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Angi has been working with MAPSA since 2004. She began her work with the annual conference team, but after a few years, realized she wanted to be a much bigger part of this great movement! She now directs the business development of the organization. Angi has a son that reminds her daily of the importance of quality education. Angi feels her work with us allows her to care for him through both a financial and educational standpoint. When she’s not working, you’ll find Angi spending time with her husband and son, and most likely playing ball. She also enjoys attending concerts, with a musical interest ranging from Trace Adkins to Three Doors Down, Motley Crue and Kid Rock.
Keri began working with MAPSA as an intern in the summer of 2008. Upon graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Communication Arts, she rejoined the MAPSA staff as program coordinator in 2009, and is excited to be a part of the charter school movement! Keri enjoys spending time with friends and family and loves camping, attending concerts, and watching movies.
Becky,
administrative assistant for New School Development and Performance Management,
began her career with MAPSA February of 2010.
With a passion for children, her community,
fine arts, and education, she has had previous experience with non-profits and
community organizations. As an avid
volunteer, she participates actively in her community and is always willing to
help. As a graduate of Waverly High School,
she began her career in education at Michigan
State’s early childhood development
music classes as a student volunteer.
She continued this enthusiasm for children and education with extensive
training in early childhood development and enjoyed a career in early childhood
development for 5 years. As a trained musician for most of her life, she enjoys
playing cello and piano, and when she can find time, she takes pleasure in
reading and always takes the opportunity to learn when she can. Becky is very
excited to be part of the charter school movement and looks forward to
supporting continuing efforts in the charter school community.
Our senior vice president, Lisa has worked with MAPSA since 2000, providing leadership with strategic planning, business development and grassroots initiatives. She became involved with the organization and movement because she believes all children deserve an opportunity to find the right educational environment for them to reach their highest potential. When she’s not working, she enjoys kickboxing, golf, sailing, downhill skiing and time with her husband Don and three sons Kyle, Ryan and Brady.
Joyce Herron-Taylor
Joyce presently serves MAPSA as our quality schools coordinator. She joined the staff in 2008, bringing over 30 years of experience in the educational and legal fields. Joyce holds a bachelor's, master's degree and Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University, along with certifications and coursework from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Yale University. She has held a variety of positions while employed by Detroit Public Schools, including elementary school principal, assistant principal, research collaborator on loan to MSU's Institute for Research on Teaching, language arts specialist, guidance counselor, and teacher. In addition, Joyce has worked as a counselor with Oakland University's Upward Bound program. She directed Detroit Public Schools' Highly Qualified Teacher Assessment and Verification Center and was a Leadership Development Specialist for the district's Center for School Leaders. Joyce's educational experiences also include Principal Leadership Coaching positions with the Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency. She received the Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership from Yale University's School Development Program, along with other awards and accolades. Joyce, and her husband, Rick, are roller coaster fanatics.
 Kelly Lambert
Kelly joined MAPSA as the director of professional development in 2005, having spent most of her career in event planning. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University in Commercial Recreation and Facility Management. Kelly also earned her certificate as a Certified Meeting Professional in 2006. Kelly lives in Grand Ledge with her husband Keith and their sons.
 Angela Laugh
Angela joined the staff in 2008 as director of new school development. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction. Angela draws experience from nearly all levels of charter school development and operations. Her experience as a teacher, district administrator, and corporate director of education affords her a greater perspective in school development and guidance. Angela believes in the development of quality schools to provide students with quality choice. Along with her job, Angela keeps busy with an active daughter and enjoys sports, music, creativity, cooking, and literature.
Brian May
Brian joined the MAPSA staff in 2009 as the performance management project manager. In this role, he assists schools with the collection and use of data to inform continuous improvement in school management and education programming. Brian spent most of his career in the for-profit education sector and was most recently at Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions. During his tenure there, he gained expertise in test preparation for standardized exams like the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. A graduate of San Jose State University in California with a degree in Social Science Education, Brian also taught at an alternative high school, served as Title I Coordinator, and coached three sports. When he is not working, Brian enjoys traveling, golf, and spending time with his daughter, Emmie.
Alisha joined MAPSA as a regional director in 2006, having spent most of her past career working for a variety of Michigan legislators. A graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in social science, she has always been interested in social public policy issues such as domestic violence and child abuse prevention, both of which she has worked on in the past. Presently, her passion is dedicated to making sure every Michigan child receives a quality education and that parents of these students continue to have the right to choose the best school for their child no matter where they live. Alisha currently resides in Byron Center with her husband Seth and their son.
Gary is vice president of public relations & legislative affairs. He joined MAPSA in 2008 and spearheads public policy advocacy efforts on behalf of the charter school movement, with an emphasis on protecting charter schools and promoting education reform in the state legislature and with the news media. Gary also represents Michigan's charter schools with the federal government. Gary has 25 years of public and private sector experience in lobbying, media relations, advertising and marketing communication in Michigan. He graduated from James Madison College at Michigan State University and attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Gary, an avid golfer and movie buff, lives in Mason with his wife, Robin Case Naeyaert, and their three children, Matt, Kevin and Erica.
Dan is the president of the MAPSA and serves as a
leading advocate and spokesperson for charter public schools and 21st
century education in Michigan and the nation. He has served on the
board of advisors for the Great Lakes Education Project and the
Michigan School Board Leaders Association. Dan is a member of the
Education Alliance of Michigan and a member of the Board of Directors
of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, an organization he
helped form. He has served as president for MAPSA
since 1998.
Serving as the administrative director, Heather coordinates fundraising efforts, organizes budget and spending efficiencies and oversees human resources and staff development. She has a long history of working in the charter movement. Her work began at the Central Michigan University Charter Schools Office and then moved to MAPSA in 1995. A CMU graduate, Heather enjoys time spent with her husband Chris and three children, Katie, Josh and Briann.
Holly joined MAPSA in 2000 and now serves as executive assistant. She enjoys her job because she likes knowing she can make a difference in people's lives every day and because she loves the innocence of children and their wide-eyed approach to life. A photographer by training, she spent her previous work experience at a photography studio. Spend a little time with Holly and you’ll learn just how creative she is. In addition to changing her look and hairstyle often out of inspiration, she loves traveling, concerts, photography, dreaming and time with her family.
Jessie, administrative assistant for grassroots advocacy and legislative affairs, has served others her entire career, first as a civil servant, then in the mortgage and real estate industries. Since June 2003, Jessie has supported the work of regional directors and other staff at MAPSA and informed and empowered members to speak out on behalf of their schools, the charter movement and quality educational choices. Jessie has years of support, technical and managerial experience as well as an associate’s degree in business technology, which allows her to provide high quality service to our staff, membership, and the general public. Jessie enjoys walking or biking the six blocks to work. She and her husband have traveled around Michigan and across the U.S. and once applied to the TV show Amazing Race in the hope of traveling the world. Jessie may answer the phone when you call us and will be happy to answer your questions or assist you.
Nicole currently serves MAPSA as regional director of outreach, a role she began in 2008. As a public service, public relations and communications professional, Nicole has demonstrated her passions for children, education, the arts, and community leadership through her extensive work with non-profits and community organizations. Nicole attended East Lansing High School, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Wayne State University with an emphasis in creative writing and a Master of Arts degree also from Wayne State in communication studies. Highly involved in the community and in the arts, currently she is a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Fusion and serves on the Arts & Culture Committee. She is also on the Wayne State University President’s Commission on the Status of Women, serving on the Affirmative Action and Equity committee.
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About Us 
Angi Beland
Lisa Diaz
Dan Quisenberry
Heather Risner
Holly Simons
Jessie Stafford
Nicole Wells