Board of Directors
The Fort Thomas Education Foundation is guided in its work by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of community leaders who are passionate about enhancing educational excellence in our public schools.
Board of Directors
Left to right by the sign: Chris Tomlin, Christy Pfetzer, Carly Thompson Leopold (’06), Shannon Miller Thomas (’93), Kristen Banocy, Erin Hopkins Hill (’00), Kerrie Anderson, Megan DeSola, Chris Lecky, Sam Shelton (’17), Michelle Knight, Mica Cline Browning (’02) and Amy Gray Hills (’70)
Executive Board: Kevin Vennefron, Amy Lang, Liz Peterman Younger (’02), Becky Hug, Diana Rafferty Coley (’06) Frank Twehues, Amy Shaffer, and Joe Ewald (’98)
Not pictured: Megan Hosea Abner (’91) and Abbe Kuhn
Advisory Council: Kay Drahmann Acker (’57), John Bankemper Jr, Holly Bankemper Collisworth (’81), Stephen Dauer, Ron Dill (’81), Beth Dobbling Hudepohl (’78), Laura Alexander Hinegardner (’89), Tom Jones (’63), Mary Rafferty, Julie Schaber, Michelle Tinkler, Chuck Thompson, Bill Waddell (’58)
Learn more about our amazing board...
Megan Hosea Abner ('91)
Megan Abner joined the FTEF in 2012 and has served the Board of Directors in many capacities including Chair of the HHS Alumni Association and overall FTEF Cheerleader. Megan says, " I take great pride in Ft Thomas schools both as an alumnae and parent. Having seen first hand how the FTEF has made a direct impact on my own children's education, I'll continue to support and promote the FTEF as a fundamental partner of the Ft Thomas community and schools."
Kristen Banocy
Kristen was elected to the Board in 2022. Kristen and her family moved to Fort Thomas five years ago and from the very start they felt like part of the community. Kristen is currently the PTO President at Woodfill Elementary and is the Co-Founder of Emma's Footprints, a 501c3 non-profit that provides support for parents grieving infant and pregnancy loss. She is excited to be a part of the FTEF and is honored to be on the Board.
Dianna Rafferty Coley ('07)
Dianna was elected to the board in 2024. With a decade-long career in philanthropy, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. She has witnesses firsthand the impact individuals can have on an organization they are passionate about when they commit their time, talent and treasures back to the cause. As a HMS assistant cheerleading coach, daughter of a retired FTIS educator and second-generation board member, she is honored to continue her family’s legacy of dedication to the Fort Thomas community.
Megan deSola
Megan has been a board member since 2015. 'The FTEF is such an unique organization in that it truly is an example of caring community members coming together for one common goal: to continue the tradition of success in our local school district. The FTEF benefits each and every student in the Fort Thomas public schools. When the staff and students benefit, the whole community and town can reap the rewards."
Joe Ewald ('98)
Joe was elected to the board in 2021, and is excited to be a part of the Foundation. A 1998 graduate of Highlands, he understands the vital role that the schools play in the community; something he sees first-hand working for the City of Fort Thomas. “Married to an HMS teacher, and with children at Johnson and HMS, much of my life revolves around the schools. With all that FTEF has accomplished, I’m thrilled to bring my skills and energy to this terrific group.”
Amy Gray Hills ('70)
Amy had been a Board Member since 2010. She says, “I graduated from Highlands and so did our 3 children. I have always felt our schools are so important in bringing an incredible education to our children. I joined the FTEF in the hopes of helping keep our school system at the top with grants to teachers and funds to help complete the school buildings to continue our academic excellence in education in Fort Thomas.”
Erin (Hopkins) Hill ('00)
Erin was appointed to the FTEF Board in 2025. She is a 2000 graduate of Highlands High School. She has three children in the Fort Thomas Independent School District. She loves volunteering in the school classrooms, school cafeterias, at dances, at Santa House and all the other events. She says "Our community and schools set Fort Thomas apart and we love to be involved in it all! We are so thankful that our kids are able to be a part of the Fort Thomas schools tradition."
Rebecca Hug
Rebecca was elected to the board in 2020 and is honored to be part of this organization. Rebecca moved to Fort Thomas in 2001 knowing that children were in her future, and it is because of the school system that this community has become her home. She gives her energy and passion to the fundraising efforts of the FTEF, so that this school district remains at the top of the rankings.
Michelle Knight
Michelle has been a member of the FTEF Board since January 2018. She says. "I moved to Fort Thomas for the schools. My son is currently a student at Moyer and we couldn’t be happier. Being a member of the Board allows me to help make a very direct and significant contribution toward sustaining our schools’ tradition of excellence. I love this Board’s spirit; the all-in effort and teamwork mentality is contagious."
Abbe Kuhn
"For the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of working and volunteering within our school district and I currently serve as a parent representative for the HHS SBDM Council. Having lived in Ft. Thomas for over 20 years with my husband and our 3 children, I’ve seen firsthand how strong schools help shape strong neighborhoods, and I’ve always been proud to contribute in any way I can. I’m honored and excited to join the Education Foundation board, where I look forward to continuing this work and helping to provide even more opportunities and resources for our students and educators."
Amy Lang
With vast experience in both fundraising and marketing, Amy Lang was elected to the board in 2014. She has helped launch the Blue Feather Society and chaired the sponsorship committee for several years. Amy’s enthusiasm stems from her passion for our schools as she has three daughters (Emma – 13, Eva – 11 and Eden – 6) excelling in our award-winning district.
Carly Thompson Leopold ('06)
"Working in the school district for almost 15 years as a coach has allowed me to see the beautiful collaboration and passion that the administration, teachers, and support staff have for every child that they encounter. I am honored to be a part of the FTEF as they strive to enhance the teaching experience by providing our educators with opportunities and resources to continue to do the amazing work that they do, year in and year out."
Christy Pfetzer
Christy was elected to the Board in 2024. Education holds a central role in her household, with three children attending HMS and HHS. With a strong background in fundraising, Christy has dedicated 11 years as a volunteer in the school district, including the Moyer PTO and Santa House. Christy finds inspiration in the dedication and commitment of FTEF and feels privileged to serve as a Board member.
Sam Shelton ('17)
Sam Shelton was appointed to the FTEF board in 2025. Along with his sister, Maddy Shelton-Daugherty, are 2017 HHS graduates (Go Birds!). He is also a member of the HHS Alumni Association since September 2017. He looks forward to working alongside his fellow foundation board members to continue FTEF's mission of supporting the educational excellence of the Fort Thomas Schools for the staff, teachers, and students. He says "I am very honored to be appointed to the Fort Thomas Education Foundation to continue to support my alma mater that gave me the tools to succeed in my college years and beyond."
Shannon Miller Thomas ('93)
Shannon has been on the board since 2014. Shannon says, "With the limited amount of state funding, the FTEF plays an integral role in providing additional opportunities for our children that would not be there if we had to rely on state funding alone. I enjoy being part of the decision making process and helping to ensure the FTEF continues to grow and provide for our schools and community."
Frank Twehues
Frank has been on the board since 2019. He says, "As a father of young children living in Fort Thomas, the school system has become a large part of my everyday life. 'Being a part of FTEF allows me to get to know more about the school district but also to get to know more about the Fort Thomas community and meet members of the community who have a vested interest in the tradition and legacy of FTIS. The FTEF gives me an opportunity to learn more about the unique needs and successes of FTIS and to be a part of this school district’s long-standing legacy."
Liz Peterman Younger ('02)
Liz joined the Board in 2017 and is currently serving as Board Vice President. She is an HHS graduate, a second-generation FTEF board member, and a parent of two current FTIS students. Liz has a background in public finance as an attorney at Bricker Graydon and brings her skills as both a lawyer and a mom to the board. Her favorite parts of FTEF are the Foundation Club and the Teacher Grant Program. “I love serving with FTEF because I get to be a part of offering the students in Fort Thomas cutting edge experiences. We are always discussing and exploring new and unique opportunities for FTIS community members to take the educational experience here to the next level and there is no group more dedicated to that then the FTEF.”
Mica Cline Browning ('02)
"Build a strong foundation and you can reach the most unthinkable heights." Mica strongly believes in and credits the Fort Thomas Schools for laying the best foundation for herself, her husband, and now their four children attending Johnson, HMS and HHS. She has seen firsthand how the opportunities and experiences provided by the Education Foundation can change the trajectory of our student's interests, career pathways, and lives. "The school system was always going to meet our student's needs, but the Education Foundation swoops in and makes our kids' dreams come true," she says. Mica has been involved in the community and schools in various capacities over the past 15 years, and is excited and honored to join the board this year to help the FTEF continue being dreammakers.
Not pictured: Kevin Vennefron