Board of Directors

BOARD 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.

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 Qiana, visit the Administrative Staff page.

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

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 (Multi-Age 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.

PEDAGOGY DIRECTOR

Candace Dupree believes that love is a transformative force, shaping hearts, minds, communities, and the world. For 13 of her 20 years in Early Childhood Education, she has been with GPCP, advocating for the rights of children, families, and educators. She believes childhood emits the purest form of love, guiding her pedagogical leadership at GPCP. Her background in inclusion and alignment with the Reggio Emilia philosophy led her to Grant Park Cooperative Preschool in 2008. As Pedagogy Director, love guides her daily in serving the Atlanta and ECE communities and her family. It influences her parenting and relationships with her siblings and extended family. Candace is grateful to pursue her passion and stand with colleagues and families who believe in investing in children and families as a vital contribution to the larger community.

EDUCATOR REPRESENTATIVE

Deanna was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama with two younger siblings. In 2003 she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and later met her wonderful husband Derrell. They have been happily married for 14 years and have three beautiful daughters ages 4, 6, and 13 years old. Deanna has enjoyed teaching in Early Childhood Education for the past 13 years. She is overly excited and proud to be a part of the Grant Park Cooperative Preschool educators’ team. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, eating out, watching CSI, and catching up on the latest movies or shows on Netflix and Disney+. One of the most important things she values is the time spent with family. “Families are like branches on a tree - we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family.”

COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR

Sarah is a nonprofit professional that has lived on Atlanta's east side since 2007. She has worked at the international NGO, CARE, for over a decade, and currently serves as the Manager of DEI Learning and Development. Receiving an MPA with a focus in Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University, Sarah's career has focused on a wide variety of nonprofit operations including internal communications, financial management, Board management, fundraising, and most aspects of HR. Outside of work, Sarah loves live theater, yoga, and traveling off the beaten path. However, her biggest passions revolve around issues of social justice, equity and inclusion. She and her husband, Brandon, were thrilled to find a school that matched their values so clearly, where their twin daughters, Ellis and Runa, have such a supportive community.

EQUITY & DIVERSITY CHAIR

Neholani Aird is an early childhood educator with 25 years of experience. A proud resident of Atlanta, she has dedicated her career to nurturing and educating young children. Neholani is the founder and CEO of The Child’s Portrait of Love and the host of the Black Mother’s Support Autism podcast. Additionally, she leads Black Mothers Supporting Autism, a non-profit organization. As an Early Childhood Specialist and GA BFTS Trainer, Neholani brings her expertise to professional development and serves as a representative for the Council of Recognition. Neholani's connection to Grant Park Cooperative Preschool (GPCP) is both personal and professional. Her two younger children attend GPCP, and she has previously taught in the Cats and Ladybugs classes, also contributing as a member of the pedagogical board. Neholani is deeply committed to the GPCP community and looks forward to helping maintain and strengthen this wonderful environment for all families, with a particular focus on promoting equity and diversity.

SECRETARY

Mari Martinez Zinser is a teaching artist who holds a B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University and a M.S. in Educational Theatre from City College of New York. She coaches teachers across metro Atlanta in using arts integration strategies in their classrooms. She has worked with DreamBox Theatre, Atlanta Theatre-To-Go and as a Wolf Trap teaching artist with The Alliance Theatre for the past seven years. She has been living in Atlanta for the past nine years and now lives in Ormewood Park with her husband and little man, Henry.

TECHNOLOGY CHAIR

This is Mark’s 6th year at GPCP. He is Director of operations, programming, and technology at the Goat Farm Arts Center. He also runs the Meaning Machine gallery. Mark has an Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University. Mark previously worked in grassroots community development with The Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Greenpeace. He looks forward to serving on the board and contributing to the GPCP community as technology chair.

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.

HEALTH & SAFETY CHAIR

Tali and Josh Wulz, both Atlanta natives, have lived in Ormewood Park for 4 years. Tali holds a Masters of Public Health and Masters of Social Work and has primarily focused her career around advancing equity and justice within the health fields. Josh works in commercial real estate focusing on building relationships within the Atlanta community. Tali served as the DEI chair for the Board in 2023/24. Tali and Josh are excited to continue bringing their experiences to the GPCP community.

PERSONNEL CHAIR

Kevin and his wife, Julia, recently moved back to Grant Park from Northern Virginia. Julia is a former GPCP educator and spoke and was very excited for our children to join the GPCP community. Their daughter Alyx is in the Frogs class, and her little sister Sloane joined the Salamanders class this year. Kevin is a family law attorney and also holds a Master's in Legal Studies. He has a strong passion for helping children and is excited to help enhance GPCP's culture through continued support of its personnel.

FUNDRAISING CHAIR

Antoine is a neuroscientist by trade and French-Canadian (Québécois!) by origin. After discovering Atlanta 7 years ago and becoming so attached to the city, its people, community (and weather), he is coming back down South after a 3-year stint in Boston. He has worked in the biotech industry and academia for the past 15 years and is always ready to get involved in event planning, whether it is for an informative fundraising event or a fun social gathering. Antoine and his partner Maria, an ATL native, are both new to the GPCP community and excited to get involved. They have a 2-year-old son, Émile, and a doodle named Bear (he really looks like a bear).

ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE

Irina has spent her entire life in intown Atlanta. She previously worked as an educator at GPCP and now teaches 5th grade ELA. Irina and her husband, Rob, have two daughters. Their oldest, Charlotte, started at GPCP in 2019 and graduated from the Swans last year. Their youngest, Lucy, will be moving up from Cats to Ladybugs this fall. Irina has appreciated the strong community she found at GPCP since she began working there in 2017 and has grown to love it even more as a GPCP parent. Irina looks forward to serving on the board and supporting the community.

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE

Cassie has been the Pastor at St. Paul UMC for six years and loves being a part of the Grant Park Community. She has been in ministry basically her entire life and loves connection with people and making relationships. She has a passion for outreach and advocacy.  Cassie is originally from the Midwest, so often uses the term "pop," but after living in the Atlanta Metro area for 16 years and successfully growing collard greens in her garden, she considers herself a southerner….sort of.  She and her husband Chris have one daughter, Jordan, who graduated from GPCP in 2024 and they live a busy but lovely life together with their dog Soozie.