our board

The Board of Directors is a diverse group of parents and community members committed to meaningful educational experiences for children. Joanna Hastings serves as a member ex officio without vote as Head of School. The Board sets and oversees school policies, hires and oversees the Head of School, maintains financial oversight, and plans for the long term future of the school. Members serve three-year terms, with the potential of re-election for a second term. To inquire about serving on the board, click here.

Fran Loosen

Fran Loosen is the President of the Summers-Knoll Board and Chair of the Executive Committee. Fran is a strategy and organizational development consultant focused on innovation practices and constituent engagement. She has worked for 15 years in the social sector and recently completed a MBA/MPA from the University of Michigan. She currently chairs the Strategic Vision committee and works with school administration on a variety of projects related to branding, fundraising and strategy.

"My love for Summers-Knoll began when my son joined Kindergarten and has grown exponentially as I have gotten to know the community of parents, students, and staff. I am thrilled to watch the creative and inspiring work of the teachers and wish I could squeeze back into the small chairs to have the SK experience myself."

Laura Wagner

Laura serves as Vice-President, having been elected to a second term in January 2008. She is a Purchasing Program Manager at Ford Motor Company with 20 years of experience. Laura also serves on the board of 826Michigan. She has an M.B.A. in Finance and Operations and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis as well as an M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering from University of Michigan. Laura is the mother of three gifted children, ages 9-16.

"My journey to find appropriate education - an environment that nurtures children's minds, captivates their thoughts and engages them in their schoolwork - for my children has taken me many places. The most meaningful is to the board of Summers-Knoll. There will always be a need for schools like this, so that gifted children will have a joyous and appropriate place to learn."

Anthony Nitsos

Anthony is Board Treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee. He joined the SK board in early 2008. Anthony has been a neighbor of the school since its inception and has watched it grow over the years. Professionally, he has over 25 years of experience in various aspects of business from operations to IT to accounting and finance, and is a partner in a local firm that supplies accounting and finance consulting services to small, growing organizations.

"As a society, we need environments that nurture our best, most creative and brightest resources - our children. So even though I myself have yet to become a parent, I feel it is a privilege to serve on this board."

Todd Austin

Todd is Board Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee. Todd was elected to his second 3-year term in January 2008 and has previously served as both Vice-President and President. Having served for many years in leadership positions in local Presbyterian churches, Todd brings extensive skills in the management of non-profit organizations to the Summers-Knoll community. Professionally, Todd works at the University of Michigan as a information technology consultant. He and his wife are new parents to a son.

"In the years I have been associated with it, Summers-Knoll has always been a place that stood out for the passion of its teachers, parents, and children. There is always a sense of the possible within its walls. That is, perhaps, its greatest gift to the children fortunate enough to attend."

Mark Stranahan

Mark has been on the board for 5 years. He has four children. He is an architect and urban planner with degrees from the University of Michigan. He has worked advocating sustainable design and green development with several organizations, and with Chinese development issues, design for the elderly, business planning and finance, and development economics. He has served on boards of several organizations relating to children and childhood and on private foundation boards.

"Cognitively distinctive kids –talented, creative, advanced, precocious, gifted ones– are especially at risk of being underserved. For some kids, this kind of school can be a developmental necessity. All kids deserve to be known, cared for and nurtured. I am smitten by Summers-Knoll because the community of teachers truly knows its way around each child, and responds to the particular gifts of each. Summers-Knoll genuinely delivers on this promise. It's a great little school and I love it."