Board of Directors 2026.2027

The Board of Directors provides oversight of our programs and the organization’s financial health. As dedicated volunteers, they are an essential part of our leadership team and our efforts to raise funds and awareness responsibly. We deeply appreciate the time and expertise they generously offer. Their commitment and guidance are invaluable to our mission.

Officers

Carrie Carpenter

Board Chair / Senior Counsel, Husch Blackwell LLP

Kate Smith

Treasurer/Finance Chair / DGCKids Parent Controller, Maryville University

Brad Schneider

Secretary/Governance Chair / Counsel, Evernorth

Jay Walden M.D.

Vice Chair / Retired, Physician of Internal Medicine Mercy Clinic

Andrew O’Dell

Non-voting Member / CEO, DGCKids

Members at Large

  • Kate Jilka Bree – Attorney/Partner-in-Charge, St. Louis Office, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP
  • Samantha Chartrand – Director of Business Resilience, Edward Jones
  • Heather Chavez, ΔΓ* – Director of Activation & Engagement Experiences, Edward Jones
  • Teresa Crossland – Director of Facilities Strategies and Global Real Estate, Retired from Monsanto
  • Julie Dirnbeck, DGCKids Parent – Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Specialist, BJC Home Care
  • Dr. Ritesh Gandhi, Family Medicine Physician
  • Sue Hammann, ΔΓ* – Robert A. Peters CPA
  • Kate Keefe, Corporate Attorney
  • Soundhra Lakshmanan – VP Strategic Planning, Citigroup Inc.
  • Jennifer LaPresta, ΔΓ* – Trust Associate, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust
  • Jessica Newstead, ΔΓ* – Vice President and Marketing Campaign Manager, Citigroup Inc.
  • Kari Olson – Vice President of Student Services, KIPP St. Louis
  • Jennifer Feldhaus Robinson – Vice President, Centene Corporation
  • Dr. Jorge Rosado-Gonzalez, DGCKids Parent – Pediatric Cardiologist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, and Professor at SLU’s School of Medicine
  • Debbie Rushing – Retired from Finance & Banking
  • Matt Schaller – Advisor, Moneta Group
  • Amy Slone, DGCKids Parent – Tutor, and Respite Caregiver
  • Brad Temm, DGCKids Parent – Retired HR Field Leader from Edward Jones

*Delta Gamma Alumnae