Board of Trustees

Siobhan Allen

Siobhan Allen is a dedicated educational leader, currently serving as the Dean of Students at Beacon Academy in Evanston, Illinois. With over 15 years of experience in independent schools in the Chicagoland area, Siobhan has demonstrated a commitment to student development and well-being. In her role as Dean of Students, Siobhan provides opportunities for students to explore and develop their leadership and service talents. She collaborates with students on projects and causes that ignite their interests, encouraging them to think critically and empathetically about the world beyond themselves. In promoting inclusive and dynamic learning environments, Siobhan has presented both nationally and internationally on topics including nurturing progressive school cultures and maintaining joyful learning communities. Siobhan holds degrees from St. Olaf College and Northwestern University.

Matt Brejcha

Matt Brejcha is an advisor to a financial sponsor investing in the MedTech space.  

He was Senior Vice President of the Flexibles Division of Spectrum Plastics Group, which was acquired by DuPont de Nemours, Inc., in 2023.  In his seventeen-year tenure at Spectrum, he served in commercial, strategy and finance leadership roles.  

Matt received his B.A. in Liberal Studies from the University of Notre Dame.  He is also a proud former Baker student and parent.

Nina Charnotskaia

Nina is a Program Management Director at McDonald’s Corporate, leading strategic programs and business alignment for the burger giant. Over the last 20 years, she’s leveraged a passion for human experience to build a career at the intersection of human-centered design and organizational transformation. Her work has spanned from leading large urban planning and architectural design efforts, to working with global organizations to develop and implement new operational practices and workplace experiences. Nina holds a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Design and Architecture from University of Colorado, Boulder. She now lives in Evanston, with her wife Yu-Fong and son Theo.

George Gaines

George retired in 2019 after a 40 year career in which he practiced law and served in senior positions in the investment management and investment banking industries.  Over the years he has supported a number of independent schools including previously serving on the board (and for two years as board Chair) of Baker; being the founding board President for five years of Wolcott College Prep, a high school in Chicago for bright students with learning differences; and serving on the board (including three years as board President) of Monica Ros School in Ojai, California. George received his high school degree from The Lawrenceville School, his B.A. from UC Berkeley and his J.D. from the University of Virginia.

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Stephanie Hentz

Stephanie is the Director of Special Education at Niles West High School, District 219. In this role, her work focuses on meeting the needs of diverse learners, with a particular interest in decreasing the racial and disability predictors of educational achievement. Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and began her career as a School Social Worker. She earned her B.A. from Northwestern University, her Masters in Social Work from the Jane Addams College at University of Illinois Chicago, and her Masters in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.

Hilde Kaiser

Hilde is a wellness facilitator and the founder of The Poetic Field LLC. Her professional passion is to create opportunities for cultivating wisdom. She has numerous fitness certifications, including a black belt in the Nia technique, as well as certifications in primal vinyasa and daring to rest yoga nidra (expected completion 2023). She studied earth medicine and circle and discussion ethics for many years with author Pixie Lighthorse. Hilde previously served on the Baker board 2010-2013 and her work included serving as board liaison to the BPO to support the planning and execution of positive community experiences. She and her spouse Bill Michalski live in Evanston and are proud parents of Baker alumn Karl Michalski (Baker ’19). She received a BA in English at Texas A&M University and an MA in English Literature at The University of Chicago.

Meg Lassar

Meg Lassar has dedicated her career to funding movements that advance justice, equity, health and well-being. As the Strategy & Fundraising Director for Illinois Contraceptive Access Now (ICAN!), Meg leads the organization’s efforts to define and communicate its strategic objectives and to secure the funding necessary to ensure financial sustainability accelerate community impact.

Meg began her career at Reproductive Freedom For All where she analyzed states’ reproductive health laws and developed model legislation aimed at advancing access to sexual and reproductive health care services and information. She has held leadership positions with Bright Pink—a national breast and ovarian cancer prevention organization—and with Planned Parenthood of Illinois where she grew the institutional funding portfolio and helped lead a capital campaign that led to the construction of three new health centers in medically underserved communities. Meg also spent several years as a philanthropic advisor working with family foundations to develop meaningful and effective giving strategies in support of causes ranging from early childhood education to criminal justice reform to gender equality.

Meg received her master’s degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and her BA in Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan.​ She received a mini-MBA certificate from the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago as part of its inaugural Social Impact Scholars cohort. She lives in Evanston with her husband Jason, their son Owen, and their beloved Bernedoodle, Obi.

Ken Powers

Ken Powers is the President of Titobi Ventures (TVI) a firm that invests in small businesses and focuses on unlocking value through commercial excellence and operational improvement. Prior to founding TVI, Ken was responsible for the development and commercialization of infusion pump technology at Baxter and led the integration efforts for several clinical software company acquisitions. He has more than 15 years of experience in the Healthcare and Industrial sectors. Through his career Ken has advanced through a series of roles in general management, global finance, and commercial operations. Ken earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Strategy from the University of Michigan. He lives in Evanston with his wife Allison and two kids, Sydney and Julian who all keep him quite busy and entertained.

Elizabeth Powley

Elizabeth is the Director of Grants Management at the MacArthur Foundation. She leads the team responsible for equitable and effective grant operations that advance the Foundation’s strategy and impact. Previously, Elizabeth worked in the field of human rights and international development with a focus on gender and post-conflict reconstruction. A former high school teacher, Elizabeth received a BA in History from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa and an MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC.