Beth Finch | Founder & Executive Director
With over 15 years of board management experience, Beth Finch provides boards with the foundational frameworks and systems to operate efficiently. Her experience in charter school development, marketing, facilities, and student recruitment provides another lens for supporting charter schools.
Alison Ford | Governance Consultant
Alison Ford is an experienced fundraiser and board governance coach. Over the last decade, Alison has worked with charter schools to introduce and establish fundraising practices and systems. Additionally, Alison has served as board liaison, development chair, and board member on various work and volunteer nonprofit boards.
Before her work with charter schools, Alison was a higher education consultant and implemented admissions and financial aid systems at Georgetown University, The College of Holy Cross, and Indiana University.
Alison earned a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master's in Public Administration with a focus on education policy and school finance, both at Cornell University. As the descendant of a long line of teachers and educators, Alison channels her passion for education to convene key stakeholders, changemakers, and the community to advance educational equity. In her spare time, Alison enjoys spending time with her two adult children, walking her teacup golden doodle Mabel, gardening, and traveling.
Holly Amaya | Managing Director
Holly Amaya is a strategic and inclusive leader with 20+ years of experience in the charter sector. Holly brings a variety of perspectives to her role at CharterSource. She is an experienced charter school administrator and licensed school counselor. She has also held roles with authorizers, directed Minnesota’s Charter School Program (CSP) grant project, and coordinated member communications with the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools. Holly’s areas of interest and expertise include strategic planning, organizational development, and creating systems of accountability. Holly has a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota and has since completed numerous postgraduate courses and certificates as a continual learner. Holly enjoys creating stained glass projects, doing yoga, hiking, and being at home in St. Paul with her partner Josh, her two children, two cats, one lizard, seven chickens, and one dog.
Sarah Kies | Governance & Education Consultant
With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, Sarah is skilled in strategic development, communications, governance, and talent recruitment. She previously served as the Chief External Relations officer of Milwaukee College Prep School where she gained a deep understanding of charter management, especially in the areas of governance, advancement, and scaling schools. Prior to her role in education, Sarah worked in advancement for renowned institutions such as the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. A proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sarah has consistently demonstrated her commitment to education and community development. Sarah resides in Minneapolis and is the proud mother of four adult children.
Sawsan Natsheh | Board Chair
Sawsan Natsheh is a highly motivated and dedicated educator experienced in preparing and implementing school start up and improvement plans. Sawsan has over 10 years of experience in the education sector. With expertise in school operations, her experience includes oversight of recruitment,
finance, advancement, and community partnerships. As a co-founder and head of international school, Al Forsan International School, she values the mission of charter schools. She is an advocate for a focus on individual student needs and preparing them for future success. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and
Management from University of Jordan. She also serves as a board member at Global Academy.
Dana Peterson | Board Secretary
Dana Peterson brings a broad range of experience in charter school development and nonprofit management to the CharterSource team. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Director of Charter School Authorizing at the University of St. Thomas (UST). Previously, she supported the establishment and growth of a K-12 charter school system in Sacramento, CA where she served in a variety of capacities including small school principal, director of operations and director of new site development.
She also managed the chartering process for two new schools and led two schools through successful charter renewals. Dana returned home to Minnesota, initially working as a consultant for education, philanthropic and nonprofit organizations undertaking projects such as the development of charter school accountability plans and the design of a funded program to disseminate charter school best practices.
Dana grew up in Apple Valley, MN. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
Kou Vang | Board Treasurer
J. Kou Vang became President of JB Vang in September of 2002. He brings with a wealth of experience in finance, accounting, and Investment. Before to joining JB Vang he was Vice President of Commercial Lending and an Investment Advisor for Western Bank in St. Paul, MN. While at the Bank, he managed both a commercial loan
portfolio and an investment portfolio. He was heavily involved in commercial real estate lending and development/construction projects. Prior to joining the Bank, Kou was President of an Asian food importer and distributor. He has held a number of other finance/accounting positions with other organizations. Kou is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a degree in Economics with a focus on financial models.
Phyllis Saltzman | Board Member
Phyllis Saltzman brings a wealth of experience in organizational and leadership development, having worked with HP and Pillsbury. She founded Saltzman Consulting in 2000 and has taught at St. Catherine University and the University of Colorado. Phyllis's dedication to education is evident through her service on the board of Minneapolis College Prep and her support for numerous charter schools with strategic planning. She resides in Minneapolis and enjoys visiting her daughter in New York.