Connect With Our Board
FIS is governed by a Board of Trustees, whose responsibility it is to hold the school in trust, taking the necessary steps to ensure that the school’s mission is fulfilled now and in the future. The Board helps provide strategic direction, governing through policy and monitoring overall progress. At all times the Board works to show diversity in discussion but unity in action.
The Board consists of 12 members: six current FIS parents, elected by the parent community; five members from the wider community who are appointed by the Board; and one faculty member elected by the faculty. Members are elected or appointed for two-year terms. Members of the FIS Community are encouraged to attend any of the six annual public board meetings to raise matters of interest or concern. Those interested in serving on the board or on one of the Board committees are encouraged to contact us at The_Board@fis.edu.
For board meeting minutes, and frequently asked questions, please login to the Parent Portal.
James Beaty
Chair
James is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. He works in biomedical engineering and has served on the Board since 2018.
Seong-Han Kim
Vice Chair
Seong-Han is British and German and is an FIS Primary and Pre-Primary School parent. He is an economist and has served on the Board since 2019.
Committees: Finance and Education
Karen Claire-Zimmet
Secretary
Karen is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. She is a scientist working in consumer products and has served on the Board since 2016.
Committees: Policy Chair and Finance
Erik Svenson
Treasurer
Erik is Swedish and is an FIS Upper School and Elementary School parent. He is a business consultant and has served on the Board since 2017.
Committee: Finance Chair
Stephan Falk
Stephan is German and is an FIS Upper School parent. He is a physician and has served on the Board since 2010.
Committees: Building & Grounds and Finance
Julia Heraeus-Rinner
Julia is German and is an FIS Elementary and Upper School parent. She works in strategy and business development and has served on the Board since 2020.
Committees: Education and Trustees
Shelly Kelly
Shelly is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. She works in financial services and has served on the Board since 2018.
Committees: Building & Grounds and Finance
Andre Kobelt
Andre is Swiss and is an FIS Upper School parent. He is a chemist and has served on the Board since 2016.
Committee: Building & Grounds Chair
Shasha Lepore
Shasha is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. She is a lawyer and has served on the Board since 2019.
Committees: Education Chair, Building & Grounds, and Policy
Michael McDowell
Michael is from New Zealand and is an FIS Primary School parent. He is a faculty member in the FIS Upper School and has served on the Board since 2019.
Committees: Education and Policy
Kate Sawyer
Kate is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. She is a lawyer and has served on the Board since 2019.
Committees: Trustees Chair and Education
Carolyn Walker
Carolyn is American and an FIS Upper School parent. She is a translator and has served on the Board since 2020.
Committees: Building & Grounds and Trustees (Nominating Sub-Committee Chair)
Board Committees
Articles of Association
The legal entity of the school is embodied in the Articles of Association, which are registered with the Amtsgericht Bad Homburg (local district court). Changes in the articles must be approved by the association at a general membership meeting according to legal guidelines and approved by the court before they take effect.
Board Organization
The Board meets at least six times a year and members of the FIS community are encouraged to attend the meetings. The Board also operates through a committee system, with five committees meeting regularly to set annual goals, make policy recommendations, and provide regular reports to the Board.