We ARE the MBEF Board of Directors 202 6-202 7
MBEF Board of Directors Aamir Abdullah Terence Balagia Stephanie Beirne Joe Berro Mike Brunick Wayne Bush Lorelei Chao Jen Cram Maribeth Cunningham Claire Durand Farnaz Flechner Stacey Fundingsland Neil Gehlawat Garrey Giglia Jim Hunt Alyne Kassardjian Alice Kuo Andrew Kwasnowski Samantha Maynard Raj Mehrotra Sally Peel Lisa Quarello Tiffany Quick Jillian Robertson Nathalie Rosen Tarek Shaer Melissa Speigel
Roger Spencer Joel Sprague Christy Tillman Michael Unton Mo Vakili Kathryn Withycombe Bea Zimbalist
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Terence Balagia
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? I grew up in Manhattan Beach and lived here until I went away to college at age 18 in 2002. After completing graduate school and living in NYC for 8 years, I moved back to Manhattan Beach in 2018. 2. Where did you grow up? Manhattan Beach 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? The beach! As an individual? Playing basketball! 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Arthur J’s 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Maker space, PE, college counselors at Mira Costa 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Expertise in accounting, finance, audit and governance 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Reducing layoffs 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Better community awareness of the impact MBEF has on our local schools and broader community 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Increasing % of families that meet the ask 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Execution
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Joe Berro
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? We have been in Manhattan Beach since 2017 and have two daughters in MBUSD 2. Where did you grow up? Marin County, CA 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Favorite activity as a family is a weekend movie on the couch after a long week of work, practices, and games. Favorite activity personally is coaching both girls in flag football 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Simzy’s 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class size reduction, literacy and writing specialists, and STEAM programs 6. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Record breaking raise when the schools needed it most 7. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Raising even more money and tracking the direct impact/benefit to our students 8. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Working closely with MBUSD to develop new and sustainable revenue and/or funding streams 9. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Collaboration
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Mike Brunick
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
21 years (across two stints). An 8th-grade girl and 6th-grade boy - both at MBMS - and a 3rd-grade girl (plus a 5th-grade teacher) at Pacific. And I went to Pennekamp, MBI and Mira Costa.
2. Where did you grow up? Boulder Creek, CA and Manhattan Beach!
What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Family: beach and ski/snowboard; individual: snowboard!
3. What is your favorite MB eatery? El Sombrero and Fishing With Dynamite 4. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for
students? Class Size Reduction, Counselors and STEAM
5. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Manhattan Beach roots, ~25 years of
professional experience in marketing/technology/media, a ton of creative problem solving and a wife who is an educator
6. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Bringing the
impact of our grants back to greater visibility within the community
7. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Greater
ENGAGEMENT with more of the Manhattan Beach community - more parents, more community members and more businesses/partners
8. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Getting more
active involvement from our Board across the entire school year to help make our programs and fundraising efforts as successful as possible
9. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic
Plan? Program Impact!
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Lorelei Chao
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB
Schools? My family has lived in MB for the past 12 years. My son in currently at Costa. 2. Where did you grow up? I grew up in west suburban Chicago. 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? We like to play mah jong as a family. I like to play tennis. 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? I like Nick’s, Mercado and Sugarfish. 5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? In addition to class size reduction across the district, I believe that library, science lab and music grants in the elementary schools have the greatest impact for students. These three programs setup student passions for the rest of their academic years. 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? I believe in service leadership so I’m willing to spend my time on the most menial of tasks (e.g. setting up the Wine Auction), the detail orientation for preparing monthly financials and being able to consider multiple perspectives. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? The $7.4m grant for 2024-2025 is a phenomenal contribution to the district in a time when it is most needed. 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? I would like to see more Board member involvement when Hilary calls for volunteers. 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? I would like to see more Board member involvement when Hilary calls for volunteers. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? I think that the most important elements of the strategic plan are promoting a culture of giving, communications and governance.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Jennifer Sennott Cram
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? We’ve called Manhattan Beach home for 20 years. Our three kids — ages 16, 14, and 10 — are all part of the MB schools. 2. Where did you grow up? I grew up right in the heart of Chicago. I loved the energy and excitement of the city, but I definitely don’t miss shoveling snow. These days, I’ll happily trade blizzards for beach days and enjoy the small-town feel and community spirit that Manhattan Beach gives our family. 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family, we love our game nights — they tend to get very competitive, but always end in laughter. We also enjoy cooking and baking together (desserts usually disappear faster than we’d like!). And when we can, we love traveling to our “home away from home” in Wickenburg, AZ. For me personally, I cherish a little quiet time to recharge — whether that’s reading, walking on the Strand, or sneaking in a Pilates class. 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? There are so many great spots to choose from! As a family, we love North Italia — everyone can find something they like, and it’s always a treat to grab ice cream afterward. We’re also big fans of Mangiamo’s — great food, a warm atmosphere, and it never disappoints. 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? I’m so proud of the wide range of programs MBEF supports. The ones I feel have the greatest impact are the hands-on science and STEAM experiences, along with Makerspace in elementary and middle school — they really spark curiosity and creativity at such an important age. Now that I have two high schoolers, I’ve also seen firsthand how invaluable the counselors are. I’m so proud that MBEF continues to make that support possible for our students.
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? I bring organization, passion for education, and a deep involvement in our community. I’d like to think of myself as personable and authentic, and I give my all to help bring people together. My goal is always to strengthen connections, whether it’s among students, families, or the broader MB community. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I’m really proud that we’ve continued to raise awareness about the value of our education programs with new families. Year after year, we’ve worked hard to bridge the gap and raise the necessary funds, and despite the challenges, we’ve been able to keep classroom sizes low while maintaining the high quality of education that our community values so much. 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? I say this every year, but it still feels so important — continuing to reach parents who don’t always feel heard and connecting with new families. Getting them involved helps strengthen our community and ensures everyone understands why MBEF is such a vital part of our schools. 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? I think one important area is helping our community better understand the role of MBEF. We can’t do it all — and sometimes we’re seen as the “fix” when challenges arise in the district, even when it’s outside our scope. The more we can build awareness around what MBEF can do, while also encouraging broader community involvement, the stronger and more effective we’ll be together. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? For me, it’s about staying the course — continuing to protect the quality of education in our schools and ensuring our students have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Maribeth Cunningham
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? Our family has lived in Manhattan Beach for 12 years. Thanks to dear friends in the community we made the very natural migration from Santa Monica when our youngest was almost one. Our two daughters are currently in 7th grade (MBMS) and 4th grade (Pacific). 2. Where did you grow up? After moving around a lot as a very young child, I spent most of my childhood in Yorba Linda (Orange County) where I attended the local public schools. 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Our family loves all things sports and spends most of our family time kicking, passing, and just playing around. We might all be a bit competitive! We also love attending local college and professional sports events. I love to fill my little windows of personal time either outdoors on a run or inside reading my book. 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Part of our family has to eat gluten free so we are huge fans of Rice in downtown MB. Every single item on the menu is gluten free! And also delicious. The staff are warm and welcoming. It is a true, small town feeling gem. 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Without a doubt, class size reduction is the #1 funding priority that works to keep our schools on par with many private alternatives. Being on the tail end of my family’s elementary school years I’m also a huge believer in the “specials” our youngest students are so lucky to experience! I continually see firsthand how the hands-on learning in both Makerspace and Science Lab spark wonder, curiosity and exploration in students.
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? My professional background is in finance. Since our kids entered their school age years, I’ve spent my time behind the books at the PTA level. I love a solid, efficient spreadsheet and all things numbers. That being said, my lens in relation to MBEF comes from a place of loyal, passionate support and genuine belief in the foundation and its people. My hope is that my ability to connect and really listen to my community will be impactful to the board. 7. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? New donors! Whether new to the district or returning families who haven’t donated in the past, I think the time is right to capitalize on our track record and solicit our future loyal donors. With so much instability in the world around us, the MBEF mission can be counted on to provide stability in our schools. The sentiment at Pacific in the younger grades is positive and enthusiastic. The potential for giving is great! 8. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Clarity and connection! The information is there and available for those who want it. But yet, most people won’t take the time to dig for the answers to their questions. Too many are comfortable complaining, but unwilling to work toward solutions. Let’s be available. Let’s be vocal in our communities and a resource for all of those who don’t quite understand, but could easily be made loyal supporters with the right connection point. 9. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Given the path I’ve taken to this role I believe Development and Fundraising is the most important part of the MBEF Strategic Plan. Yes, where the team takes things from there is pivotal, but I feel we have so much room to grow in fundraising. There is so much potential in increasing the annual appeal participation. Alongside the appeal, I’m excited by the idea of reinstituting a stronger push for the endowment. What a legacy it will be when someday the endowment grows to supersede the need for an annual appeal!
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Farnaz Golshani Flechner
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 12 years,
and two children
2. Where did you grow up? Santa Monica 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Travel the world as a family.
Travel the world and Yoga as an individual
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Uncle Bill’s 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
Orchestra and Band programs, subsidizing everything
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Nonprofit management, Public Education
Management, School Finance, Fund development…
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Everything. Hilary is a
gift.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Continue to be a
force of good and community building
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Find a way to visually depict
the impact that MBEF has on student outcomes
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan?
I need to learn more about the strategic plan. I am new to the board.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Stacey Fundingsland
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? a. May 2019 b. Three Boys going into 2nd Grade, 6th Grade and 7th Grade (Pacific and MBMS) 2. Where did you grow up? a. Naperville, IL and Eden Prairie, MN 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? a. Be at a beach or a pool with my family b. Love to workout and be active 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? a. Arthur Jay and Nicks 5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? a. Class size reduction b. STEAM, science c. Physical education 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? a. Strategic Marketing b. Event Planner events from 100 to 30,000 ppl i. Event Sponsorship ii. Registration iii. Experience
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? a. Donation at 7.4 million dollars to save a lot of the programs we love
(makerspace, PE) and keep class sizes reasonable.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? a. Apply for grants and secure more funding from sponsorships 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? a. Work smarter not harder i. Measure ROI on initiatives: stop doing initiatives that don’t bring in
dollars. If the event didn’t raise money or stimulate donations reevaluate why we’re doing it.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? a. To supplement state funding deficits, so that our kids have an enriched learning
experience - Smaller class sizes, Science, Technology, PE, Music, Art, etc.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Neil Gehlawat 1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? I have lived in MB since 2022 (Hermosa from 2020-2022) and have 1 child at Pennekamp (Kinder). I also have a 3-year-old at the Montessori next door to Pennekamp. 2. Where did you grow up? Bakersfield, CA 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Something active. Riding bikes on the strand. Soccer, baseball, tennis, pickleball, basketball. Watching sports games, especially Dodgers games. 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Fishing with Dynamite 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Makerspace, STEAM, Science Lab teachers 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Being a team player and fundraising 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Raising $8 million during a very trying time for the district 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Increasing the percentage of families who participate in the Annual Appeal 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Raising the percentage of families who contribute to the Annual Appeal, so that number is above 60% 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Development and Fundraising, in conjunction with Engagement and Stewardship
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Garret Giglia
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
We have lived in MB for the past three years. We lived in the Bay Area for the prior 5 years, before settling back into Manhattan Beach. We have two kids in MB Schools. ● Jack Giglia: 5th grade, Pacific ● Rex Giglia: TK, Grandview
2. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the South Bay (Palos Verdes) and went to school at USC. I’ve been in and around the South Bay for most of my life.
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual?
Attend sporting events. We have an active sports family and make a point to get to Dodger, Galaxy games, etc. I commute to the Westside a few days a week, so when I get some free time, I make a point to stay local and avoid the freeways. That generally means I’m on a bike riding around the beach or downtown.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? MB Post 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for
students? Class size reduction, MakerSpace, Library
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board?
I have a finance background as well as experience on the sales side (i.e. fundraising).
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year?
Navigating a very delicate and emotional situation around reductions in force and decreased funding at the state level.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming
year? Increase the focus on institutional grants into the MBEF and/or endowment.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF?
Focus efforts in a consolidated/high impact way. Perhaps letting go of events that take up considerable time but don’t have the corresponding impact.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan?
I think the organizational values are most important and not losing sight of and maintaining the highest level of integrity and excellence in each of MBEF’s endeavors.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Jim Hunt
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? I have lived in Manhattan Beach for 11 years. My wife and I have two daughters who attend Grandview Elementary. 2. Where did you grow up? I grew up outside Detroit, Michigan, and lived in New York City for 13 years before moving to Manhattan Beach. 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family, our favorite activity is going to the beach. Individually, I enjoy fishing, hunting, running, and spending time outdoors with my family. 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? The Arthur J. 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class size reduction, school counseling and student support, and STEAM programs. Together, they strengthen the dayto-day classroom experience while giving students the academic, emotional, and creative support they need to thrive. 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Through my work in real estate, I have the opportunity to meet and connect with many families as they move to Manhattan Beach. I hope to help engage those families in our community and serve as a strong steward of MBEF’s mission. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I am proud that MBEF continued to raise the bar for what our community can provide our schools, culminating in record fundraising and the largest grant to MBUSD in MBEF history. 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? I would like to see MBEF surpass last year’s record fundraising total and accelerate our progress toward the five year Endowment goal. 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? I believe grandparents represent a vast and largely untapped resource for MBEF. I would like to focus on finding meaningful ways to engage grandparents in our mission and build a stronger culture of giving among them. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Long-term sustainability. We need to continue delivering exceptional support for students today while building a broader donor base and a stronger Endowment that protects the quality of Manhattan Beach public schools for future generations.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Alice Kuo
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
Since 2006 (18 years) Matthew, 16 years, 11th grade at Costa; Angelina, 14 years, 9th grade at Costa; Betty, 13 years, 8th grade at MBMS; Noah, 13 years, 8th grade at MBMS
2. Where did you grow up? Memphis, TN 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual?
favorite activity as a family–visit relatives in Taiwan or Japan favorite activity as an individual–crochet and watch mystery shows
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Joey’s 5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
class size reduction, counselors at MBMS and Costa, PE, library, science, music at the elementary level
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board?
20+ years of leadership and organizational management experience, strong educational policy background, strong knowledge of child development
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year?
bringing the community feel back to the Wine Auction (I would have said granting the district $7.4 million, but I thought that was a given)
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year?
improve board engagement, capitalize on the talents of all board members 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF?
strengthen our relationship with the district so they don’t see us as adversarial; our grants should not be a negotiation
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan?
“Make grants supporting enhancement of existing academic programs, educational enrichment opportunities, and instructional innovation”
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Andrew Kwasnowski
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? My wife (Lauren) and I have lived in Manhattan Beach since 2020. We have two girls at Robinson, Leilani (3rd) and Kyla (Kinder) 2. Where did you grow up? I grew up in a small town in upstate NY (Kingston) and moved to NYC after college. That is where I met my wife and decided to move back to where she grew up (south bay) 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family we love going to the beach and hanging. Over the summer, we had a bunch of Robinson families meet up at the beach on 4th street on Tuesday evenings, and the kids just loved it. Individually, I am new to Tennis and am addicted, love getting out to play.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? My kids would say the Kettle but my wife and I love getting out and enjoying the Simmzy group restaurants and supporting local! 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Only three? I would say class size reduction, STEAM and PE.
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? I am eager to continue building out this great foundation. I enjoy reviewing things from a business owner’s perspective, so I hope that can add some value there. I also enjoy networking, so I believe I can use that to my advantage when it comes to spreading the word and fundraising. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I think everyone should be proud of the dollars raised, its amazing the amount the team raises year in and year out. 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? It would be nice to explore a recurring donation agreement for Rock The Ask, so we can get some donors on a committed recurring schedule, as opposed to starting from scratch each year. 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? This is tough. With such a large board, I think there is room for enhanced accountability from all board members. This is tough but a way to ensure everyone “does what they say they are going to do.” I always tell my employees, “do not commit to something that you cannot fulfill.” So when you do commit, make sure you follow through. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? I believe its “partner with stakeholders.” At the end of the day, our community needs to fully understand our mission and know that we are not out begging for money to bolster a well-heeled balance sheet, we are doing so out of necessity. Without our community’s continued support, our schools, and in turn our children, will suffer. Its our job to continue to build that partnership.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Raj Mehrotra
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 2016. Two. 2. Where did you grow up? Delhi, India 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual?
Travel – mostly adventure related w/ the fam. Ironman triathlete – open water swimming (favorite event); pickleball
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? FWD 5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
Teacher:Student ratio, Stem programs, HS counselors
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board?
Diverse POV, NFPO Board experience, leading large organizations
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Nearly saved all
teaching positions with the class size reduction grant
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Higher parent
participation in the annual appeal 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Greater board accountability 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Development and
fundraising
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Sally Peel
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? We
moved to MB from San Francisco in 2008. We have three children who’ve gone through MBUSD—two now in college. Our youngest will be a junior at Costa this year.
2. Where did you grow up? Boise, Idaho 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Family: Travel, golf,
music, joke around, kayak. As an individual: travel, pottery, reading.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? I miss lunch at Rubio’s. My family often ends up at Big
Wok. I love trying new places and always enjoy Katsu-ya, and Little Sister at The Point.
5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for
students? Elementary PE, class size reduction, counselors.
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Insight gained from experience as a
Trustee, VP, and President of MBUSD School Board; significant community advocacy and local governance experience; connections with community and nonprofit leaders in the South Bay. Broader business and nonprofit experience including working with community groups in emerging markets to develop and implement projects based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Strategic
approach to navigating grant negotiation and fundraising with an eye on reducing MBUSD layoffs.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Maintain and
expand outreach/school funding awareness efforts.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Board members
stepping into greater engagement and community leadership. Always be repping/evangelizing for MBEF.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Two (sorry) - 1.
organization values and 2. program impact.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Lisa Quarello
1.
How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 12 years, 2 daughters—Arabella in 7th grade at MBMS and Josie in 2nd grade at Robinson.
2.
Where did you grow up? Beautiful South Carolina, though SoCal has been my home since college.
3.
What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family: Surfing and beach outings. As an individual: Hiking, traveling, and discovering new restaurants or farmers markets in LA.
4.
What is your favorite MB eatery? I find myself most often with friends at Un Caffe for lunch or date night at Love & Salt. Brunch at Rockefeller Hermosa is our family’s go-to.
5.
What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Thinking about prioritizing student success, I believe our grants that make the most tangible difference in students' educational experiences are 1) reducing class sizes, 2) supporting STEAM education, and 3) providing counseling service.
6.
What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Extensive experience in event planning and fundraising, strong organizational skills, and a deep commitment to our community.
7.
What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I’m proud of MBEF’s success in the annual appeal and savvy grant allocation, which ensured the continuation of vital programs despite unprecedented uncertainty in state funding. This past year showed us the community’s strong commitment to education and MBEF’s ability to adapt and maintain stability during challenging time.
8.
What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? One thing I want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year is to increase fundraising efforts, particularly by expanding the Community Partner Program and securing more major gifts from local businesses and corporations. By optimizing fundraising strategies, MBEF can provide even more substantial and sustainable support for vital programs.
9.
What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? One area of improvement I would highlight for MBEF is enhancing engagement and collaboration with the community. By fostering deeper connections with stakeholders and pta, ensuring that the community is well-informed about MBEF’s initiatives, funding allocations, and program impacts, MBEF can build greater trust and support. This, in turn, can positively drive more robust fundraising efforts and create a stronger, more united effort toward achieving our educational goals.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Program Impact—
ensuring every child has the resources they need to thrive academically and personally. This includes a strong commitment to evaluating the effectiveness of funded programs, maintaining accountability, and making data-driven decisions to continuously enhance educational outcomes. By focusing on the impact of our programs, we address the immediate needs of students but also establish a foundation for long-term educational excellence, ensuring that our schools continue to provide exceptional learning opportunities for all.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Tiffany Quick
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 16 years; three daughters in MB Schools. 2. Where did you grow up? Portland, Oregon 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Family: travel, Individual: read, cook, listen to true crime podcasts 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Love & Salt 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class size reduction, counselors, elementary libraries & science lab 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Experience in fundraising, event planning and non-profit communications, dedicated volunteer and experienced working with the PTAs. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Staying strong and true to the message and closing out the year with $7 million in grants despite facing challenging circumstances and sentiments within the district. 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Increase the percentage of parents who participate in the annual giving campaign. 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Continue to strengthen the partnership with the PTAs and equip site ambassadors with the most effective communication strategies possible. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Development and Fundraising is essential to fulfilling the MBEF mission.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Nathalie Rosen
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
I've lived in MB for nearly 4 years and have 2 children in MB Schools.
2. Where did you grow up? Oakland, California (specifically, Montclair Village). 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family, our favorite
thing to do is travel and explore new places, especially when we can enjoy water sports together. Personally, I love nothing more than getting lost in a good book.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? For fancy occasions, The Arthur J. I probably eat
at/order from Fusion Sushi most frequently of all MB eateries.
5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for
students? (1) Class Size Reduction; (2) Counseling and Support; and (3) Visual and Performing Arts Pathways
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? I'm a good writer and communicator. I
enjoy entertaining and make a mean charcuterie board. I'm crafty and can make jewelry, paint, create digital art, etc. I'm a hard worker and goal-oriented. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Reinstating
over 20 teacher positions.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Increased
participation in the Annual Drive and to start to create an Alumni Fund.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? There is a perception
that IEP's at the middle school are being mismanaged, which could lead to backlash against MBEF, potentially causing a decline in donations or even deterring contributions altogether.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Communication and
Outreach.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Roger Spencer
Dead & Co after a thunderstorm at Jazz Fest 2023 with April 1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
Moved to MB in 1997. Two kids, both went to Meadows, MBMS, then private school for high school
2. Where did you grow up?
I’m an army brat. Born in Orange, CA, then Frankfurt (West) Germany, then Tacoma, WA, then Oahu, HI, then Los Gatos, CA (Bay Area) from age 10-23
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual?
We love to travel, especially if we can find a nice dark place to watch the Perseid meteor shower in August. I like hanging out with friends whether that’s playing pickleball, cooking, drinking wine, whatever
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Fishing with Dynamite 5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
Class size reduction-It’s what the people want! Counselors-Being a kid is hard, being a teenager is really hard TOSAs-bring consistency and continuity across school sites and throughout TK-12 progression
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board?
I’m especially good at volunteering for stuff. I also have almost 10 years of MBEF experience including chairing the Wine Auction which comes in handy sometimes.
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year?
Re-establishing itself post-COVID. We worked to educate the community about the importance of good schools and the specific work MBEF does. It helped us move forward from distracting “controversies” in the past and enabled us to raise & GRANT!!! an incredible amount of money.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year?
Work toward a comprehensive long-term fundraising/development plan that includes endowment, annual appeal, wine auction, etc. Not sure we can accomplish it in the next year or not.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF?
Communication-We need people to know what we do and how important their participation in MBEF matters. Communication has really improved already but we can’t let up. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan?
Strategic focus on Development & Fundraising because it requires MBEF to communicate our impact in our community and can be measured by donations. MBEF grants have a tremendous impact and are the direct result of how well we fundraise.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Joel Sprague
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? Manhattan Beach 3 years, Hermosa 25 years 2. Where did you grow up? Pasadena 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Family: Swimming, Skiing, Travel, Boating; Individual: Golf, Pickleball 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Arthur J, Love and Salt, Nicks, Sugerfish 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? 1) Class size reduction 2) EC Programs – Maker Space, Science lab 3) Endowment 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Non-profit board and foundation experience, engineering/management background, MBA 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? 8m grant to save jobs and maintain small class size 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Continue to grow the endowment and grants to the schools 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Identify out of scope areas such as facility and safety improvements and how parents can impact these areas directly for their schools as needed 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Fundraising and collaboration with; parents, district, PTAs, MBX, etc
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Christy Tillman
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 15 ears. 2 kids, 6 (Kinder) and 8 (3rd Grade) both at GV 2. Where did you grow up? Suburbs of Chicago -- Palatine. 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Go to the beach or the Badminton Club as a family. Same goes for family and individual! 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Maybe fishing with dynamite or MB Post but I love them all 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Hard to choose! For our elementary kids, PE, Science Lab, and library. 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Experience serving on nonprofit boards. Good understanding of Endowment best practices and governance. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Largest grant in the history of MBEF! Kicking off the Gator Run 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Continuing the clear messaging of our value and importance for the future of our schools. 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Adding quick, bite sizes, sharable pieces that can be included in text threads, etc. that show the impact of community donations. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? While all are absolutely crucial, Communications and Outreach are most important to bring awareness and build a feeling of community (we’re all in this together) to support our schools.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Michael Unton
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in
MB Schools? Almost 8 years - 1 child, Zoey, starting 8th grade at MBMS
2. Where did you grow up? Near Akron, OH 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Family - water
skiing/boating. Individual - hiking tall mountains.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Fishing with Dynamite 5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
Class size reduction / filling teacher gap (far & away #1 in current environment). Zoey is really looking forward to being on the Yearbook team (VAPA)
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Organizing, fundraising, bias for action 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year?
Restoring the teacher positions left in the gap after Measure MB passed
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year?
Set a new record for fundraising through reaching families that historically haven’t given & maintaining the % who give to the ask despite the higher ask
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF?
The Board meetings are heavy on updates - suggest more calls to action for the Board members. It’s a distinguished group that is capable of getting a ton accomplished!
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan?
Development & Fundraising - next several years will be especially challenging as MBUSD’s budget continues to become more constrained. Sustaining the teacher positions currently funded + likely needing to fund additional will require record fundraising.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Mo Vakili
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? Lived in Manhattan Beach for 13 years and was 6 years in Hermosa Beach before that. I have 3 kids in MBUSD - Madeleine (12th), Cameron (10th), Cade (4th). 2. Where did you grow up? I grew up a bit all over but did most of my growing up in South Orange County. 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family, we enjoy traveling to new places. As an individual, my favorite activity is spending time with my family and playing tennis. 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Oh, lots of great places. If I had to pick just one, The Strand House. 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? (1) Class size reduction across our schools, (2) Zero period at Mira Costa, (3) STEAM pathways at MBMS and MCHS 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? I bring deep financial experience, a network of personal and professional relationships, and the ability to think about complex issues strategically. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Class size reductions 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Work on building a sustainable solution to keep class sizes at acceptable levels
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Continued connectivity to our community including meeting our community where they are in their understanding and feedback regarding MBEF 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? They are all equally imperative to the Foundation’s mission. One cannot exist without all of them.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Kathryn Withycombe 1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? My husband and I have lived in MB for 5 years and we have twin boys in 3rd grade at Grand View. 2. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Plano, TX. 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family, we love to go skiing in the winter. I enjoy playing tennis, reading & pilates. 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? My favorite MB eatery is Fishing with Dynamite and Two Guns. 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? As an elementary parent, I believe providing staff for MakerSpace, Science Lab and the Library have made the greatest impact. 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? I am a seasoned HR and learning professional and bring structure, fairness, and strategy around the "people side" of the organization — which is often what makes programs sustainable and impactful in the long run. 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I’m proud of the support MBEF gave to STEAM. 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? I hope MBEF continues to focus on reducing class sizes next year. 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? To continue educating MB families of the importance of MBEF. 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? For the upcoming year, I believe we should focus on Communication & Outreach, as many new families have joined the district.
We ARE the Board of Directors Board Member: Bea Zimbalist
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 19 years and 1just graduated and 1 is a junior 2. Where did you grow up? Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Travel with family; tennis or pickleball 4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Nicks 5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class size reduction; PE; music 6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Having been involved with MBEF in some capacity whether site rep, wine auction or employee for about 15 years 7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Another amazing 7 million grant to support all the schools, particularly with class size reduction. 8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Greater participation in the Annual Appeal 9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Identifying higher level donors to either move up another level or contribute to endowment 10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? In order for a wellrounded education for all students, we need community support to achieve MBEF’s goal of enhancement to existing programs and adding enrichment programs where there are state-funded shortfalls.