Board of Directors

Explorer's Board of Directors plays an invaluable role in the school. From the founding of Explorer Elementary Charter School, the Board of Directors has been responsible for working to create and refine the charter, develop a school site, support faculty and staff, and oversee the financial well-being of the school. Each member of the board has worked with energy and passion, professionalism and integrity, to create and maintain the educational excellence of Explorer Elementary Charter School.

Lisa Gray: President
Lisa is a parent of a fifth grade student attending Explorer and a middle school student in the High Tech Village schools. Passionately dedicated to the school's success and a firm believer in its visionary approach to elementary education, Lisa is actively involved as a parent volunteer on many levels. She has served as parent council president and vice president/volunteer coordinator. Lisa received her bachelor's degree at Texas Tech University and holds a master's in elementary education from Temple University.

Rosanne Holiday: Vice President
For 27 years, Rosanne was a professor of Developmental Psychology at Southwestern College. As Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Institute, Rosanne became a founding Board member and chairperson of the Board of Directors at the Hanna Fenichel Center for Child Development, the Institute’s lab school. Rosanne has served as President of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties and currently serves as Vice Chair of Development and chair of that organization's $14 million capital campaign. She is a founding member of the San Diego Women’s Foundation and President of the Holliday Family Foundation.

Ann Packard: Secretary
Ann is one of the Founders of Explorer Elementary Charter School. She has been a classroom teacher, mentor teacher and Director of Curriculum and Supervision. She and a colleague formed and presented “Creative Teaching Workshops” locally and nationally on teacher development, child-centered learning, and mathematics for the young child. They also co-authored and published seven teacher resource books on integrating the curriculum using a thematic approach. Ann continues to be an advocate for providing a strong, supportive educational environment for elementary school children.

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Bradley Blose, CPA: Treasurer
Bradley is VP of Finance for Seacrest Village Retirement Communities (a development of the San Diego Hebrew Homes). He has been employed by Seacrest for nearly 9 years. Mr. Blose is also responsible for the daily finances of the Jewish Home for the Aging of Orange County, through a management contract with Seacrest. The combined annual operating budget of the 2 organizations is more than $20 million, and over 450 residents are served annually. Prior to joining Seacrest Village, Mr. Blose was employed by Arthur Andersen for 8 years. Mr. Blose holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the Pennsylvania State Performing Arts League as well as Fern Street Community Arts.

Fred Belinski:  Member at Large
In the early 1970s, Fred was an elementary school teacher.  Later he was Teacher-Director of the Goodman Elementary School in Lansing Michigan and active in the alternative school movement.   From 1977 to 1980 he served on the faculty of the College of Education at Michigan State University.  Fred, along with his family, moved to San Diego in early 1980 and founded The Village Hat Shop, now with four retail stores in California as well as www.VillageHatShop.com and www.Berets.com. 

Lise Bernard: Parent Council Board Liaison
Lise Bernard is the mother of two boys, ages 11 and 14. She has a degree in Psychology from the College of New Jersey and worked for many years selling institutional investments. Now she makes enormous investments of her time and energy in Explorer, serving many years on Parent Council and its Executive Board. In 2004 and 2006, Lise co-chaired Art from the Heart. In free moments, Lise enjoys spending time with her family, reading, karate and golf.

Brenda Anderson: Member at Large
Brenda has been an Explorer parent since the school opened in 2000. Her older child graduated from Explorer in 2004, and her son expects to complete 5th grade in 2008. Brenda has worked as a chemical engineer for over 20 years, working primarily on projects with an environmental focus. Her expertise in this area was invaluable in evaluating the Liberty Station school site for Explorer. As an active volunteer, Brenda has served on the board and personnel committee of her religious community, the board of her child's preschool, acted as co-leader for a scout troop for five years, and has been active on the Explorer Elementary Parent Council. She holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and she and her husband run a small engineering firm.

Nina Smart: Fundraising Committee Chair
Nina comes to Explorer's board with 22 years of experience in the foundation and nonprofit sector that includes senior management and executive positions in an international development organization and community, operating and private foundations. Her background includes new program and organizational development, community needs assessment, facilitation of residents, resource development, board leadership training, organizational restructuring, and development of sustainability plans. Nina has her B.A. from Stanford University and an M.A. from Connecticut College. Her skills in non-profit management and development will be invaluable as Explorer seeks financial stability at our new site at Liberty Station. 

Nere Lartitegui: Member at Large
Nere completed her international formal education in Economics in 1967. Then she was a Professor of Economics in a Venezuelan University for 10 years. From 1978 to 1985 she lived in San Diego, California where she earned a Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Leadership at U.S.I.U. The topic of her dissertation was The Use of Guided Imagery to Teach English as a Second Language to Elementary School Children. She participated in the human potential movement facilitating Carl Roger’s La Jolla Program. In 1992 Nere established permanent residence in the U.S.A and worked as an independent Bilingual Consultant and Trainer in Scottsdale, Arizona. Back in San Diego since 1998, she has worked as a Bilingual Conflict Resolution Mediator for three different institutions. She became an American Citizen in 2000, then participated in the grassroots campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace at a cabinet level, working with members of Congress and organizing local talks and presentations.

 

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