Our Board of Directors

Until July 2023 when she retired, Ruth Gross was head of the Department of World Languages and Cultures and Professor of German at NC State University. She holds her PhD from Yale University.

Alex relocated to the Triangle area in 2015 and works for Xtenfer Consulting. With an M.Ed. from the University of Trier, Germany, she previously taught at the German International School in Dubai, UAE.

Chris Bagley is an attorney with Maginnis Howard in Raleigh . He studied at Davidson College, the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, and the University of North Carolina School of Law.

After a 15 year career in opera production, Margaret Kellner now works in non-profit fundraising, specializing in prospect research. She received her BA in Theater & Int'l Studies from Northwestern University and lives in Raleigh with her husband and two boys. She is a dual Austrian and US citizen.

Priscilla is Professor of German at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her PhD in German from the University of California at Berkeley. She previously lived in Berlin, Germany for four years.

Nicole Schwerbrock speaks German, Spanish, English, and Dutch. Among others, Nicole studied early childhood education and worked in Germany before moving to the U.S. in 2000 to pursue her Ph.D. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband and daughter.

Petra received her teaching diplomas from the State Teachers College in Bern, Switzerland. She has taught German and World History at Raleigh Charter School for more than 20 years. Before moving to the USA with her family, she worked with elementary school children and hospital patients.

Ella is an active member of the Fundraising Committee. She's committed to supporting the school through strategic planning that strengthens resources for students. With a strong appreciation for education, language, and cultural exchange, she is passionate about building a vibrant school community.