Current Trustees
Victor M. Cardenas
Hometown: Novi, Michigan
Victor Cardenas was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2015. Cardenas currently Chairs the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. Cardenas is Assistant City Manager for the City of Novi. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Grand Valley State University in 2000 and a master's degree in Public Administration from Indiana University.
Term expires 2022
Randall S. Damstra
Hometown: Ada, Michigan
Randall Damstra was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2017. He currently serves on the Finance and Audit Committee. Damstra is the Senior Managing Director, Head of Global Private Equity for Ottawa Avenue Private Capital, LLC, a division of RDV Corporation. Trustee Damstra earned a bachelor of arts degree from Grand Valley State University in 1982 and a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa.
Term expires 2024
Elizabeth C. Emmitt
Hometown: Byron Center, Michigan
Elizabeth (Beth) Emmitt was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2019. She currently serves on the Finance and Audit Committee. Emmitt is an Advisor for Spectrum Health. Previously, she worked for the State of Michigan and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Rick Snyder. Trustee Emmitt holds a bachelor of arts degree from Hope College.
Term expires 2026
Susan M. Jandernoa
Hometown: West Olive, Michigan
Susan Jandernoa was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2019. She currently serves on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. Jandernoa is a former elementary school teacher in East Grand Rapids and now dedicates much of her time to community service. Trustee Jandernoa holds a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University.
Term expires 2026
Mary L. Kramer, Chair
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Mary Kramer was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2013. She currently serves as the Board's Chair and also serves on the Finance and Audit Committee. Kramer is Group Publisher of Crain Communications. She earned a bachelor's degree in arts and media from Grand Valley State University in 1979 and a master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Eastern Michigan University.
Term expires 2020
John G. Russell
Hometown: East Lansing, Michigan
John Russell was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2013. He currently Chairs the Finance and Audit Committee. Russell is Chairman of the Board of CMS Energy and its principal subsidiary, Jackson-based Consumers Energy. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Michigan State University and completed Harvard University's Management Development Program.
Term expires 2020
Megan S. Sall, Vice Chair
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Megan Sall was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2015. She currently serves as the Board's Vice Chair and also serves on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. Sall is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Wyoming. Sall earned a bachelor of arts degree from Grand Valley State University in 2007 and a master's degree in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University in 2009.
Term expires 2022
Kate Pew Wolters
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Kate Pew Wolters was reappointed for a third time to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees in 2017 after serving a 4-year term from 2013-2016 and an 8-year term from 2005-2012. She currently serves on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. Wolters is President of the Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation and Chair of the Steelcase Foundation. She holds a master's degree in social work from Michigan State University and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Aquinas College.
Term expires 2024
Thomas J. Haas, Ph.D., ex officio
Donna K. Brooks, L.H.D., Honorary Life Member
Dorothy A. Johnson, L.H.D., Honorary Life Member