SCWA BOARD
Andrew is an educational entrepreneur driven to ensure all children in America have access to excellent learning opportunities which maximize their potential to fulfill Greater Purpose and live flourishing lives.
Committed to this mission, he began his career as a teacher serving students at the high school and college levels while finishing his Ph.D. in educational mathematics. In 2006, he joined Educational Enterprises and serves its Executive Chair/CEO working to support the team to advance its mission nationally by growing its school networks (HOPE Christian Schools and EAGLE public charter schools), Christian wraparound programs (Compass Educational Programs), and the Character Formation Project. In 2016, Educational Enterprises changed its name to Open Sky Education.
Committed to this mission, he began his career as a teacher serving students at the high school and college levels while finishing his Ph.D. in educational mathematics. In 2006, he joined Educational Enterprises and serves its Executive Chair/CEO working to support the team to advance its mission nationally by growing its school networks (HOPE Christian Schools and EAGLE public charter schools), Christian wraparound programs (Compass Educational Programs), and the Character Formation Project. In 2016, Educational Enterprises changed its name to Open Sky Education.
Jamie currently serves as principal of Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School (2014-Today) in Jackson, WI, a proud participant in both the Milwaukee and Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs. Previously, Jamie served as the executive director of HOPE Christian Schools (2012-2014). As executive director, Jamie drove HOPE’s continued growth in both quality and quantity to achieve its purpose of inspiring, supporting, and equipping serving leaders to transform the world around them. Jamie also served as principal at HOPE Christian School: Prima (2007-2012) which was recognized as one of the top 12 schools in the country by author Samuel Casey Carter in On Purpose: How Great Schools Form Strong Character. Under Jamie’s leadership, students closed the achievement gap in math after being at Prima for 2 years.
Lori Saqer is the Director of Business Operations at Messmer Catholic Schools, Inc. As a former auditor of schools participating in Wisconsin’s parental choice programs and other non-profit organizations, Saqer has gained a deep understanding of the importance of having the business operations of a school functioning well and following best practices of the education industry. Since coming to work at Messmer Catholic Schools Inc., Saqer is now in the position of preparing for the auditors and implementing rather than recommending the best business and accounting practices. Saqer volunteered for the SCW Quality committee because she enjoys sharing her experience and knowledge with other schools and feels it is important to do what she can to help ensure that all children have access to a quality education.
Mike Bartels is the Vice President of Administration at Messmer Catholic Schools. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from UW-Platteville and a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology from Cardinal Stritch University. Mike joined the Choice Schools Association board in 2015. Early on Mike recognized a need for an organization that supports schools by providing workshops that address best practices and practical discussions about important educational and administrative topics. When the Choice Schools Association merged with School Choice Wisconsin Action to create the Choice Schools Quality Committee Mike felt it was necessary that this important work continue. It is exciting to see the group come together, discuss topics that are important to the success of schools participating in Wisconsin’s school choice programs, and to provide meaningful support to administrators and teachers.
Steve Baas has been the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association since 2021. For 16 years prior he served as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), lobbying on behalf of MMAC members at the state, federal, and local levels.
From 1994 to 2005, Baas served the state of Wisconsin under the Tommy Thompson Administration and served as the Communications Director for the Speaker of the State Assembly.
Brenda White has spent over three decades in education leadership. She currently is President of Siena Catholic Schools of Racine, a system of six schools that serves students in grades 3K -12. Brenda was an associate superintendent for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee before joining Siena Catholic Schools in 2017. From 1989 to 2008, Brenda served as principal for St. Margaret Mary School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Hills Middle School in Brookfield, and for Holy Apostles School in New Berlin.
Brenda holds a Master of Science degree in administrative leadership and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in education and special education from Central Michigan University.
Kimberly Desotell has served as the President of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education school system (GRACE) since 2015. Under Kimberly’s leadership, GRACE’s system of nine pre-K-9th grade schools has experienced significant enrollment growth, strengthened parental engagement, advanced curricular offerings, and increased standardized test scores.
Before joining GRACE, Kimberly served as the Director of Development for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She has a lifetime of experience in public and private education, including experience as a principal, grade school teacher, administrator, consultant, and technology and training specialist.
Kimberly holds a Master of Science degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Administration and Instructional Leadership. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education, with a minor in biology, from St. Mary’s College-Notre Dame.