ZCS Board of Trustees
The School Board of Trustees for Zionsville Community Schools is comprised of five elected members that represent Eagle and Union Townships.
Board members play a pivotal role in setting policies, approving resources and guiding decisions that help shape the educational experience for ZCS students. With a commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence, board members collaborate closely with the superintendent to ensure every student receives a high-quality education.
Board members conduct business in a public board meeting held at the beginning of each month.
Katie Aeschliman grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. She attended Indiana University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs and later earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis. Katie has over 20 years of public sector experience, holding senior roles in banking and government. She worked for several years in the City of Indianapolis in both the Office of Corporation Counsel and the City Controller’s Office. She also worked for the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank as a Senior Project Manager and Chief Financial Officer prior to joining the private sector. Katie currently serves as Senior Vice President at BMO Bank N.A. in the Institutional Market Group.
Katie moved to Zionsville in 2010 and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since January of 2021.
Katie and her husband, Jake, have two children who attend Zionsville Community Schools.
Mr. Michael Berg, Vice President
Email: [email protected]
Michael Berg was born in Cameroon and spent the majority of his early life in Senegal, before moving to America and graduating high school in Springfield, Illinois. Michael received B.A.’s in Psychology and Integrated International Studies from Knox College in 2002 and a M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University in 2004. Michael has worked in various capacities in the behavioral health field in Maryland, Illinois, Minnesota, and Indiana and is currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Community Health Network’s Community Infectious Disease Care. Michael is the Ryan White Services Program Manager, managing programs serving the non-medical needs of people living with HIV. Michael has expertise in child and family mental health, addictions, trauma, crisis intervention, and LGBTQ issues. Michael has lived in the area since 2014, and has three children who attend Zionsville Community Schools. The Bergs enjoy travel, being outdoors, and participating in all manner of athletic endeavors.
Michael Coussens, Secretary
Email: [email protected]
Michael Coussens grew up working on his family farm in northern Indiana. He and his wife, Tracy, moved to Zionsville in 2002. Michael holds a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering from Purdue University and has 30 years of engineering experience at Peerless Pump, currently as the Chief Engineer focusing on new product development. Michael and Tracy have four children, including three ZCS graduates and one current ZCS student.
Michael has supported Zionsville schools at all levels since 2003, including serving as past Union Elementary Dads Club member and President, on Zionsville Education Foundation Grant Committee and as a volunteer, and for 13 years as a Marching Eagles parent volunteer among other roles.
Jennifer Valentine grew up in Lake Orion, Michigan and attended Oakland University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management with a concentration in Training and Development. She was manager of the Computer Consulting group at a CPA firm in Troy, Michigan before having her 4th child and staying home to take care of her busy, growing family. Jen and her husband, Kevin, have four children. Two have graduated from ZCS and two are currently enrolled at Zionsville Community High School. The Valentines have lived in Zionsville for 12 years.
Jen volunteers weekly at HVAF, a homeless shelter in Indianapolis for veterans and their families and is also on the Christamore House Guild that serves underprivileged children in the Haughville neighborhood in Indianapolis. When she is not volunteering at Zionsville Schools, with Zionsville Athletic Boosters or in Indianapolis; Jen enjoys reading, writing, drawing, and being creative, usually outside if the weather cooperates. She can be found on the fields cheering her kids on at their athletic events that include lacrosse, cross country and track or visiting her college-aged kids at their schools. Family time is the best time and the Valentines enjoy being together and traveling whenever possible, mostly to Michigan to visit family.
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Dr. Christy Wessel-Powell, Ph.D., MemberDr. Christy Wessel-Powell is an educational researcher and associate professor at Purdue University’s College of Education. She focuses on literacy and school equity. She is also the director for Purdue’s Center for Literacy and Language Education and Research. She earned her Ph.D. in Literacy, Culture & Language Education from Indiana University-Bloomington. Prior to academia, she was an elementary classroom teacher and literacy coach in high needs urban school districts.
Christy is originally from Greene County, Indiana, where she attended public schools K-12. She and her family have lived in Zionsville since 2017. Her two children attend Zionsville Community Schools.