Advisory Council

Michelle Seitz Chair

Advisory Council

Michelle Seitz brings a distinguished career in education and
leadership to her role as Chair of the Advisory Council. With
a lifelong commitment to advancing learning and empowering
others, she combines academic excellence with practical
expertise in classroom instruction, school administration, and
organizational leadership.

Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from
Otterbein University, where she laid the foundation for her
passion in teaching and student development. She went on to
pursue advanced studies at Capella University, receiving a
Master of Education in Distance Education, equipping her with
the skills to innovate in the rapidly evolving landscape of
online learning. To further strengthen her leadership
credentials, Michelle completed a second Master of Education
in Educational Administration at Ashland University, preparing
her to guide schools and educational programs with vision and
excellence.

Currently serving as an
Elementary School Principal, Michelle has
also held positions as a
Private School Director, and is the
Founder of a successful chain of Preschools and
Daycares.
Earlier in her career, she taught in both private and public
school settings, giving her a comprehensive perspective on the
educational journey from early learning through primary
education.

As Chair of the Advisory Council, Michelle provides strategic
guidance, fosters collaboration, and ensures that the
council’s work reflects the highest standards of integrity,
innovation, and impact. Her unique blend of classroom
experience, entrepreneurial achievement, and administrative
expertise makes her an invaluable leader and mentor to her
peers and colleagues.

Michael Saltman

Advisory Council

Member

Michael Saltman is a seasoned business leader with a
distinguished track record of driving global operations, sales
growth, and organizational transformation for Fortune 500
companies. Over the course of his career, he has held key
executive roles including President, Chief Revenue Officer,
Marketing Director, and Customer Success Manager—each marked
by measurable impact, from scaling revenues to cultivating
resilient, high-performing teams.

With a Master of Business Administration from Slippery Rock
University, Michael has mastered the art of building agile,
innovative organizations that thrive in competitive markets.
His leadership has consistently produced revenue growth, cost
efficiencies, and scalable strategies that strengthen
long-term positioning.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Michael has a deep
commitment to mentoring leaders and serving on Advisory Boards
for both nonprofit and volunteer organizations. His insights
are especially valuable to the childcare business community,
where his expertise in culture-building, customer success, and
strategic growth directly translates into helping childcare
owners enhance enrollment, streamline operations, and elevate
their centers to industry-leading status.

At Childcare CEO Academy, Michael brings a wealth of
real-world leadership experience and a passion for equipping
childcare leaders with the tools to achieve sustainable
success in an evolving and competitive market.

Elizabeth Bownas

Advisory Council

Member

Elizabeth “Liz” Bownas brings a lifelong dedication to
education and childcare leadership to the Advisory Council. A
graduate of The Ohio State University with a
Bachelor of Science in Education, Liz has
also pursued graduate studies in
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(TESOL), equipping her with specialized expertise in supporting
diverse learners.

Her career spans from classroom teaching to leadership roles
as Director and
Senior Director within a prestigious private
preschool chain, where she guided faculty development,
curriculum design, and parent engagement strategies. Liz’s
experience gives her a deep understanding of both the academic
and operational sides of early childhood education.

Today, Liz leads her own Nanny Organization,
connecting families with highly trained childcare
professionals and ensuring the highest standards of care
outside the classroom. Her unique blend of educational
training, administrative leadership, and entrepreneurial
success makes her an invaluable resource to the Academy. She
brings a practical, real-world perspective on how childcare
leaders can elevate both quality of care and organizational
excellence in today’s competitive childcare industry.

Dr. William Oliver, Ph.D.

Advisory Council

Member

Dr. William C. Oliver is a distinguished leader in higher
education, business, and public service. He currently serves
as President of the Williams Institute and has held senior
academic leadership roles, including Provost and Chief
Operating Officer of Northwood University.

Dr. Oliver earned his Ph.D. from Union University and has
taught at several leading universities, where he combined
academic rigor with practical insight drawn from decades of
executive and public sector experience. His career spans
business management, educational leadership, and civic
engagement, equipping him with a unique perspective on how
institutions can thrive in a rapidly changing world.

With a long record of shaping innovative programs, guiding
organizational strategy, and mentoring future leaders, Dr.
Oliver brings exceptional vision and depth to the Childcare
CEO Academy Advisory Council. His expertise in leadership
development and organizational growth will help strengthen the
Academy’s mission to empower childcare CEOs and transform the
industry.

Darcy Schramn

Advisory Council

Member

Darcy Schramn is an accomplished international businesswoman
and the CEO of a leading Legal Support Company in Boston,
Massachusetts, where she has provided visionary leadership
since 1998. With more than three decades of experience in
small business development within the legal and real estate
sectors, Darcy has earned a reputation as both an industry
innovator and a highly successful entrepreneur.

In addition to her executive leadership, Darcy serves as a
Director of an International Professional Association and
leads an all-female team, demonstrating her commitment to
professional growth, mentorship, and creating pathways for
women in business. She holds international certification in
her profession and actively contributes to influential
business networks, including the South Shore Women’s Business
Network and the National Association of Self-Employed.

Darcy’s insight into leadership, organizational development,
and team excellence directly connects to the world of
education, where fostering vision, resilience, and innovation
is key to success. By bringing her exceptional business
acumen, global perspective, and passion for leadership
development, she adds valuable expertise to the Advisory
Council, helping to strengthen the mission of empowering
educators and childcare leaders to thrive.