​BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors are responsible for the long-term health and sustainability of Open Connections, oversight of our mission, and management of our financial affairs.
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Contact the entire Board of Directors HERE.

​JENNIFER POHLHAUS

BOARD CHAIR

​Jennifer Pohlhaus has been involved with the Open Connections (OC) community since 2007. She initially joined as a parent before becoming a board member and now serves as the Chair of the Open Connections Board of Directors. Alongside her active involvement in OC, Jennifer is on a continuous learning path. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Business Administration to complement her Master's Degree in Public Administration from Villanova University. Her professional journey has seen a recent advancement at Villanova University, where she now serves as a Senior Instructional Technology Consultant. With a tenure beginning in 1999, Jennifer leverages over two decades of experience spearheading the implementation of innovative academic content and technology. The self-directed learning philosophy of Open Connections not only resonates with her but also mirrors her approach to education and personal development and has significantly influenced her approach not only to education but leadership. Jennifer is the mother of two OC alums.

​AMY JOHNSOn

Amy is the Director of Agriculture for Greener Partners, a non-profit farming organization offering educational programming with the goal of inspiring community members of all ages to experience fresh, local food, igniting healthy eating habits for life. She founded Red Hill Farm, a 120 member Community Supported Agriculture farm in Aston, PA where she worked as Farm Director growing food and community for nearly 8 years. Since 2013, she has sat on Media Borough Council where she serves as liaison for the Environmental Advisory, Fair Trade, Shade Tree and Farmers Market committees. Amy is mom to two life-long learners, one currently at OC and one OC graduate.

Craig Rumbaugh

BOARD MEMBER

​Craig is the parent of three OC youth. Along with his wife, Lizzie, his family has been involved with the OC Community since 2018. Craig graduated from Haverford College with a degree in Philosophy. It was at Haverford that he began to truly value the role self-directed education can have in helping one lead a more purposeful life. Craig’s professional life has centered on marketing research and strategy consultation for the healthcare industry. He has expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of research; learning from markets and producing evidence-based insights with business-focused research deliverables that facilitate discussion, alignment, and decision-making in the strategic development and commercialization of brands. Craig joined the OC Board in early 2023, following his time on the OC Advisory Council. He is excited to continue working to help ensure the on-going success and growth of the OC Community.

Diane Webber

BOARD MEMBER

​Diane has been part of the Open Connections community since 1998—as a parent, long-time facilitator, ad hoc committee member, grandparent, consultant, and now a member of the Board of Directors. As with so many of the best things in life, these roles often overlap. Diane holds an undergraduate degree in education, an MFA in Creative Writing, and has done graduate work in Semitic and Egyptian languages. She writes nonfiction and historical fiction for young people and dabbles in other genres. An educator for decades in a variety of environments, Diane is the founder and owner of Shared Living and Learning, through which she offers tailored support to families seeking to build a learning life outside of school that mirrors their priorities, and also coaches adults in their work with young people. Diane is the parent of three OC alums and the grandparent of 3 current attendees. 

JAMES TANGORA

BOARD MEMBER

​James joined the OC board in 2021. James and his family have been involved with OC since 2010. James is a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University and is the Head of the Department of Engineering, Leadership, and Society. He is also the Provost and Secretary of the Board for the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology. At Drexel, James runs the Laboratory for Biological Systems Analysis where they develop biorobotic and mathematical models of the locomotor and sensorimotor systems of animals. James is a co-founder of Drexel’s Peace Engineering program, and believes that it is the responsibility of engineers and scientists to work for the well-being of society. 

LEE WISDOM

BOARD MEMBER

​Lee is the mother of 2 boys, a homeschooler, and a former preschool teacher and child care provider. She serves as the president of the Downingtown Area School District board of directors and is a member of the Cultural Equity Task Force. She also heads the Uwchlan Township Historical Commission as their chairperson.

Lee feels passionate about ensuring that young people get what they need to thrive in an environment that is conducive to their individual learning. Equity and diversity and a focus on mental health and life/work balance are important aspects of this plan.
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Lee loves traveling, reading, yoga, spending time outdoors, and adventures of every kind. It is her philosophy that education, connection, and community are gifts we offer each other and choose to accept for ourselves every day. Lee and her family have been part of the OC Community since 2014.

LISA HUIS

BOARD MEMBER

​Lisa has been a part of the Open Connections family since September, 2000. Over the last two decades, she has been absorbing the wonderful OC philosophy directly from the multi-talented staff and her own three young people. She has facilitated or has been a co-facilitator in various programs, including a Groups, Choice, Shaping Your Life and the Open Program. Lisa has created many fabric- and pie crust-related projects on and off campus with collaborators of all ages. She is currently expanding her understanding of non-profit organizations. Lisa loves to be a connector of people and is currently working on the Committee of Trustees to strengthen the Board and ensure the future health of Open Connections. When she is not working on OC projects, Lisa loves spending time with her family, sewing, exercising and baking. Lisa is mom to 3 OC alums.