Current Board Members
The Stargate School Board of Directors is elected by members of the Stargate Community. Board members typically serve 3-year terms. Guided by the school's mission, the Board sets the general direction and policy of the school, with a focus on longer term and “big picture” issues.
Lindsey Paquette - President (Parent Member - Term Ends June 2026) Lindsey Paquette has been a parent at Stargate for five years and has children currently attending both the elementary school and the middle school. Lindsey has served on Stargate’s School Accountability Committee for four years, where she was Committee Chair and Lead for KPI reporting. Lindsey was a part of the 2019-20 cohort of the Adams 12 Five Star Leadership Academy. Lindsey received a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business. She has professional experience in management consulting, IT audit consulting, and internal quality control.
Lumakar Challa - Vice President (Parent Member - Term Ends June 2027)Lumakar Challa has been a parent at Stargate for four years, with children currently attending both the middle school and the high school. Over the past year, he has served as the Chair of Stargate’s School Accountability Committee, contributing to the school's parent survey and KPI reporting.
Lumakar holds dual master’s degrees in Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Colorado State University. As an IT Director, he has professional experience in various technologies, including applications, databases, licensing, and cybersecurity. Additionally, Lumakar has more than 10 years of teaching experience and has volunteered in different roles in educational institutions.
Lumakar holds dual master’s degrees in Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Colorado State University. As an IT Director, he has professional experience in various technologies, including applications, databases, licensing, and cybersecurity. Additionally, Lumakar has more than 10 years of teaching experience and has volunteered in different roles in educational institutions.
Lisa Hosfelt - Secretary (Parent Member - Term Ends June 2025)Lisa Hosfelt has been a member of the Stargate community for nine years, serving five years on the Governance Board and four years on the School Accountability Committee. She has fulfilled various leadership roles in both organizations and has led efforts to improve efficiency and organization. She graduated from Brigham Young University and worked in the investment industry for several years prior to staying home with her children, all four of whom attend Stargate. She is an active volunteer with her church and various community organizations.
Dr. Meryl Faulkner - Director (Parent Member, Term Ends June 2025)Meryl Faulkner, EdD, is the parent of a fifth grader who has attended Stargate since Kindergarten. This is her second year as a parent director. Previously, she was a member of the School Accountability Committee. She is the Senior Manager of the GIfted and Talented department in Denver Public Schools. She received her doctorate from the University of Denver in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Gifted Education and a Gifted and Talented Director administrator’s license. She is the National Association for Gifted Children’s Early Childhood Network Chair and a board member for the Colorado Academy for Educators of the Gifted, Talented, and Creative. Beyond the Gifted education world, she is an escape room enthusiast, gamer, and enjoys baking with her daughter.
Lisa Griffin - Director (Parent Member - Term Ends June 2027)Lisa Griffin was a 2024 finalist for the Colorado League of Charter Schools’ Most Valuable Charter Contributor Award. She has guided transformations and turnarounds in the telecommunications industry for more than 25 years, helping architect data-driven business and marketing strategies, global brands and customer experiences. She worked previously with the American Red Cross where she won numerous awards for PR, crisis communications and fundraising programs, as well as for organizational innovation and leadership. She has been a Stargate volunteer for 13 years, leading committees for Elections, Recruiting and Website. Lisa grew up in the Cherokee Nation and serves on the leadership council for the Colorado Cherokee Circle. She holds an MBA with a Marketing emphasis, an MA in International Relations and a BA in Journalism.
Samantha Howorko - Treasurer (Independent Member - Term Ends June 2027)Samantha Howorko is an alumni of Stargate and has served six years on the Stargate Governance Board. As an Independent Board member, with no children, she brings a unique perspective and as an alumni is passionate about serving our gifted community and ensuring a lifelong love of learning. She received her Bachelor's degree in Financial Analysis and International Business from Creighton University. Samantha is a Senior Commercial Relationship Manager and Vice President in commercial banking at Wells Fargo. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, hiking with her dog Louie, and spending time with family and friends.
Bibi Paul - Director (Independent Member - Term Ends June 2027)BiBi Paul is a parent of 2 successful Stargate Alumni (K-12) from the first and third Stargate High School graduating classes. Evan (Class of 2019) graduated Summa Cum Laude from Colorado School of Mines in Mechanical Engineering and received his Master’s degree in Computer Science. Aidan (Class of 2021) is a Senior at Colorado School of Mines working on his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and will graduate in December of 2024 and was accepted to the graduate school computer science program at CSM.
BiBi’s experience is in finance prior to staying home to raise her sons, as a VP/Lender and as an Escrow Officer. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Organization Development from CSU.
During the Paul family’s 15 years at Stargate, BiBi and Michael Paul served Stargate in many ways. BiBi volunteered in several committees, school events, the library and the classrooms. Her husband, Micheal, served on the Governance Review Committee and the board. BiBi was also a substitute teacher at Stargate (K-12) and at the Academy of Charter schools (K-12). She is currently working with her husband at New York Life as an Administrator. She is passionate about education and her wish is that every Stargate student leave Stargate prepared, confident and emotionally healthy to take on the next chapter in their lives.
BiBi’s experience is in finance prior to staying home to raise her sons, as a VP/Lender and as an Escrow Officer. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Organization Development from CSU.
During the Paul family’s 15 years at Stargate, BiBi and Michael Paul served Stargate in many ways. BiBi volunteered in several committees, school events, the library and the classrooms. Her husband, Micheal, served on the Governance Review Committee and the board. BiBi was also a substitute teacher at Stargate (K-12) and at the Academy of Charter schools (K-12). She is currently working with her husband at New York Life as an Administrator. She is passionate about education and her wish is that every Stargate student leave Stargate prepared, confident and emotionally healthy to take on the next chapter in their lives.
Karla Lindgren - Director (Independent Member - Term Ends June 2027)Karla Rocio Lindgren is an education attorney , and as an independent Stargate board member, she recognizes the need charter schools have for strong, accurate, and relevant legal advice. Karla has served as Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel for Rocky Mountain Prep for the past two years, with previous experience that includes BES and the Charter School Growth Fund. She has a JD from the University of Denver - Sturm College of Law and a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Central Florida.
She is passionate about the gifted community and feels that strong compliance and operations systems ultimately create an environment where students and staff feel safe and do their best work every day.
In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs, reading, crocheting, and watching the latest movies and shows.
Communication Pathways
For classroom or student-related concerns, please follow Stargate's Communication Pathways, which include contacts for outreach and the form(s) for submitting inquiries.