Katie says she “believes in the power of education to transform lives.” She was drawn to School in the Woods Montessori School after hearing about it a number of years ago. “Then, I had the opportunity to meet with Melody Patton and to hear about her passion and plans for the school,” Katie says. “Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious. When I was invited to join the board, I was eager to sign on. It is an honor to support such a special school, which is having a positive impact on its young students and their families.” Katie enjoyed a career in finance that spanned more than 30 years and crossed several different industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan.