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Anne Hess has been a tireless supporter of the bilingual mission of GISSV in a variety of roles, including the PA and now Board, since her children started in 2005.
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 GISSV by-laws (Approved by the Society in May 2016; pending approval from Germany) 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 principal. On behalf of the GISSV Board, the school principal is responsible for the daily management of the school. The GISSV principal as well as a representative of the German Consulate General in San Francisco attend Board meetings as ex officio 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 vice principal, the head of administration and the Parent Association (PA) president or his/her representative. The PA president presents parent issues as discussed at PA meetings for consideration by the Board.
2018-2019 Board of Directors
- Anne Hess, President
- Cornelia Bohle-Neubrand, Vice President
- Kareen Weissenberg, Treasurer
- Dr. Manfred Mueller, Vice Treasurer
- Dr. Horst Groesser
- Katharina Schmidt
- Rachel Scott Beckert
- Supriya Solbach
- Michael Tews
- Mark Van de Wiel
- Dr. Brett Wingeier
Electing the Board of Directors
- In accordance with the by-laws and the election process for Board members, Society members can cast their vote prior to or at Society meetings;
- 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).
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
Board Responsibilities & Expectations
By-Laws, April 28 2016 (Approved by the Society in May 2016; pending approval from Germany)
By-Laws, May 15, 2014
Meet the 2018-2019 Board Members
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about Anne Hess, President
Cornelia Bohle-Neubrand has 20+ years of international experience working as Localization Manager for high-tech companies in California and Germany, equipping her with skills in project, program, contract, team and vendor management.
Kareen Weissenberg has an extensive background in corporate finance, having held a number of senior finance positions in the CPG sector.
Dr. Manfred Mueller works out of the US headquarters for a company in the security business which he had joined in the year 2000.
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.
While being a professional volleyball player and completing an executive MBA at Kellogg Business School, Katharina has built an international career with various leadership development firms:
Rachel Beckert, a Bay Area native, grew up in Berkeley, lived in San Francisco for 13 years then moved to Mountain View in 2008.
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about Rachel Scott Beckert
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.
Michael Tews has a strong financial background, as he spent his entire career in several positions in this area. The last 10 he held CFO positions in midsized companies.
Mark Van de Wiel is Chief Technology Officer at HVR Software, a technology company focused on real-time data integration.
Dr. Brett Wingeier is co-founder and chief technical officer of Halo Neuroscience, a consumer neurotech company. His older daughter is in first grade at GISSV.