Executive Officers

Co-President: Leah Milks

I'm Leah Milks and I have a 4th grader at MES and a 6th grader at MMS. I have a Business Degree and a background in operations and bookkeeping. I served as the PTA Treasurer from 2022-2024 and am happy to serve as the Co-President this year to continue to help make our school great. 

I volunteer because I think the involvement of the school community is what takes a school from being good to being great. Unfortunately in today's world, public education can't survive on its own. The families of our school community are crucial to the success of our school system and the happiness and sense of belonging that the students, staff and faculty feel. The PTA supports numerous initiatives every year both financially and with volunteers that would not happen otherwise. I look forward to working with my fellow PTA members, the school community and the MES staff and faculty to continue doing more good for MES in the coming year!

Co-President: Karin Crozier

Vice President of Programs: Elena Tenenbaum

My name is Elena Tenenbaum. I have one 2nd grader and a 6th grader (on the other side of the building). We moved to NC from RI 6 years ago. When I’m not wearing goofy clothes for fundraising, I am a psychologist and researcher. During the 2023-2024 school year, I served as VP of the MES PTA.

Why I volunteer: I started volunteering for the PTA when we moved to MES when my older daughter was in 1st grade to meet other families. It was such a welcoming and supportive group that I have stayed on ever since. I’ve enjoyed contributing what I can from my personal and professional skill set and have learned quite a bit from the other parents and school members.

Vice President of Communications: Jen Jomier

My name is Jen Jomier. Our family has twin 3rd 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, and last year I volunteered with the PTA as the Chair of Communications.

Why I 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. 

Treasurer: Pipa Guimaraes

Secretary: Cathy Walsh

My name is Cathy Walsh. All three of my sons have attended MES, and my youngest is a rising fifth grader. In addition to being a mom, I am a writer and a lover of books and animals. Over the years, I have come to understand the enormous impact the PTA makes in supporting both students and teachers. Many of the special memories our families will take away from elementary school are made possible when parent volunteers work together with our school's amazing staff. I look forward to contributing to these initiatives to help make this school year a great one for the Dolphin community.

Board of Directors

Member at Large: Stephanie Wade

My name is Stephanie Wade. I have a son who is a rising 6th grader and a daughter who is a rising 3rd grader in the 2024-25 school year.

I decided to step away from my IT job in 2019 to be more involved in my children's education and to actively engage with my community. For the past 2 1/2 years, I've been volunteering with Meals on Wheels, which has been incredibly fulfilling. I'm excited about joining the MES PTA and collaborating closely with parents, teachers, and school staff.

Member at Large: Mandy Walters

My name is Mandy Walters and I have a first grade son, fourth grade daughter, and a sixth grade son.  I'm a two-time UNC alum who is excited to be back in Chapel Hill after living out of state for many years.  I work in corporate finance and enjoy volunteering coaching youth soccer. Coming from a family of educators, I know how important parent involvement is to the success of our schools and I want to give back to the McDougle community that my kids have loved becoming part of.

Member at Large: Laura Elliott

Advocacy Committee Chair: 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 seven years and we are grateful to call this community home. I am a personal injury attorney practicing locally.

Why I volunteer: I choose to volunteer because I am passionate about public education, my daughter’s success, and being involved in my community. During the 2023-2024 school year I served as a member of the School Improvement Team (SIT) and as a Member at Large on the MES PTA Board. I have really enjoyed getting to know and collaborate with other parents, Principal Jones, and teachers and administrators at MES through these groups. I am continually impressed with what this school community can accomplish but understand that parent involvement at the local school level and advocating more broadly is critical. I have attended public school from kindergarten through law school and have an interest in participating more directly in initiatives to strengthen and support our public schools. As an attorney with a background in political science and an interest in public policy, I look forward to continuing to serve in a leadership role focused on advocacy with the collective goal of making MES the best it can be.

Audit Committee Chair: Corie Gallemore

My name is Corie Gallemore, and I am a stay-at-home mom to  three daughters.  My oldest are currently in sixth grade and third grade, and my youngest is a 3 year old preschooler. I love volunteering at MES because our teachers do amazing work, and I like giving my time to support them.

Staff Appreciation Committee Chair: Stefanie Kotzen

My name is Stefanie Kotzen. My son is in third grade and my daughter only has two 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, and this is my second year serving as chair of the Staff Appreciation Committee. I look forward to another year getting to be a part of this wonderful and important organization. 

Why I 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.

Volunteer Coordinator & Nominations Committee Chair: Amber Dutton-Hanlon

Room Parent Coordinator: Andrea Clusiau

My boys are going into 8th, 6th, and 3rd and they’ve all enjoyed their time at McDougle. I volunteer because I love our school community and I want to support our teachers and staff.

Book Fair Committee Chair: Ashley Traynum-Carson

Campus Beautification Committee Chair: Heather Kennealy

My name is Heather S. Kennealy. Our family has a rising 7th grader at McDougle Middle and a rising 4th grader at McDougle Elementary. We have a lot of Dolphin pride. I have served on the PTA board for 4 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!

Dads Club Coordinator: Eddie Reilly