Executive OfficeRs

President: Heather Thompson

1st VP: Elena Tenenbaum

I’m Elena Tenenbaum, and I have one 1st grader and one 5th grader. I’m also a psychologist and researcher. Last year I was the Vice President and helped lead the fundraising efforts.

Why I choose to volunteer: When we moved to Chapel Hill five years ago, we spent one year at a different elementary school before moving to McDougle. When my daughter started at McDougle as a 1st grader, I volunteered with the McDougle PTA to learn more about the school and found a wonderfully welcoming and collaborative group. I have so enjoyed getting to meet the families, teachers, and school staff that I've encountered in this role. We are incredibly grateful for all that our teachers and staff do for our kids and I want to give back in some small way by supporting their efforts!

2nd Vice President: Heather Kennealy

My name is Heather S. Kennealy. Our family has one child who just completed 5th grade and is a rising 6th grader at McDougle Middle, and a rising 3rd grader at McDougle Elementary. We have a lot of Dolphin pride. I have served on the PTA board for 3 years. 2022-2023 I was honored to serve as PTA President.  I am an attorney working for the U.S. Coast Guard, specializing in environmental enforcement litigation.  I have served several years on my law school alumni board in a variety of roles and while living overseas I was honored to serve as Vice President for the International Women's Club of Moldova which focused on raising funds for charities supporting women and children. In my younger years I also served as an Americorps volunteer teaching environmental science in schools in the Atlanta area and building school community gardens as well as nature walks. For the past 2 years I have served as PTA Campus Beautification Chair supporting and expanding our gardens on campus and other outdoor/playground spaces. 

Why I choose to volunteer:  My husband and I chose to live close to MES so we can be fully engaged parents which means supporting not only our children but also our teachers and administrators in whatever way we can. Having a strong PTA is an essential element to having a strong school. It is important for our children to have an organization that can supplement what a school can do on its own so the learning experience(s) made available through the school can be as fulfilling as possible for every child. We have a great community supporting MES; I am excited to be part of bringing those resources and ideas to the school for the students and the teachers. Being a member of the PTA is one way I can better assist our school. I am sincerely appreciative of this opportunity and look forward to utilizing my past volunteer experiences in supporting this vital organization!

3rd Vice President: Jessica Amsbary

My name is Jessica Amsbary. Our daughter is in the fifth grade at MES. I am a clinical professor and researcher at UNC where I focus most of my work on early intervention and early childhood inclusion, STEM learning, and ensuring optimal outcomes for toddlers with autism and their families and caregivers. During the 2022-2023 school year, I served as VP-3 and I have served as co-chair of the book fair for the majority of my time at MES. 

Why I choose to volunteer: My daughter has been going to MES since kindergarten and we have appreciated the sense of community and belonging each year in the school. MES is a place where it is evident that everyone is working together to meet the needs of all of our students, and I love being even a small part of that initiative. I can’t believe this is our last year at MES, but I am excited to see what the 2023-2024 school year will bring!

Secretary: Amy Shaw

My name is Amy Shaw, and my husband and I have a 2nd grader and 6th grader. I was previously a Microbiologist in the pharmaceutical industry, and left work to take care of our family. Last year I served as the PTA secretary and ran the Reflections art contest at the school.

Why I choose to volunteer: When we moved down from Hillsborough two years ago, our family immediately felt welcomed into the community as parents and students. I am looking forward to continuing to support projects through the PTA and connecting with the school community!

Treasurer: Leah Milks

Treasurer: My name is Leah Milks. I have a son and daughter that are in 3rd and 5th grades respectively next year. I am a bookkeeper by trade. During the 2022-2023, I served as Treasurer of the MES PTA.

Why I choose to volunteer:  I enjoy being involved in my children's education, and I believe that parent involvement is crucial to the success of our school system. I have really enjoyed helping accomplish many initiatives over the last year, and I look forward to working with the school staff and parents doing more good for MES in the coming year! 

Board of Directors

Member at Large: Maria Bolanos

My name is Maria Bolaños. My son Maximiliano is in fourth grade next year and his sister Ruby will be four years old. I am currently a Stay Home Mom with a passion for crafting and all things baking! This past year I served as a Member at Large on the PTA Board. I am hoping to share my knowledge with the people I know and become a bridge so more parents in the hispanic community can join and be part of it too! I look forward to continuing to work with you all this upcoming year!

Member at Large: Karin Crozier

My name is Karin Crozier. I have a third grader at MES and a sixth grader at MMS, and my stepson is in his second year in high school. I have a graduate degree in psychology and have worked in psychiatric research at both Duke and UNC. I'm currently a full time parent, part time volunteer in various capacities, and when I'm not busy with the kids I can usually be found walking our dogs or cuddling our cats!. 

Why I choose to volunteer: I believe our children do best when the school, parents and greater community work together to teach and care for them. I have the luxury of being a full-time at-home parent and want to use my time and resources to not only benefit my own children, but the school community as a whole, in particular when it comes to issues such as equity and inequality. I've been volunteering with Families Helping Families and the Clothes Closet for several years and have been a room parent for five years straight. This past year I have served on the PTA Board as the Fundraising Committee Chair. With my youngest in school full time now I would like to explore additional ways to work with other MES parents, staff members, and individuals and groups from the community to benefit our school and our kids!

Member at Large: Jennie Glish

I am Jennie Glish and the mother of one daughter, Elizabeth, who is in first grade this year. My husband grew up in Chapel Hill and our family has lived here for six years and we are grateful to call this community home. I am a personal injury attorney practicing locally. 

Why I choose to volunteer: During the 2022-2023 school year I have served as a member of the School Improvement Team (SIT). I have also volunteered for the PTA Book Fair and serve as a room parent for my daughter’s class. I have really enjoyed getting to know and collaborate with other parents, Principal Jones, and teachers and administrators at MES through these groups. Further, I have been so impressed by what this school community has put on and accomplished this school year. I look forward to contributing further in a direct role as a PTA Board Member. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about this organization, knowing that my daughter and our family will be a part of the Dolphin pod for the next four years.

Advocacy Committee Chair: Sahiba Turgesen

Hello, my name is Sahiba Turgesen. We moved to Chapel Hill last year from Kenya, and my daughter is in second grade and my son is in Kindergarten. I'm a writer/editor for UNICEF. Our family enjoys traveling, watching movies, swimming, picnicking, reading and walking our two dogs.

Why I choose to volunteer: As a Dolphin parent, I’ve been involved in some of the PTA activities and got to witness the PTA in action. I’m inspired by the passion and dedication of the PTA members and hope to be more involved in pursuing the PTA’s goals. I look forward to serving as the PTA Advocacy Chair. Thank you for the consideration!  

Audit Committee Chair: Corie Gallemore

My name is Corie Gallemore. My oldest daughter, Claire, is in 5th grade, my middle daughter, Cate, is in 2nd grade, and my littlest, Ellie, is 2 years old. We have been part of the McDougle community since 2021. Last year I served as an at-large member of the board, and I have been a room parent for each of my kids' classes for the past 2 years. 

Why I choose to volunteer: I choose to volunteer at McDougle because I like being a part of the amazing school community. I also like to support our hard working teachers any way I can.

Communications Committee Chair: Jennifer Jomier

My name is Jen Jomier. Our family has twin 2nd graders at MES as well as twin toddlers. We recently moved back to Chapel Hill after living in France for over 10 years, where I worked as a consultant in sustainability and international development. In 2022-23 I had my first taste of school volunteering as co-room parent for one of my kiddo’s classes. 

Why I choose to volunteer: Our family has experienced many changes over the past few years, and our transition to Chapel Hill has gone so smoothly, with much thanks to the warmth and support of the parents and staff at MES. We’ve been made to feel welcome and included from the beginning, and I’ve enjoyed starting to get to know this generous and dynamic community. I’m looking forward to doing my part to make some of our PTA’s creative and enriching ideas a reality, and I'm glad for the opportunity to contribute to our school community. 

Staff Appreciation Committee Chair: Stefanie Kotzen

My name is Stefanie Kotzen. My son is in second grade and my daughter only has three years left until she can become an official dolphin. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. During the 2022-2023 school year, I served as the Advocacy Committee Chair. I look forward to another year getting to be a part of this wonderful and important organization. 

Why I choose to volunteer: I love to continue to volunteer at MES because I value the school, teachers, community and especially the children. I have been beyond impressed by the commitment and care from the staff and teachers which has contributed to my own child's growth and success. I look forward to not only watching my son grow as a student but also being able to volunteer and connect with the school as a greater whole. I look forward with great anticipation to another wonderful year with MES.