LEADERSHIP
Leaders in Christ
In partnership with the Head of School, our Board of Directors and church representatives provide faith-based leadership and guidance to our school.
Representation from each of our association congregations offers the opportunity for our church community to shape the direction and ministry of Lutheran High.
By upholding our Lutheran faith and the LHS mission, vision and values, our Head of School and Board of Directors strategically guide Lutheran High to be a place where everyone can Grow and Serve in Christ.
Board of Directors
Amy Malterer
Amy Malterer is entering her second year as Chair of the Lutheran High School Board of Directors, bringing with her a deep love for the LHS community and over a decade of dedicated service as both a parent and Board member. She currently works part-time as an HR Assistant at Messiah Lutheran Church and is a proud member of the congregation. With 12 years of experience as an LHS parent, Amy has seen firsthand the transformational impact the school has had on her family. Her children, graduates of the classes of 2017, 2020, and 2024, have all benefitted from the school’s Christ-centered education, and she now has a current junior continuing that tradition.
Amy’s motivation to serve stems from her gratitude and belief in the mission of Lutheran High School. She values the strong sense of family that defines the LHS community and is passionate about supporting a school that is truly committed to “Growing and Serving in Christ.” As Board Chair, Amy provides thoughtful leadership and encourages collaborative efforts that help guide the strategic direction of our school.
Now semi-retired, Amy enjoys having more time to pursue her passions, which include traveling, reading, biking, and hiking. She finds great joy in spending quality time with her family and friends. Her calm presence, steady guidance, and joyful spirit make her a beloved member of the LHS leadership team. Through her continued involvement, Amy seeks to help Lutheran High School flourish and remain a place where students grow in faith, character, and excellence.
Christine Foshage
Christine Foshage is entering her second year as Vice Chair of the Lutheran High School Board of Directors, bringing more than a decade of passionate support and leadership to the LHS community. A Finance Project Manager at BJC Health System, Christine’s professional expertise brings strategic insight and a data-driven mindset to the Board’s initiatives. She and her family have been involved with Lutheran High School for approximately 15 years, first becoming connected when her son was in middle school at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in St. Charles. Christine began attending the school’s annual auction events during that time and quickly became a committed supporter of LHS’s mission.
Her deep belief in the importance of a Christ-centered education coupled with academic excellence has inspired her continued service. Christine is especially proud of the progress Lutheran High has made in strengthening its curriculum and providing well-rounded academic opportunities for all students. Her son, Robert, graduated from Lutheran High School in 2018, and her husband, Steve, has actively supported the school by assisting with both boys’ and girls’ golf teams for the past seven years. The Foshage family remains deeply connected to the school community and its mission to “Grow and Serve in Christ.”
Christine is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles and enjoys contributing her time and energy to causes that support Christian education. Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Christine loves the arts and regularly attends performances at The Fox Theatre, The Muny, and the St. Louis Symphony. As a family, the Foshages enjoy traveling and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. Her thoughtful leadership and steady presence are valued assets on the Board as Lutheran High School continues to grow and thrive.
Church Representatives
Dianne Anderson
Dianne Anderson brings a lifetime of experience in Lutheran education and leadership to her role on the Lutheran High School Board of Directors. A proud graduate of Concordia University, Nebraska, Dianne has attended Lutheran schools her entire life and served as a school administrator prior to her retirement. She is now entering her fifth year on the Board, where she is deeply committed to the mission and ministry of Lutheran High School. Dianne is a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in O’Fallon, Missouri, and continues to see Christian education as an essential vehicle for raising up the next generation of Christ-followers.
Her passion for LHS is fueled by what she witnesses during her time on campus—students interacting with kindness and respect, teachers and staff dedicated to their calling, and administrators working together to lead with excellence and faithfulness. She believes firmly that Lutheran High School creates an environment that not only supports academic success but also nurtures spiritual growth, preparing students to share the Gospel with the world beyond their time at LHS. Dianne’s background, both personal and professional, reflects a deep appreciation for the Lutheran tradition and its focus on faith-filled living.
The daughter of an LCMS pastor and one of six children, Dianne grew up moving throughout the Midwest, which gave her a broad and diverse understanding of Lutheran life and culture. She credits her upbringing with shaping her values and strengthening her appreciation for Christian education. In retirement, Dianne enjoys traveling, particularly to national parks, where she finds rest and renewal in God’s creation. In recent years, her travels have taken her to Alaska, where her sister now lives—a place Dianne says offers breathtaking evidence of God’s handiwork. Her love of nature, commitment to service, and dedication to faith-based education make her a valued leader and advocate for Lutheran High School.
Brandee Iannelli
Brandee Iannelli has served on the Lutheran High School Board of Directors since 2020 and brings a passionate commitment to the mission of Christ-centered education. A partner at Wibbenmeyer Iannelli Law, LLC and a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Brandee has been connected to Lutheran High School since 2015 when her younger brother was a student. She was invited to serve on the Board by her church’s leadership team and embraced the opportunity to help guide and shape the school’s vision for current and future students. Her motivation stems from a strong desire to ensure that LHS provides both a strong academic foundation and a spiritually vibrant environment for generations to come, including her two nieces and four nephews who will one day attend LHS.
Brandee finds joy in witnessing the school’s ongoing sustainability and growth, and she is deeply encouraged by the excellence demonstrated by students in both the classroom and extracurricular pursuits. She is especially passionate about expanding LHS’s ministry reach—to students, families, and the broader community—and fostering a culture of joy and purpose rooted in Christ. With a strategic mindset and a heart for service, she brings a valuable legal and leadership perspective to the Board.
Outside her professional and volunteer commitments, Brandee is an avid traveler who has visited 25 countries and continues to explore the world with curiosity and gratitude. She also enjoys hiking and recently achieved an extraordinary milestone by summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in July 2024—reaching an elevation of 19,341 feet. Brandee’s adventurous spirit, love for ministry, and dedication to Lutheran High School make her a dynamic and inspiring presence on the Board of Directors.
Rodney Verner
Rodney Verner serves as Executive Director at Cedarhurst Senior Living in St. Charles and is in his second year as a member of the Lutheran High School Board of Directors. A representative of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wentzville, Rodney brings not only his professional leadership experience to the Board but also a strong personal connection to LHS. His wife is an alumna of Lutheran High, and their son is currently a student, entering his junior year. Rodney is proud to represent his congregation and contribute to decisions that impact the spiritual and academic development of all students. He sees his Board service as a way to give back and to help shape the future of a school that is deeply meaningful to his family.
Rodney is especially excited about the updates coming to enhance the student experience at Lutheran High, including the expansion of the food service program and modernized classroom spaces. He believes these improvements are part of a broader effort to ensure the school remains a well-rounded, Christ-centered environment where students can grow and thrive. Rodney’s insights from managing a senior living organization bring a unique and thoughtful perspective to the Board’s work.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Rodney still has many family members there and treasures his desert roots. During the COVID pandemic, he took up running as a way to stay active and focused, and he now enjoys the balance it brings to his routine. When it’s time to relax, Rodney enjoys the challenge of completing 1,000-piece puzzles. His commitment to excellence, both professionally and in service to Lutheran High School, makes him a valued member of the Board.
Blake Brown
Blake Brown brings a national perspective to the Lutheran High School Board of Directors through his role as Assistant Vice President of National Lending Solutions for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Although Blake is a new member of the LHS Board this year, his connection to the school stretches back over four years through his work at LCEF, where he has partnered closely with Lutheran ministries across the country. His career has offered him a front-row seat to both the extraordinary Kingdom impact of LCMS schools and the increasing challenges they face in a changing culture. Blake’s insights help position Lutheran High School to navigate these complexities with clarity and purpose. As a parent of three young children—Abram (8), Edith (6), and Elsie (3)—he is deeply invested in the future of Lutheran education and excited to help shape a thriving environment for the next generation of Cougars.
Blake is passionate about supporting the LHS mission and ensuring its strategic direction reflects both faithfulness to God’s Word and responsiveness to emerging needs. He believes LHS plays a vital role in raising up the next generation of faithful Lutheran leaders at a time when church membership statistics trend downward, yet school enrollment grows. He views this as a critical opportunity to boldly proclaim the Gospel through education. A native of central Illinois and current member at Zion, Blake grew up on a family farm, which is still operated by his father and brother. Outside of work and ministry, he’s a longtime fan of the show Survivor, having watched every episode of every season at least once. He and his wife Megan share a love of travel and adventure, including a memorable stop for a beer at the highest altitude bar in Europe—over 10,000 feet up in the Swiss Alps. With his strategic insight, passion for Lutheran education, and strong personal investment in the school’s mission, Blake is excited to serve and strengthen Lutheran High School for years to come.
Katie Jones
Katie Jones serves as a dedicated member of the Lutheran High School Board of Directors and is currently entering her first year of service. She is the Chief Program Officer at Boone Center Inc. (BCI), where she focuses on developing programs that create meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. A devoted member of Child of God, Katie brings her faith and passion for service into every aspect of her professional and volunteer life. Her work has also led her to serve on the Governor’s Council on Disability for the past eight years, a role she considers both a privilege and a calling.
Katie is excited to contribute her leadership experience, advocacy skills, and personal commitment to growth in her role at LHS. She views her involvement on the Board as an opportunity to support the school’s mission and play a role in shaping the future of Lutheran education. She is especially inspired by the positive impact Lutheran High has on its students and the broader community. Her deep belief in Christian education aligns perfectly with the values upheld at LHS.
Outside of her professional work, Katie finds great joy in being a mom to two amazing daughters. She cherishes time spent with her circle of close friends and family and finds rejuvenation through outdoor activities. Her heart for others and her commitment to service are evident in all she does. Katie’s thoughtful insight, compassionate leadership, and dedication to the mission of Lutheran High School make her an invaluable member of the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors Responsibilities
The Lutheran High School Board of Directors is charged with guarding the mission, advancing the vision, and stewarding the resources of the school so that it thrives for generations to come. The Board works prayerfully and strategically to appoint, support, and hold accountable the Head of School. It does so by engaging in long-range planning, overseeing financial sustainability, and participating in development efforts. The Board is forward-focused — its work is not about the daily operation of the school, but about ensuring that Lutheran High School remains a strong, faithful, and Christ-centered school for decades to come.
- Guards and promotes the mission of LHS as a Christ-centered institution.
- Ensures the financial health of LHS, including approving budgets and overseeing financial (forward) planning.
- Engages in visioning for the future generations of students.
- Approves capital campaigns and major fundraising efforts, while also participating in donor development and support.
- Establishes governance practices, including bylaws and board policies.
- Appoints, supports, and evaluates the Head of School as the sole employee directly accountable to the Board.
- Approves strategic plans and policies that guide the long-term direction of LHS.
To ensure clarity and effective governance, it is important to know what the Lutheran High School Board does not do. The Board does not manage the daily affairs of the school, oversee faculty, intervene in student discipline, or decide curriculum. It does not serve as a complaint forum or parent advocacy group. Those operational decisions are the responsibility of the Head of School and his leadership team. The Board focuses instead on vision and accountability to our mission.
- Manage day-to-day operations such as student discipline, curriculum decisions, or staff supervision — this is delegated to the Head of School.
- Serve as a court of appeal for student or parent complaints, discipline cases, or teacher concerns.
- Hire or evaluate faculty and staff, other than the Head of School.
- Make admissions decisions or intervene in individual student issues.
- Get involved in teacher, classroom, or activity/program decisions, curriculum implementation, or extracurricular program management.
- Receive direct reports from faculty, parents, or students about operational matters.
- Micromanage the administration — instead, the board operates at a strategic, not operational, level.