BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DENISE K. SPENCER : CHAIR

A sought-after nonprofit/foundation consultant since founding PhilanTOPICS in 2019, Denise has over 25 years of experience leading community foundations and working with nonprofits, following 20 years in academia. Well-known for writing, speaking, training, consulting, facilitation and coaching, she has hands-on experience in leading organizations to higher levels. Her specialties include board governance, strategy, policy, program design, grantmaking/seeking, communications and public relations, fund development and more. Her passions are helping good organizations improve, and working with mission-driven people. Her focus continues to be strengthening nonprofits and foundations for growth and community improvement through effective design and efficient implementation.

Current community service includes Greater Island Council of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton (Board Secretary), and previous area leadership includes Vice Chair for the Vision Project Management Team for the Town of Hilton Head Island, CEO Retreat Planning Committee for the Southeast Council of Foundations, board member of the Hilton Head Island Rotary Club, board member for the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations, and more. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including 12 years on a public school board. She earned a Certificate of Nonprofit Consulting from BoardSource, was a Michigan Political Leadership Fellow at Michigan State University, and served as a Peer Reviewer for National Standards for Community Foundations for over 15 years.

Denise’s recently discovered passion for writing poetry and micro-memoirs has blossomed, and her beloved daughter and granddaughter are eagerly awaiting their autographed copies of a poetry collection that is under development.

DR JEAN FRUH : EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Originally from Upstate New York, Jean now shares her time between Hilton Head and West Virginia. Jean obtained her BS and MS in Athletic Training/Physical Education from Springfield College and her EdD in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia.

Jean worked for West Virginia Wesleyan College for over 20 years as an Assistant Professor and Director of Athletic Training. Since relocating to Hilton Head for much of the year, Jean has worked for Outside Hilton Head. There she has served in a multitude of capacities, including: kayak and paddleboard instructor, retail manager, internship supervisor, teambuilding facilitator and guide. In addition, Jean actively created and fostered Outside Hilton Head’s internal, staff-led sustainability initiative “The Green Team.” Dr. Fruh is a South Carolina Master Naturalist and a volunteer at Volunteers in Medicine as well as The Heritage Golf Tournament.

Jean and her husband, Dr. Frank Hartman, have 2 children and 2 grand children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, golf, tennis, travel and Orioles baseball.

SUSAN DEE : KIDS IN KAYAKS PROGRAMS MANAGER

Susan, a recently retired Beaufort County School District Environmental Science, Biology, and Marine Science educator, is uniquely qualified as she is one of educators who created Kids in Kayaks in early 2000’s!

As Susan states, “Along with Friends of the Rivers and fellow teacher Lois Lewis , the Kids in Kayaks program was created as a way to provide our students with direct connections to the local marine ecosystems they studied in the classroom.” Learning about the salt marsh in the salt marsh! What a great idea!

Susan also is a member of @hhiseaturtle , a Lowcountry Master Naturalist, kayak guide, and licensed boat Captain. She states, “After 23 years of teaching I’m super excited to share my passion for and knowledge of the local environment with the next generation. I’m looking forward getting kids OUTSIDE!”

In her free time Susan enjoys travel and exploring all things OUTSIDE through hiking, biking, and diving expeditions.

CAITLIN LEE : DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Caitlin has been a resident of Hilton Head since 2009 when she graduated from Virginia Tech, Go Hokies! She's originally from the Hudson River Valley in New York, but has fully embraced the lowcountry lifestyle. After ten years in both hospitality management for Marriott Vacation Club and regime property management on the Island, Caitlin has started her own company, Caitlin Joan Consulting, helping businesses and non-profits achieve their goals through strategic planning, smart marketing and storytelling. She has a passion for volunteering, is a charter member of the Hilton Head Civitan Club and spends her free time at the beach, listening to live music, exploring local waterways, enjoying fresh oysters with cold wine, riding her bright orange bike and doing crafty things like painting, needlepoint, and refinishing furniture. Caitlin is looking forward to working as part of The Outside Foundation team!

JESSIE RENEW : MARKETING COORDINATOR

Jessie has been a part of The Outside Foundation since it's beginning. She brings her marketing and artistic expertise to organizing and promoting Foundation events, programs and initiatives.

Originally from South Africa, Jessie has spent the majority of her adult life in the Lowcountry. She has persued her passions for art and nature throughout her career, and has a broad range of experience in marketing, design as well as outdoor education and environmental advocacy.

In addition to her role at The Outside Foundation, Jessie is an artist and designer based in Charleston, South Carolina. She specializes in murals, chalk art, fine art, graphic design, illustration and art direction.

MIKE CERRATI

Mike Cerrati was born and raised on Hilton Head Island and spent most summers working on the local waters. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 2001 and then attended law school at Southwestern Law School. After practicing law in Los Angeles for several years, Mike and his wife, Jennie, returned to Hilton Head. Mike now practices in Belzer PC’s Hilton Head office, regularly advising domestic and international trademark and copyright owners on the proper selection, clearance, use, licensing and protection of their intellectual property both in the U.S. and abroad. He manages intellectual property portfolios for established corporations and assists startups and entrepreneurs in developing strategies for branding their new businesses.

Prior to joining The Outside Foundation, Mike served on the boards for the First Tee of the Lowcountry and the VanLandingham Rotary Club. Mike and Jennie have two boys who like to play as many sports as possible. In between sports seasons or during an off weekend, Mike prefers to spend time wakeboarding in Bull Creek with family and friends.

DR JOHN BATSON

John Batson grew up on Hilton Head and graduated from Hilton Head High. He graduated from the College of Charleston with a BS in Biology and completed medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his intership and residency in Greenville, SC. He completed dual-fellowships in Sports Medicine and Pain Medicine, and is the only physician in the state to hold these dual board certifications.

Dr. Batson has lectured extensively in the field of Sports Medicine and Spine Care and co-authored 5 publications in these fields. He is a fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Batson has been in private practice in the Lowcountry for over five years and currently owns Lowcountry Spine and Sport. His medical practive has been a patron sponsor for the Heritage Golf Tournament for the past 4 years and he organized a group of local physicians to jointly sponsor the even when it was in jeopardy. For over 5 years, John has served as a volunteer team physician for Bluffton High School. Dr. Batson and his wife, Alice recently served as chair people for the American Heart Association Heart Ball.

John and Alice have a daughter Jordan, who is a sophomore at Fordham University in Manhattan. In his free time, Dr. Batson is an avid water sports enthusiast who enjoys windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking and wakeboarding.

BRIAN KINARD : TREASURER

Originally from Houston, Texas Brian has spent most of his adult life living and working between the Florida Keys, Hilton Head Is., Texas, and parts of Europe. He maintains a 1600 ton US Coast Guard Masters License and has worked extensively on boats, yachts, ships and tugboats. In 2013 Brian and his wife Mollie, a native of Hilton Head, decided to plant roots in Hilton Head and enjoy a welcomed career change. Brian is a full time REALTOR with the Lighthouse Realty on Hilton Head Island and serves on many boards and committees, including the Board of Directors for the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors, the Chairman of the legislative committee, and the Chairman of the Candidate Screening Committee. He has also been involved with other non-profits on the island, currently serving on the Board of Directors for The Sandbox Children's Museum. When Brian is not busy volunteering or working, you can find Brian, Mollie, and their daughter Clementine spending time out on the water, surfing, kiteboarding, traveling, and enjoying this incredible Island.

MIKE OVERTON

Mike Overton is the founder, owner, and CEO of Outside Brands. A graduate of the University of Vermont with a BS in Resource Economics he has been a business owner in the Hilton Head community since 1979. Outside Brands is a multi-faceted organization. Operations include retail, team and leadership development, outdoor education, outdoor recreation, and destination management. Mr. Overton has lead experiential team and leadership development programs for over 400 organizations including many fortune 500 corporations, local small business, and professional sports teams. He also provides consulting services on the development of nature-based recreation programs.

Mike’s vision to create opportunities for local kids to get outside and his passion for environmental protection and preservation was the seed for the idea of the Outside Foundation. He has served on boards of The HHI Chamber of Commerce, The Island Recreation Association, The Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head, The Low Country Recycling Association, and The South Island Public Service District and currently The Port Royal Sound Foundation.

MELISSA KRAUSS

Melissa Krauss has a diverse background, and currently works full time as a Global Sales Executive for IBM. Melissa graduated with a Masters in Business Administration from the John Hopkins University, Carey Business School in Baltimore, Maryland and has held various sales leadership positions at IBM since 2000 where she successfully coaches global teams to consistently deliver complex solutions and achieve large revenue targets. Melissa also has a Masters in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelors in Nursing from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana and has held several positions in healthcare prior to joining IBM as both a clinician and an executive. In the span of these roles she implemented clinical and business best practices to reduce cost, drive operational efficiency, and improve outcomes for patients.

Melissa was raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and has lived in New York, Tennessee, Indiana and Maryland before moving to Hilton Head Island. Through the years one thing remains the same, her dedication to her family who live across the United States. Melissa is a busy Aunt involved with her 24 Nieces and Nephews and 11 great Nieces and Nephews. She spends her spare time pursuing her love of nature through wildlife photography and working to preserve the local ecology. She is a founding member of the island’s grassroots Turtle Trackers organization which is focused on supporting efforts to improve the nesting and survival Loggerhead Sea Turtles on Hilton Head Island. Melissa is also an avid cyclist who enjoys riding the island roads.