Board of Trustees

Jeff Kittendorf

Jeff is the co-founder and operating officer of Alluvium Biosciences and PharmaForensics Laboratories in Ann Arbor. In addition, Jeff holds an adjunct research scientist position at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute. Jeff has a BS degree in Biochemistry from Eastern Michigan University and a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Michigan. Jeff resides in Dexter with his wife Anne and his two former Daycroft daughters, Alexa and Ava.

Carol Persad

Carol obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Michigan State University and completed her postdoctoral residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center. She is Board Certified in Neuropsychology. Carol is currently a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, Director of the Neuropsychology Program, Department of Psychiatry, and Director of the University Center for Language and Literacy. As part of her training, Carol has experience in the evaluation of children with learning disorders. Carol resides in Superior Township with her husband Rob and two children, Catherine (a senior at UM) and Nicole (junior at Greenhills) who are alumni of Daycroft.

Laura Kowalchik

Laura is the Chief Financial Officer for Urban Science in Detroit. Prior to joining Urban Science, she held senior-level finance positions at Kaydon Corporation, Dura Automotive LLC, Microheat, Inc., and Metaldyne Corp. Laura has a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Richmond and an MBA from Indiana University. She lives in Dexter with her husband and two children. Laura is a member of the AICPA and MACPA, as well as a member of the finance council of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter.

 

 

Dale Grover

Dale Grover joined the Daycroft board at the end of 2015. His son Daniel currently attends Daycroft. Dale is co-owner of Maker Works, a makerspace in Ann Arbor. He is a founding member of Great Oak Cohousing where he and his family currently live, and is one of the organizers of the Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire.

 

Heather Grisham

Heather brings more than 20 years experience building early-stage companies, specializing in finance, operations and federal contract management. She is currently the COO and CFO for Pixel Velocity, an imagery and data analytics solution provider for the energy industry. Prior to joining Pixel Velocity, Ms. Grisham was the Controller for the Center for Automotive Research, where she oversaw the accounting and finance activities of the organization, as well as the government funding activity. She holds a BS from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Ross School of Business.

 

Gregory Johnson

Greg is the father of current Daycroft student Oliver and is a Technical Writer for Roush CleanTech in Livonia. Greg comes from an academic background, with experience in fundraising, distance education, academic IT, and data and asset management. Greg received his education at Knox College (BA), Purdue University (MA in History), and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MLS).

 

Ian Moyer

Ian is Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Michigan, where he has taught undergraduate and graduate students since 2008. While at Michigan, he has served as Director of the Interdepartmental Program in Greek and Roman History and in other administrative positions in the History Department and in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. His previous experience also includes teaching in a liberal arts college environment at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago, and in his research and writing, he specializes in the history of ancient Greece and Egypt. Ian and his family have been part of the Daycroft community since 2014.

 

Stefanie Peters

Stefanie L. Peters, MSW, LMSW, MPA, is the Director of Clinical Operations of the Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan Health System (FCVC). Stefanie obtained a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University and a Master of Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University.

 

Stefanie manages the administrative and operational objectives for the FCVC clinical programs including the Clinic, Call Center, Cardiac Surgery Advanced Practice Teams, Inpatient Access Team, and Circulatory Support (Ventricular Assist Device) Team. She provides strategic direction and oversight in order to achieve the FCVC goal of being the most advanced academic heart and vascular program in the world.

Prior to her current position, Stefanie was the Administrative Director of the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center. She provided strategic direction and oversight to a world class program, receiving a 3 star designation by The Society for Thoracic Surgeons and ranked the 6 th Best Hospital for Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

 

Stefanie has a passion for transforming culture through a strong, integrated and diverse workforce. Her commitment to this important work is demonstrated through her leadership in the University’s Advancing Women & Inclusive Leadership Committee and her role as the planning lead for the FCVC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies Committee.

 

Ben Petersen

Ben is currently an engineer at Ford Motor Company, specializing in combustion research to improve engine efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions.  Ben received his B.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin and has previously worked at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California.  Ben is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) as well as the Advanced Combustion and Emissions Control (ACEC) Technology Team, which provides direction for federally funded combustion research through the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR).  Ben resides in Ann Arbor with his wife, Alexis, and two children, Emelia and Sam, both current Daycroft students.

 

Amy Schalk

Amy Schalk lives in Ann Arbor with her husband, Todd, and Daycroft student, Aidan. Amy did her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and received her Master of Public Health degree from Emory University where she specialized in behavioral science and health education. Amy works for Johnson & Johnson managing their digital health content strategy and development.

 

Larry Skiles

Larry is a financial advisor serving individuals and their families in the Ann Arbor community for the past 16 years. He previously held the position of Airborne Radar Engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Larry has served as a board member of the Aphasia Friendship Community Center, Ann Arbor Film Festival and Polo Fields Homeowners Association. Prior to moving to Michigan, he volunteered on the Human Relations Board in his hometown of Springfield, Ohio and was an Executive Board Member for Tecumseh Council, Boy Scouts of America. Larry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Wright State University. Larry resides in Ann Arbor with his wife Mary and their daughter Sadie, a current Daycroft student.