Board of Directors

Stella Si

Board of Directors,CCS Executive Director

Stella Si became the Executive Director of CCS in July 2011. She graduated from Fudan University in Shanghai with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, and received a Master’s Degree in Communications from Penn State University. She has worked in New York for over 18 years in fashion PR and merchandising. Stella returned to Shanghai with her husband’s expat assignment in 2006. She has worked for CCS as Marketing Director from 2007 to 2009. She initiated the Gala, Spelling Bee and The Bazaar. Stella then became the General Manager of E&A Shanghai Branch, a luxury brands PR firm that serves clients such as Calvin Klein, Dolce Gabbanna, DKNY, and Armani Exchange. Stella’s unique background has given her a deep understanding of the cultural differences between China and the West. Her experience at E&A has also built up her connections to senior Chinese government offices. Stella is married to Dr. John Hu and they have two children.

David Plekenpol

Board of Directors, Chairman

David Plekenpol has been in Shanghai for four years, following a string of international assignments in Hong Kong, Singapore, the Netherlands and Scotland. David has spent the last fifteen years in the telecom business with both Lucent and Alcatel. He is currently Marketing Vice President for FG Wireless, a venture-backed local wireless telecom startup. Before beginning his international journey, he founded two Silicon Valley startup companies. He joined the CCS Board of Directors in 2005, and was instrumental in building the Center's marketing strategy, as well as initiating the creation of Interkom, CCS's youth program. David is Chairman of the CCS Board, and is married to Victoria, who also sits on the Board.They have two children, Regan and Garrett.

Jon Brantingham

Board of Directors, Executive Committee

Jon Brantingham was born and raised in Taiwan and is the fourth generation in his family to live and work in China. As CEO of Brantingham Manufacturing (China), he has developed a thriving business that exports to markets in three continents. He and Judy are parents of four active boys, and Jon plays basketball and golf when time allows. He serves on the board of Concordia International School Shanghai, and relates to a prison ministry project in Taiwan that he helped to start and develop. Jon served as chairman of the Community Center board 2003-07.

Dr Nathan D Showalter

Board of Directors, Executive Committee

Nate is an American who has lived about half of his adult life in Asia (Hong Kong, Taipei and now Shanghai). Previously, Nate has worked in community and leadership development roles in Africa, Asia and North America, and has worked and traveled in more than 50 countries and six continents. He enjoys biking, reading, writing, learning about the history and culture of China, and traveling to new places with family and friends. Nate and Chris are parents of Eli who graduated from Concordia International School in 2007. Nate served as Executive Director of Community Center Shanghai from 2003-2007 during which the center underwent tremendous growth.

Dr James (Jim) Koerschen

Board of Directors

Jim has been serving as Head of School of Concordia International School Shanghai since 2007. A native of Minnesota, Jim served previously as executive director of enrollment services for Kettering University (formerly GMI) in Flint, Michigan. Prior to that assignment, he was president of Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Jim  has his Ph.D. in administration from the University of Texas and was previously a band director and music professor. He and his wife, Joanie (also an educator), have two married daughters and four grandchildren. Their permanent home is on a lake in Brighton, Michigan where they enjoy sunsets either from the decks of their home or from a boat on the lake.

Jason Tan

Board of Directors

Jason Tan was born in Taiwan but went to the US at an early age. He founded Highlander Technology Corporation in San Francisco, CA, specializing in software consulting and systems integration. Jason has been involved in investment and management positions in the IT, Real Estate and Service industries, also serving as the Vice President of the California Senate Friendship Committee (CSFC) beginning in 1998, where he was in charge of California Senate delegation to foreign countries. In 2005, Jason moved to Shanghai and is currently an investor and developer of a free stand diagnostic medical image center.