Meet the Board of Directors

Greg Swartz, President

Greg Swartz is President and Founder of Swartz Electric, a Colorado Springs-based electrical contractor that has been voted Best of the Springs 9 years in a row.  Having served 9 years with the United States Marine Corps before transitioning into the civilian sector, Greg has licenses as a Master Electrician and an Electrical Contractor with degrees in Electronics Technology and Electrical Engineering.  He enjoys short term mission trips building houses, schools, and churches in Mexico.  Mr. Swartz participates in extreme events such as the ADT 1/2 Marathon, Tough Mudder, and Triple Bypass Ride.  Greg and his lovely bride Kimberly have been married for 28 years.  They have 4 children: 1 at UCCS and 3 sons who graduated from Power Technical.  Greg is a firm believer in James Irwin’s leadership, character, and ethics models.  Greg’s term expires August 22, 2027.

Paula Mensah-Woode, Vice-President

Paula Mensah-Woode is a parent who has chosen James Irwin Charter Schools, where she’s seen her children thrive not only academically but in character and in an environment that fosters good citizenship. Paula is a Biological Scientist with an emphasis in Microbiology. Her passion for seeing kids bloom in character and perseverance led her to publish As Special As Can Be, As Cuddly as Can Be, and As Colorful as Can Be.  Paula and her husband have daily programs on FOX 21 and SOCO CW; they travel the world speaking, hosting evangelistic meetings and pastors conferences, as well as overseeing WMCI Affiliate churches in different countries. Other books they’ve published can also be read in English, Hindi, Marathi, Spanish, French, Chewa, and Burmese. Paula has worked with a number of organizations in the area of strategic planning and marketing. Paula and her family enjoy spending time skiing, tubing, and everything in between in the Colorado Mountains. Paula's term expires August 2026.

Mary-Anne Kline, Treasurer

Mary-Anne Kline is a Florida Native, now Colorado transplant who is a former teacher and homeschool Mom, earning her degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Florida Southern College. She volunteers in the Mothers of Preschooler's (MOPS) homeschool room at her church, Pikes Peak Christian Church. Mrs. Kline is also a published author in the devotional, Abba’s Lesson Book 5. She is married to Jeremiah, a firefighter, paramedic, and Sergeant First Class in the United States Army National Guard, for over 16 years. Together they have 2 daughters and 2 sons who attend James Irwin Charter School. They are a proud Jags family that believes in serving their community and country. She is excited and honored to serve on the school board of James Irwin Charter School. Mary-Anne's term expires August 2026.

Stacy Marshall, Secretary

Ever since her own days as an elementary student, Stacy Marshall has had a strong interest in education. Stacy graduated from Asbury University with a BA in Spanish and moved to Colorado Springs in 2001. She taught at local private and charter schools as a specials teacher, instructional assistant, tutor, and substitute teacher. She met her husband Peter in Colorado, and they were married in 2005. When James Irwin Charter Academy opened in 2013, her oldest child started in the first Kindergarten class, and her second child attended a few years later. Stacy enjoys being involved in her children’s school, knowing the faculty and staff, and finding ways to support and encourage them. In some seasons that has included being a member of the School Accountability Committee or actively volunteering with the Parent Teacher Organization. Other seasons it has been helping serve school lunches or bringing the teachers cookies. Stacy genuinely cares for the students, staff, and community of James Irwin. She has seen her children learn, grow, and thrive at school. As a board member it is her desire to faithfully serve the James Irwin community and to continue to make it possible for both our present students and future students and families to have access to strong character development and outstanding educational programs.  Stacy's term expires August 2026.

Sean Lacey, Director

Sean Lacey is a dedicated Financial Advisor with a strong background in financial services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and associate’s degrees in history and behavioral science, bringing a well-rounded perspective to financial planning and strategic decision-making. Beyond his professional work, Sean is actively involved in his community through his church and youth sports, where he enjoys mentoring and supporting youth development. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships and being active in the community. Sean and his wife are proud parents of three children, two of whom attend James Irwin Charter Schools. As a board member, he is committed to supporting the school's mission of academic excellence and character development, ensuring that both current and future students have access to exceptional educational opportunities. Sean is honored to serve on the board and looks forward to contributing to the continued success of James Irwin Charter Schools. Sean Lacey's term expires August 2027.

Angela Vance, Director

Angela Vance is a dedicated professional with a background shaped by both her German-American heritage and her deep roots in Colorado, which she has called home since 2002. She has cultivated strong community connections in the Southeast region of Colorado Springs. Her professional journey began in local Southern Colorado news stations, which ultimately led to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for ESPN. After a little over two years, the call of home proved strong, prompting her return to Colorado. This foundation led her to a five-year tenure with Harrison School District 2 as a Multimedia Content Production Specialist. In this role, she leveraged her expertise to create compelling video and photo content, communicating the district's successes and fostering a strong sense of community. Mrs. Vance is currently the Vice President of Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pikes Peak Region, a role that aligns with her passion for youth development. Her commitment to empowering youth is reflected in her service on the James Irwin Charter School Board of Directors. She is honored to contribute to a mission that closely mirrors that of the Boys & Girls Clubs, with the hope of continuing her service beyond this three-year term. Outside of her professional life, Mrs. Vance is married with a stepson and a family of seven rescued pets. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and attending live game events.

Brett Diederich, Associate Director

Brent Diederich is the Director of Individual Philanthropic Giving at the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation here in Colorado Springs. With a decade of experience in Fundraising/Development in Colorado Springs, including working in the Olympic Movement with U.S. Figure Skating, he's a tremendous believer in the local community. In his professional career he has worked with leaders in sport and science and now, in the military community. Brent also volunteers with the Audio Information Network of Colorado (AINC) to read and record the Colorado Springs Gazette Saturday edition for members of the community who have lost their eyesight. Outside of work, Brent is active with his girlfriend in outdoor activities and in team sports, two important parts of learning and developing that help shape his views on developing youth. As a Board Member for James Irwin, he hopes to uphold the school's values and principles in developing students of great character through rigorous and content-rich academics.