Staff
The HOME WORKS! staff of professional educators, administrators, and advocates includes:
Kathryn Brayton
Marketing & Operations Manager
10+ years of experience in the legal and nonprofit sector. BA, University of Illinois-Chicago.
Kathy Coyle
Data Manager
Senior Finance/Accounting Professional with 18+ years of broad and deep experience in manufacturing and corporate environments; MIS Master’s Degree.
Anna Gardner-Andrews
Program Leader
15 years of experience in education; served as a high school instructor of English, manager of an educational non-profit, creator/director of a writing mentoring program at University of Missouri–St. Louis, and guest speaker on urban education at Washington University; BA from Oberlin College and MAED from Washington University.
Karen Kalish
Founder & CEO
Serial social entrepreneur who has started three nonprofits and one program; former teacher, TV reporter, business owner, and nonprofit leadership with 35+ years of community service focused on literacy, closing the achievement gap, and ending racial discrimination; BA, St. Louis University, MA Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School.
Ehi Oribhabor
Executive Assistant
Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, Marketing Concentration from Truman State University. After school volunteer tutor at Firm Foundation Tutoring.
Colleen Polak
Director of Program Operations
Child Advocate with over 10 years' professional experience, including nonprofit leadership, program management, evaluation, and facilitation. B.A. from Saint Louis University and J.D. from California Western School of Law.
Betty Tobler
Program Leader
Teacher, curriculum developer, accreditation compliance specialist, and administrator with 40+ years of classroom and administrative experience.
Sue Zerbe
Program Leader
Educator with 30 years of teaching, administrative, and consulting experience. MS in Educational Administration from University of Missouri St. Louis and EdS in Educational Administration from Lindenwood University.
Board of Directors
The HOME WORKS! Board of Directors provides guidance and oversight for the leadership team. Among our 19 members, the Board holds a wealth of knowledge and experience that they bring to the organization. They meet an average of six times a year.
Dr. Kelvin Adams
Program Committee
Superintendent, St. Louis Public Schools
Jeff Bates
Finance Committee
Kings Point Capital Management
Harriet Blickenstaff
Co-chair, Fundraising Committee
Retired PR Professional
Latashuia Browning
Director, Program Management & Commercial Operations, Millipore Sigma
Karen F. Evans
Program Committee
Former AT&T Executive, Reading Interventionist at Patrick Henry Elementary School, SLPS
Wade Rakes
Finance Committee
Regional VP and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Centene Corporation
Lisa Huck
Fundraising Committee
Director of Business Development, Dot Foods
Amy Murphy
Board Chair Emeritus
Program Committee
Director of Scholarships and Donor Services, St. Louis Community Foundation
Susan Stith
Vice President, Corporate Giving Programs, Cigna
Dr. Chris Nicastro
Program Committee
Retired Superintendent and Missouri DESE Commissioner
Earl Shreckengast
Co-chair, Fundraising Committee, Governance Committee
Retired Non-Profit Executive
Constance "Connie" Taylor
Manager, Customer Advocacy and Energy Assistance, Ameren Missouri