Board of Directors

Amanda Brown joined the Odyssey School Board in July 2020 as a Community Representative. Amanda is Vice President and an owner at Augenblick, Palaich and Associates (APA), a Denver-based consulting firm. Over the past 18 years she has worked nationally to develop equitable and adequate school finance systems and address education policy issues, including working in Colorado and with metro area districts. She previously served as a board member at PS1 Charter School in DPS between 2009 and 2011. She holds a Master's in Public Administration and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity at the University of Colorado, Denver. Amanda and her husband live in Park Hill with their daughter who attends Odyssey. They love living in the city and taking advantage of all Denver has to offer.

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My name is Alex Hannum and I have been an Odyssey parent since the fall of 2020. This year our daughter Bria will be in Lori’s 4th Grade Crew and our son Maxwell will be in Anne’s First Grade Crew. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to see our kids learn, grow and thrive at Odyssey! I’ve been lucky enough to accompany both on adventure trips, where I’ve been able to see the Odyssey “Special Sauce” in action! In addition I’ve been a member of the Family Council since 2020, which my wife Sara will be co-chairing this year. Outside of Odyssey, I’m a Vice President/Senior Project manager for a large commercial roofing contractor that focuses on high end projects like hospitals, schools and prisons. In that role I get to lead multiple teams manage project budgets, to ensure they are completed on time and on budget. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Colorado State University and am a graduate of the Future Executives Institute, an intensive 3-year Masters level course at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. In our free time, our family loves to hike, visit the pool and enjoy relaxing evenings together watching movies.

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As a Professor of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, I manage a research program focused on infectious disease biology and the immune response to infectious agents. My training includes a B.A. in Microbiology, a Ph.D. in Immunology, and postdoctoral studies on microbial pathogenic mechanisms. I have also been heavily involved in teaching and training of graduate and medical students and currently direct the University of Colorado Immunology graduate training program. My wife, our three children, and I enjoy camping, hiking, biking, and various other outdoors activities. We joined the Odyssey community in 2014 and I was elected a parent representative to the board in 2019. I transitioned to a community director in 2022.

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Keri Melmed is High Point Academy’s Executive Director. She has been working in education for over 25 years, both as a classroom teacher and in school leadership; in various schools in California, New York, and Colorado. Since Fall of 2013, Keri has led the High Point Academy community. Prior to High Point Academy, Keri was a school leader in DPS and most notably was the Administrative Director at Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL). RMSEL is a flagship Expeditionary Learning school as well as a hub of innovation focused on student character development and building strong school culture. Keri saw firsthand the ways EL empower staff and families to work together to ensure that the needs of students are met academically, socially, and emotionally to graduate passionate civic minded individuals. Ms. Melmed graduated Magna Cum Laude in history from University of Colorado, Boulder and later attended Columbia University, Teachers College where she earned her Master of Arts degree in Education. Keri has two boys that share her love of mountain biking, skiing, and hiking. Her husband is a ceramic artist and teaches visual arts at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora.

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Emily Wheat is an assistant professor and licensed psychologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. She has expertise in providing evidence-based behavioral health interventions for youth and adults with chronic and acute health concerns aimed at supporting behavioral, emotional, and social development. Emily obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. She has received further training in pediatric and health psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH and the Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO. Currently, Emily leads clinical quality improvement initiatives for youth and adults with rare bleeding and clotting concerns aimed at improving transition from pediatric to adult medical care and reducing barriers to accessing and engaging in health care. She and her partner, John, raise 2 young children in Park Hill where you may find them biking, gardening, or enjoying a treat from one of the local neighborhood establishments. Originally from warmer climates, Emily’s goal is to build both her own and her children’s winter sports skills and welcomes your tips and tricks for success on the slopes. Emily is passionate about youth health and wellbeing and because of this is thrilled to join the Odyssey Board as a Community Representative in 2024.

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