Board of Directors

GISSV is a California nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors comprised of GISSV parent volunteers. Elected by its Society, the Board legally represents GISSV, while also establishing the strategic direction for the school. The Board consists of 11 members, each of whom is elected to serve a term of three years. Members of the Board can be elected for up to three three-year terms with a two-year break in services after the second term. The Board holds regular meetings to perform its duties as specified in the By-Laws (amended and restated on May 5, 2022) and in accordance with the Board-adopted Business Rules and Code of Conduct.

Organizational matters are regulated and approved by the Board in coordination with the Head of School. On behalf of the GISSV Board, the Head of School is responsible for the daily management of the school. The GISSV Head of School as well as a representative of the German Consulate General in San Francisco attend Board meetings as non-voting members.

Upon resolution of the Board, additional persons may participate in an advisory capacity during Board meetings, or may be consulted on individual topics on the agenda. Typical guests are the Head of School, the Head of Administration and the Parent Association (PA) presidents or their representatives. The PA presidents present parent issues as discussed at PA meetings for consideration by the Board.

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Dr. Horst Groesser, President
Supriya Solbach, Vice President
Holger Ippach, Treasurer
Thomas Moser, Vice Treasurer
Mark Van de Wiel, Secretary
Shamala S. Hinrichsen, Vice Secretary
Rachel Beckert
Katja Lee
Gisa Romahn
Berna Nicklisch
Brett Wingeier, PhD

Electing the Board of Directors
Common Board Tasks

Electing the Board of Directors

Society members will cast their vote in accordance with the by-laws and the election process for Board members.
Each member of the Society (as defined by §3 of the bylaws) has the right to cast a vote for the total number of vacant Board member seats.
Ideally, each campus location has a representative in the Board.
At the first meeting after the Society elected a new Board, the Board of Directors elects a president, treasurer, secretary, and their respective deputies.
Society members are eligible for election to the Board (with the exception of employees of GISSV and their spouses).

Common Board Tasks

Providing strategic direction;
Guaranteeing financial security by adopting sound and balanced budgets and monitoring revenues and expenditures;
Negotiating and signing facility leases and rental agreements;
Supporting marketing and sponsoring efforts;
Deciding on employment-related matters;
Scheduling bi-annual Society meetings;
Admitting new Society members;
Representing GISSV in the greater Bay Area community.

Downloads

Downloads

MEET THE 2022-2023 BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. Horst Groesser, President

Horst Größer is a management consulting executive and a Managing Director of a leading global professional services firm. He advises Fortune 500 companies in the high tech and software/Internet sectors on strategy, operations and technologies of product innovation.

Supriya Solbach, Vice President

Supriya Solbach is a Channel Sales and Partner Strategy executive with 20 years experience in various high-tech companies and brings this focus into her role on the Board.

Holger Ippach, Treasurer

Holger Ippach is a General Manager with significant experience defining the business strategy for sales, marketing, and operations for leading hardware and software technology companies.

Thomas Moser, Vice Treasurer

For the last 20 years, Thomas Moser has worked mostly in finance and accounting roles for international companies and has acquired a wealth of knowledge in strategic planning, project management, and operations management.

Mark Van de Wiel, Secretary

Mark Van de Wiel is Chief Technology Officer at HVR Software, a technology company focused on real-time data integration.

Shamala S. Hinrichsen, Vice Secretary

Shamala Hinrichsen is a medical scientist by training having worked in research organizations, corporate, biotechs, and at policy level for governments.

Rachel Beckert

Rachel Beckert is an attorney and small time real estate investor. She previously served on GISSV's Board of Directors from 2013 - 2019.