Leadership

Thomas G. Hood, O.P.A., President, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School

Tom Hood joined the St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School family as President in July 2016. Previously President Hood served for eight years as the Head of School at MMI Preparatory School in Freeland, Pennsylvania, an independent, co-educational college-preparatory day school with 252 students. In 2006, he began his tenure at MMI Preparatory School family as Vice President and then became Head two years later. He joined the MMI administration after a 22-year career in the United States Army including four years on the faculty at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

President Hood earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He also has completed twelve credit units towards an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. During his military career, he was qualified as both a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot. Before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, he served in various command and staff roles including serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. President Hood and his wife, Mary-Lee, have been married for over 30 years, and they have four grown children.

Heather Valdez, O.P.A., Dean, St. Agnes Academy Upper School

Heather Valdez joined St. Agnes Academy as an English teacher in the Upper School in 2003, and she was named Dean in 2021. She has experience teaching World Literature, British Literature and Family and Consumer Science. Additionally, she has served as senior class sponsor, participated on numerous SAIS committees, and directed the activities of the National Honor Society and the Justice, Respect and Peace program.  She is a Eucharistic Minister and a Dominican Associate. While teaching at St. Agnes, Mrs. Valdez obtained a Master of Education from Christian Brothers University where she was named CBU Master’s Student of the Year. In 2018 she attended the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute. Mrs. Valdez is committed to cultivating a learning environment that empowers our students to thrive, and she displays an appreciation of and commitment to girls' education and 21st-century learning principles.

Jenn Wojcik, Dean, St. Agnes Academy Lower School

Jenn Wojcik was named Dean of St. Agnes Academy Lower School in May of 2022. She is an experienced educator with over 25 years of experience. Prior to joining St. Agnes, she was the Dean of the Upper School at Royal Palm Academy, a PK-8 Independent Catholic School in Naples, Florida. Previously she served as the Dean of Faculty for four years, taught middle school Literature & Language Arts and was the Language Arts Department Chair. She earned her B.S. in Secondary Education in Language Arts, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and earned a master’s degree in English, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama. Before joining the faculty at Royal Palm Academy, she was an English instructor at The University of Alabama and at Florida Gulf Coast University. Dean Wojcik is dedicated to providing our students a solid foundation to become confident women of conviction, courage, and compassion.

Jefferson Brant, Dean, St. Dominic School

Having worked in independent schools for over 15 years, St. Dominic School Dean Jefferson Brant is an experienced teacher and administrator. Prior to joining St. Dominic School in 2024,  Mr. Brant was the Dean of Faculty at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville in Florida where he supported a faculty community of 200 across three campuses and served on the school’s Academic and Senior Leadership teams.  Mr. Brant is originally from Clarksville, TN. He has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Memphis, along with graduate certification in Independent School Leadership from Johns Hopkins University. He is an educator with a heart to serve, who understands the importance of building healthy relationships to promote student development.

Julie Thompson, Director, Early Childhood Education and Auxiliary Programs

Julie Thompson has extensive experience developing and leading early childhood and summer camp programs, as well as experience as a classroom teacher. Prior to joining SAA-SDS in 2022 she worked at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School where she was the Director of the Early Childhood Center for five years and the Director of Extended Care and Summer Camp programs for nine years.   Mrs. Thompson has a bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Originally from Colombia, South America, she grew up in the northeast and moved to Memphis 18 years ago. She is a dynamic Catholic educator who teaches and leads with compassion and kindness.

Bobby Ireland, Vice President of Campus Services

Bobby Ireland has served as Vice President of Campus Services since at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School since 2019. In this role Mr. Ireland oversees the activities of the Technology Department, the Library, Security, and Maintenance. Mr. Ireland has been the varsity soccer coach since 1997 and a full-time member of the SAA-SDS staff since 2001. Prior to his current role he was the Chief Information Officer directing all technology on the campus. Under his leadership SAA-SDS was the first school in the area to offer a one-to-one laptop program. He and his wife Jen have two sons who are St. Dominic graduates, Nick Class of 2012, and Matt Class of 2017.

Holli Kenney, Vice President of Advancement

Holli Kenney joined the St. Agnes Academy - St. Dominic School faculty and staff in 2014, serving as Chief Development Officer until 2022 when she was named Vice President of Advancement. During her time at SAA-SDS, Mrs. Kenney has served on the school's leadership team and the Strategic Plan Steering Committtee, and has been involved with various local non-profits, most recently on the Board of the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Originally from Alabama, she obtained her B.A. in English from The University of Alabama and began a career in non-profit development in 2006. Prior to joining the SAA-SDS family, Mrs. Kenney was Director of Development for The Orpheum Theatre, responsible for the annual fund, special events and corporate sponsorships. Mrs. Kenney and her husband, Nick, have three boys who are proud St. Dominic Suns - Griffin, Miles and Foster.

Amy Keith, Chief Financial Officer

Amy Keith was appointed CFO in June, 2022. She is an experienced controller with over 20 years of experience in financial accounting for public and privately held companies. Most recently she was the Controller at MODE Transportation, a transportation and logistics company with over 100 offices throughout North America. Additionally, she has experience in the nonprofit sector having served as Finance Chair on the boards of several area nonprofit organizations. Mrs. Keith received a BBA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from the University of Memphis. She and her husband Owen have three children, William, Nicholas, and Emily.

Matt Nelson, Director Athletics

Matt Nelson has served as Athletic Director for the Stars and Sons since 2020. He has extensive experience in athletics administration and coaching at every level, from lower school through college. Prior to joining SAA-SDS he was the Associate Athletic Director at Hutchison School where his duties included supervising and mentoring coaches, as well as overseeing the middle school athletic program and lower school intramural program, while assisting with the varsity program. He was Athletic Director at Chelsea Academy in Virginia where he pioneered the athletics program for grades 6-12 and coached both varsity boys basketball and varsity girls soccer. He also served as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Christendom College in Virginia guiding the team to two conference championships and two top10 national rankings. Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, he attended Thomas Aquinas College in California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Beth Odom, Director of Dominican-Catholic Identity

Beth Odom has served the SAA-SDS community as Director of Dominican-Catholic Identity since 2019. She plays an instrumental role in fostering the spiritual growth of our students, faculty, and parents. Mrs. Odom previously taught Religion at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School for almost 20 years and served as the school’s Religion Coordinator.

She was presented the Immaculate Heart of Mary Award by the Diocese for her work in Catholic education. She attended the University of Memphis where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She and her husband Matt have three children, Emily, Thomas and Cecilia.