Meet the Board of Directors

Jack Williams, Ed.D., Board Chair - Jack Williams is a retired public-school teacher and administrator, having worked for 42 years serving the Saint Louis Public School System, Kirkwood R-7 School District and the Ritenour School District and another two years as interim leader for two charter schools: Preclarus Mastery Academy and St, Louis Language Immersion Schools. He has over 10 years of experience as a building principal and 16 years of experience as an assistant superintendent.  As assistant superintendent, he has served in the areas of curriculum and instruction and human resources.  He recently retired from the position of assistant professor in the School of Education at Maryville University. He has leadership and volunteer experience as a member of the Rotary Club of Overland for 20+ years as well as serving on the Board of the Ritenour Pride and Promise Foundation and the Ready to Learn Organization.  His experience is extended and not limited to strategic and school improvement planning, budgeting, leadership development, evaluation of professional and classified staff, and curriculum planning. He has a Bachelor of Education degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology from Lincoln University, a Master of Elementary School Administration from Saint Louis University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Administration from Saint Louis University.

Barbara Geisman, Board Vice-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.

Charlisha 'Charli' Greene, 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. 

Sheila Ward., Ed.D. – 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.