Board of Directors Members
Director Stephanie Cooke, President
Stephanie has a diverse professional and educational background. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and an undergraduate degree in Business/Marketing Education. She utilized this to teach high school marketing, developing a brand new curriculum and program, including a co-curricular club and school-based enterprise for the students. After teaching, Stephanie utilized her knowledge in business and development in several business environments- including entrepreneurship, start-ups, and post-secondary education. Stephanie brings to the table knowledge in curriculum design, education, business development, marketing, and much much more.
Stephanie has been a part of the PPA community for 6 years- as her daughter started going to PPA in Kindergarten and is now in 5th grade. Prior to serving on the Board of Directors, Stephanie was involved in the PCA.
Stephanie is a single mom of two girls. She spends a lot of time in theaters with her oldest daughter- even though that was never a passion of her own until it became her daughter's. As a Colorado Native, she takes any opportunity she can to enjoy the sunshine.
JT Adamson is excited to join the board of directors by combining his interests in youth development, financial responsibility, and community engagement. He has a daughter who has attended PPA since kindergarten and her excitement and development has grown his passion to ensure other children have the same opportunity to experience this dynamic learning experience.
JT served 14 yrs as a District Executive Director at a non-profit focused on youth development and community transformation. During this tenure, he was responsible for board and committee development, government contract negotiation and execution, community events and engagement, as well as ensuring financial resiliency and diversified revenue. He has now leveraged that experience into a position as Sr. Manager for a technology start up in the payments industry where he assists clients in accounting and reconciliation, process development, and technical implementation. He enjoys the fast-paced and ever-changing environment and helping people/clients succeed in reaching their goals.
In his spare time, JT loves to enjoy the outdoor beauty that Colorado has to offer by fishing, hiking, camping, or a nice bike ride. He is also an avid woodworker and enjoys learning new hobbies like pottery and scuba, but his favorite is a quiet night on his deck.
Director Keshia Medellin, SecretaryKeshia has been part of the PPA community since its early years, with her two oldest daughters previously attending and her youngest currently in middle school. She has loved watching her daughters grow as performers, dancers, and learners in an environment that blends creativity with academic excellence.
With over 15 years in the education industry, Keshia has served as a Head of School, Academic Dean, and teacher. Currently, she has transitioned into the Education Technology space. She has led school operations, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and developed programs that improve student outcomes. She also brings experience in nonprofit leadership, board governance, and community partnership building.
Keshia is passionate about school choice, arts integration, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys supporting her daughter’s performances, spending time with family, cooking, and traveling the world.
Director Katie CloydWith a passion for both the arts and education, Katie is honored to serve on the Board of Directors. Her youngest son began attending PPA in 4th grade and his enthusiasm for going to school has been a joy to witness.
Katie brings a wealth of experience in marketing, strategy, and organizational leadership to her role on the board. She has seen firsthand how creative thinking and innovative problem-solving drive success in the business world, and she is inspired by the developmental benefits of an arts-integrated education.
Katie holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Bradley University. She finds joy in supporting her kids' diverse hobbies, reading, and taking long walks while binging podcasts that span a range of topics - from personal finance to true crime.
Director Ashley LonsdaleAshley is honored to serve on Board of Directors at PPA. She has been a part of the PPA community for the last 7 years, with 3 kids who have all attended the school, and has served on various school committees through the years. Ashley also is the Leadership leader for the Rising Stars 4-H club and currently leads 2 Designation Imagination teams.
Ashley has a strong passion for providing kids a balanced education, specifically how an education in the arts plays a critical role in a child’s growth in spatial recognition, creativity, and critical problem-solving skills that are required to be successful in the future. She believes providing opportunities for students to move throughout the day and challenge themselves beyond their comfort zone is critical for overall growth.
Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and has spent her career working in the Department of Defense sector. She has experience in all levels of engineering design and program management, including proposal development, design program execution and end user operations for multimillion-dollar programs.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time in the Colorado sun which includes hiking, golf, swimming, and running.
Director Meredith O'KeeffeEducation from the University of Colorado Denver. She is a licensed Early Childhood Special Education Specialist in the state of Colorado and brings extensive experience in early childhood education, having worked in both
classroom and home-based settings. Currently, Meredith serves as a Developmental Interventionist through the Early Intervention program at Developmental Pathways, where she provides therapeutic support to children from birth to age three and their families. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to inclusive, family-centered practices that fosters development and connection during the earliest years of life. As a contracted provider with Early Intervention Colorado, Meredith operates a small business from her home, providing her with a diverse set of skills to effectively run routine functions and daily organizational processes. She joins the board with knowledge in management and leadership, an understanding of small business finance and operations, and event management and marketing experience.
Director Chantae ThomasRaised in Colorado, Chantae Thomas deeply cherishes the state’s natural beauty and embraces its abundance of outdoor adventures. She enjoys spending quality time with her two sons, coaching and watching lacrosse, kayaking, traveling abroad, exploring scenic locations across Colorado, reading, attending theatre productions, and creating lasting memories with friends and family.
As the founder and Executive Director of a local nonprofit, Chantae is dedicated to empowering youth and fostering resilience through experiential education. Her work reflects over 20 years of unwavering dedication to empowering young people, blending her passion for education and youth development to help them unlock their potential and create meaningful paths to success.
An advocate for lifelong learning, Chantae holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She is excited to continue her academic journey by pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Appointed July 2024 to serve until July 2027
Director Corey Wahl, Past President