including the Women’s Foundation, Women’s Employment Network, WIN for KC, the WWI Museum and Memorial, DeLaSalle Education Center, the Symphony Foundation and University Academy Charter School. Her current passion is in her role as a founder and board chair of Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy.
Current Term: June 24, 2019 - September 30, 2026
Dr. Tammy Robinson, Board Member
Dr. Tammy Robinson joined Metropolitan Community College–Penn Valley as President in July 2024, bringing more than 25 years of experience as a community college leader and educator. Prior to MCC, she served as President of Mesa Community College and held senior academic leadership roles at Cañada College, Skyline College, and Lassen Community College in California. Throughout her career, she has prioritized equity, innovation, and student success, leading initiatives in workforce development, securing millions in grant funding, and expanding access to higher education through new degree programs. A tenured faculty member earlier in her career, she also has deep experience in academic negotiation and department leadership.
Dr. Robinson is a national leader in higher education equity work, serving as President of the National Council on Black American Affairs and on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission for the American Association of Community Colleges. She is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences, including co-presenting at Harvard on supporting women in multi-college systems. Dr. Robinson is passionate about connecting education with opportunity, and she maintains strong partnerships with K–12, nonprofit, university, and corporate sectors to support student needs. She holds a doctorate in Community College Administration from the University of Southern California, and earned degrees from California State University Dominguez Hills, UCLA, and Cerritos College.
Current Term: October 23, 2024 - October 31, 2026
Julie Tomasic, Board Member
Julie is a twenty-seven-year veteran of the KCMO Police Department. She has dedicated her career to improving the safety, success, and quality of life for urban core residents. She has served in a wide range of functions, including Patrol, Vice/Narcotics, Tactical Response Team, Intelligence assigned to the FBI, Sex Crimes Unit, Cold Case Crimes, Community Support Division/Victims Assistance Unit, Hostage Negotiator, and Mayor’s Security Detail. She has seen again and again the critical importance of education in opening doors for KC’s youth.
Current Term: June 24, 2019 - September 30, 2026
Dr. Marjorie Williams, Board Member
Marjorie was the first African American named as superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District, a position which she held for 12 years. She then founded the Marste Group, which serves schools, districts, and businesses throughout the country, and continues as the group’s COO and President today. She continues to contribute to the education and literacy of young students and adults, including non-native speakers of English, through multiple professional and charitable organizations. She is a LINC Commissioner and volunteers with organizations including the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation, the Black Archives of Mid-America, the KC Friends of Alvin Ailey, the Calvin C. Wainright Memorial Foundation, and the Sister Circle GKC. She also is a deputy registrar for voter registration, a community advocate for Community America Access Center, and a radio host providing tips for parents and teachers. Marjorie received the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Athena Leadership Award in 2022, the Carl R. Johnson Humanitarian Award from the NAACP, and the Frankie Muse Freedom Award for Civic Rights Activism and Making a Difference from her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, INC
Current Term: June 24, 2026 - June 28, 2028
Martha Salinas, Advisory Board Member
Martha Salinas is the Chief Commercial Officer at TreviPay, a global B2B payments company, facilitating transactions for customers in over 190 countries. She is also an angel investor and a member of both Mid-America Angel Investors and the Women’s Capital Connection. Her angel investment work has been particularly focused on women founded and women led start-up business opportunities. She is also a business mentor with Techstars and sits on the advisory board of Kenzen, a startup company pioneering the next generation of personal health monitors and analytics. Thru Medical Missions Foundation, she volunteers as a Spanish translator for medical teams in Guatemala. She holds a BA in Economics and International Business from St. Louis University and a Masters in Economics from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Lesley Elwell, Advisory Board Member
As Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Diversity Officer, Lesley Elwell leads Evergy’s human resources organization, with an emphasis on talent strategy, employee engagement, organizational development and performance management. She has more than 25 years of experience holding human resources and operations leadership roles for large, publicly traded companies in consumer and business-to-business industries.
Ms. Elwell previously served as chief people officer at JE Dunn, from 2017-2021, where she led the transformation of JE Dunn’s human resource functions and aligned the talent strategies with its strategic business priorities. Before joining JE Dunn, she served as Vice President People Strategy / HR Business Partner of Walmart Corporation (2016-2017), where she played a key role in the people transformation to rewrite the associate experience, and digitally enable all the workplace, HR, and management practices that impact people on the job. Prior to Walmart Corporation, she served as Vice President HR Business Partner Operations at DIRECTV (2012-2015), and in various roles of increasing responsibility, including as Vice President, with Sprint (1997-2012; 2015-2016). Ms. Elwell currently serves on the Board of Directors at Tecta America, a commercial nationwide roofing company and Starlight Theatre. She is the co-chair of KC Global Design Workforce Development. Ms. Elwell received her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the Universidad Nacional Experimental del Táchira, Venezuela and a Master of Engineering Management from the University of Kansas where she was a Fulbright Scholar.