School Boards
The Baker School Board is responsible for the governance of the school. The School Board develops long-term and strategic initiatives to ensure the well-being of Baker. The Baker Fund Development Committee is responsible for strategic initiatives related to fundraising. The day-to-day operations of the school are overseen by the Head of School and Administrative Team. Email the board at:
School Board Biographies
David A. Baker
Dave is the parent of three Baker students in the elementary grades and middle school. He is a partner at the Chicago law firm, McDermott Will and Emory, LLP, where he heads the Estate, Trust and Guardianship Controversy Practice Group. His areas of specialty include charitable, foundation, and exempt organization, administration, and litigation. Dave helped negotiate the terms of Baker's separation from National-Louis University (NLU), drafted the Separation Agreement, and helped develop the governance structure for the "New Baker." He provides legal advice to the board.
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Jay Behel
Jay is the parent of a Baker second grader, as well as a younger child. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Rush University Medical Center. As a clinician, he evaluates and treats patients on the acute rehabilitation unit in the Johnston R. Bowman Center for Health. His research interests include adjustment to chronic illness and the cognitive and emotional impact of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). He also teaches in the medical school at Rush and trains residents and fellows in Health Psychology. Jay completed his BA at Vanderbilt University (summa cum laude) and obtained his PhD from Auburn University.
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Robert Berry
Robert Berry attended Baker Demonstration School for ten years from kindergarten to graduation in 1994 and has served on the Baker Alumni Board for the last four years. While attending Northwestern University, Robb spent four seasons coaching middle school basketball at Baker. He is currently a high school English teacher at Northside College Preparatory High School in Chicago, where he also coaches varsity baseball and the debate team. Robb brings to Baker his expertise in public school systems, educational philosophy, and alumni perspectives.
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Todd M. Bruggeman
Todd is a current Baker parent, with two children in elementary grades. He is an alumnus of Baker Demonstration School ('85). Todd has spent over twelve years with the global financial services firm of JPMorgan Chase, and its predecessor organizations. At JPMorgan Chase, Todd has worked in various areas of finance, planning and analysis, marketing and most recently, the Dealer Commercial Services Division of Chase Auto Finance. At Baker, Todd has also served on the Baker Parent Organization Executive Committee during the 2006-07 school year, as Communications Director and Liaison to the School Board. Todd received his BA from Boston University.
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George Gaines
George, parent of a Baker fifth grader, has served as the Board Treasurer and currently chairs the Finance Committee. He also sits on the Fund Board and acts as Treasurer of the Baker Charitable Fund. As a Senior Partner at BerchWood Partners, George specialized in private equity fund formation and fundraising following a legal practice focused on securities, tax and corporate law. Prior to joining BerchWood, George was Managing Director and Head of Global Distribution in the Private Equity Fund Group of Citigroup's Investment Bank. Previously, he was Managing Director at Heitman Capital and JMB Institutional Realty Corporation after practicing law at Chicago-based Rooks, Pitts, Fullagar and Poust.
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Vivien Hanson
Vivien is the parent of a Baker second grader and has a first grader starting here in 2009. Vivien earned her BA in Art History from University of Michigan and her MSW from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a specialization in child development. As an LCSW, Vivien's practice focused on young children and their families before transitioning into the field of Therapeutic Horseback Riding. Beginning as a volunteer at Equitherapy, a therapeutic riding program in Morton Grove, Vivien Integrated her clinical background and became certified as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Vivien has volunteered as room parent at Cherry Preschool and was Book Fair co-chair for the past two years at Chiaravalle Montessori School. She looks forward to expanding her volunteer involvement at Baker. Vivien will co-chair the Baker Book Fair this fall.
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Kelly Kurschner
Kelly is the mother of twin boys who will be in their fifth year at Baker as they enter second grade. Kelly "retired" from the corporate world in May. Most recently, she worked for JP Morgan running large organizational and systems programs. Over her career at JP Morgan, IBM and Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), she earned a reputation for turning around troubled teams, projects and client relationships. Kelly's work reflects her strong commitment to organizational effectiveness and open communication with all stakeholders. Kelly, a certified project manager, has a MA in Organizational Development and Change from Loyola, and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
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David Lively
David is the proud parent of a Baker kindergartner. He is currently the VP of Development at DePaul University. Since joining DePaul in 2002, he has held the positions of Associate VP, Senior Director of Development for the College of Commerce, Senior Director of Special Gifts, and Director of Development ad interim for Athletics. David has spent fifteen years in higher education development. Prior to joining DePaul, he worked at the University of Denver, Northwestern University and the University of Colorado Foundation, Inc. David received his BA in history from Southern Methodist University (SMU), holds an MA in history from Colorado State University and an MBA from the University of Denver. Recently, Lively completed a certificate program in higher education administration and management at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.
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Letitia Mann
Letitia is a current Baker parent of first and fifth graders who started in preschool. She has been active in Baker's community since 2002. This year will be her third as a member of the School Board. She has worked for seventeen years in various banking and strategic marketing and sales operations positions. She has experience in financial analysis of business operations, as well as direct experience in the marketing, sales and financial management of a line of business for a Fortune 500 company. Letitia has actively participated in strategic marketing decisions since Baker's split with NLU, leading the effort to expand the Early Childhood offerings with the Early Childhood Faculty Chair. She has also chaired or actively participated in a variety of Baker Parent Organization and fundraising events over the last seven years. This past year, Letitia chaired the Mission Task Force, which undertook the process of revising our school mission, and clarifying Baker's vision and core values. She has a BA in German and Economics from Bryn Mawr College, and an MBA in Marketing from Duke University.
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Elaine Mohamed
Elaine Mohamed is the parent of a Baker second grader. In her first career she taught English at a high school where she was also departmental head in her native South Africa. Since then she has earned MSc, MEd and PhD degrees in school psychology and she is now a school psychologist in Mount Prospect. Dr. Mohamed's civic work for the past thirty years has included political action campaigns in the African National Congress, in gender violence issues, and in outreach programs for those marginalized by society. She is an active member of Illinois Lead Safe Housing Task Force, Amnesty International and a Diversity Mentor for the Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium.
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Jim Olson
Jim Olson, father of a Baker graduate and another son, has been a pediatrician for nearly twenty years, working in a variety of settings including private practice and an inner city community health center. A member of the faculty of Northwestern University Medical School, he has been in private practice for the last six years and is currently an owner/manager of his practice. Prior to that, he was on staff and served as Medical Director of a large community health center. Jim brings his expertise in children's health and development, his background as an educator, and his experience in organizational and fiscal management to the Baker Board.
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Liz Reeves
Liz Reeves is the parent of two girls, a third grader and a fifth grader. This is her family's sixth year at Baker. During this time, Liz has served in various capacities, including acting as Communications Coordinator for the Baker Parent Organization, as well as initiating and managing the Manna Express Scrips Fundraising Program for Baker for two years. Liz is currently serving as President of the Fund Board, after spending two years on the Board in the role of Annual Fund Chairperson. She brings her experience in finance, as well as her background in film/theater to the Board. These combined skills enable her to tell effectively the Baker story, and to craft a clear and compelling message to potential donors about their role in helping sustain the Baker tradition. Liz is serving her first term on the Baker School Board, and will sit on its Communications Committee.
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Richard Sato
Richard Sato is the father to two Baker children in fourth and fifth grades. He graduated from Northwestern University with a BS in Physics. He has worked for Channel 11, Northeastern Illinois University and the US Department of Energy. For many years his company, Sato Productions, produced commercials, industrials and entertainment films for major agencies and corporate clients. Currently he works as a consultant in computers and networking. Mr. Sato also devotes a large portion of his time to a non-profit venture that obtains, restores, and donates computers to inner city schools of Chicago. Richard was instrumental in creating Baker's new Mac Lab. He brings to the Board his technical expertise as well as his love of innovative techniques in communications and networking.
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Jill Schacter
Jill Schacter is a parent of a Baker eighth grader. She has been an active parent volunteer throughout her family's many years at Baker. Jill spent fifteen years as a publishing professional in editorial, business development, and marketing functions. She has worked extensively with best-selling authors of non-fiction information geared to improve people's lives in every dimension. Jill enjoys using the power of words to make a difference. She has an undergraduate degree in journalism from Northwestern University and, like many writers, at least one book in progress and a blog out there in cyberspace.
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Mark TerMolen
Mark is the father of a Baker fifth grader. He is a partner at the Chicago law firm Mayer, Brown, Rowe, and Maw LLP, where he specializes in complex commercial litigation and is the Chair of the firm's Toxic/Mass Tort Group and the Head of the Midwest Environmental Practice. He is a Past President of the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston and a board member of DePaul University's Center for Justice in Capital Cases. Mark graduated from Cornell University magna cum laude and received his JD from the University of Chicago. Mark was on the legal team that advised the negotiating team during Baker's negotiations with NLU and was the parent Co-Chair of the Transition Team. Mark just completed his term as President of the Baker Board.
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Dustin Vincent
Dustin has been a Baker parent for ten years with one child currently in the eighth grade and another is Baker graduate and sophomore at ETHS. As a long-standing member of the Finance Committee, Dustin was involved in Baker's separation from NLU and related bond financing. Dustin has worked for over twenty-five years in various corporate and investment banking roles and has extensive experience in credit and industry risk assessment, forecasting, risk management, and business development. Dustin has a finance and accounting degree from Miami University (Ohio) and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Elena Zanussi
Elena Zanussi is a Baker parent whose daughters are in second and fourth grades. Elena is a "retired" employee benefits attorney. Prior to being an attorney, Elena was a Consulting Officer with TIAA-CREF, a pension and insurance company that provides products and services to nonprofit educational and research institutions. She also served on the Cherry Preschool Board, revising their employment manual and assisting with various employment contracts. Currently, Elena is a co-owner and chef for Personal Thyme Catering. Elena co-chaired the annual Baker Benefit in 2009. Finally, Elena is an avid runner, who completed and survived the 2008 Chicago Marathon.
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Baker School Board Committees 2009-2010
We will provide updates on more specific goals and progress of the Board's working Committees.
Agenda Committee
The Agenda Committee identifies key issues at Baker requiring Board attention and establishes the agenda for Board Meetings.
Chair: George Gaines
Members: Dave Baker, Letitia Mann, Don Monroe, Mark TerMolen, Elena Zanussi
Work in Progress:
- Meet monthly to establish monthly Board meeting agendas
- Develop plan to support new Head to integrate successfully into Baker community
- Develop review process for new Head so process can be discussed during hiring process
- Provide Interim Head with regular feedback including input from Board members and others in the community
Baker Parent Organization (BPO) Committee
The BPO Committee oversees BPO activities and is made up of Board members and the BPO officers.
Chair: Elaine Mohamed
Members: Michelle Barerras, Ann Beckwith, Jay Behel, Denette Derezotes, Ellisa Goldsmith, Vivien Hanson, Liz Reeves, Richard Sato, Jill Schacter, Sarah Thurber
Work in Progress:
- Build community among parents, teachers, students, and staff:
BPO events such as the ice cream carnival, diversity potluck, pancake breakfast, wellness workout committee, teacher appreciation and room parent activities strengths the bonds among all members of the Baker community - Reinforce a sense of belonging to Baker:
BPO events like parent socials, parent education nights, volunteer committees and other opportunities to communicate with each other cultivates connection to our unique school - 1 and 2 together:
Support the retention of current families and thus contribute to a stable school body and increased enrollment.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
The Buildings and Grounds Committee identifies long term improvements needed to Baker's physical plant.
Chair: Mark TerMolen
Members: Dave Baker, Robb Berry, Todd Bruggeman, Peter Carlson, Addie Goodman, Richard Sato
Work in Progress:This committee is going to focus on a capital improvement plan for the next five years, and also begin a planning process for interior and exterior space usage.
Trustees Committee
The Trustees Committee develops protocol for board governance and education. Members also evaluate and nominate candidates for Board membership.
Chair: David Lively
Members: Dave Baker, Todd Bruggeman, Vivien Hanson, Jill Schacter, Elena Zanussi
Work in Progress:The initial focus of the Committee efforts should be to develop (or refine, as required, existing)
processes to:
- Recruit board candidates;
- Evaluate candidates;
- Recommend preferred candidates to the board; and
- Develop/stage education session(s) for new board members.
- Two additional possible responsibilities are:
- Establish protocol for expected board member engagement and conduct; and
- Establish board member evaluation process.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is responsible for keeping the Baker community appropriately informed of the Board's work.
Chair: Jill Schacter
Members: Anne Batko, George Gaines, Addie Goodman, Vivien Hanson, Liz Reeves, Sarah Thurber
Work in Progress:
- Facilitate a free flow of information between the Board and the Baker community.
- Keep the community regularly informed of Board activities.
- Publish regular monthly updates of relevant board committee goals/plans/accomplishments on the website.
- Provide full Board minutes in the office. When new minutes are available, announce it in the bulletin.
- Provide opportunities for Board/Community interaction.
- Remind people they are invited to ask questions or make comments at: board@bakerdemschool.org.
- Consider co-hosting BPO/Board coffees/reception/educational events.
- Encourage Board members participation in community events.
- Act as an editorial resource for Board committees and Baker administration to promote a cohesive set of messages that advance Baker’s goals and mission.
- Assist, as needed and as requested, in monitoring/developing the communications from the Board and the school for consistency, accuracy, and thematic focus.
- Take an active role in the development of new content for the Baker website.
Marketing and Enrollment Committee
The role of the marketing and enrollment committee is to create strategies and goals that promote and support full enrollment through internal and external marketing. We will be working closely with the other Board committees, particulary with Communications, to accomplish these goals.
Chair: Letitia Mann
Members: Rob Berry, Addie Goodman, Kelly Kurschner, Deirdre Harrison, David Lively, Elaine Mohamed, Jim Olsen, Liz Reeves
Work in Progress: For 2009-2010 we have two primary goals:
- Increase parent satisfaction and understanding of current programs by providing more information on curricular approach and outcomes
- Maximize our reach to new families to increase awareness of and leads to Baker
Strategies to accomplish these goals include (but are not limited to):
- Improve our Baker website
- Develop a concise statement for parents describing the essentials of a Baker education appropriate for each developmental team (Early Childhood, Team in the Middle, Middle School)
- Increase Baker's profile in markets outside of typical arenas by being in more places with more volunteers to grow our "reach"
- Provide parents with tools to help promote Baker
Educational Policy Committee
The Educational Policy Committee in conjunction with Baker administration and faculty works to maintain a comprehensive curriculum plan.
Chairperson: Don Monroe
Members: Jay Behel, Rob Berry, Erin Craig, Jackie Haug, Karrie Fisher, Elaine Mohamed, Dustin Vincent, Ralph Walsh
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee recommends an annual operating budget to the Board and oversees Baker's ongoing financial condition.
Chair: Dave Baker
Members: Todd Bruggeman, Peter Carlson, George Gaines, Addie Goodman, Kelly Kurschner, Don Monroe, Dustin Vincent
Strategic Planning Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee works to fulfill Baker's mission by developing a long-term strategic plan.
Chair: Kelly Kurschner
Members: Jay Behel, Denette Derezotes, George Gaines, Letitia Mann, Jim Olsen, Mark TerMolen
Search Committee
The Search Committee is an ad hoc committee established to oversee the search for a new Head of School for the '10-'11 school year.
Chair: Letitia Mann
Members: Dave Baker, Jackie Haug, George Gaines, Don Monroe, Dustin Vincent, Elena Zanussi, Faculty Member TBD, Non-Board parent TBD
Work in Progress:This committee will engage in the planning and execution of all activities related to the search, selection and hiring of a permanent Head for Baker to start with the 2010 school year.
To view minutes of board meetings, you may contact Shila Tuchman at .