German International School Toronto Board of Trustees

The German International School Toronto is a not-for-profit corporation under Ontario law. The Board of Trustees is the main governing body of the German International School Toronto, as mandated by the guidelines for German Schools Abroad and set out in the corporation’s By-laws. While the day-to-day operations of the school are entrusted to the Principal and the School Management Team, the business affairs of the school are managed by the Board of Trustees. In particular, the Board is responsible for fiscal oversight, management of the school’s assets and resources, provision of the means to operate the school and support of fundraising activities.

The Board also provides the strategic direction for the school and ensures that it continually strives to accomplish its vision.
 
The current Board members are parents and friends of the school who generously devote their time and effort to the school’s success. They are elected Directors for a term of two years by the corporation’s members at the Annual General Meeting. A maximum of 9 Directors are provided for by the By-laws. The current Directors and officeholders are:

Current Directors & Officeholders

  • Dr. Luigi Castagna

    DIRECTOR

    Luigi joined the GIST Board in 2002. He works at the Scarborough Hospital in the field of Pediatric Neurology. One of his two children attended GIST from Kindergarten to Grade 8.

  • Dr. Steve Dejak

    TREASURER

    Dr. Steve Dejak holds the position of Director at TD Securities. He joined the GIST Board in February 2023. Steve has five children enrolled at GIST.

  • Mark Freake

    COMPANY SECRETARY

    Mark joined the GIST Board in June 2022. He works as a Senior Associate / Lawyer at Dentons Canada LLP. Mark has one child at GIST in Kindergarten.

  • Markus Giese

    PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN

    Markus joined the GIST Board in January 2023. He works as Head of Compliance at Zurich Canada. Markus has two children enrolled in kindergarten and Grade 1.

  • Ilka Guttler

    DIRECTOR

    More information will be provided shortly.

  • Wenzel R. B. Hoberg

    DIRECTOR

    Wenzel joined the GIST Board in 2019. He is an experienced board member and real estate investment professional. Both children attended the GIST until Grade 7 and 5.

  • Alexander Meyer

    DIRECTOR

    Alexander joined the GIST Board in January 2023. His latest role is that of Chief Customer Officer at The Bay. Alexander has one son at GIST.

  • Noella de Souza Gort

    DIRECTOR

    Noella joined the GIST Board in 2017. She worked as Marketing Director for American Express and is currently a full-time mom to her two daughters. Both of them attend the GIST in Grade 3 and Grade 5.