MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joseph P. Komos
Board Chair
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Joseph (Joe) Komos is Vice President, Administration of St. Louis University High School. Joe joined SLUH in 2011. In addition to his administrative duties, Mr. Komos volunteers as moderator of the school’s student Fishing Club. Prior to joining SLUH, Mr. Komos served in a variety of financial and technology leadership positions with several privately held companies in the St. Louis area. Mr. Komos is a certified public accountant, a chartered global management accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Komos is a 1981 graduate of St. Louis University and holds a B.S.-B.A. with an emphasis in accounting.
Mr. Komos resides in Ballwin, Missouri with his wife Elaine. Their daughter Megan is an Industrial Engineer employed by Solventum. Their son Will is a Federal Attorney with the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Komos enjoys Ice Hockey, Fishing, and History.
Dr. Grace Lee
Vice Chair
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Dr. Grace Lee is the Dean of Faculty at Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS), an independent school in St. Louis, Missouri. She is also the director of the Equity and Justice Academy in Character Education for Character Plus. Previously, she served as a school social worker, ELA teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Jennings, Parkway, Webster Groves and University City School Districts. In every aspect of school leadership, Grace brings her social work lens to her role as an educator. She works to create systems to ensure equity and access. The core of her beliefs centers on elevating student and teacher voices to leverage leadership to shift the educational landscape for change. Her work focuses on moving away from incentive based and punitive consequences that only perpetuate the school to prison pipeline but truly engage children as active, equal partners in upholding a school community that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose and recognition of self-worth.
Grace has presented across the region and country at various conferences around character education, restorative practices and racial equity. She has shared the outcome of her work and what a school looks like when students and teachers feel seen, heard and loved. She continues to reimagine school for children in her current educational home, empowering and supporting students and teachers. She hopes that everyone understands their worth and encourages people to walk unapologetically in their purpose.
Gladys Conaway
Board Member
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Gladys Conway is a retired cartographer and geospatial data manager from Kansas City, Missouri, whose 38-year career was distinguished by her meticulous craftsmanship and deep understanding of geosciences. Gladys worked for the United States Department of the Interior, supporting civilian, private business, and academia. Gladys completed her professional career with the Department of Defense, supporting the armed forces and intelligence agencies. Her maps guided development, exploration, and learning across communities, reflecting her lifelong dedication to clarity and connection.
In retirement, Gladys is very active, volunteering her time to bridge the technology gap in underserved rural and urban schools through various endeavors, including workshops, summer camp programs, and lending professional support to local geospatial working groups. Gladys also enjoys playing violin with various symphony orchestras in the St. Louis area. This unique blend of skills and interests allows her to inspire students not only to excel academically but also to appreciate the cultural significance of the arts in their lives.
Gladys and her spouse, Keith, have two adult children and one grandson. They currently reside in Hazelwood, MO.
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“Innovation and technology are both paramount to student development because it allows them to exercise critical and logical thinking through the art of creative transformation.”
Dr. Rikki Henry has nearly 25 years of education experience, particularly in life-long and self-directed learning along with operations, logistics, and human resources management. Rikki received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University, Master of Public Administration degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and Doctor of Philosophy from University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Currently, Rikki is the Human Resources Manager for Parents as Teachers National Center. At Parents as Teachers, she leads all areas of the organization’s human resources functions with includes maintaining and implementing HR policies, overseeing employee relations, guiding talent acquisition, maintaining training and development, managing compensation and benefits, performance management, and compliance. Prior to joining Parents as Teachers, she led the programming, training, and education for innovation at the Center for Emerging Technologies and Cortex. Additionally, she was responsible for daily and special operations plus the management of staff development. She maintained operational and capital budgets, developed internal processes and procedures for programming, maintained organization procurements plus guiding the organization through personnel performance measures at Harris Stowe State University. Rikki is extremely passionate about staff development, compliance, diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, evaluation, assessment, mentoring and leadership. One of her most important responsibilities to date is that of wife to Christopher and mother to 15-year-old Chloe Marie.
Board Member
Dr. Rikki Henry
Dr. Jere Hochman
Board Member
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“Math was the proverbial ‘great equalizer’ for all students of the 20th century. ‘Technology’ is the great equalizer of the 21st. And “equalizing” must guarantee equitable access for all children to state-of-the-art resources, innovative educators, and filling opportunity gaps of all students. Anything less is unjust. Consequently, more than ever, we must leverage systemic change to unleash innovation, creativity, and technology in combination with what we know about learning, pedagogy, and leading in our schools.”
Dr. Jere Hochman is a career learner and educator and knows the power of teaching. Since elementary school, he had teachers who modeled innovative teaching, utilized experiential learning, and addressed the events and issues of the day; and they inspired him. During his first year teaching, Jere’s 8th grade students built a geodesic dome in the classroom and met Buckminster Fuller! That was just the start of implementing and supporting innovative and technology endeavors.
Jere is a former public school teacher, principal, and district administrator. He served as Superintendent of Schools in three school districts and most recently as a network superintendent in St. Louis.
Throughout his career, Jere has been active in state and national associations including the National Middle School Association, the American Association of School Administrators, and the Minority Student Achievement Network. Currently he contributes to the work of advocacy groups in educational policy and practice.
Dr. Heidi Lim
Board Member
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“Innovation and technology can broaden the horizon of what feels possible for young learners and help them imagine bigger ideas and exciting futures. By giving students and teachers access to technology and encouraging them to be innovative, we are planting the seeds for individuals and communities to look beyond where we are today and take the first steps toward a better tomorrow.”
Dr. Heidi Lim has been an educator since 2008, in both higher ed and secondary education. Heidi spent her childhood in Seattle, and then moved to South Korea, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in English and mathematics. She earned her PhD in English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and currently works as a writer and editor for the Neurology department at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, in addition to teaching writing classes for the University of Missouri–St. Louis English department. As a teacher, Heidi is an advocate of emotionally intelligent and adaptive approaches to teaching.
Maren Mellem
Board Member
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Maren is a longtime champion of strong public goods as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Throughout her career and philanthropy, she has worked to strengthen systems that serve children, families, and diverse communities, with a focus on equity, access, and civic participation.
After practicing law for many years advocating for children, families, and veterans, Maren transitioned to the nonprofit sector as director of community relations for the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. She later earned a Master of Social Work and became manager of forensic services for the St. Louis area Child Advocacy Center, where she led the St. Louis City and St. Louis County multidisciplinary child abuse case review teams and served on child fatality review boards for both jurisdictions. Most recently she has worked with education leaders to advance strategic, systemic policies that address contemporary challenges while supporting innovative, evidence-based education practices. She also serves on the board of St. Louis Public Radio as chair of the development committee.
Maren has conducted numerous local and national trainings on trauma-informed, evidence-based child welfare investigations. Her direct work with individuals and families impacted by trauma—combined with years of navigating complex public systems—shaped her commitment to building more just, inclusive, and accountable institutions. She believes quality education is a vital public good, and essential to a thriving, engaged society.
Adam Scimone
Board Member
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“Finding new ways to use technology is part of what makes us human, but it doesn’t happen all on its own. Educators and children need support to ensure they have the creative space to be curious and discover how technology can facilitate learning that prepares us all for what’s next.”
Adam Scimone has been working in education since 2010. Adam began his work as a naturalist, focused on creating emotional connections with natural resources and later transitioned to science education in a classroom. Most recently he ran a middle school gifted program where he differentiated for the needs of unique learners that require more than a one-size-fits-all approach. He is a former Kirkwood School District Teacher of the Year, a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year, and a recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Education Award among others accolades. Adam has a BS in biology and chemistry from the University of Illinois and an M.Ed. in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri. He is passionate about empowering children and nurturing curiosity.
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“Settling for being good gets in the way of being great!”
Dr. Kendall Ware is an educator from St. Louis, MO, who has been in the field for 14 years. Kendall has a bachelor’s in Mathematics, a master’s in Teaching with an emphasis in mathematics, a master’s in Christian Ministry, and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University, where his dissertation explored the effects that Black educators have on their Black students in the discipline of Mathematics. He is a Mathematics Education professor and has taught Mathematics at the middle school and high school levels. He has been the director for multiple student success programs for low-income, first generation students and thrives in designing and implementing educational programs. He started his own non-profit entitled the African American Male Mathematics Fraternity (AAMMF) in 2016 where the goal is to increase the success of Black students in the field of Mathematics. Dr. Ware is married to his lovely wife Erika, and they have 2 daughters and a son. Ware’s hobbies include reading, playing golf, finding new music of all genres, and networking.
Board Member
Dr. Kendall Ware
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With over 25 years of experience in the information technology industry, Omarr Williams brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to every role. For the past six years, Omarr has focused on IT Asset Management, overseeing teams that support more than 30,000 users across global operations. Known for a strong foundation in Microsoft Windows and PC hardware support, Omarr is highly skilled in navigating complex IT environments and delivering excellent customer service—particularly in executive-facing scenarios.
A motivated and enthusiastic professional, Omarr is committed to continuous learning and staying current with evolving technologies and operating systems. With exceptional analytical and communication skills, Omarr thrives in both collaborative and independent settings and is passionate about driving efficient, user-focused solutions that support business goals.
When he’s not working, Omarr enjoys leisurely pursuits such as visiting parks, going on walks, spending time with friends, and exploring new restaurants. He is also a devoted father to four amazing children, the youngest of whom is currently a student at Miriam High School and a direct beneficiary of ITEF.
Throughout their academic journeys, Omarr has encouraged and guided his children as they pursued a variety of STEM programs, including computer programming classes, Cisco networking, and robotics, to name a few.
Board Member