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

John C. Kennedy, D.P.S., Honorary Life Member