4/20/2023 -- Elisa Tomich has been selected as the next chief communications officer, effective July 1. The board of education voted unanimously in support of the recommendation at its meeting Wednesday night. She replaces Paul Tandy who is retiring after 23 years of service to the Parkway community.

Tomich is an experienced communicator, serving as an award-winning education reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for 13 years. She is currently the director of communications for The Opportunity Trust, providing strategic communications for charter schools in the St. Louis region. Previously, she was a communications consultant for Wells Fargo Advisors executing integrated communications to support internal communications and employee engagement. She began her career as a journalist more than 25 years ago. Tomich holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Tomich has a deep understanding of education, the St. Louis community and the critical issues facing public schools. Throughout her career, she has remained an advocate of high-quality education for all children. Her proven experience as a strategic planner and complex understanding of community engagement and relationship management will make her a tremendous leader in the work ahead to support Parkway’s communications and emergency management plans.

Tomich’s diverse experiences will bring a valued voice to this role. Her proven skills in public relations, journalism and strategic communications provide a strong outside perspective as we support the needs of all community stakeholders.

“Parkway must have an outstanding and proven leader in this role as a trusted advisor on the Superintendent’s Action Team, said Superintendent Keith Marty. Paul Tandy certainly provided that for many years, so we are very excited to have another proven leader in Elisa. I look forward to the promising opportunities ahead for Parkway with Elisa in this role.”