Meet 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.
Julia Heraeus-Rinnert
Chair
Julia is German and is an FIS Upper School parent. She works in strategy and business development and has served on the Board since 2020.
Louise Ellekilde Fogstrup
Vice Chair
Louise is Danish and is an FIS Upper School parent. She is the founder of an organizational development business in Europe and has served on the Board since 2021.
Dominik Huhle
Treasurer
Dominik is German and is an FIS Elementary School parent. He is a banker and has served on the Board since 2022.
Finance Committee Chair
Anne Marie Newman
Secretary
Anne Marie is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. She is a data science strategist and has served on the Board since 2022.
Policy Committee Chair
René Boettcher
René is German and is an FIS Upper School parent. His expertise is in the financial services industry and he has served on the Board since 2022.
Thomas Chung
Thomas is Korean/German and an FIS Primary and Elementary School parent. He is a banker and has served on the Board since 2022.
Karen Claire-Zimmet
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.
Shelly Kelly
Shelly is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. She works in Sustainable Finance Technology and has served on the Board since 2018.
Buildings & Grounds Committee Chair
Seong-Han Kim
Seong-Han is British and German and is an FIS Primary and Elementary School parent. He is an economist and has served on the Board since 2019.
Education Committee Chair
Shefali Kothari
Shefali is American and is an FIS Upper School parent. She is an architect and has served on the Board since 2022.
Trustees Committee Chair
Loretta Smith
Loretta is Canadian and is an FIS Elementary and Upper School parent. She is a faculty member in the Primary School and has served on the Board since 2023.
Erik Svenson
Erik is Swedish and is an FIS Upper School parent. He is a business consultant and has served on the Board since 2017.
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.