Board Members
Amanda Bloomfield, President
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After attending high school in Kalamazoo, MI, Amanda moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Amanda also holds her Master of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Amanda joined a team at Raymond James, where she became a financial advisor so that she could fulfill her passion of helping her clients achieve their financial goals. Amanda joined the Board of Directors in the fall of 2017 and became the Board Treasurer in January 2018. She returned as a Member at Large in 2019 and began her current role as president in January of 2020. Amanda’s hobbies include walking her dogs, listening to audiobooks, and taking road trips.
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Ricky LaFosse, Interim Secretary
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Originally from Massachusetts, Ricky moved to Ann Arbor in the spring of 2019 to join the University of Michigan’s Center for Academic Innovation as a Compliance and Policy Lead. He is licensed to practice law in Indiana and is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Indiana University, where he previously earned his J.D. Prior to transitioning into a career in compliance, Ricky taught middle school English as a Teach For America corps member in Las Vegas and completed an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. He also holds a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts.
Ricky is a proud Green Apple Garden Playschools parent, and spends much of his free time attending U-M sports events and exploring Ann Arbor’s restaurants, coffee shops, and parks with his wife and daughter. |
Michael Allerding, Treasurer
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Mike is a lifelong Michigander, having graduated from Brighton High School and earning a BA in Accounting from Michigan State University. He has recently worked for two other nonprofits: the ambulance subsidiary of Beaumont Health and currently in the finance department at another local company - Internet2. Mike is married with two boys. He enjoys taking his boys to t-ball and soccer, traveling with his family and getting in an occasional round of golf.
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Patricia Alvarez de Fallon
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Patricia grew up in Puerto Rico until she moved to South Bend, Indiana, to pursue a Business degree from the University of Notre Dame. Since graduation, she has worked for the E&J Gallo Winery in different sales and management roles. She is trained in data analytics and public speaking and is a Certified Specialist in Wine. She has lived in Chicago, Northern California, and New York City. In 2016, she finally set roots in Ann Arbor. Patricia is married to a Michigander and together they have two boys that attend Manzanitas. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and attempting to tackle the endless list of home improvement projects.
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Lilly Connett
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Lilly Connett grew up in the Midwest, fell in love with Michigan at an early age and finally moved to Ann Arbor in 2014. She is a Principal at the Boston Consulting Group where she helps companies with a wide range of strategic questions. She holds a BA and MBA from the University of Chicago as well as a MS in environmental sciences from the University of Michigan. She is the proud parent of two Green Apple students and loves spending time with her family exploring this beautiful state- from the Great Lakes to Ann Arbor parks.
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Whitney Tarver
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A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Whitney came to Ann Arbor in 2010 as an intern in the Michigan Athletic Department. After serving in a number of roles within Michigan Athletics, she joined the Athletic Development team as a Major Gift Officer in 2018 and oversees the fundraising efforts in the Southern States region. She also serves as the co-lead of the Michigan Athletics Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee. Whitney holds bachelor's degrees in Sport Management and Spanish from High Point University (N.C.) where she was also a member of the women's basketball team. She completed her graduate studies at Eastern Michigan University, earning a master's degree in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Student Affairs in 2016. In her free time, Whitney likes to stay active, and enjoys playing volleyball and coaching youth basketball.
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Past Board Members
Nimish Ganatra, President, 2019-2020
Stephanie Moore, Secretary, 2018-2020
Ann Stalhandske, Member at Large, 2018-2020
Oliver Hart, III, Member at Large, 2019-2020
Pete Blank, President 2018-2019
Dianne Curry, Member at Large 2016-2019
Ashley Waddall Tingstad, President 2017-2018
Amanda Maurmann, President 2016-2017
Dr. Samm M. Pryce, 2016-2017
Andrew Kelley, Board Fellow and Treasurer 2015-2017
Stephen Woodcock, Member at Large 2015-2017
Katie Jedynak, Secretary 2015-2017
Cheryl Rivera, Secretary 2015-2016
Emily East, Treasurer 2015-2017
Tom Drake, President 2015-2017
Board Member FAQ
Feel free to email board@appleplayschools.org with any questions not covered below.
Why join our board?
“At Apple Playschools we are committed to our mission and vision, and truly believe in our play-based and child-centered approach to education. Serving on the board offers an opportunity to support this approach and mission directly! Whether you are passionate about cultural inclusion, environmental stewardship, or the building blocks of a more equitable world, serving as a board member will allow you to realize these passions every day. In addition to giving back to the community, you will have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally including developing a sharp financial mind, expanding your team building abilities, improving fundraising and development expertise, and so much more.” -Pete Blank, Interim Board President
Joan Garry: https://www.joangarry.com/reasons-join-nonprofit-board/
What’s the monthly time commitment?
Approximately 5 hours per month, with one 2-hour board meeting and committee work, emails, phone calls, and attendance at Apple Playschools events. This work may vary due to time of year. There is also an annual 8-hour board retreat during the summer months or two 4-hour board retreats per year (format is determined by current board members according to scheduling needs). Board meeting days/times are set each August and typically will fall on the same evening/week of month. In addition, board members are asked to do one site visit for each of our three school sites each fall, and are invited to come for “board hour” to all-staff in-service meetings twice per year.
How long is a board term?
Board terms are two years.
Are the Board of Directors paid or compensated for service?
No. All board positions are 100% volunteer.
How many Board Members will the board have?
We strive to maintain a board of 9-11 members.
What is your ruling year?
2015.
Why are terms two years?
There is about a 6-month learning curve for new board members to become acquainted with the full functioning of operations. It is crucial to the long term stability of the program for board members to make a full two year commitment.
Does Apple Playschools have a Strategic Plan?
We do. We are happy to provide our strategic plan during our board member interview process.
What does the board oversee?
The Board oversees the governance of the organization, ensures the organization has the necessary resources to deliver its mission, and directly manages the Executive Director. When at full capacity, Apple Playschools has approximately 120 families enrolled in total, and approximately 45 employees.
What is the fundraising commitment for the Board Members?
As is best practice, we expect every board member to make a financial contribution to Apple Playschools at least annually. While we do not have a minimum contribution amount, we ask that a board members' contribution to our organization is one of their top three philanthropic gifts in a year. In addition, board members serve as essential ambassadors for our organization in the community and all board members actively participate in fulfilling our annual fundraising goals.
What are the responsibilities/expectations involved?
We expect board members to contribute Time, Talent, and Treasure. Many board members contribute heavily in one area and less in another. The Board Member Memorandum of Understanding is available below, and gives full details of specific expectations.
What key skills or specific roles are needed?
We are looking for board members with expertise in Business, Accounting/Finance, Law, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising and Development, and Commercial Real Estate. We are especially interested in board members who are bilingual in Spanish and English. Roles for board members include Executive Committee roles (President, Secretary, and Treasurer), committee chairs for Fundraising and Finance committees (and any others that are formed by the Board to meet organization needs), and members at large. The Board elects its own Executive Committee and committee chairs after each new board convenes in the Fall.
What sets us apart from from a typical nonprofit? What makes our Board unique?
Like our organization, our board is highly collaborative, somewhat informal, and committed to equity, inclusion, feminism, and radical respect. We believe in play, gratitude, and lifelong learning. We practice honesty, fiercely advocate for our community, and wrestle with hard questions using our guiding principles and social justice branches as the frame and foundation of our work.
Board Members Memorandum of Understanding:
| boardmembermemorandumofunderstanding_2018.pdf |
Past board minutes (click here)
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YES! I want to build a better world through early education!
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