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.

  • Annika Bierfreund, Director

    Annika Bierfreund joined the Board in 2024. She studied Sport Science and Business Administration and has worked as a Trainer and Manager of fitness clubs in Europe and the Middle East. She has two children enrolled at GIST.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. Both of them attend the GIST.

  • Ilka Guttler, Director

    Ilka joined the Board in 2022. She works as an IT contractor focused on business systems analysis and design. Ilka has one child who is enrolled at GIST.

  • 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.

  • Stephanie Reis, Director

    Stephanie Reis joined the GIST Board in 2024. She is co-owner alongside her husband (Fabian) of Ferox Estate Winery in Niagara on the Lake. The Reis’ are a local family with one son enrolled in GIST since 2022.