Board of Directors
Elizabeth DiNatale (She/Her) - President
Elizabeth is an educator who has called Atlanta home since 2005. For the past 12 years, she has devoted her time and energy to teaching middle and high school students in Atlanta and Gwinnett. Her family joined GPCP in 2019. Her daughter, Eleanor, is a graduate of the Swan’s class, and her son, Max, is a Ladybug. She has developed a deep appreciation for the sense of community that exists at Grant Park Cooperative Preschool, and she is committed to helping maintain and strengthen that community as a member of the board.
Autumn Gabin - Vice president
Autumn recently moved to Atlanta from San Diego and this will be her second year as part of the GPCP community. Last year she served as the Fundraising Chair for GPCP. She has worked in the non-profit sector for the past 10 years supporting organizational administration, event planning, and youth program development. Autumn was the co-chair of a community-wide subcommittee focused on early childhood mental health and has served on a Head Start policy council. Autumn and her partner, Max, have a son named Finnley (Ladybugs Class) and a daughter named Sydney (Salamanders Class).
CANDACE DUPREE (She/Her) - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The day-to-day management of the school is carried out by the Executive Director. The Executive Director is hired by and accountable to the Board of Directors representing the entire parent body. The Director holds a year-round position. When school is in session, the Director's regular hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. While the Director does not need to be on-site when school is not in session, s/he is responsible for ensuring smooth transitions between sessions and vacation breaks. The Executive Director recruits and hires classroom educators when positions are available. To read more about Candace, visit the Administrative Staff page.
BELINDA PARRA (She/Her) - EDUCATOR REPRESENTATIVE
Belinda was born and raised in the beautiful West Texas town of El Paso. When she moved to New Mexico she became interested in the field of Early Childhood Education. Being a person who loves to travel, she moved several places around the US and landed 8 years ago in Atlanta. Her passion has been to understand children’s diverse styles of learning and the various approaches to education. She has 23 years of research with children and is grateful for every minute of it. GPCP is the community she has been dreaming about since she discovered the Reggio Emilia Approach. The current roles she occupies there are Atelierista, Teacher Representative, and Pedagogical team member. In her life away from school, Belinda enjoys tinkering with found objects through assemblage and collaging. She would describe herself as a collector of “fabulous, fabulous things.” Other pursuits that delight her are gardening, organizing, thrifting, and being outdoors.
Chris Rapko (He/Him) - Technology Chair
Chris and his wife, Cassie, have lived in the Metro Atlanta area since 2008. Their daughter, Jordan, is a Frog. Chris is the Associate Pastor at Atlanta First UMC. In a former professional life, he was a Nightclub and Radio DJ. He spends his free time writing and producing music. He is passionate about dogs (especially Soozie, the Rapko pup), good food, popular culture, and inclusion.
Lucas Staggs - Treasurer
Lucas and his wife, Allison, have lived in Atlanta for 12 years. Their son, Beckett, has been at GPCP for 3 years and is in the Frogs class. His little sister, Sybil, joined the Salamanders class this year. Lucas has been at Invesco for 10 years where he’s an investment analyst. He holds a degree in Finance from the University of Georgia and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Lucas loves the GPCP culture and is excited to support the school as Treasurer.
Avitale Wulz - Equity & Diversity Chair
Tali and Josh Wulz, both Atlanta natives, have lived in Ormewood Park for 4 years. Tali holds a Master’s of Public Health and a Master’s of Social Work and has primarily focused her career on advancing equity and justice. Josh works in commercial real estate focusing on building relationships within the Atlanta community. New to the GPCP, Tali, and Josh are excited to get involved with the community and help bring their experiences to the schools.
Rachel Greene-Wilber (She/Her) - Health & Safety Chair
Rachel has lived in Atlanta for the past 10 years, and this is her third year as part of the GPCP community. She has a Master’s in Public Health and works for a national nonprofit organization creating health and wellness training for schools and staff. Rachel and her husband Eli have a daughter, Maya, in the Swans Class, a son, Isaac, in the Salamanders Class, and an energetic dog named Lucy.
Amy Palesch (She/Her) - Secretary
Amy Palesch and her husband, Alan Quiroz Garcia, have lived in Atlanta for over a decade. Their son, Leo, enjoyed his first year at GPCP as a Salamander and will be in the Cats Class starting Fall 2023. Amy is Senior Counsel at CrowdStrike focused on employment law and has practiced in employment law for over 13 years. She has board experience and looks forward to supporting GPCP and its community.
Geramy Cullins - At-Large Representative
Geramy is a native ATLien and a University of South Carolina graduate. He has always prioritized giving back to his community through fundraising, volunteering for local charities, and coaching local youth sports in and around Atlanta. He and his wife Elizabeth and daughter Piper (Cats class) live in East Atlanta and have been a part of the GPCP community for just under one year. Geramy truly appreciates the CoOp model of GPCP and believes being involved is an integral part of giving back to the school and community that means so much to his family. Geramy loves spending time with his family, live music, Atlanta sports, and being outdoors.
Kimberly Force - Personnel Chair
Kimberly is a native Georgian and lives in Reynoldstown with her husband Jairo. Their oldest child, Isabella, was at GPCP since 2019 and graduated from the Frogs Class. Their youngest, Sienna, is a Swan. Kimberly worked for years managing a Hispanic foodservice sales team but has transitioned into the role of a full-time stay-at-home parent. She loves the sense of community and childhood wonderment that GPCP nurtures and is excited to use her leadership skills to support GPCP as the Personnel chair.
Cathy Peshek (She/Her) - Communications Chair
Cathy Peshek and her husband Adam moved to Atlanta in 2016 from Washington, DC. As a graduate of Florida State University, she began her professional career in fashion editorial and writing. For the last 13 years, she’s managed her own lifestyle and style blog. Cathy is the mom to Miles (current Swan) and Henry (current Salamander) and has a dog named Bowie.
Jessica Luna - Fundraising Chair
Jessica lives in Edgewood with her husband Joe and their son Roman (a Swan in 23/24.) They are loving their 2nd year as a GPCP family! Jessica is a native Floridian and while her love affair with the ocean will never cease, she does love the beautiful trees, the actual four seasons, and all the amazing activity and community that Atlanta offers--she’s been here since 2005! This past Spring, Jessica returned to the workforce as the product innovator at King of Pops (aka popsicle taste-tester); when not working, you can find her in the pottery studios at Callanwolde or hanging out with her family and friends.
Board meetings are held monthly on the last Tuesday of the month.
Public comment meetings are held on Mondays before board meetings.