Board of Trustees

Lisa has worked in the field of Student Affairs and Housing and Residential Life for 21 years in a variety of roles, including Resident Director, Student Leadership Coordinator, and Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives. Graduated with a BA from Smith College and earned her Master’s in Counseling from Santa Clara University.

Dwight has previously served as an investor and Director for Institutional Shareholder Services, the oldest and largest proxy advisory service in the world, Atlantic Bank, NA of Maine and Biddeford Internet Company of Maine. He received a BA from Colby College, an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.

Dr. Lori Barker is a licensed clinical psychologist and a Qualified Medical Evaluator with the State of California, Division of Workers Compensation. She has a private practice in Riverside, California, called The Center for Individual, Family, and Community Wellness. As a therapist, she specializes in providing culturally inclusive, sensitive, and responsive therapy. Dr. Lori Barker is a professor in the Department of Psychology and Sociology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona).

Two of Dr. Lori Barker’s favorite things are travel and teaching, so when she heard about Semester at Sea, she knew it was a perfect fit. Spring 2023 will be her third voyage.

Kristina previously worked for the Microsoft Corporation in Recruiting for nearly 12 years. Her last position there was Director of University and MBA Recruiting which also included responsibility for the company’s internship and scholarship programs. Kristina is a long-time member of the Board of Trustees for Rainier Scholars, an educational non-profit in the Seattle area which opens doors to education for hardworking, disadvantaged children of color, providing a pathway to college graduation and creating future community leaders. She also currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Seattle Country Day School, a private K-8 school in Seattle. Stanford University, Bachelors of Arts and Science degree in Economics and Biology.

Until retiring in 2014, Dr. Davis was President of Beacon Health Options, Western Region, the largest Managed Behavioral Health Company in the US. Prior he was the Founder/CEO of College Health IPA, a Behavioral Health Management Company, which he sold to Beacon in 2010. Dr. Davis is a licensed Psychologist and was the President of a single specialty, multi-disciplinary behavioral health group in Southern California. Dr. Davis hosted a Los Angeles-based radio program for many years focusing on mental health and substance abuse related issues. He also serves on the Board of Counselors for the Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University as well as the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Psychology, United States International University.

Mike helped launch LinkedIn’s Sales Solutions business and is responsible for leading and scaling the global field sales and customer success teams. Prior to LinkedIn, Mike advised Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms as a Consultant at Bain & Co. Passionate about how social media has positively disrupted the way the world sells, Mike is an engaging speaker and thought-leader on social selling. Mike graduated from UC Berkeley with Phi Beta Kappa honors and holds an MBA from Stanford Business School.

Gilder, Gagnon, Howe & Co. is a stock brokerage firm focused on helping small investors create wealth. James invests in high growth public companies around the world. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Rodeph Sholom School, where his daughters are enrolled, and Trinity School, NY where he went to high school. Graduated from Stanford University in 2000 where he studied Economics and Computer Science.

Moonbeam Investment Corporation invests in and acquires distressed assets of which the underlying security interest is real estate. Such assets include, commercial and consumer debt, tax liens, large land tracts and commercial real estate. Christopher graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1988 with a degree in Economics.

T. Kenn Gaither teaches courses in international public relations, public relations, and mass communication. He has published in several public relations journals, including the Journal of Public Relations Research and Public Relations Review, and has written or co-authored three books, including Globalization and Public Relations in Postcolonial Nations: Challenges and Opportunities (Cambria, 2012). Gaither has more than nine years of professional public relations agency experience.
He earned his Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Park Doctoral Fellow and outstanding graduating Ph.D. student in his class. He has an M.F.A. in literary journalism and B.A. in English Writing/Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dan Garvey will be sailing on his seventh Semester at Sea Voyage as Executive Dean. He will be teaching SOC 362 Social Change on this voyage. This course is a student-directed experience that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and initiate action toward social justice. He is President Emeritus of Prescott College, serving as President from 2000-2010, and also a professor and founding Fellow of the Institute for Sustainable Social Change at Prescott College. Dan has been a faculty member and administrator at six colleges and universities and has strong ties to the mountaineering and experiential education communities and was a Trustee of The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Project Adventure and a supporter of the United World Colleges.

Dennis Gertmenian is the CEO of Foxdale Properties and Founder of Ready Pac Foods®, where he served as CEO for 40 years. During his career, Dennis has completed over 60 mergers and acquisitions mostly related to the food and real estate industries. Dennis received an AA from Pasadena City College, a BS from the University of Southern California, and a MBA from Pepperdine University. Community service is very important to Dennis and his wife Susi, where they devote a great deal of time and resources. He is a lifetime resident of Pasadena where he and Susi raised 5 children. Dennis and Susi spend their summers at Grouse Creek Reserve- their ranch in the Tetons, where they enjoy multiple outdoor activities.

Lisa is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (retired). She currently volunteers at UCSD’s School of Medicine. Graduated cum laude with a BA degree from Brandeis University and earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Vermont.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Semester at Sea’s Board of Trustees provides fiduciary oversight, shapes broad policies to guide and protect the Institute, provides vision and direction to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, and evaluates the President. The Board meets three times a year and holds several committee meetings. Trustees are unpaid volunteers who are recruited by the nominating committee and serve four-year terms. Our trustees are leaders with experience in large organizations and expert knowledge in higher education, business, technology, finance, and medical science. The majority of our trustees are Semester at Sea alumni.

Marisa is passionate about maritime law, which she has practiced since 2007. She handles a variety of maritime matters including cases involving yachts, ship repairs, maritime personal injury, maritime products liability, general average, and bunker fuel disputes. Her practice also includes marine insurance coverage, liability defense, bad faith defense, and commercial maritime transactional matters. She also enjoys engaging with students in her work as an adjunct professor of maritime law at the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Marisa’s Education includes: Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D. (2007), Law of the Sea Studies at Oxford University, University of San Diego, B.A. International Relations (2001)

In her current position, Lynn Johnson overseas Parking and Transportation Services, Procurement Services, Office of Budgets, Business & Financial Services, Facilities Management, Environmental Health Services, Central Receiving & Mail Services, HR, the Office of the Ombuds & EAP, Risk Management & Insurance, Training & Organizational Development & the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Lynn also serves as the liaison to the Administrative Professional Council and State Classified Personnel Council and as Board Chair of the Executive Steering Team for the Kuali Financial System Project.
She obtained her B.S. in accounting from UT Arlington. Lynn is a CPA and spent several years with KPMG and served as the CFO for a non-profit cancer research center in Denver prior to joining CSU in 2003.

Kristin’s experience includes eight years with American Express, first as the Manager of Leisure Travel in Dresden, Germany, then as the Manager of Special Groups in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1999, she moved from Europe to the United States and was made Manager of Groups and Incentives at Viking River Cruises. In 2002, Kristin became a partner and part-owner in Amadeus Waterways, now AmaWaterways. In her position as Executive Vice President, Kristin’s extensive knowledge of Europe’s culture and traditions and relentless pursuit of excellence makes her a unique stand-out in today’s river cruise industry. Kristin received her Master’s in Economics and Business Management from the University of Dresden, in addition to speaking four languages (English, German, Russian and French).

Emily leads marketing for LinkedIn’s Learning business, focused on connecting consumers and organizations with digital learning to develop skills needed in an evolving world of work. Emily has over 15 years of experience across marketing and product management at companies including Accenture, American Express, and Yahoo!. She joined LinkedIn in 2013 and led the Consumer Marketing function until joining the LinkedIn Learning in 2016. Emily graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in International Relations and studied abroad in Paris, France through the Sweet Briar program. She holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley.

Marjorie is a former high risk labor and delivery nurse with volunteer experience in HIV/AIDS in Zambia, Kenya and Rwanda. She has worked with and supported the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative as well as several other international NGO’s and philanthropies. Marjorie was one of the founding donors of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado and has served as president of her family’s foundation which focuses on social justice issues and the needs of the underserved. She is a former co-owner of The Shreveport Journal and is currently an investor in commercial real estate and alternative assets. Received two undergraduate degrees including a BSN and a Master’s Degree in Health Administration and Policy

Libby graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Christian works as a Software Engineer at Change.org where he is able to merge his love of technology with his passion for social justice. His interest in human rights, social impact, and diversity and inclusion motivates and drives Christian in all his endeavors. Graduated with a BA from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Tymitz served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Shipboard Education until February 2007. He served as a faculty member for Chapman College’s World Campus Afloat in 1972 and as the Associate Director of Operations from 1973-75.
In 1976 he was the co-founder of the Institute for Shipboard Education, serving as the Director of Administrative Affairs until 1984. In 1984 he was appointed Executive Director; in 1997 the Board of Directors changed his title to Chief Executive Officer.
His teaching experience includes serving as an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. He has his B.A. and M.A. from Southern Illinois University and received his Ph.D. in 1973 from Oklahoma State University

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Semester at Sea’s Board of Trustees provides fiduciary oversight, shapes broad policies to guide and protect the Institute, provides vision and direction to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, and evaluates the President. The Board meets three times a year and holds several committee meetings. Trustees are unpaid volunteers who are recruited by the nominating committee and serve four-year terms. Our trustees are leaders with experience in large organizations and expert knowledge in higher education, business, technology, finance, and medical science. The majority of our trustees are Semester at Sea alumni.

University of California San Diego

Shaun N. Crisler (He/Him) has been committed to higher education and student success as a professional for 15 years and currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Residence Life and Housing at SUNY Oswego in New York. He has served in several roles within Housing and Residence Life with the primary goal to help create positive living and learning experiences for all students. By working with faculty, campus partners, and staff, Shaun looks for opportunities to collaborate with a focus on student success and retention.

Shaun actively works with students and professionals to increase their intercultural competence by facilitating workshops and through study abroad activities. Shaun has been a member of the Semester at Sea family for more than twenty years.

B.S. in Finance from Miami University
J.D. from DePaul College of Law

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Semester at Sea’s Board of Trustees provides fiduciary oversight, shapes broad policies to guide and protect the Institute, provides vision and direction to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, and evaluates the President. The Board meets three times a year and holds several committee meetings. Trustees are unpaid volunteers who are recruited by the nominating committee and serve four-year terms. Our trustees are leaders with experience in large organizations and expert knowledge in higher education, business, technology, finance, and medical science. The majority of our trustees are Semester at Sea alumni.

For the past 24 years, Todd has served as a founding Partner at Western States Technologies, a real estate investment company headquartered in Los Angeles. Prior to that, Todd was Vice-President/Director of Marketing at The Sammis Company, a national real estate investment company headquartered in Irvine, California. Todd graduated cum laude from the Real Estate Finance Program at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and was awarded membership in The Golden Key International Honor Society.