CEO

Jan Frans is the pioneer visionary for The Oasis Project, who had an idea that ruminated in her heart for about 11 years to serve the community with acts of kindness and love.

Jan has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from UW-Stevens Point, a post-baccalaureate certification degree in education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. She has worked in leadership development for 6 different organizations over her 45-year career, two of which she founded.

Jan taught in the Kettle Moraine School District for her entire teaching career for 18 years as a sixth-grade social studies teacher. While employed as a middle school teacher, she chaired the social studies department for eight years.  She was the head of the district curriculum committee for three years and helped develop curriculum and a district-wide mentoring program. She taught in that area for three years as adjunct professor with Cardinal Stritch University. Prior to her teaching career, she was an engaged stay-at-home mom for twelve years while remaining active in the community.

Upon retiring in 2013, Jan decided to investigate the viability of her idea that she says she “just couldn’t shake.” After visiting non-profit organizations in the Greater Milwaukee Area for a year and consulting with both business and ministry experts, she decided to start small and launch The Oasis Learning Center, one subset of The Oasis Project, which would serve the needs of under-resourced children in one elementary school three years ago. The academic, social, and emotional benefits were immediately evident and shortly after she expanded her work to three elementary schools and the middle school in the Kettle Moraine School District. Under Jan’s strategic leadership, the Oasis Project Tutoring Centers have grown from serving 27 under-resourced students in 2015-2016, to 70 students in 2016-2017, to more than 100 students in 2017-2018. Next year they will add yet another elementary school and expand their work at the middle school.

Jan insists that this is only the beginning phase of The Oasis Project’s efforts to serve the underserved in the community. Based on the advice of valued consultants, Jan is the first to say, “I’m building the airplane while I’m flying it!” Consequently, she is vigorously seeking to surround herself with people who can continue to expand the vision of establishing a loving reach into the community, helping many to “love your neighbors as yourselves.” Since the Oasis Project was launched, Jan has seen the value in bringing diverse groups in the community together “for the good of the cause.”  This symbiotic partnership of many organizations, businesses and churches is unique and refreshing in an age often characterized by divisions and isolation.

Jan’s greatest joy is her husband Mike of 38 years, two adult children, Amy and Michael (both of whom are educators) and four grandchildren. However, her vision for Oasis is insatiable. She will be the first to tell you this is a calling!