Board Members

Joe Burke, President: Second Term. 2023-2026

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.

Mr. 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.

Mr. 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.

Alice 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 daughters, who are active in soccer and study classical guitar.

Tejal Bhalani, Secretary: Second Term. 2023-2026

Tejal Bhalani has been part of the Meridian community since its inaugural year, with her oldest child graduating from the school in 2024 and her youngest still a student here.

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.

Odi Agenmonmen: First Term. 2024-2026

Odi Agenmonmen serves as Vice President for Customer Experience Operations at Capital One, where he leads efforts to reimagine and create industry-leading customer experiences.

Inspired by his mother, a former primary school educator in Nigeria, Odi deeply values education and understands its power to transform lives. This belief motivates him to support Meridian’s mission, bringing his leadership and expertise to the Board in pursuit of accessible, high-quality education for all.

Outside of work, Odi enjoys traveling the world with his family, exploring diverse cultures, and embracing the opportunities that different parts of the world offer. He is also actively involved in his church and various nonprofit initiatives, working in partnership with his wife, Jennifer, to uplift their community and support future generations.

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, 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.

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 until 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.

Since 2019, Ms. Shepherd has been a professor within the Education Department at Southwestern University and has held various roles. She continues to share her time and expertise with Meridian staff and students as the Chair of the Sustainability Committee. Ms. Shepherd is also a founding board member of Friends of Meridian, an organization that supports environmental sustainability and education at Meridian World School.