The College School represents a unique and exceptional learning environment for children, and the Board works to ensure the mission is preserved and the program grows for years to come. This is accomplished through long-range/strategic direction setting, annual budget and major capital expenditure approval, and the maintenance of governance policies. The Board also employs the Head of School and ensures that they have the support they need to lead the operations of the school.
The Board is composed of 11 to 17 volunteers that can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms. The make-up of the group generally includes current and past parents, TCS alumni, and other community members who bring a diverse mix of skills and backgrounds. The Board executes its work through standing committees (Finance, Development, DE&I, Governance & Executive) – each led and directed by a current board member.
This year (2024-25) we are excited to welcome Ashley Holmes, Kerrin Kowach, Mike Montana, Tammy Ritterskamp, and Michelle Townson to the Board.
Melanie Schmickle
President
Melanie is an attorney and holds a masters degree in public administration and policy analysis. She is a parent to two TCS students and has been part of the community for seven years.
Alicia Konstantinovich
Vice President
Alicia is a construction attorney with in-house experience with both designers and contractors. She is also a parent to two current TCS students, an alum (Class of 1997), and a second-generation Board member.
Jim Wood
Treasurer
Jim Wood is a Certified Financial Planner, a parent of two TCS alums, and much taller than at first glance.
Jessica Evenson
Secretary
Jessica has over 25 years of experience working in higher education leading operations, managing budgets and leading people. Currently, she leads the compliance and risk efforts at Saint Louis University. Jessica enjoys coaching 6th grade girls’ basketball, hiking/skiing/kayaking and tending to her family’s backyard chicken coop. She is honored to serve the TCS community and sit on the board.
Dion Beuckman
Trustee
Dion is a Corporate Rental Manager at Commute with Enterprise, where he has worked for almost twenty years. Dion has two kids who attend TCS, and he has been part of the TCS community for many years.
Nik Brym
Trustee
Nik is a CPA, who currently fills the VP of Finance role at a local manufacturing company. He has a son and daughter who both attend TCS, and he’s been a part of the TCS community for seven years. Feel free to connect with Nik via LinkedIn.
Ashley Holmes
Trustee
Ashley Holmes, MSW, serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Gateway to Hope, a Missouri breast health nonprofit. She brings more than twenty years of experience in nonprofit strategy, program design, and fundraising to the TCS board. Her two very curious and outspoken daughters love attending TCS.
Kerrin Kowach
Trustee
Kerrin is an attorney and professor of law at Saint Louis University. She and her husband are the parents of a current TCS student and have been a part of the TCS community for three years.
Tammy Ritterskamp
Trustee
Tammy is a proud TCS alum (Class of 1999). She brings over 15 years of experience in web development for large-scale organizations, specializing in user experience and design systems. She currently works at Charter Communications.
Lauren Talley
Trustee
Lauren Talley is a TCS alum class of 1997 and is excited to serve the TCS community. She is the owner of Cobalt Construction Consulting and has worked in the construction and Commercial Real Estate fields her entire career since graduating from the University of Denver.
Michelle Townson
Trustee
Michelle is the salon manager at the Four Seasons Hotel St Louis Spa and a 20 year veteran hairstylist and salon owner. She also owns Townson Towels, a mobile laundry service catered to salons and spas. She is the mother of a current TCS student.
Steve Wang
Trustee
Steve is a Managing Director at Protiviti specializing in internal audit, risk management, and sustainability reporting. He is the parent of two current TCS students.
Denise Micka
Parent Crew President
Denise serves as the Parent Crew President for TCS. She and her family have been part of the school community for seven years.
Darel Shelton
Faculty Representative
Darel is a Middle School teacher for TCS and sits on the Board of Trustees as the Faculty Representative. Click here to read his full bio.
Carl Pelofsky
Head of School
Carl serves as Head of School and brings more than 20 years of independent school leadership to this role. Click here to read his full bio.