Meet our Board of Directors

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.

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    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 the GIST.

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    Markus Giese, President

    Markus joined the GIST Board in January 2023. He works as Chief Compliance Officer at Zurich Canada. Markus has two children enrolled at the school.

  • Professional woman with dark hair wearing a black blazer, pearl necklace, and pearl earrings, smiling at the camera against a plain background.

    Noella 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. One daughter is currently enrolled at the GIST, and the other is an alumna.

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    Ilka Guttler, Director

    Ilka joined the Board in 2022. She works as an IT contractor focused on business systems analysis and design. Ilka’s child attended the GIST.

  • Holger Loewendorf, Director

    Holger Loewendorf joined the Board in February 2026. He works as an independent consultant specializing in transatlantic relations and public affairs. Holger has a daughter enrolled at GIST and joined the Board in February 2026.

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    David Mauer, Director

    David Mauer joined the GIST Board in 2025. He leads a solution development team for a leading German machinery manufacturer. David has two children at the school.

  • Theodor Scheidegger, Director

    Theodor (Ted) Scheidegger looks back on a long career as business executive and entrepreneur in the energy and resources industry, including leadership roles at Siemens. Ted has twins enrolled at the GIST and joined the Board in February 2026.

  • Rudi Seckel, Director

    Rudi Seckel is a German lawyer specialized in administrative law. He holds the position of Manager of Legal Business Support at the German-Canadian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Rudi joined the Board in February 2026 to support GIST.