Meet the Board of Directors
Barbara Geisman, Board Chair and Board Treasurer – Barbara served as part-time counsel at Thompson Coburn LLP through 2023. For 35 years, she worked for St. Louis City, as director of the Community Development Agency, as chief assistant to the President of the Board of Aldermen, and for 9+ years as Mayor Slay’s Deputy Mayor. Both a registered architect and a licensed attorney, she graduated from Washington University’s architecture school in 1975 and law school in 2013. She is a skilled problem-solver, and her work has involved extensive budgeting and participating in a variety of nonprofit financings. She is currently the volunteer business manager for Rosati-Kain Academy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that took over operation of Rosati-Kain High School, an all-girls Catholic high school, on July 1, 2023.
Sheila Ward., Ed.D., Board Vice-Chair – Sheila Ward is a retired principal from the Ferguson-Florissant School District, with over 25 years of experience in education within the district and an additional 10 years in other districts. Her areas of expertise include implementing and developing school improvement plans, managing day-to-day operations, overseeing staff and faculty, and ensuring students receive a high-quality education. Sheila is also skilled in creating a positive learning environment for students and staff, supervising curriculum development, and recruiting and training new employees. Additionally, she is adept at overseeing budget management, organizing school events, and cultivating partnerships with parents and local organizations. Sheila holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders, a master’s in education, and a Doctorate in Education in Leadership.
Charlisha 'Charli' Greene, Board Secretary – Charlisha 'Charli' Greene is Vice President, Supply Chain-Air Dominance at Boeing Company, having over 25 years of experience in areas, namely supply chain, project management and governance. Her longevity with Boeing has allowed her opportunities to understand teaming, people leadership, business strategy and execution across several disciplines and regions globally. Charli enjoys making a difference in the community and does so through her service as Boeing's university relations focal for Florida A&M University, a volunteer with Urban League St Louis and Oklahoma City, and an advocate with several other local outreach efforts.
Richard T. Middleton, Ph.D. – Richard T. Middleton is a tenured Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an Adjunct Professor of Law at St. Louis University School of Law. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia, 
and a JD from St. Louis University School of Law. He was a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society and received the Theodore McMillian and Dean’s Scholar awards at SLU School of Law. Dr. Middleton runs a solo practice focused on immigration law and minor criminal defense. He is licensed to practice before the Missouri Bar, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, and the Executive Office of Immigration Review. He volunteers as an attorney for the MICA Project of St. Louis and has supported the Latino Outreach Project of Crisis Nursery. Dr. Middleton also contributed to the Immigration Law Project of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. He has been certified in family-based immigration law by the Midwest Legal Immigration Project. Dr. Middleton has published three books and numerous journal articles and book chapters in reputable journals.
Staci Wadlington, Ed.D. – Staci Wadlington is a retired principal from the Ferguson-Florissant School District with over 34 years in education. During her years of employment, she also served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, director of alternative education, and district hearing officer. Dr. Wadlington's areas of expertise include 
supporting and coaching teachers and administrators, facilitating professional learning teams, increasing student engagement with researched based practices, and creating positive school cultures. Staci Wadlington has a Bachelor of Education degree in Elementary and Middle School Education with a minor in math from Harris-Stowe State University, a Master of Elementary School Administration and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Post retirement Dr. Wadlington served as the Certification Officer and Coordinator of Field and Clinical experiences at Harris-Stowe State University. This higher learning experience provided her an opportunity to support students seeking teacher certification in the state of Missouri, serve as an adjunct professor for the College of Education, supervise student teachers, and coordinate required field and clinical experiences. In response to the critical shortage of educators in the state of Missouri. Dr. Wadlington is currently serving as a resource teacher for the Special School District at Jennings High School.
Jeremy Kander, CFRE – Jeremy Kander is the Director of Development for Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis, 
responsible for building annual and long-term sustainability, securing gifts of significance, and growing the mission to build a world in which children can explore, learn, and grow into leaders in their communities. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 2011 and served two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA, which kickstarted his career in nonprofits. He has served in various fundraising roles with Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club since 2012, with additional fundraising experience at Heartland Independent Living Center and the Arizona Humane Society. Jeremy is deeply passionate about empowering organizations to provide trauma-informed and responsive care. As an experienced nonprofit professional, he brings expertise in communicating mission values and outcomes, developing relationships with individuals, foundations, and corporate donors, and building systems needed for growth. He is excited to bring these skills to Confluence Academies to help build a world where children have justice and opportunities to thrive.