To support and encourage education and hands-on learning with real-world applications to develop a variety of skill sets and STEAAM projects that promote the economic, social, and educational welfare of the State of Michigan, its communities, citizens, and visitors.

Our Mission

Our Board

  • Jennifer Kendall, Ed. D., President

    I am the manager and buyer for Coreander’s Children’s Bookshoppe. Prior to the bookshoppe, I started Parenting Principal, a consulting company that helped parents navigate learning and parenting during Covid.

    I was a school administrator at The Grosse Pointe Academy from 2008-2020, and a teacher, curriculum director, and elementary school principal in a public school district in New Jersey for 10 years prior.

    I have a bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College, a master of arts in curriculum and instruction from Caldwell College (NJ), a master of education in organizational leadership from Columbia University (NY), and completed my doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University (TN) in 2021.

    I have two children in the Grosse Pointe Schools, and am thrilled to be part of the GP STEAAM Foundation and work to support the students, staff and administration.

  • Matt Agnone, Treasurer

    I am a certified public accountant with a bachelor of art’s in accounting from Michigan State University. I spent 13 years at Deloitte and Touche as a senior manager in the tax department where I assisted multinational companies and entrepreneurs with tax efficient structuring and planning. I also served as the chief financial officer at Meridian Health Plan.

    I am very active in the local community where I serve as president of the Grosse Pointe Farms/City little league and I was recently the Vice President of the St. Paul Athletic board.

  • Mike Stines, Co-Treasurer

    I am an attorney licensed to practice in Michigan and Florida.

    I earned a bachelor of art’s degree in economics from Michigan State University, and a juris doctor’s degree from the University of Miami School of Law.

    I reside with my family in Grosse Pointe Farms.

  • Shery Cotton, Trustee

    I was born and raised in Southern California. My family had several educators, my Father was the Principal of my elementary school. My degree in college was in Early Childhood Education. I taught at Head Start.

    When we moved to Houston in 1981 I became involved in the education program at the Houston Zoo where we had classes for the Houston public schools 3-5th grades.

    When moving to the Detroit area in 1991 I was encouraged to live on the West side. Luckily for my family a few Grosse Pointers quietly suggested living here. One of the selling points, besides the small town feeling, was the excellent Public School System.

    I am excited to be a part of this board to continue offering the best education to the GP families!

  • Ellisse Thompson, Trustee

    I was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. I graduated from Grosse Pointe North in 2004 and am married to my high school sweetheart, Will.

    I have three children - one rising Y5 student and two future GPPSS students. I am excited to serve on this Board and have the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of students and teachers within the community.

  • Cam Shortz, Trustee

    I was born and raised in Flushing, Michigan. I attended Michigan Technological University on a football scholarship where I received two bachelor of sciences degree’s one in management information systems and a second in operations and systems management.

    My wife Aimee is a lifelong resident of Grosse Pointe that graduated from South in 2008. I moved to the area in 2016 and fell in love with the Pointes. I am a current resident of the Farms where I reside with my wife and 1 year old daughter.

    For the past ten years I have worked as an IT professional in the automotive industry, and I am extremely excited to be a board member of this foundation and for the impact it will have on this amazing community.