Board of Trustees
In collaboration with the Head of School and with the support of the German Consul General, the School’s Board provides fiscal oversight and establishes strategic priorities to further the mission of the school.

Ulrike Bagehorn

Elizabeth Mellyn

Martina Stippler

Torin Koester

Roy Goldschmitt

Lexie Gross

Tilman Kispersky

Sonja Kreibich

Elizabeth von Wagner

Holger Wirtz
Advisory Council to the Board of Trustees:

Karen Karidoyanes

Emily Westhoven
Guests at Board Meetings:

Tina Haarbusch

Jens Meyer

Funda Suzan
Honorary Trustees:
Bodo Reinisch
Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Co-Founder and founding Treasurer; Chairman & President, 2009 – 2013
Member of the Board of Trustees, 2000 – 2002 and 2008 – 2013
Ernst Richard Matthiensen
Co-Founder and founding Chairman & President
Member of the Board of Trustees, 2000-2006
Ann Fissler
IDP-Investments, Boston
Guido Goldman, In Memoriam
Director Emeritus of the Study of Germany and Europe, Harvard University
Co-Chair of the German Marshall Fund of the United States
Marietta Lutze Sackler, In Memoriam
Co-owner of Dr. Kade Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH, Berlin
John Silber, In Memoriam
President Emeritus, Boston University
Responsibilities of the Board
The Board of Trustees is a group of elected community members who serve as the governing and executive body and ensure financial stability by overseeing the school’s budget. The Board of Trustees is composed of seven elected members and three non-voting members, the German Consul General, the Delegate of the Consul General, and the Head of School.
GISB is organized as a non-profit membership organization and, as such, elects its board members at the school’s annual membership meeting. To learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Board and the annual membership meeting, please see the GISB by-laws.
Serve as a Member of the Board
We encourage all our community members to learn more about the work of the Board of Trustees and appreciate everyone who is considering to run for office. Board members are elected for three years. Terms are staggered, which means approximately three out of seven board positions are up for election each year. Board members are expected to attend monthly board meetings as well as serve on board committees. The board also plays a crucial role in the school’s fundraising activities. To learn more about serving as a board member, please refer to the GISB Board of Trustees FAQs.
Board members are elected at the annual membership meeting. Detailed information about application deadlines and other important dates is communicated through the school’s newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact the Head of Administration at hoa@gisbos.org.