Leadership

Gretchen's House Foundation board consists of dedicated educators, parents, and community leaders focused on enhancing high-quality early childhood care, dismantling barriers to education access, and ensuring equity in resources and opportunities for all teachers and children. If you are interested in joining our board, please send your inquiry to info@ghfdn.org.

Karin Nowak     

  • Karin Nowak, President of Gretchen’s House Foundation, has four decades of experience in early childhood education, Karin is a dedicated advocate for equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities for all children. She holds a B.A. in Child Development and an M.S. in Early Childhood Studies/Education. As a certified HighScope Trainer of Teachers and an IMH-E® Infant Family Associate, Karin combines her expertise with a passion for fostering meaningful early learning experiences.

Shannon Peitz   

  • Shannon Peitz, brings a wealth of expertise in early childhood education to the Gretchen's House Foundation Board. With a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Leadership from Walden University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Teaching from the State University of New York at Fredonia, Shannon has dedicated her career to nurturing young minds and fostering innovative learning environments.

    Her experience as a Center Director at Gretchen's House reflects her deep commitment to quality education, curriculum development, and teacher leadership. Shannon's passion for supporting children, families, and educators aligns with the mission of Gretchen's House Foundation, making her a valuable asset to the board.

Lisa Lemble       

  • Lisa Lemble Former Administrator, Gretchen's House Foundation

    After a decade as a City Planner and seven years working with a real estate attorney, Lisa Lemble joined Gretchen's House during a pivotal time of growth and transformation. She brought essential management, IT, and graphic design expertise to the administration, complementing the organization’s focus on teacher development and curriculum innovation. Over nearly 25 years, Lisa played a vital role in helping Gretchen's House establish itself as a leader in early childhood education, including implementing programs like the HighScope Curriculum.

    Lisa retired in 2020 but continues her small business of 35 years, providing professional meeting minutes for local governments and housing organizations. She is also an active volunteer with nonprofits, furthering her commitment to community service. Splitting her time between Ann Arbor and Southern California, Lisa enjoys life with her husband, Robert, and their beloved clumber spaniel, Darla.

Gregory Meisner 

  • Gregory P. Meisner, Ph.D. is a distinguished physicist, researcher and nonprofit leader. He received his B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Physics from the University of California, San Diego. After completing a post-doctoral appointment at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he joined General Motors Global Research & Development Center, where he conducted industrial research for over 30 years, and was Principal Investigator for GM’s research projects on advanced thermoelectric technology for automotive waste heat recovery. Dr. Meisner has published over 90 refereed publications, has over 10 patents, and received two John M. Campbell Awards from General Motors. He has extensive nonprofit experience, serving on the Scholarships & Grants committee of Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance (AACTMAD), as a member of the Drumming For Your Life Institute, and as Treasurer for the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation.

Gretchen Preston 

  • Gretchen Preston, is a champion of early childhood education, devoted to shaping brighter futures for children and families. What began as a personal journey—caring for children in her own home—blossomed into Gretchen's House Child Development Centers, a nationally recognized network celebrated for its innovative programs, including the HighScope Curriculum, and unwavering commitment to quality care.

    Gretchen’s impact reaches beyond her centers. She played a pivotal role in advancing Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), integrating its research-based model into Gretchen’s House locations to provide underserved children with access to transformative early education. Her efforts not only prepare children for kindergarten but also inspire hope and opportunity for families throughout the community.

    Fueled by a steadfast belief in the power of high-quality education to unlock potential and strengthen communities, Gretchen’s work through the Foundation reflects her heartfelt mission: to create nurturing environments where every child can thrive. Her visionary leadership continues to make a profound impact on countless lives.

Debbie Ross          

  • Debbie Ross, a proud board member of the Gretchen’s House Foundation, is deeply committed to supporting early childhood educators who play a vital role in shaping young minds and strengthening communities. Her passion for this mission stems from personal experience—both of her daughters attended Gretchen’s House, where they gained not only academic fundamentals but also lessons in empathy, responsibility, and a lifelong love for learning.

    With a 25-year career as an engineer at Ford Motor Company, Debbie appreciated the peace of mind that came from knowing her children were in the care of highly qualified, NAEYC-certified educators. These professionals played an instrumental role in shaping her daughters into successful college graduates and thriving professionals.

    Debbie believes that early childhood educators deserve greater recognition, support, and fair compensation for their critical contributions. Her involvement with the Gretchen’s House Foundation reflects her dedication to giving back to those who make success stories like hers possible. Through her work, she aims to ensure that future generations continue to benefit from high-quality early education, investing in educators, children, and communities.

Tejal Wilson       

  • Tejal Wilson is a seasoned sales management professional with over two decades of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, specializing in food and beverage. As Senior Customer Business Manager for Danone North America, Tejal oversees a $75 million portfolio spanning yogurt, ready-to-drink coffee, and protein shakes for Meijer.

    Tejal’s expertise includes joint business planning and the implementation of merchandising, assortment, pricing, and supply chain strategies. She is recognized for her ability to build strong customer relationships and consistently deliver growth in dynamic, competitive environments.

    Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Tejal enjoys life with her husband, Chris, and their two boys, Ayan (10) and Jayce (5). Since 2017, their family has been part of the Gretchen’s House (Dhu Varren) community, where Tejal has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of quality early education on her children. The mission of The Gretchen’s House Foundation—especially its commitment to investing in teacher development and ensuring access and early intervention for children who need extra support—closely aligns with Tejal’s own values and experiences.  She is honored to serve on the Gretchen’s House Foundation board alongside like-minded individuals who are dedicated to giving back to the community and empowering educators and children to reach their fullest potential.

    Outside of spending time with friends and family, Tejal loves nothing more than a warm cup (or three) of masala chai, maintaining her daily Wordle streak, and believes you can never own or wear too much animal print (it’s a classic neutral, after all!).

  • Mary is overjoyed to utilize her extensive executive nonprofit leadership experience to address the crisis in early childhood care by advancing equitable, high-quality early childhood development with Gretchen’s House Foundation. For over 15 years, Mary has led dynamic nonprofit organizations in strategic leadership, fundraising, community engagement, and strategic growth, while driving impactful programs and ensuring organizational sustainability. In her previous executive roles in child-focused and community based nonprofits, Mary served as Executive Director and led efforts to improve community well-being and children's lives through community engagement, collaboration, and fostering strong community connections. Mary is a graduate of Michigan State University and studied nonprofit management in the Executive Scholar Certificate program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management. Her passions include community building, fine arts, gardening (she is a Certified Master Gardener through MSU Extension), and the power of servant leadership.

     Mary Buck