Skip to main content
Two high school art students draw forms using 3D models
Primary students paint on white paper
Five students jump for joy in the playground
Board of Directors » Board Members

Board Members

Joe Burke, Board PresidentJoe Burke, President: First Term. 2023-2024

 

Joe Burke is retired from Quest software, where he was Assistant General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. He is also a member of the New York Bar and past member of the American Bar Association. 
 
Burke received his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York, N.Y., and has served as an adjunct professor of law lecturing on in-house compliance practice matters.  He also has a B.A. in history and French from the University of Virginia.
 
Burke is a longtime supporter of Meridian School, having served as the inaugural Board president and member of the Advisory Council. He has also served on the Board of Friends of Meridian, which raises funds for sustainable projects at the school. 
 
We welcome Mr. Burke back as President through May of 2024, replacing Mr. Phillips, whose professional pursuits relocated him to North Texas. 
 
 

Alice Ortiz, Vice PresidentAlice Cole Ortiz, Vice President: Second Term. 2022-2025

 

A native of Williamson County, Alice Cole Ortiz attended high school in Liberty Hill and then graduated from Texas Tech University and Baylor Law School. For the past nine years, she has served as a senior staff attorney at the Texas Third Court of Appeals, assisting and advising the justices on the court on a wide variety of legal matters.

The child of public educators, Alice believes that all children deserve access to quality public education. Alice and her husband have two teenage daughters, who are active in soccer and study classical guitar.

 

 

Tejal Bhalani, Secretary

Tejal Bhalani, Secretary: Second Term. 2023-2026

 

Tejal Bhalani has two children who attend Meridian and has been part of the Meridian community since its inaugural year. Tejal has held many volunteer positions, in the library, as a school club lead, as a literacy volunteer and a leadership role for a Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) committee. She envisions a multicultural generation of bright citizens empowered through the learner profiles, for the overall well-being of the community.

Born and raised in India and with her background in healthcare, Tejal believes in a holistic approach to education.

 

Scott Duff

Scott Duff, Board Member: Second Term. 2023-2026

 

Scott Duff and his wife, Katherine, have lived in Round Rock since 1994. As a Meridian founding family, they are ingrained in the foundation of the school, and were key participants in its planning and opening. Their children both attended Meridian.

Scott is a petroleum engineer, earning his degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is the owner of an oil and gas production company, Katsco Energy, Inc. as well as co-owner of Chapman Woodworks, a local custom cabinet manufacturer. His kids having graduated, Scott looks forward to the opportunity to give back to and reinvest himself in the school.

 

Terri Johnson

Terri Johnson, Board Member: First Term. 2023-2026

 

Terri Johnson is retired from Southwestern University where she was the Assistant Dean for Student Multicultural Affairs. Terri has held several positions in higher education and has been an active volunteer for numerous non-profit organizations. Terri has lived in Round Rock since 2011 and is originally from Louisiana and has also lived in Michigan,Tennessee and Indiana. Terri is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Post graduate studies include the completion of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Professional Education Women in Leadership Certificate and Teaching Peace in the 21st Century Institute for Faculty Certificate from the Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame.  
Terri recently served in the role of the School Cultural Initiatives Coordinator for Meridian World School for two years and looks forward to serving on the Meridian Board. Terri is currently an Independent Scholar and Cultural/Innovator Consultant Strategist.

 

 

Sofia L. O'Malley

Sofia L. O'Malley, Board Member: Second Term. 2021-2024

 

Marketing Director for Dell's Outlet division, Ms. O'Malley is responsible for all facets of marketing, including strategy, demand generation, merchandising and brand positioning across markets. She devotes time to engaging and mentoring diverse talent across multiple regions. Given her experience leading global teams, Ms. O'Malley believes in the positive impact of the International Baccalaureate's approach to developing future multicultural leaders. A UT McCombs Business School graduate, she earned her MBA and was recently honored as a Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever by the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility.

 

Debbie Shepherd

Debbie Shepherd, Board Member: First Term. 2022-2025

 

Debbie Shepherd has a long history with Meridian beginning as a founder in 2007 and serving as a dyslexia teacher  and instructional coach from our first year in 2011 to 2019. Her daughter designed and built the certified native habitat outside the primary cafeteria and Debbie acted as a loving caretaker teaching our youngest students how to see and take care of the environment around them. 

Though she has been a visiting professor at Southwestern University since the fall of 2019, she continues to share her time and expertise with Meridian staff and students as the Chair of the Sustainability Committee and a board member of Friends of Meridian.