BOARD

Wendy Ogden and her husband Dennis raised four children in the Des Moines area. She is a retired homeschooler and attorney, and she and her family are parishioners at St. Augustin Catholic Church.

Mackenzie grew up in West Des Moines, and returned to Iowa to raise her own family after a nine year hiatus.  She is a founding member of St. Thomas Classical Academy. Mackenzie lives in Clive and is a parishioner at the Basilica of St. John.  She works part-time operating a private practice, Integrative Psychology Services, with her husband, Dr. Kevin Kilcawley, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Theology and Spanish from Benedictine College.

Bryan, his wife, and eight children live in Winterset, where he is the Director of Development for InnerVisions HealthCare, an unplanned pregnancy and STD medical clinic. Bryan also consults with non-profits, doing workshops on effective board leadership and fundraising. He graduated with a Master’s degree in theology from the International Theological Institute in Austria in June 2010, then worked for a Benedictine monastery in Italy until 2015. Among his hobbies are being outdoors with his kids, reading the great works of Western Civilization, traveling, and speaking Italian and Latin.

A transplant to Iowa from New Mexico, Dawn Ogden has a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Hillsdale College and taught at a classical charter school in Colorado Springs. Dawn laid the foundation of St. Thomas Classical Academy as one of its founding members, and its first Director until December of 2021. Her oldest son is enrolled as a student. She, her husband Thomas, and their three children live on the South side of Des Moines and attend St. Augustin Catholic Church.

After growing up on a family farm in northwest Iowa, Kara earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Iowa State University and went to work for Hallmark Cards, Inc. as a designer and art director. Kara and her husband Andy live on an acreage north of Des Moines with their four children. They began homeschooling when their oldest started Kindergarten.  Kara is a founding member of St. Thomas Classical Academy and currently serves as the director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She has completed CGS formation in levels Toddler, I, II and III and has served on the regional board.

Erica Scheve received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Central College, although her true education has been through homeschooling her 7 girls over the past 11 years.  During this time she discovered a love for classical education.  She has taught upper elementary aged children in homeschool classes, conducted training for homeschool teachers, and helped to develop high school humanities classes.  Erica is the curriculum expert at St. Thomas Classical Academy. She and her husband Mark are happy parishioners at the Basilica of St. John.

Joe Stopulos is an employee benefits client executive and shareholder at Holmes Murphy where he has worked since 2008. He has hosted a weekly radio show and podcast for Iowa Catholic Radio called "Man Up" since 2016 and has been involved with various men's ministries as well. He serves on the board of Catholic Charities of Des Moines and the Rotary Club of Des Moines A.M., among others, and was named a "40 under 40" in Des Moines in 2015. His hobbies include playing and listening to music, working out, and chasing children. Joe lives in West Des Moines with his wife Kristin and their six children.

Matt Dougan has been a board member since 2023.

Fr. PJ McManus was born and raised in Des Moines. He was trained as a Dominican, and returned to Des Moines in 2017; he has been the pastor of Christ the King Parish since 2018, and was one of the early advisors to our founders on how to establish a classical academy. Fr. McManus regularly celebrates Mass and hears confessions at St. Thomas Classical Academy.