The Richmond Waldorf School Governance includes the Board of Trustees and the Faculty College. They hold the vision of the school, develop long-range plans to realize that vision, oversee the management of the school, and ensure that the school achieves its mission through its program, staffing, and facilities.
The Board of Trustees has legal and fiduciary responsibility for the school. It sets policies for and oversees tuition, the operating budget, fundraising, financial aid and scholarships, school contracts, insurance, and the school facilities. The Board has ultimate responsibility for the financial state of Richmond Waldorf School. To reach a member of the Board, please email
The Faculty College, in conjunction with the Director of Education, has authority to make decisions on all pedagogical matters and in hiring, evaluating, and dismissing pedagogical personnel. The Faculty College is responsible for the destiny of the school as expressed through its mission, program, staffing, and facilities. The Faculty College keeps a long-range view of the school and also works with daily educational issues. It strives to address these issues from a pedagogical perspective, keeping the children and the educational process as its highest priority.
The Executive Leadership Team serves as the executive arm of the Board of Trustees and the Faculty College, and is overseen and accountable to these bodies. The Leadership Team includes the Director of Administration and the Director of Education, who work to ensure coordination and execution of tasks and communication among all realms of the school.
Board of Trustees 2024-2025 Members
Marianne Kelliher, 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.
Committees of the Board of Trustees
Ron Volpicella, Vice Chair, Chair of Committee on Trustees
Ron is an Operations Leader at Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions with over 19 years of experience in engineering, research, development, and manufacturing across a variety of industries, including aerospace, nuclear, and energy.
The Volpicella family has been part of the Richmond Waldorf School since 2018 with two children currently attending school in 1st and 4th grade.
Kyle Engelken, Treasurer
Kyle is a driven financial professional with extensive experience in early stage business operations. After completing his BSBA with Accounting and Finance Concentrations at The University of Richmond, Kyle began his career in institutional portfolio management helping to manage investment capital at some of the world’s largest Endowments and Foundations. After receiving his MBA from The College of William and Mary, Kyle shifted his career to corporate finance where he served as Chief Financial Officer of Richmond-based financial technology firm, WealthForge for nine years. He is currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of UZURV – a Richmond, Virginia based transportation technology company. Kyle and his family live in the northside of Richmond. When he’s not chasing after his three boys, you can usually catch him doing something outside like playing golf, hiking, or gardening.
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 7th 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.
Justin Brumley, Trustee
Justin is the nurse manager of the CVICU at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center. He holds a Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor’s in nursing from Ohio University in Appalachian Ohio, and has been working in nursing leadership for over a decade. Justin grew up in rural southern Ohio and was drawn to music and mechanics at a young age, often citing that building things, being outside, and playing drums was a mainstay of his youth. He values the hands-on, experiential, and arts integrated education Waldorf provides due to his own early educational experiences.
Justin is dad to a rising first grader at RWS and loves being outside with family — biking, camping, and canoeing/rafting are favored activities. As a people leader in healthcare, he has honed skills in relationship development, emotional intelligence, and change management. Justin looks forward to bringing his service to the Board of Trustees and supporting the RWS community.
Chad Darcy, Trustee
Chad is a lawyer with Davis Wright Tremaine LLP based out of its Richmond office. Chad began his legal career a decade ago in Alaska, first clerking for a Superior Court judge, before moving into private practice as a litigator. Chad’s practice has since evolved, and he now focuses on federal and state regulatory matters and related administrative actions. Prior to law school, Chad was in the Marine Corps for nine years where he continued the family tradition in military aviation and was a third-generation pilot. Chad’s daughter joined the RWS community last year, and is a rising first grader.
Patsy Smith, Trustee
Patsy Smith is a seasoned executive with a successful career in the credit union industry, culminating in her role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union. During her tenure, she spearheaded transformative cultural and strategic initiatives, propelling Peoples Advantage FCU to new heights. Under Patsy’s leadership, Peoples Advantage FCU earned designation as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), expanding its capacity to serve its low-income, credit challenged members with enhanced resources and support.
Patsy holds designation as a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), demonstrating her expertise in leveraging cooperative principles to enhance members’ financial well-being. She is a graduate of the Southeastern CUNA Management School, where she honed her leadership skills and gained valuable knowledge during the three-year program.
Patsy co-founded the Global Women’s Leadership, Virginia Sister Society, empowering women in credit union leadership roles through education and support. She served on the Virginia Credit Union League Board of Directors, where she acted as Treasurer and Secretary, advocating for the collective interests of state credit unions. Patsy was awarded the prestigious Eugene H. Farley Award of Excellence from the Virginia Credit Union League, recognizing exemplary leadership.
2024-2025 Ex-Officio Members
Andrew Ross, Director of Administration
Bethany Craig, Director of Education
Brionna Nomi, Parents Association Chair
Brionna is a labor organizer with nearly two decades experience advocating around education issues. Her career began in Richmond Public Schools where she taught Fourth Grade and Kindergarten and served as a K-5 Reading Specialist. After leaving the classroom, Brionna received her PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education in the Curriculum, Culture, and Change program. She then joined Legal Aid Justice Center as an Organizer where she led a statewide school funding campaign advocating for full and fair funding of Virginia’s public schools. Brionna and her husband, Michael, have a Second Grader, Maverick, at RWS.
Letitia Amey, Faculty College Chair
College 2024-2025 Members
Letitia Amey, Faculty College Chair
Bethany Craig, Director of Education
Dawn Pollard, Grades Section Lead
Megan Chase, Early Childhood Section Lead
Cathryn Bump, Specialty Section Lead
Sarah Hayward
Elizabeth Atwell-Brumley
College member bios are available on the Faculty & Administration page
