Board of Directors
Wake Preparatory Academy is governed by a non-profit board of directors who are dedicated and committed as they bring a myriad of backgrounds, experiences, skill sets, and perspectives to ensure the mission and goals of the school are executed. The members are very active in the community and serve as leaders in various capacities.
Regular Board Meetings
Regularly scheduled board meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month.
Time: 12:30pm
Location: 14111 Capital Blvd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Live Stream: http://meet.google.com/iam-hydm-qyx
Next Board Event:
Board Members
Kyle Shrauger, Board President
Kyle Shrauger has served on the Wake Preparatory Academy board since 2019. His enthusiasm for lifelong learning has led to multiple professional certifications, dual bachelors degrees in business and marketing, a masters degree in cloud computing, and an executive MBA. He has a passion for hockey and can often be found playing or coaching at the local rinks with his wife and three kids. Having founded one of the fastest-growing IT consulting firms in the nation, Kyle brings an entrepreneurial spirit with strong business acumen to Wake Preparatory Academy. Kyle is excited to see his kids grow with Wake Preparatory Academy by becoming community leaders, developing RAISE values, and graduating with real-world skills.
Michael Featham, Vice President
Michael Featham is one of the founding members of the Wake Preparatory Academy board and currently serves as the board’s Vice President. He is an electrical engineer with extensive experience in both engineering and construction management. Michael received his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and was a Registered Professional Engineer in three states during his career. His passion for quality education with a moral focus is fueled by his love for his two school-aged grandchildren.
Tammy Alexander, Treasurer
Tammy Alexander joined the Board as the Treasurer in 2023. Tammy grew up in Indiana and obtained her BS degree in Accounting and Business Management from Indiana University in 2001. In 2003, she moved to Raleigh, NC and obtained her CPA license and her MBA from Duke University. In 2020, she obtained her real estate license and in 2022 her and her husband started their own consulting firm helping accounting/finance clients. Tammy lives in Youngsville, NC on 21 acres of land with her husband, 4 kids, 4 cats and a dog. In her free time, she enjoys actively competing in triathlons, cycling, hiking, traveling, running and spending time with family. Tammy is passionate about her children’s education and is excited to see her four kids succeed and grow academically at Wake Preparatory Academy.
Dustin Baptiste, Secretary
Dustin Baptiste is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in Electrical Engineering and Information Security. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and has since accumulated over 19 years of experience in these fields. After working for ten years as an engineer, Dustin transitioned to Information Security, where he has excelled for the past nine years. A lifelong learner, Dustin continues to acquire multiple professional certifications.
Dustin’s technical expertise and leadership skills have been instrumental in driving successful projects and initiatives throughout his career. He has a strong track record of implementing effective security controls and mitigating risk for organizations.
Dustin is a devoted family man with a wife and two daughters. In his free time, Dustin enjoys staying active by working out, traveling, and participating in entirely too many hobbies, including but not limited to automotive work, woodworking, and scuba diving. With his diverse background and skill set, Dustin brings a unique perspective and valuable expertise to the board of directors. He is a fervent believer in making certain that not only his, but all children have access to the highest quality of education and is excited about all the opportunities that Wake Preparatory Academy provides.
Valeska Lipani-Garrett, Co-Founder/Board Member
Valeska Lipani-Garrett is the co-founder and a current board member of Wake Preparatory Academy. She holds a Master of Education from Bowling Green State University in learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. She has extensive experience in both teaching and administration in public, private, and charter schools in Ohio and Virginia. Valeska enjoys many hobbies including distance swimming, traveling, playing cello, reading, and cooking. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her two children and six grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. William Seaman, Member
Rev. Dr. William D. (Bill) Seaman currently serves as a board member for Wake Preparatory Academy. His prior service includes fifteen years as the mission engagement facilitator for the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod; serving twenty-five years as sole pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Hickory NC; holding the position of Science and Religion Department Chairs at Rockford Lutheran High School, and biology instructor at Concordia College. Rev. Seaman received his M. Div. from Concordia Seminary in 1971, his D. Min. from Concordia Seminary in 1980, and his M.A. in botany from the University of North Carolina in 1970. Rev. Seaman is the author of several papers, workshops, and resources for discipleship and congregational renewal development for resourcing congregations of the Southeastern District. He leads workshops on a variety of congregational programs including governance, leadership, outreach, discipleship, stewardship, and small group ministry.
Rev. Larry Wilder, Board Member
Reverend Larry Wilder is the pastor of Olive Branch Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC. He is also a retired educator, having served ten years as a special education teacher in the Wake County Public School System. Before teaching, Reverend Wilder worked for over thirty years in the human resources field for several consumer, healthcare, and pharmaceutical organizations. Reverend Wilder attended North Carolina Central University where he earned a bachelors degree in psychology. He also holds a Master of Education in cross-categorical special education from Regent University. Reverend Wilder believes that he has been blessed with a long, successful career by doing every job and every assignment as “unto the Lord” as expressed in Colossians 3:23. He enjoys reading, playing guitar, and watching sports. Reverend Wilder and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters and a son-in-law and live in Knightdale, NC.