Board of Trustees

If you are passionate about the Forest Hills Public Schools and would like to use your talent to help students achieve lifelong success, we invite you to volunteer for a board position. Please contact the Foundation office if you would like to learn more about our board.

Return to 600 Forest Hill Avenue SE, Grand Rapids MI 49546.

Members of the Board

Azia Mason
Board Chair | Community Volunteer

The health of a community is inseparable from the quality of its local public schools. I believe having a safe, inclusive, high quality environment where all our kids can grow and excel is essential. Thriving schools make for happy families and those families are able to contribute even more to their communities. We are lucky to already have a fantastic school system in Forest Hills. My two girls are in school here and I see the benefits of FHPS every single day.

I also know that such excellence doesn’t happen by itself. Maintaining a high standard of education and evolving to meet the needs of our changing world requires ongoing commitment, dedication and enthusiasm generation to generation. I am excited and honored to be part of this generation’s efforts to make the Forest Hills school system the very best it can be and to help provide the extra support our teachers need to continue to innovate creative new programs.

Heidi Hendricks
Board Vice Chair | Creston Industrial Sales

The FHPS Foundation provides a leading example of our district’s commitment to providing a higher level of education for our students by allowing our educators to provide creative, innovative, and individualistic opportunities for our students that are outside the constraints of State academic funding. Being a part of the bi-annual grant cycle for our teachers has been one of my greatest joys in serving as a Trustee, and I am committed to serving my term as an ambassador for our District and a fierce advocate for the Foundation.

I am extremely honored to be able to represent our Forest Hills Public School community as a Foundation Trustee. My husband Paul and I are proud graduates of Forest Hills Northern High School, and we have enjoyed watching our two children excel at Ada Vista Elementary and Northern Trails. It has been extremely gratifying to stay in the community that we grew up in, and raise our children in the same school district that our parents believed in, as do we. Paul and I are strongly committed to the Grand Rapids community, both professionally and philanthropically. Our Forest Hills Public School education provided opportunities for us to attend Michigan State University, and our family owned business, Creston Industrial Sales, is located in downtown Grand Rapids. In addition to my service as a FHPS Foundation Trustee, I also serve as Board Chair for CASA of Kent County, a host committee member for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and as PTO treasurer for Ada Vista Elementary.

Liz Burnson
Secretary | Bus. Development Mgr. / Warner, Norcross + Judd

When my husband and I moved to Forest Hills 10 years ago and started our family, we knew we wanted our girls surrounded by a motivated and caring education system. I believe the foundation plays a key role in allowing this to happen. The foundation provides funding to innovate and evolve our district to the next level. This financial support allows educators to think outside the box to develop new methods. It keeps our kids engaged in school, and thus I believe provides a higher standard of education.

I am a business development executive who oversees the firm’s strategic focus. Within my role, I provide business development leadership to the firm and its attorneys and practice groups to grow and strengthen client relationships and build new partnerships. My background is in the corporate and healthcare industries, I helped develop and implement local and regional plans and provided relationship and project management direction for various community-branded initiatives. I donated my time and talents with the Thornapple River Association, president emeritus for MSU West Michigan Spartans, regional council for Inforum, and is a member of the Grand Rapids Rotary and the Grand Rapids Economic Club.

Ben Kirby
Superintendent / Forest Hills Public Schools

Bio Coming Soon!

Jonathan Haga
Central Middle School Principal - District Rep.

My name is Jonathan Haga, and I am the extremely proud Principal at Central Middle School in FHPS! In addition to this role, I am the Middle Level Rep and Region 9 President for the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal Association (MEMSPA) which provides me the opportunity to represent and connect with Administrators, districts, and communities in Kent County and throughout the state. My most important title is that of a husband and father. I have three amazing children (Camden, Lyla, and Beckett) and an amazing partner who supports me along the way (Kristin). I aim to create thriving systems for students, families, and communities to connect, grow, and achieve at very high levels.

I am thrilled to be a part of the FHPSF Board of Trustees as the FHPS Administrative Representative. The partnership between the FHPSF and our schools is strong. I look forward to creating new pathways of communication, support, and advocacy as we continue to work in tandem supporting our students.

I am fortunate to be able to see the impact the foundation has on teachers and students. Our Rangers, Huskies, and Hawks have some of the most innovative teachers, and supports in the state. Many of those are only possible because of the generous support of our donors and the Foundation.

Andy Keller
Past Board Chair | Principal Engineer / observIQ

Bio Coming Soon!

Maegan Amato
Director, North American Sales / Gabriel North America

Bio Coming Soon!

Samantha Colley
Community Volunteer

I have a unique perspective and unwavering dedication to FHPSF. Hailing from a family of educators, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education and the profound impact its funding has on shaping young minds. This instilled a deep commitment to ensuring every child in our district has access to a quality, enriching educational experience.

My passion extends beyond personal experience. As a stay-at-home parent with a son enrolled at EMS, who is also a part of the ASD Special Education Program, I am acutely invested in the district's success. In addition to many years of classroom volunteering, being a PTO board member at Orchard View Elementary, I have also been a member of the district’s Parent Advisory Council.

I believe that open communication between the district, families, and educational staff is essential for building trust and fostering a collaborative environment. Additionally, I champion increased funding to provide our students with the resources they need to thrive. Recognizing the diverse needs of all learners, I am a vocal proponent for robust special education programs that ensure every child receives the support they deserve.

While my dedication to the board is unwavering, my commitment extends far beyond the FHPSF. I am an active volunteer within the community, lending my time and expertise to various initiatives that benefit schools and families. When I’m not advocating for our students, I find joy in the simple pleasures of life – curling up with a good book, crafting intricate knitted creations, hitting the links, and traveling with my family.

Mike Frey
Director, Channel Development / Steelcase, Inc.

As Director of Channel Development at Steelcase, my team's focus revolves around fostering the financial well-being and sustained growth of partner networks across North America. My academic journey includes an undergrad from Michigan State University and an Executive MBA from Notre Dame. Outside of work, my wife, Jill, and I enjoy raising two children, 9th and 10th grade, at Forest Hills Eastern. As the kids become more independent, I'm now able to get back to contributing meaningfully to the community. In my free time, I thrive on outdoor activities with my family, cherishing moments spent in Northern Michigan.

I have a passion for learning and giving back, so it only makes sense that I'm drawn to supporting educators and students at Forest Hills. With 2 kids in the district, I see every day the positive impact our schools can make. I'm honored and excited to serve the Forest Hills Schools community and work to make a lasting difference.

By supporting the Foundation, you enable educators to go above and beyond the standard curriculum and provide our kids the opportunity to learn in new and exciting ways.

Andrew Kim
Director, North America, Workspace Futures / Steelcase, Inc.

I am currently Director North America of Workspace Futures for Steelcase Inc. where I am responsible for applying human-centered design methods to support new market strategies and product development efforts. My curiosity and passion revolve around the intersection of social behaviors, the built environment and technology. I earned my Master of Design in human-centered design from the Institute of Design, Illinois Tech, where my graduate research was focused on innovation. My undergraduate degree is from Dartmouth College. In addition to being a Forest Hills Foundation board member, I serve on the Virginia Tech, Institute of Creative, Arts and Technology Advisory Board.

I am honored to serve as a Board Trustee. Supporting education is personally meaningful to me. My educational experiences have had significant impact on my life and career, and I come from a family of educators. With three kids in the Forest Hills School District, I’m motivated and enthusiastic in supporting our local schools.

In a constantly changing and complex world, it is important for the local community to support our schools. Schools are vital for enriching the lives of students, preparing them for their future careers, and helping them be informed citizens. Partnership with the local community can help ensure that our schools continue to maintain excellence.

CJ Michaud
Independent Pharmacist Consultant - School Board Rep.

Bio Coming Soon!

Matt Osterhaven
Vice President of Finance / Haviland Enterprises, Inc.

Bio Coming Soon!

Jenn Ryan
Community Volunteer

I attended Northwestern University and graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in elementary education. I was a teacher at a democratic free school in Ann Arbor for several years, advising students in many subjects from early literacy and algebra to Spanish and health. I subsequently served on the board of directors for 3 years. Since moving to Forest Hills in 2016 I have been an active volunteer, including 4 years on the Orchard View PTO and 2 years as President. I have also taken on roles with the Parental Advisory Council, Project Charlie, and Citizens for Forest Hills. My husband and I have 3 children in Forest Hills at Orchard View and Eastern, and I spend the rest of my time with them.

The foundation was a natural next step in my involvement with Forest Hills. The foundation is a place I can use my variety of previous roles in education to inform how to best serve the community. As a former teacher, Forest Hills parent, and frequent district volunteer, I can offer a unique perspective as we work to augment student and staff experiences in the district and advocate for all students. My goal in being involved with the foundation is to use this platform to strengthen the public school community. Being a member of the foundation awareness committee allows me to use connections I have made throughout the district to help form stronger bonds among the foundation and FHPS parents, students, staff and administration to work toward that goal.

Supporting the FHPS foundation is one way for the community to show an investment in public schools and ensure that our students have every opportunity to thrive. The grants that the foundation provides to our schools are vital in giving students supplemental experiences that help prepare them for broader experiences after high school. A strong community is reflected in its schools, and the ongoing efforts and enthusiasm of the foundation and its supporters helps to promote that message.

Caroline Tilton
Nuclear Licensing Engineer / TerraPower, LLC

I am a nuclear engineer with over 20 years of experience successfully applying nuclear industry safety standards to licensing actions, inspections, and enforcement at US commercial nuclear power plants.

In 2015, we moved from Chicago to the FHPS district because of its reputation as the best school district in West Michigan. Our experience these past nine years has been a testament to that distinction. As part of the FHPS Foundation, I hope to help keep our district at the top.

The Foundation provides funding for things that are not normally covered by state funding. This additional funding, as well as our engaged community and committed school staff, is what sets us apart.

Meghan Bisonet
Physician Asst / Corewell Health - Helen Devos Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Center

Bio Coming Soon!

Ben Rapin
Associate VP for IT, Chief Technology Officer / GVSU

Bio Coming Soon!