Anna Julia Cooper School is guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees that safeguards our mission, values, and financial health. Since our founding, Board members have offered more than governance—they mentor and tutor students, volunteer on campus, and champion AJC in the wider community. Members bring professional expertise across accounting and finance, law, real estate, education, nonprofit and business management, health care, communications, and advocacy. They are essential to the community of support that makes AJC a place where students and families thrive.
Board of Trustees 2026-2027
Gussie Bannard
Former Head, St. Catherine’s School
Richard Bennett
Physician
Evan Bloodgood
Managing Director, Bloom Energy
Lauren Brown
Former Elementary Teacher, Collegiate School
Mary Desch
Former Director of Graduate Support, Anna Julia Cooper School
Kristi Goodwin
Managing Director, Tower 3 Investments
Sydney Gottwald
Community Volunteer
Paul Habenicht
Entrepreneur and Founder, VetEvolve
Shelton Horsley
Senior Client Portfolio Manager, Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC
Charles Kleindienst
President, Nerds to Go
Mark O’Neil
Director, Carmax
Billy Peebles
AJC Board Vice Chair, Educational Consultant
Bobby Proutt
Founding Partner, Clearwater Ventures LLC
Malcolm Randolph
Senior Vice President, Colliers
Julie Rautio
Founding Partner, Capital Results
Greg Trepp
AJC Board Secretary, Former Chief Executive Officer, Hamilton Beach Brands
Elizabeth Wallace
Community Volunteer
Fleet Wallace
AJC Board Chair, Managing Principal, McCann Realty Partners
Brent Winn
AJC Board Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Medalist Diversified REIT
Ex Officio Members
Betsy Fauntleroy
Legacy Council, Community Volunteer
Jill Hunter
Legacy Council, former Head of Lower School, Collegiate School
Yolanda Mealey
Family Representative, Anna Julia Cooper School
Ja’Meen Tucker
AJC Graduate Representative, Workforce Dev. Specialist, Doswell Operating Group
Principal Executive Salaried Staff
Tommy Blain, Head of School
Laura McGowan, Director of Development and Communications
Mary Kathryn “Katye” Snipes, School Administrator
Yolanda Gilliam, Principal
Micheal Crane, Lower School Principal