Marianne Kelliher, Vice Chair
For over twenty years, Marianne has specialized in creating engaging communications and event strategies that drive company culture, employee recognition and client appreciation. Marianne has worked in many industries including international development, at-risk youth program management, renewable energy & energy efficiency, and travel & hospitality. Her experience at Siemens Gamesa, U.S. Department of Energy, Hilton Worldwide, and Marriott International led her to working for herself under the moniker Bespoke Words. Marianne hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a proud “lifer” of the Quaker educational system; she attended Friends’ Central School and received her BA in Spanish & Latin American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MA in International Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She is mother to Amalia, an RWS student, and wife to Antonio, the most interesting man in the world. When she isn’t traveling with her friends & family, chances are you’ll find Marianne talking about, reading about, or cooking food from all corners of the earth.

Brooke Anderson, Treasurer
Brooke is currently a Nurse Manager for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System. Brooke is also a Registered Nurse and started her nursing career at VCU Health System Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit. Brooke has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Howard University and a Bachelor’s in Nursing from VCU. Brooke is currently enrolled in Masters in Business Administration with a finance concentration at Louisiana State University. Brooke’s professional journey has consisted of diverse roles and experiences over 20 years including private banking, financial analysis, business account manager, esthetics instructor, master esthetician, spa manager, operations manager, and nurse manager. Brooke’s two children have attended Richmond Waldorf school starting with the Sprouts program. Brooke resides in the city of Richmond and currently has a child in early childhood and a child in third grade.

Kadie Parsley, Secretary
Kadie has been an educator for 14 years, working in both public and private school systems, and currently works at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, VA. Kadie has a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Mary Baldwin University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Longwood University. She resides in Richmond’s West End with her husband and two daughters.

Heather Simon, Chair of Strategic Planning Committee
Heather is a creative spirit with a business mindset. In 2008 she founded design agency, BigTree, and continues to grow and evolve its services based on the needs of clients. She works with business owners to analyze and strategize their marketing, and align the visual identity with their mission, vision, and values. BigTree was an integral partner in the rebranding of RWS in 2016.

Involvement in Waldorf education began in 2013 when Heather and her husband, Nate, enrolled their 2-year-old daughter in Sprouts at Richmond Waldorf School. As a parent of a now 6th grader, Heather remains active in the school and has attended many anthroposophical classes throughout the years to grow a deeper understanding of the Waldorf philosophy.

Leah Meekins, Trustee
For most of her career, Leah has worked in Medical Administration in various roles, learning many skills along the way. Although a tough decision, she recently took a hiatus to devote more time to her family and further her education. After graduating from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in spring of 2023, she plans to continue her studies at the University of Richmond and study Communications.

Leah is a proud Richmond native and Former Waldorf parent. She joined the Waldorf community three years ago when her family was exploring their middle school options. Her family enjoyed their time at Richmond Waldorf School and Leah is grateful to be able to serve the Waldorf community in a different capacity.

Ron Volpicella, Chair of Committee on Trustees
Ron is an engineering manager at Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions with over 18 years of experience in engineering, research, development and manufacturing across a variety of industries, including aerospace, nuclear and energy. He currently leads a multi-disciplined international team of mechanical designers responsible for providing engineering solutions for clean water production challenges in service across the globe.

The Volpicella family has been part of the Richmond Waldorf School since 2018 with two children attending school in EC and 3rd grade. 

Melissa Smallfield, Chair of the Audit Committee
Melissa is currently a heart failure cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Health where she has practiced since 2012. Melissa is an Associate Professor of medicine and the Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Fellowship Program. She has a BA in East Asian Studies from the College of William and Mary. Melissa obtained her MS and MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She did all her training in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Heart Failure at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Melissa loves running, skiing and reading mysteries. Melissa’s two daughters joined Richmond Waldorf School in 2020 and are currently in sixth and eighth grade. Melissa was a class representative and member of the Parent’s Association for three years and then transitioned to the Board of Trustees in 2023.