Board of Directors

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Bio: As owner of EAG Advertising & Marketing, Michele works with growing companies and non-profit organizations of all sizes, primarily in the Kansas City metro area. She has decades of experience that she can share with others to help them grow, including previous roles as president of a large national advertising agency, and as owner of a 3-location boxing franchise in the Dallas area. Michele also currently serves on the boards of Kansas City PBS, The Battle Within, and The Hasna Sal Public Art Foundation. She was previously board president of the KC Chapter of ANA Business Marketing, a previous board member of the Local Search Association, and was a co-op officer during her tenure as a franchise owner. With vast experience in organizing priorities and making decisions that benefit all stakeholders, she brings a balance of compromise and conviction to all that she does, and has a true passion for the mission of this school for the families and community it serves.

Michele was appointed to the Académie Lafayette Board in 2020 and served as Secretary from 2021-2023. She chaired the Development Committee from 2020-2023, the Governance Committee from 2021-2023 and the Finance Committee from 2023-2024. A native of KC, Michele attended public schools and she and her husband have a daughter and son at Académie Lafayette.

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Committee Membership: Diversity, Governance (Committee Chair).

Bio: Beth McCarthy is PREP-KC’s Director of Community & Industry Partnerships. With the organization since 2006, she works closely with Kansas City’s urban schools to support the implementation of research-based strategies to increase college and career readiness for urban students. Her responsibilities include building partnerships with 192 businesses & 32 postsecondary institutions to create opportunities at scale for students to explore college & careers and identify the “right fit” for after high school. She also has experience in new small school development.

Beth brings a wealth of urban school experience to her work with PREP-KC. As a field trainer with the Vera Institute of Justice- Project Affirm, Beth trained school staff & administrators to decrease violence levels in what had been labeled New York City’s 10 worst schools. Her work in the Los Angeles Unified School District helped build community support for the district’s plan to build 85 schools in 5 years. She is an alumna of Kansas City Tomorrow, a local civic leadership program through the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Kansas State University.

Beth joined the Académie Lafayette Board as a parent-elected member in 2017 and served as president from 2021-2023. She has served as chair of the Governance Committee and is currently a member of the Diversity and Governance Committees. She is married and has one child attending and one who has graduated Académie Lafayette.

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Committee Membership: District Performance

Bio: Lauren Allen has been a practicing attorney for 8 years and currently serves as General Counsel for the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri. She is responsible for risk mitigation, litigation management, and all legal strategies and components necessary to ensure defensible legal action. Lauren has served on several boards in the Kansas City area using her passion for inclusiveness, performance assessment, stakeholder interests, legal skill and knowledge to assist with the growth and development of each organization/corporation where she has served.

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from Philander Smith College, a law degree from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Laws from American University in Washington D.C. She joined the Académie Lafayette board in 2022 as a parent-elected director, serves on the Leadership Review Committee, and currently chairs the Governance Committee. Lauren is the proud mother of one daughter who attends Académie Lafayette.

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Committee Membership: Diversity (Committee Chair)

Bio: Kelly Baker is a business professional currently working as a Senior Project Manager for United Health Care and has 15 years of experience working with KC Communities through the Health Department and Neighborhood Housing Department for the City of Kansas City. She graduated from Baker University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, spent 15 years with the City of Kansas City, MO as a Business Office Manager, and has five years of  project management experience with United Health Care. In addition, Kelly has experience in  Corporate Partnership Management, Communications and Stakeholder Resolution and Coordination and Delivery of Training Curriculum.

Kelly was appointed to serve on the Académie Lafayette Board in 2018 and also serves as chair of the Diversity Committee. Together with her husband Arthur, she resides in downtown Kansas City, Mo, where she raised two boys, London and Antonio, and one daughter, Meredith, all graduates of the Kansas City, MO area.

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Committee Membership:  Diversity

Bio: Lisa Benson is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant for Winning Truths International, LLC. WTI is a Kansas City-based diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm that has facilitated DEI training sessions for non-profit organizations, major tech firms, and small businesses to help create more inclusive cultures.

Lisa is a master communicator and Emmy-award winning journalist with more than 20 years of media/television news experience. She’s also the author of “Anchored in Bias, Fired Over White Tears.” A book detailing her personal journey battling a media giant over discrimination and retaliation claims in a federal courtroom.

Lisa’s understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness was enhanced through her studies at Cornell, Northwestern, and Cambridge Universities, in addition to her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Clark Atlanta University. Lisa and her husband are also the proud parents of two Académie Lafayette students.

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Committee Membership: Development (Committee Chair), Diversity

Bio: With over 40 years of experience in residential real estate, Pam is dedicated to preserving the historic integrity of homes in Kansas City. She and her husband raised their two daughters in an 1889 Victorian house in Hyde Park. When their older daughter started kindergarten at Ecole Longan in 1990, Pam became a strong advocate for the Kansas City Missouri School District’s language immersion magnet schools.

This passion led Pam to play an integral role in founding Académie Lafayette in 1999. She helped acquire the lease on the Temple B’nai Jehuda building, recruit the inaugural class of 250 students, and organize a system to get students on and off the buses. Pam joined the Académie Lafayette Board in 2003 and served actively for 16 years in leadership roles including Secretary, Chair of the Recruiting Committee, Chair of the Diversity Committee, and membership on various other committees.

After a brief break, Pam rejoined the board in 2023 as a member of the Diversity Committee. She will also volunteer as Chair of the Development Committee. Both of Pam’s daughters were active AL volunteers and remain committed to the school. One daughter was a member of the inaugural 6th grade class, graduating in 2002.

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Committee Membership: District Performance.

Bio: Jennifer is a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Children’s Mercy Kansas City. She provides medical care to children in the hospital and leads a research group supported by the National Institutes of Health focused on medication safety. She became very involved working with educational systems during the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a regional expert related to COVID-19 – focused on the well-being of children and how to help facilitate a safe return to school. She has collaborated with countless schools in Missouri and Kansas to provide up-to-date information and interpretation of data that is continuously changing as related to COVID-19 and children. She has collaborated with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Health and Human Services, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Education Association. She also works with the National Institutes of Health to help determine how COVID-19 testing can best be effectively integrated into schools.

Jennifer originally joined the Académie Lafayette Board in 2021 as a parent-elected member. She is from Kansas City and she and her husband are proud parents of 2 daughters who attend Académie Lafayette.

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Committee Membership: Finance (Committee Chair)

Bio: Olivier Griot is an accomplished CFO with more than 15 years of experience leading the financial operations of organizations across a variety of industries, from startups to established companies. Olivier is currently the owner of Kansas City-based BKS Advisors, a Fractional CFO firm whose mission is to empower small and mid-sized businesses with the financial expertise and insights they need to succeed.

Previously, Olivier held senior finance positions at several notable organizations, including The Walt Disney Company, where he oversaw financial planning and analysis for the company’s North American Licensing division, and Hearst Magazines, where he managed finance and accounting for the Brand Development division. He also ran a software development agency, supporting, among others, multiple clients in the EdTech space.

Olivier holds an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and an Engineering Degree in Computer Science from ENSTA in France. He was appointed to the Académie Lafayette Board in 2024 and chairs the Finance Committee. With dual French and American citizenships, Olivier relocated to the Kansas City area in 2016. His daughter and son have been attending Académie Lafayette since Kindergarten.

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Committee Membership: Governance

Bio: Nathaniel Newbill is an accomplished executive known for his strategic planning, operations management, and project management, which have significantly contributed to operational and technological advancements across various industries. Currently, as the Director of the Client Contact Center at American Century Investments, Nathaniel oversees all operational elements, including budgeting, training, and policy development. He plays a crucial role in enhancing the customer experience, managing over 300,000 contacts annually, and devising strategies to broaden the client base and elevate service quality.

Prior to this, Nathaniel worked at H&R Block for 15 years, where he was also responsible for their contact centers. The centers received 36 million contacts across multiple platforms annually and peaked at 1,500 representatives across 38 states and offshore in Manila, Philippines. He also held other key positions at H&R Block, such as Director of Field Technology Support and Director of Franchise Operations Support.

Nathaniel was appointed to serve on the Académie Lafayette Board in 2024. Nathaniel and his wife, Jessica, both graduated in the Kansas City, MO area, and currently reside in Liberty, MO, where they are actively raising one boy and one girl, Liam and Leah. Mr. Newbill serves on American Century’s Mosaic Business Resource Group, which is dedicated to linking American Century’s work with our internal and external communities and providing a space that allows our teammates to be their authentic selves. Mr. Newbill also coaches a non-profit basketball organization called It’s Bigger than Basketball (IBTB) in Kansas City, MO for at-risk youth, where the organization promotes education first, athletics second.

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Committee Membership: Development.

Bio:​ Gloria Ortiz-Fisher is a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience in finance, housing, and community development. She served as the Executive Director of Westside Housing Organization until her retirement in May 2024, overseeing operations and financial reporting for an organization dedicated to housing, health, energy, and equity initiatives. Under her leadership, Westside Housing earned the NeighborWorks America “Green Designation” in 2012, 2016, and 2020, and achieved “Exemplary” status in 2017, reflecting a steadfast commitment to sustainability and excellence.​

Prior to her tenure at Westside Housing, Gloria was the Director of Finance and Purchasing for Jackson County from 2003 to 2007, where she contributed to environmental initiatives aimed at enhancing energy efficiency across county departments. She now leads a consulting firm specializing in strategic financial coaching.​

A Kansas City native, Gloria holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Park College and an MBA from Keller Graduate School. Her dedication to community service is evident through her roles as a Landmark Education Leader, member of the U.S. Green Building Council, mentor for UMKC’s Avanzando program, and Community Leader at Christ Community Church. She has also been appointed by the Mayor to serve as a Commissioner on various city initiatives, including the Energy Commission, KC Health Department’s Healthy Homes initiative, and the Streetcar Task Force.​
Gloria was appointed to the Académie Lafayette Board in 2024 and serves on the Development Committee. She is the proud grandmother of a current Académie Lafayette student.​

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Committee Membership: District Performance (Committee Chair).

Bio: Dr. Gwen Poss is the Director for the Career Education Consortium (CEC), serving Center, Grandview, Hickman Mills, Independence, Lee’s Summit, and Raytown School Districts, and Metropolitan Community College. The CEC represents a diverse learning community working to leverage career opportunities for all students to meet the workforce development needs of the Kansas City region.

Dr. Poss is an innovative visionary who led key initiatives for the Olathe School District, serving over 30,000 students in Metro Kansas City. In 2003, she opened Olathe Northwest High School with two specialized programs in Aerospace and Engineering and eCommunication with strands in graphic design, web design, animation and entertainment/broadcast journalism. Prior principal positions include Olathe South High School, Green Springs Elementary school in Olathe and a rural K–8 school in Onaga, Kansas.

Dr. Poss holds graduate and advanced degrees in Curriculum and Administration from Kansas State University. She is passionate about College and Career Readiness for All students and trained principals in AVID’s (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Leadership for College Readiness. Gwen is an alumna of Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge, a statewide year-long leadership program providing a unique introduction to the complex issues facing our communities, state, and nation. She has been in many leadership roles at the district, state, and national levels.

Gwen joined the Académie Lafayette Board in 2019 bringing over 30 years of experience in elementary, middle, and high schools, and serves on the Leadership Review Committee.  Gwen is married and loves serving the Académie Lafayette school community.

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Committee Membership: Diversity.

Bio: Crystal is Owner & Director of Kaye’s Learning Corner, a Preparatory Preschool in Kansas City, Missouri. She is deeply passionate about education and the positive impact it can have on the lives of students of color.

Prior to starting Kaye’s Learning Corner, Crystal taught for 8 years and served as an instructional coach. She has a proven track record of effective leadership in various roles, including Kansas City Freedom Schools and her church, Urban Summit of Greater KC.

Crystal is a proven leader known for her integrity, ability to make tough decisions, and collaborative approach. Actively engaged in her community, she excels at building strong connections with diverse stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and local businesses. Her strong analytical and problem-solving skills enable her to evaluate complex issues, develop practical solutions, and make informed decisions. A champion of diversity and inclusion, Crystal is deeply committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment in all her work.

Crystal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree. She joined the Académie Lafayette Board in 2024 as a parent-elected member.