Our Staff

Michelle Newton, Executive Director
Michelle Appleby Newton is the Executive Director of STAR House Foundation responsible for the management of programming, overseeing the operations, and serving as the liaison between volunteers, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, staff and the organization.

Ms. Newton has a Bachelors Degree from Florida State University in education, and a Masters Degree in Education from Georgia State University.  Her early professional experience found Ms. Newton teaching elementary school in both Gwinnett and Fulton Counties.  She was honored by being named Teacher of the Year at Ocee Elementary School and also worked to achieve National Board Certification.

Keller Torrey, Development Director
Keller M. Torrey is the Development Director of STAR House Foundation, Inc and is responsible for the management of fundraising and development activities for the organization. Ms. Torrey is retired from BellSouth Corporation where she served in several positions including the Director of Corporate & External Affairs, a state and a national lobbyist, Manager of Public Relations for the state of Georgia, Manager of New Services Planning, Budgeting and Executive Support and was part of the Engineering Department.
 
An active community volunteer, Ms. Torrey has served on the Boards of Directors of the Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center Foundation (now Children’s Healthcare), North Fulton Community Charities, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the Child Development Association, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, Horizon Theatre and was involved at the onset of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and the Georgia Coalition for Excellence in Mathematics Education.   She is sustaining member of the Atlanta Junior League and was the North Fulton Chair of United Way.
 
A native of Columbus, Georgia, Ms Torrey received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with business prep from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.  She is a member of the 1993 class of Leadership Georgia and is a former private pilot.  She is married and has two college age children.

Kathleen Stroud, Financial Director & High School Coach
Kathleen Stroud is the Financial Director for STAR House Foundation, Inc. and is responsible for the fiscal management of the organization.

Ms. Stroud is a former math teacher and tutor.  In 1991 she was honored as First Year Teacher of the Year in Fulton County in 1991.  Ms. Stroud’s holds a degree from Kennesaw College in Middle Grades Education with an emphasis in Mathematics.  Her dedication to education and students is evident in her service to STAR House students as a high school “coach” as well. 

Susan Burkett, STAR House Foundation High School Director
Susan Burkett is the High School Director for STAR House Foundation, Inc. and is responsible for the management and organization of the STAR House program at Roswell High School.  Ms. Burkett has a degree from Auburn University where she studied special education and behavior disorders. 

Roland Korbesmeyer, STAR House Foundation Middle School Director
Roland Korbesmeyer is the Middle School Director for STAR House Foundation, Inc. and is responsible for the management and organization of the STAR House program at Elkins Pointe Middle School. Mr. Korbesmeyer has an education degree from Northern Arizona University, years of teaching experience, sales and lobbying experience.  Since 2000, Mr. Korbesmeyer has been teaching in Fulton County Schools. He specializes in teaching math to at-risk students.

Noura Abdi-Tabari, STAR House Foundation Elementary School Director
Noura Abdi-Tabari is the Elementary School Director for STAR House Foundation, Inc. and is responsible for the management and organization of the STAR House program at Mimosa Elementary School.  Ms. Abdi-Tabari’s was born in Iran, spent a portion or her adult life living in Germany before moving to America.  After receiving her employment certification, she began working at the Montessori School of Roswell holding positions from teacher to the Director.  In 2000, she began working for Star House as a lead teacher serving as Director since 2004.