Board Members

Sherry Betcher 

President, Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center

Co-Founder, Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center

Sherry Betcher is an educational leader, assessment professional, and robotics coach dedicated to expanding STEM opportunities and workforce development pathways for students throughout Southeast Michigan.

Professionally, Sherry serves as Manager of Assessment on the Data Analysis Team at Central Michigan University's Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools, where she supports approximately 70 partner schools serving more than 30,000 students. Her work focuses on student assessment, school improvement, data-informed decision making, and helping educators use assessment data to improve student outcomes. Passionate about expanding educational opportunities and closing the achievement gap for all students, Sherry is driven by a fundamental question: Are students learning? She believes that high-quality education has the power to open doors, change lives, and alter the trajectory of a child's future, and she is committed to helping schools ensure the answer to that question is yes.

Prior to joining Central Michigan University in 2010, Sherry served as a school counselor, assessment coordinator, and teacher in Detroit. Having grown up in Detroit and attended Detroit Public Schools, she has a deep personal connection to the city and its students. She earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and a master's degree in School Counseling from Wayne State University.

Beyond her professional work, Sherry has played a leading role in expanding robotics opportunities for students across Grosse Pointe. Under her leadership, local robotics programs have grown substantially serving students from elementary through high school. She serves as Head Coach of Botmasterz FIRST Robotics Competition Team 9255 and Botmasterz FIRST Tech Challenge Team 17975 and is passionate about creating pathways that connect students to engineering, manufacturing, technology, skilled trades, and other high-demand careers.

As Co-Founder of the Southeast Michigan Robotics & Innovation Center, Sherry is helping lead efforts to establish a Detroit-based robotics and innovation hub that will provide students and teams from across the region with year-round training space, collaboration opportunities, and access to full-size FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge practice fields. Her vision is to create a regional resource that strengthens STEM education, workforce development, and innovation while contributing to Detroit's continued revitalization.

Joshua Woolls

Treasurer, Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center

Co-Founder, Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center

Josh Woolls is an entrepreneur, business leader, and robotics mentor dedicated to creating opportunities for students through technology, innovation, and hands-on learning.

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Akron and is co-owner of 360 DigiLab, a digital dental laboratory headquartered in Monroe, Michigan. During the past eight years, Joshua has helped grow the company from a small startup into one of the largest independently owned dental laboratories in Michigan, with multiple locations serving customers throughout Michigan and Ohio. Under his leadership, 360 DigiLab remains committed to American manufacturing, innovation, and supporting local jobs and communities.

In addition to his business accomplishments, Joshua brings more than 20 years of real estate investment experience, including residential, multi-family, short- and long-term rental, apartment, and commercial properties. Collectively, he and his partners have completed real estate transactions exceeding $10 million.

Beyond his professional work, Joshua is passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers. He founded and coaches the 360 Robot Lab FIRST Tech Challenge Team 22537 at Pierce Middle School and also serves as a coach for Botmasterz FIRST Robotics Competition Team 9255. He has supported local robotics programs through robot design, manufacturing, technical mentorship, and industry expertise. Joshua believes robotics provides students with valuable real-world experience in teamwork, creativity, engineering, leadership, and innovation.

Joshua is also committed to giving back to the community. Through 360 DigiLab, he supports a variety of local initiatives in Monroe, Michigan, including downtown development efforts, charitable organizations, and programs that strengthen the local community.

As Treasurer of the Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center, Joshua brings entrepreneurial leadership, financial expertise, real estate experience, and a passion for STEM education to help guide the organization's growth and support the development of the future Southeast Michigan Robotics & Innovation Center.

Ellen Chapin  

Secretary, Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center

Ellen Chapin is a lifelong STEM advocate, educator, and community volunteer dedicated to expanding opportunities for students—particularly young women—to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Ellen has been a trailblazer for women in STEM throughout her career. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from the University of Kentucky and went on to work in Nuclear Medicine laboratories at both the VA Hospital and St. John Hospital during a time when women were far less represented in science, technology, and healthcare professions than they are today. She later became Program Director of the School of Nuclear Medicine Technology at St. John Hospital, where she educated and mentored future healthcare professionals while helping open doors for the next generation of STEM leaders.

Following her retirement from healthcare, Ellen continued her commitment to education by teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Grosse Pointe Public Schools, helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed academically and personally.

A member of the Grosse Pointe Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) since 1982, Ellen has served in numerous leadership roles and currently serves as the branch's STEM Liaison. In 2016, she helped launch an all-girls robotics team at Defer Elementary School. As those students advanced through school, Ellen continued supporting the growth of the program, helping establish middle school and high school robotics opportunities that allowed participants to continue their STEM journeys through graduation. Through these programs, she has helped inspire young women to explore engineering, technology, leadership, and innovation while developing the confidence and skills needed for future success.

In addition to her work with robotics and education, Ellen volunteers at the Detroit Institute of Arts Film Theatre and supports individuals with visual impairments through volunteer service at the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology.

As a Trustee of the Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center, Ellen brings decades of STEM experience, educational leadership, and community service to help expand access to robotics, innovation, and STEM opportunities for students throughout Southeast Michigan.

Charlene Pettway 

Trustee, Grosse Pointe Robotics & Innovation Center

Charlene “Char” Pettway is a dedicated parent leader, robotics mentor, and STEM advocate committed to expanding opportunities for students through hands-on learning and robotics education. As Team Leader for Monteith Elementary's Tigerbotics robotics team, she works closely with students, families, and volunteers to foster teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence through STEM programs.

Char is the parent of two students actively involved in elementary robotics within the Grosse Pointe Public School System, giving her a unique perspective on the impact robotics programs have on student growth, learning, and leadership development.

Professionally, Char has spent more than 27 years with a healthcare revenue cycle organization, where she serves as an Operations Analyst specializing in onboarding, training, and supporting medical coding professionals across global teams. Her expertise in operations, workforce development, training, and cross-functional collaboration brings valuable experience to the Board.

As a Board member, Char is passionate about ensuring that students have access to opportunities that inspire curiosity, build technical skills, and prepare the next generation of innovators and leaders.