chelsea education foundation
board members
Amy Forehand
President
Amy has more than 20 years of experience in operations and human resources, which led her to launch her own consulting company in 2019. Before that, she spent 16 years at Consumers Energy in a variety of strategic and operational roles, including leading workforce programs focused on cultural change and talent development. She earned both her MBA and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of Michigan.
Amy is passionate about creating environments where employees can thrive and succeed. Through The Forehand Company, she provides leadership coaching, employee engagement, and culture transformation consulting, helping organizations solve challenges and grow stronger leaders.
At Chelsea Education Foundation, Amy loves being part of an organization that helps create meaningful learning experiences for Chelsea students. Many of the grants funded by the Foundation give students opportunities to explore future passions and careers outside the traditional classroom, helping foster curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
She is especially excited about the future of CEF as the organization continues its strategic planning efforts and strengthens its impact on students across the Chelsea School District.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys downhill skiing, hiking, and spending time on the water with her husband, Jim, and their two boys, Sam and Nolan.
Katie Hepler
Vice President
I worked for more than 15 years in public relations and corporate communications at a major automaker before leaving the workforce several years ago to stay home with my three children. My work experience is in media relations, crisis management, message development, executive communications and reputation management.
I have been a board member for the Chelsea Elementary Parent Teacher Organization for three years and continue in that role currently.
I graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a B.A. Communications Studies and Psychology (dual major).
I love spending time with my family (husband Jason, children Will (12), Owen (10), Ryan (6) and our dog Roscoe, as well as with our extended family and friends. We love to travel, share adventures and be outdoors.
CEF makes such a positive impact in our community. Joining the board has given me even more appreciation for how CEF supports the work of our amazing school district. I am honored to serve with a group of such wonderful individuals who are so committed to doing positive, meaningful work in our community.
I recently participated in our current grant cycle’s review committee, reviewing the grant requests submitted by CSD staff and awarding grant monies for various projects. First, I was blown away by the creativity and rigor with which CSD staff all the way from early childhood to high school are augmenting the amazing work they’re already doing with these awesome projects and programs. Second, I’m not sure you get much closer to feeling like Santa Claus on Christmas to say “yes” to a whole bunch of Chelsea’s amazing educators!
Jane Diesing
Alumni Chair
I worked as a Medical Technologist at Sparrow Hospital for 8 years in Lansing. Upon moving to Chelsea, my sister, mom, and I became co-owners of The Village Shoppe of Chelsea and enjoyed eighteen years running a business in the community. I am now retired. During that time, I also served on the Chelsea Board of Education for twelve years and President for six years while we built Chelsea High School and Pierce Elementary. I was also on the Washtenaw Intermediate School District Board, the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Citizen Board, and the Chelsea Library building committee. My years on many boards have given me training in leadership, finances, team building, goal setting, fundraising, and many more skills to help work together for success.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a year of internship at Sparrow Hospital.
I love reading, knitting, and spending time with my family, especially my five grandchildren. We spend the summers at our cottage up north and I love my time on and by the water. I love working towards a better community especially through education. It is important to give our children the best educational experience we can to prepare them for their future.
I spent a year as the school board liaison to CEF just after Joe Piasecki had organized the initial group. He would be so proud of the growth and many accomplishments of the foundation. It has become the organization he envisioned. I am pleased to once again be a member of the board and hope to continue expanding the vision.
Karen Owen
Board Member
With over 10 years of experience in Fundraising and Philanthropy, I currently serve as the Director of Donor and Campaign Operations at UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation. I have a true passion for the community of Chelsea where I work, volunteer my time, and live with my family. As a board member of the Chelsea Education Foundation (CEF), I am committed to supporting the needs of teachers and students in the Chelsea community.
I graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Health Care Administration in 2012 and a Master’s Degree in Fundraising and Philanthropy in May of 2020. As a board member, I look forward to continuing to build relationships that will directly support CEF’s mission of providing resources and opportunities to students and teachers in the Chelsea School District.
I love spending time with my husband (Skyler), three kids who attend Chelsea schools (Landon class of 2028, Kennedy class of 2033, and Colton class of 2035), and our dog Maverick. We enjoy traveling, fishing, watching sports, and participating in various activities around our community. When I am not working or volunteering you may find me working in the garden, spending time with friends, or taking a class to learn something new!
I believe that philanthropy can significantly impact creating long-lasting social change. I have witnessed firsthand how CEF is making a tremendous difference in the lives of both teachers and students. I feel so fortunate to serve with this tremendous group of people.
Nicole Darby
Board Member
My entire career for more than eighteen years has been spent working in school finance for various school districts. I am the Chief Financial Officer for Chelsea School District. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Ferris State University, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Central Michigan University, and an Ed Specialist Degree in K12 Leadership from Central Michigan University.
I love spending time with my fiancé and our two boys. Since moving to the area in 2022, we spend our weekends checking out local restaurants and events. Taking our boys to the movies is another one of our favorite hobbies, as well as traveling up North to visit family.
In my roll with CEF I love being able to see both sides of the work being completed by the foundation. As a board member we discuss how to make impactful decisions for funding, and as a school employee I get to see first hand how the decisions affect students and staff.
I am amazed at the many ways the Chelsea Education Foundation helps with scholarships, teacher grants, and other educational needs. I look forward to helping continue the work being done by the board.
John L. Daly
Board Member
I spent five years in public practice with two of the biggest international CPA firms, followed by 15 years as a Chief Financial Officer. I founded Executive Education, Inc. in 1998, building it to a company with seventeen professional speakers who have presented continuing professional education to corporation financial managers in 45 states and three countries.
I have a BS from Denison University in Granville, OH, and an MBA from the University of Michigan. I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and a Certified Production and Inventory Manager (CPIM).
My sons, James and Joseph are Chelsea High School graduates. James was a recipient of a CEF scholarship. I was assistant scoutmaster of Chelsea Boy Scout Troop 179 and my wife Nancy J. Daly is a board member of Material Girls. I enjoy canoeing, kayaking, hiking, downhill skiing and live theater, both as a performer and a patron. The Players in Detroit have produced eight one-act plays I have written. I am the author of Pricing for Profitability, published by John Wiley and Sons as well as a novel, Tool & Die. I recently completed editing my mother’s memoirs, Doctor Miriam.
Mike Kapolka
Board Member (non-voting)
As Superintendent of the Chelsea School District, I bring over 22 years of educational experience to my ex-officio Board position with the Chelsea Education Foundation. Starting as a teacher and coach, I have grown into various administrative positions before stepping into the role of Superintendent.
Additionally, I have served as the past President of the Southeastern Conference and Past President of the Chelsea United Way. During my tenure as a Trustee of the Chelsea Education Foundation from 2018 to 2020, we focused on supporting educational initiatives and enhancing student learning experiences in our community.
I am extremely proud of and excited for the continued support the Chelsea Education Foundation provides to our school community.
Elizabeth (Libby) Evans
Treasurer
I joined the Chelsea Education Foundation Board in 2025 and am honored to serve as Treasurer. In my professional role as Senior Manager of Gas & Electric Planning and Scheduling at Consumers Energy, I lead enterprise-wide planning and resource optimization initiatives across both gas and electric business units.
With more than 15 years of experience in operations, financial planning, and process improvement, I’ve had the opportunity to implement enterprise-level planning systems, drive performance improvements, and manage multimillion-dollar budgets. My career has included leadership roles in financial management, supply chain planning, and enterprise resource planning, with expertise in SAP, Power BI, and S&OP best practices.
I earned both my Master of Science in Operations Research and my Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (with a minor in Mathematics) from Western Michigan University, along with a CPIM certification from APICS and the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering credential.
Chelsea is home for my husband, Mike, and me, along with our two children, Eleanor and Henrik, who attend Chelsea schools. Outside of work, I love supporting my children’s extracurricular activities, hiking, golfing, waterskiing, and traveling with family and friends. I’m excited to bring my skills and energy to CEF to help strengthen educational opportunities for students in our community.
Wendy Zielen
Nominations/Governance
I am currently Development and Communications Director at St. Louis Center, a residential community for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This position combines my experience in marketing, digital outreach, and client relations with my commitment to non-profit fundraising and governance.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and have a background in marketing, administration, and management with a specialty in small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations. I utilize my organizational expertise to help support worthy youth advocacy, underserved community, environmental sustainability, and historical preservation causes.
My passion for philanthropy and volunteerism was inspired by experiencing the generosity of others toward my youngest daughter during her struggle with a rare disease. I greatly enjoy many volunteer activities, as well as running, reading, and traveling. One of my greatest joys is the view from our family’s lakeside cottage on one of Michigan’s beautiful inland lakes near Chelsea.
As a new member of the Chelsea Education Board, I’m looking forward to working with other members of the board and the community to help support the students of Chelsea School District.
I’m thrilled with the opportunity to help other students in the Chelsea School District have the same educational experiences and opportunities that my children had!