Board of Directors and Staff

VOTING MEMBERS

Dr. Kim Gingerich Brenneman - President

Kim Gingerich Brenneman, WS ’79, arrived at Woodstock as a high school sophomore along with her parents and younger brother. She credits her parents for instilling the travel bug in her and for setting her path on a professional trajectory to include cross-cultural research and leading educational experiences to India for undergraduate students.

Kim received her Ph.D. in Developmental and Educational Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh (PA) and an Ed.S. in Counseling from James Madison University (VA). After working as a child, adolescent and family counselor, Kim taught in the Psychology Department at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and served as department chair for a number of years. She has conducted research in the areas of adjustment and well-being of Internationally Mobile Adolescents, in the relationship between cross-cultural experiential learning, hopeful thinking and multicultural adaptation, and in the application of positive psychological principles to higher education learning. A highlight of her time at EMU was organizing and leading four different groups of undergraduates to India for a semester long cross-cultural educational experience. During these four months, at least two weeks of that time was spent in Mussoorie as Kim “showed off” Woodstock to them! It was a gift to be able to re-connect with the Woodstock Community in person.

After 30 years as a professor in the Psychology Department at Eastern Mennonite University (VA), Kim retired and is currently training and competing in local agility competitions with her Shih-poo pup, Jampa. Kim and Jampa are a certified pet therapy team through Alliance of Therapy Dogs, volunteer with a local hospice agency, and visit retirement centers several times a week. Kim also enjoys conversations with friends over a good cup of coffee, traveling, reading, gardening and canning, and artwork using watercolor pencils and graphite as mediums.

Kim is married to Bob and they have two grown children Jeremy and Rachael. Bob, Jeremy and Rachael have all spent time in India (and Woodstock) as part of Kim’s cross-cultural work with EMU. And of course, we are all looking forward to our next trip!

Dr. Jonathan Seefeldt - Vice President

Dr. Seefeldt, WS '00, is a Senior Communications Manager - Climate Resilient Water Systems, for the Environmental Defense Fund. He is also a Lecturer for the Department of Asian Studies - Environmental History of South Asia, University of Texas at Austin. He obtained both his Ph.D in Environmental History and M.A. in Environmental History from the University of Texas at Austin, and also holds a B.A. in English from Wheaton College.

Many of you may remember Jonathan as a Woodstock Teacher in Advanced Indian History, AP English Literature, Religions of Indian Origin, and Indian Literature. We are thrilled he is part of FWS' Board and look forward to him becoming a Board Officer.

Amit Lalvani - Treasurer

Amit Lalvani, WS '11, has a deep financial management background and is now the Director of Finance for DaVita Kidney Care which serves more that 200,000 dialysis patients including 14 countries outside of the US, 55,000 teammates in the US, and 15 years in a row on Fortune’s world’s most admired companies list.

Mr. Lalvani holds an undergraduate degree in Finance and Accounting and a Masters in Accounting from Texas Christian University. Amit tells us he enjoys researching stocks to invest in and following macroeconomic trends. He is also a CFA and CPA.

In a Facebook post from Steve Van Rooy, FWS' past Treasurer, Steve says, "Some 15 years ago I found out that there was a new student at TCU (Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, about 40 minutes from where we live) named Amit Lalvani, a recent Woodstock grad. For the next five years he was in the area we became his home away from home. He got to know us. We got to know him. We got to know his folks who have become good friends. They have visited us here several times and we have spent a week with them at their home in Mumbai. It has been very cool watching Amit find his way here and become the highly capable Director of Finance for a multi-billion dollar company."

Suzanne Turnier Hanifl - Secretary

Suzanne Hanifl, WS '63, wears many hats. She is a past Board member (and now, non-voting) but has agreed to continue as the Board's Secretary and remains a strong member of our Reunion Planning Committee. You may best know her name in association with the Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education at Woodstock, the Turner Organic Garden at Woodstock, and her long association with WOSA, 1995 – 2014. She attended Woodstock from 1956 – 1963 and is the Class of ’63 Secretary. Suzanne holds a M.Ed. from Boston University, B.S. in Home Economics from Hood College, and is the President of the Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation and President of Suzanne Stables.

The Hanifl Family Foundation has also established the Angelic Organic Learning Center in Rockford, IL; Hanifl Soccer Fields in Hugo, MN; Hanifl Center for Performing Arts in White Bear Lake, MN; the Minnesota Zoo’s Hanifl Family Wild Woods Playground in Bloomington, MN; acts as the CPA for Children’s Performing Arts, White Bear Lake, MN; and philanthropic outreach for several U.U. Churches and Health Clinics.

Along with teaching, Suzanne has led many committees in several states, travels when she can, is an avid knitter and recently did a knitting tour to the Shetland Islands, belongs to two book clubs, gardens, and owns the son of triple crown winner, American Pharoah, among other racehorses. Married to Paul Hanifl for 52+ years, all three of their children have visited Woodstock. Kerry and her family were at Woodstock for two years, 2014 – 2016. Suzanne and Paul have nine grandchildren, ages 1 – 19.

We deeply appreciate Suzanne's connections to Woodstock, her philanthropic expertise, and her many talents and interests.

Ben Henderson

Ben Henderson, WS '09, is a product and strategy consultant in business IT and start-up ventures. His passion is people and understanding the way technology can impact lives. Ben has helped Fortune 100 companies in oil and gas, energy, retail, healthcare, and technology better understand their ecosystems and shape solutions around their unique needs. He is currently working with Ncontracts in Nashville as a Senior Product Manager and manages all products for the Enterprise Engagement line of business consisting of four web and mobile SaaS products with 100,000 users.

He credits his origins at Woodstock School with igniting his passion for the global community and desire to create positive change.

Dr. Blair Lee - Woodstock Principal

Dr. Blair Lee is a Canadian international educator and school leader with more than two decades of experience across Asia and the Middle East. He is passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive communities where students feel known, supported, and inspired to thrive. Known for his ethical and relationship-centered approach, Blair believes strong schools are built through trust, collaboration, shared purpose, and continuous growth.

He has served as Head of School at Branksome Hall Asia and Dalian American International School, Assistant Head of School at Seoul Foreign School, and High School Principal at the American International School of Kuwait. Blair is thrilled to join Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India, as its new Principal and looks forward to contributing to its rich history, vibrant community, and distinctive mission.

Blair holds an Ed.D. from Lehigh University and degrees from the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, Canada. He is happily married to his best friend, Kim, an attorney and educator, and they have two adult sons living on Canada’s west coast.

Darlene Seaman Silliman

Darlene Silliman, WS '80, was born at Landour Community Hospital and lived in India and Nepal until she was 18. Her college years included Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS, 1980 - 1981, Pre med; University of South Dakota, Vermillion, 1981 - 1983, Pre med; Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, MN, 1983 - 1985, Avionic Technician AA degree; University of Illinois at Chicago, 1990 - 1993, Bachelors in Cultural Anthropology. Darlene's work and life experiences include being an Avionics Technician and Maintenance Instructor, United Airlines, Chicago OHare Airport, 1986 - 1999; Mom,1999 - 2006 Caledonia, IL and Enumclaw, WA; Aircraft Maintenance Customer Training Specialist, Boeing Corporation, Renton, WA, 2006 - 2010; and CEO, CFO of Meadowwood LLC, Enumclaw, WA, 2010 - present.

In Darlene's words: "We live on a 13 acre homestead in Western Washington state and moved here in 2001. We grow and raise as much of our own organic food as possible for ourselves and our community. We had a small farm business for 15 years during which time we raised our daughter. We closed the business in 2023 but still raise our own food. Extra is donated to our local food pantry. I am officially retired now. I enjoy gardening and my flowers and our animals and hope to have more time to travel when my husband retires next year."

Katie Jo Walter

As a Strategic Higher Education Leader with 15+ years of success driving institutional growth, fundraising initiatives, and cross-cultural academic programs across the U.S. and India, Ms. Walter has a proven record of scaling international student support systems, designing experiential curricula, and expanding alumni networks. She is a Fulbright Nehru Scholar who is dedicated to optimizing student outcomes and building inclusive, global educational communities. Katie Jo is currently the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and is a past Woodstock School Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations.

After completing her MA in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute, she spent several years in India focusing on experiential education program design and delivery. Katie Jo’s broad experience also includes instructing university courses and serving as Resident Director for study abroad programs in India. From Katie Jo, “I love helping people connect with each other, learn, and discover new resources and avenues for growth.” We are so pleased that Ms. Walter has joined FWS as Board member!

Emeritus Board Members

Glenn Conrad

Glenn Conrad WS ’68 has been active in and a leader of Woodstock alumni affairs since 1983. A lawyer by profession, Glenn has worked in a variety of positions where, as a lawyer, his legal expertise has been put to good use. In addition to working on Capitol Hill as a staff member for a Representative to the US Congress, he has worked for the American Banking Association, as director of development at Woodstock and as the executive director of the Winterline Foundation. Glenn has served as president of WOSA/NA, was on the board of directors of KW International (KWI), and played a leading role in the transition of KWI from a largely mission representative board into an independent board of directors selected for their expertise and skills in non-profit board management. In 2006, when KWI devolved into two separate organizations, Glenn became a member of the FWS board of directors and in 2008 he became president of FWS, a position he held until the expiration of his term in 2012. In recognition of Glenn’s extraordinary commitment to the Woodstock Old Students Association of North America, KW International and Friends of Woodstock School, the Board of Directors of FWS in 2012 established the GLENN CONRAD VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD to be awarded for exemplary volunteer service to FWS or Woodstock School. Suggested nominees for the award should be submitted to dwheeler@fwsfoundation.org

Staff

David Wheeler – Administrative Manager

Behind the nice voice that answers the telephone if you call the FWS office is also a very nice man who is committed to Woodstock. David joined the team in 2002 when FWS was KWI and we were gearing up for the Woodstock 150 Campaign. His wife, Connie, was already working at the KWI office and David joined to help with the 150 Campaign. Eventually Connie went on to another position and David became the administrative manager for KWI and then FWS. Over the past 24 years, David has been a steady, reliable, conscientious presence in the FWS office, managing to keep everyone on track and headed in the same direction. David and Connie live on Whidbey Island with numerous cats, a lovely garden and sailboat.

Connie Wheeler – Communications Manager, Database and Donor Relations Coordinator

With a background in non-profits (four of them), city government, architectural and planning firms among many other interesting career paths, Connie returned to FWS in 2015 to join David in the office and brought her experience in donor relations and database management back with her. She worked with Jane Cummings as the office manager for the 150 Campaign and holds a deep fondness for FWS and all those involved with the Foundation through the years. Born in Cairo to TWA parents, moved to Paris, grew up in a Southern California beach community, attended California State University – Long Beach, Connie holds a BA in English from California State University – Northridge along with grad work in English and Education at Northridge. Her passions? A life-long ocean person who still loves to scuba, snorkel, windsurf and sail, Connie and David have logged 10,000 open ocean miles on their sailboat and lived in Mexico, French Polynesia (Tahiti and her isles), and Hawaii. The Wheeler’s classic 43-foot sloop is slipped in Port Townsend, WA. Connie’s ashore interests include anything “dance aerobic,” the Wheeler’s garden and Puget Sound cottage, the kitties, and life on Whidbey Island.

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Board of Directors and Staff

Emeritus Board Members

Staff