2025-2026 pto board

  • Co-Presidents

    • Jeff Malinowski

    • Devan Baldwin

  • Secretary

    • Meredith Carrier

  • Treasurer

    • Zach Hood

  • Incoming Treasurer/Events

    • Kristen Bakevich

  • Past President

    • Sami Villwock

  • Communications

    • Brie Robinson

    • Blair Pope

  • Teacher Celebrations

    • Ashley Kimball

    • Lauren Hitch

  • Happy Cart

    • Ellen McLannahan

  • Angel Tree

    • Molly Kraemer

    • Devon Scott

    • Heather Crabtree Jones

  • Advisor

    • Kim Frech

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    • Elizabeth Radcliff

  • Spiritwear - Inventory Management

    • Hannah Driscoll

  • Dragon Dash / Advisor

    • Wendy Hinton

    • Marisa Williams

  • Events

    • Daniel Howard

    • Amber Turner

    • Katy Whatley

  • Family Help

    • Lana Hefner

    • Jessica Piper

  • Teacher Needs

    • Molly Melander

BOARD MEMBER BIOS

Hi, I'm Jeff Malinowski! This is my first year as Co-President of the PTO but I've been on the board as a member of the Events and Fundraising committee for the previous 2. I'm the parent of a fourth-grade Dragon named Julian. I grew up in upstate New York and moved from Brooklyn, NY to Nashville with my wife, Amal, in 2015. I work as an audio mixer and gig locally and around the South with my Grateful Dead cover band, The Stolen Faces. Being a part of the PTO has been very rewarding and it's been a real joy to put on memorable experiences like our annual Field Day for students and their families and provide a helping hand to our teachers and staff. As Co-President, I strive to foster the incredible community that exists at Dan Mills and help each and every child thrive.

JEFF MALINOWSKI, CO-PRESIDENT

Hi Dragons! My name is Devan Baldwin and I’m the incoming Co-President of the DMES PTO this year. I’ve served on the board for two years on the Teacher Needs committee and I’ve been involved as a room parent for three years. My daughter Charlotte is a third grader in the house of Midori!

I’ve worked for Cigna Healthcare for 18 years and currently work from home as a Project Manager in Workforce Management. My husband Will is a rare Nashville native. We’ve lived all over the city but we love calling Inglewood home. I enjoy gardening, reading, going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with my family. Charlotte and I love to create art together, volunteer, and explore our city. 

I am very excited to be leading the PTO this year with Jeff. Supporting our incredible teachers is something near and dear to my heart. We are so lucky to be part of the Dan Mills Family! 

Devan baldwin, CO-PRESIDENT

Hello, Dan Mills! I previously served as the Enrichment Chair on the PTO board (which despite the name has nothing to do with money) and will be taking over as treasurer this year. Even though my son is only a rising second grader, we’ve been part of the DMES community for over 5 years since he started preschool. We also have a rising seventh grader at Meigs.

In a past life before becoming a full-time parent, I worked as an electrical engineer. Today you’re more likely to find me holding a balloon arch or cutting out laminated paper while volunteering at the school than building an antenna. If you stop by to lend a hand some Friday morning, I’ll be happy to teach you to run the copying machines!

zach hood, treasurer

Hi, I’m Meredith Carrier, incoming PTO Secretary. My daughter, Evie, is a rising second grader and proud Skywing Dragon. 

I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and moved to Nashville in 2006. I’ve lived in Inglewood since 2015. When my husband Dave and I moved into the neighborhood we heard that Dan Mills was a good school, but we had no idea at the time how much that would come to matter to us. We’re so thankful for the amazing administrators, teachers, staff, students and parents that comprise the Dan Mills community. 

You can find me on the playground after school just about every school day, probably accompanied by our mixed breed rescue dog, Elsie. Elsie’s greatest joy in life is greeting Dragons and receiving belly rubs. Please feel free to stop by and say hello! 

meredith carrier, secretary

Hi, my name is Sami Villwock. I am lovingly known as Ernie’s mom, a rising 2nd grader. My husband, Tony Galloro, and I have been part of the Dan Mills community for almost four years now, since our Pre-K days! By day, I am an Underwriter for an MGA here in Nashville called Velocity Risk. I come from Iowa and enjoy spending time with my family (including our dog, four cats, and two guinea pigs), painting, and traveling for work. This will be my third year on the Board, and I've got to say my favorite thing about it is making dreams come true for the Dragons and staff. I'll never forget the smiles while unloading the pumpkin truck last year—it was truly magical. I'd like to implore everyone to be as involved in the community as you are able to. It's a very special community here at Dan Mills!

Sami Villwock, past President

brie nicole robinson, communications

Hi, Dragons!  Coming in hot for another year helping with communications on the website and the marquee out front of DMES. 

I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, though I have lived here for over 15 years.  I am the Founder and Owner of PTY Consulting, and I specialize in Change Enablement and Transformation for companies and non-profit organizations of all sizes and across industry sectors.  Unofficially, I probably swear a little too much, laugh a little too loud, and quote movies all too often.

I have a rising 2nd grader, Wyatt, who loves animals, math, swimming, and playing goalie in soccer.  In our free time you can find us at the pool, walking our dog, Nyx, or grabbing pizza at 5 Points.  We look forward to another great year as part of the Dan Mills community, and to helping more families feel connected and engaged with this wonderful MNPS tribe.

Hi Everyone! I’m Blair Pope and this is my first year helping out on PTO, but my third year as a Dan Mills parent (2nd grader) and I’m obsessed with this school. I’m doing my best with the PTO Newsletter, social media, and website… so feel free to slide into the DMs to say hey. I’ve lived in Nashville for a little over 10 years and always on the east side, but we moved to Inglewood just before Kindergarten. We feel so lucky to have landed in this community. You’ll often find us out in the front yard chatting with neighbors or walking our wild, but sweet (but seriously wild) dog, Stella Miu Miu Pope.

My main gig is artist management and music marketing, which I’ve been doing for over 13 years. I founded and still run the indie record label Brooklyn Basement Records (which is now based in Nashville despite being started in Brooklyn). Fun fact: I once managed a band Jeff was in.

blair pope, communications

Ashley Kimball is excited to have three little Dragons at Dan Mills this year—a fourth grader, a second grader, and a brand-new pre-K student. With many years ahead at Dan Mills, Ashley is deeply committed to supporting the school community. Now in her fourth year on the Dan Mills PTO Board, she brings a wealth of experience from previous board roles, along with a strong background in public education and her work with Teach For America Nashville. Ashley is eager to continue learning, growing, and giving back to this wonderful school. At home, it’s a split between Skywing and Nebula—but at school, it’s all Go Dragons!

Ashley Kimball, teacher celebrations

Ellen is a Nashville native who moved to East Nashville in 2005. She has a rising 2nd and 4th grader this year. This will be her second year serving on the Dan Mills PTO board.

In addition to being the Happy Cart Coordinator for the 2024 school year, she is also the current vice president of The Battle of Nashville Trust.

Ellen Duer McClanahan, happy cart

Elizabeth Ratliff is a mother of 2 dragons and a professional photographer (Elle Jackson Photo).


Working with an exceptional organization called Able Voices (teaching photography to disabled young adults) and serving as Mid TN Representative on the TN Council for Autism, she is so excited to serve as Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion!

Elizabeth Ratliff, Diversity, equity, and Inclusion

Daniel is the proud parent of two Dan Mills students, Charlie (5th grade) and Jack (2nd grade). Originally from Atlanta, he went to college in Nashville, spent a few years in New York, and made East Nashville his home almost fifteen years ago. He’s a former litigation attorney who now devotes those paperwork skills to submitting fundraising requests to MNPS.

Outside of work, Daniel and his wife can typically be found at a baseball or soccer field, helping coach or just cheering on their kids. The family attends every possible NSC game, and Daniel tries to save a bit of time for cycling. 

Daniel’s wife, Megan, has been actively involved with Dragon Dash for the past couple years. They love the Dan Mills community and are excited to play a small role in making this school even better. 

Daniel Howard, Events

Wendy will be serving in an advisory role for the Dan Mills PTO this year. This will be her tenth year serving on the PTO board, and she’s excited about the opportunities for Dragon families this school year! She has a 3rd grader at Dan Mills, a 8th grader at Litton, and a 10th grader at Hume-Fogg. She is a former MNPS teacher and Dan Mills alumni. She enjoys reading, walking in the neighborhood, and spending time with friends and family. She loves to travel and keeps her suitcase packed and ready for her next adventure.

Wendy Hinton, Dragon Dash, Advisor

My name is Kim Frech and I grew up in middle Tennessee, graduated from MTSU, and have lived in Nashville for about 8 years.

I have a second grader at Dan Mills. In my spare time I attempt gardening and read entirely too many books.

kim french, Advisor

Hello! My name is Amber, and this is my first year serving on the Dan Mills PTO Board as part of the Events Committee. My daughter, James, is a rising first grader who loves gymnastics, singing, and reading—she is the heart behind why I care so much about creating meaningful school connections. This year marks my 21st year in education, with experience ranging from classroom teacher to principal, and roles supporting schools, districts, and state agencies. I bring with me a strong belief in the power of school-family partnerships and am passionate about creating joyful, inclusive spaces for learning and connection.

amber turner, events

Katy Whatley is stepping into her first role on the PTO with the Events and Fundraising Committee. She along with her husband, Hamzah, and their kids—a 1st grader at Dan Mills and an energetic 4-year-old—moved to Inglewood last year after exploring several neighborhoods around Nashville since 2012. Katy has been a Realtor for the past eight years, after making the switch from being a high school math teacher for over a decade. She is thrilled to be reconnecting with the education world through the PTO, bringing together a love for community and learning in a way that feels just right!

katy whatley, events

Hi, I’m Kristen Bakevich, and I’m excited to take on the Incoming Treasurer role this year. My husband, Luke Alibozek, and I have two kids at Dan Mills—Ella is in 4th grade in Midori, and Teddy is in 2nd grade in Kingcrowne. We moved back to Nashville in 2020 after living here briefly from 2012 to 2014, and we were glad to return and put down roots as a family here.

Before that, I grew up in CT and spent most of my adult life in New York City. I started my career in sales and trading at an investment bank and later worked as a portfolio manager. I hold a BS in Finance from Bentley University in Boston and an MBA from NYU, where I focused on quantitative finance and economics. These days, I still take on some financial consulting, but most of my time is spent managing the everyday chaos of raising kids, running point on snacks, and keeping Girl Scouts in motion.

I’ve led Ella’s Girl Scout troop for the past three years, and as a family we’re into travel, theme parks, animals (we’ve got two dogs and a cat to keep things interesting), and anything involving water. When I get a little time to myself, I love hiking, snowboarding, going to concerts, and playing music for fun—strictly back-deck sessions, no stage dreams.

I’m looking forward to using my finance background to support the PTO’s mission: helping fund the programs, events, and resources that make Dan Mills a more enriching, connected, and joyful place for all our kids.

kristen bakevich, events & incoming secretary

Hello, Dan Mills! My name is Molly Melander and will be helping with teacher projects this year. My husband, Chris, and I have lived in Inglewood since moving from Baltimore in 2018.  Our son Charlie is a rising fourth grader and has been at Dan Mills since Kindergarten.  We have loved being part of the Dan Mills community and getting to know so many amazing staff and parents. 
It is my first year on the PTO, so I have much to learn but am excited to meet new people and support our incredible school!

molly melander, teacher needs

Dan Mills Elementary School PARENTS AND TEACHERS ORGANIZATION BYLAWS

It is the mission of the Dan Mills Elementary School PTO to engage our talents, skills, interests and abilities to make Dan Mills an outstanding learning environment for all of our students. In order to achieve this mission the PTO is governed by its bylaws. The full bylaw document can be reviewed by clicking the link below.

These bylaws were updated in 2024.