Board of Directors
We ARE the 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 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!
3 What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Family: beach and ski/snowboard; individual: snowboard!
4 What is your favorite MB eatery? El Sombrero and Fishing With Dynamite
5 What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class Size Reduction, Counselors and STEAM
6 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
7. 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
8 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
9. 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 e orts as successful as possible
10 What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Program Impact!
We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Board Member: LORELEI CHAO
(Insert a favorite photo that includes you)
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.
WeAREthe2024-2025BoardofDirectors
BoardMember:ErinCoppola
1.HowlonghaveyoulivedinMBandhowmanychildrendoyouhaveinMBSchools?
IhavelivedinMB13yearsandhave2childreninMBschools.
2.Wheredidyougrowup?
RanchoPalosVerdes,CA
3.Whatisyourfavoriteactivitytodoasafamily?Asanindividual?
Welovetotravel,cook,andrelaxbythewater(ocean,lake,pool-welikeitall!).Iseem tobetheonlyonethatenjoyslongwalks.
4.WhatisyourfavoriteMBeatery?
Ihaveseveralandmyfavoritewaytoenjoythemiseatingatthebar(makesmefeel young!).
5.WhatthreeMBEF-fundedprogramsdoyoubelievehavethegreatestimpactforstudents?
Smallerclassroomsizes,VAPAelectivesandSTEMsupport
6.Whattalent(s)doyoubringtotheMBEFBoard?
Thisismy firsttimeworkingwiththeboard,soIwouldsayanewperspective.
7.WhatisonethingyouareproudofthatMBEFaccomplishedlastyear?
See#5
8.WhatisonethingyouwantMBEFtoaccomplishintheupcomingyear?
I’mnotsureandlookforwardtolearningmore.
9.WhatisoneareaofimprovementyouwouldhighlightforMBEF?
Ithinkitwouldbehelpfultoeducateparentsonwhatourdistrictwouldlooklikeifwe hadonlythestate’sfundstorunourschoolsand/orwhatthestatedollarsfund.For example,whatwouldclassroomsizesbe?whatteacherswouldwenothave(i.e.we wouldhavePE,butnoPEteachers)?
10.WhatisthemostimportantelementoftheMBEFStrategicPlan?
ProgramImpact,butequallyimportantisthattheprogramimpactisthensharedand visibletoourcommunityandfamilies.
Board Member: Heather de Roos
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? I have lived in MB 20 years and I have one child, a boy named Tate who will be a senior at Mira Costa High School this year.
2. Where did you grow up? All over the East Coast. I moved 14 times before College. Lived in PA, NJ, CT, MD and VA. I call the Washington, DC area home because I lived there the most during my childhood.
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Love to travel & explore. As an individual I love to read
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? North End Cafe
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Small Class Size, Library and Music
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Experience working as a school leader, creative thinker
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Early grant adoption that stopped large percentage of teacher layoffs
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Larger number of participating donors – grow operating budget or clear approach for how to grow the budget.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Sponsor dollars – example - Chevron headquarters relocating to Houston, my guess is we will see decreased grants from Chevron going forward. How will we backfill those sponsor dollars?
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Mission and clear definition of what is in scope and out of scope for MBEF.
Nephew, Richie, Me and my son, Tate in one of my favorite spots in the world this summer, Nantucket, MA
We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Board Member: Rachel Disser
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
a. 21 years, 2 boys – 1 Senior at MCHS and 1 Sophomore at University of Wisconsin
2. Where did you grow up?
a. Groose Pointe, Michigan – suburb of Detroit
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual?
a. Racket sports, cards, games
4. What is your favorite MB eatery?
a. Slay Steak + Fish House
5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
a. Counselors, Class Size Reduction, STEAM
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board?
a. A lot of ‘boots on the ground’/PTA experience, a sense of humor, a great network of community members, sales experience
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year?
a. Keeping teachers employed
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year?
a. More outreach to elementary
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF?
a. Employees delegating to Board and volunteers – more especially on big events
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan?
a. Program Impact – why we do what we do!
We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Board Member: Katie Gunther Farquharson
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 16 years… One kid in his junior year at Costa and my daughter is recent Costa graduate that attends Penn State
2. Where did you grow up? New Orleans
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Visiting national parks
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Probably Simmzy’s
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? College and Career center, smaller class sizes, and elective courses
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Communications and presentation writing
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Very strong annual appeal
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Hit the annual appeal goal
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Review the calendar and focus on the most important events.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Program Impact, but also Communication & Outreach
We ARE the 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 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 re-evaluate 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 experienceSmaller class sizes, Science, Technology, PE, Music, Art, etc.
We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
David Gendron Board Member:
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
I moved here in 2006 – so 18 years. 4 kids in the school 4th, 9th, 11th, and 12th
2. Where did you grow up?
Small town in East Tennessee called Kingsport
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual?
Family - Traveling, Playing Cards.
Self – Fitness, drinking beers with friends, entertaining
4. What is your favorite MB eatery?
El Tarasco – the original
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
Class Size, Counseling
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board?
Coming up with new ideas.
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year?
Raising the amount of money it did when it really mattered
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year?
Given the further cuts its going to have to be the same.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF?
Finding new ways to get the non-donors to donate.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan?
Buy in from more families with kids in the school.
We ARE the 2024-2025 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.Whatisyourfavoriteactivitytodoasafamily?Asanindividual? Attendsportingevents.WehaveanactivesportsfamilyandmakeapointtogettoDodger, Galaxygames,etc.
IcommutetotheWestsideafewdaysaweek,sowhenIgetsomefreetime,Imakeapointto staylocalandavoidthefreeways.ThatgenerallymeansI’monabikeridingaroundthebeachor downtown.
4.WhatisyourfavoriteMBeatery? MBPost
5.WhatthreeMBEF-fundedprogramsdoyoubelievehavethegreatestimpactforstudents? Classsizereduction MakesSpace Library
6.Whattalent(s)doyoubringtotheMBEFBoard? Ihavea financebackgroundaswellasexperienceonthesalesside(i.e.fundraising).
7.WhatisonethingyouareproudofthatMBEFaccomplishedlastyear? Navigatingaverydelicateandemotionalsituationaroundreductionsinforceanddecreased fundingatthestatelevel.
8.WhatisonethingyouwantMBEFtoaccomplishintheupcomingyear? IncreasethefocusoninstitutionalgrantsintotheMBEFand/orendowment.
9.WhatisoneareaofimprovementyouwouldhighlightforMBEF? Focuse ortsinaconsolidated/highimpactway.Perhapslettinggoofeventsthattakeup considerabletimebutdon’thavethecorrespondingimpact.
10.WhatisthemostimportantelementoftheMBEFStrategicPlan? Ithinktheorganizationalvaluesaremostimportantandnotlosingsightofandmaintainingthe highestlevelofintegrityandexcellenceineachofMBEF’sendeavors.
We ARE the 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Board Member: Erin Levin
1 How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 22 years, 1 child
2 Where did you grow up? Saratoga, CA
3 What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? Lake activities in Minnesota, golfing, going out to dinner. Tennis.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? FWD
5. What three MBEF-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Library, Science and Makerspace
6 What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Experience working with the District (teachers and sta to Superintendent), experience as an educator in the District, I have a flexible schedule so I can usually help out when needed, I am social and volunteer a lot so I know many families in the South Bay
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Maintaining the enrichment opportunities we fund, even with massive cuts to the District budget
8 What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Streamlining our e orts - defining what are the essential elements that make us successful - what can we do without
9 What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? More support from the Board
10.WhatisthemostimportantelementoftheMBEFStrategicPlan?
EngagementandStewardship-Wewouldnotbeabletofundraiseorreallydoanythingwithout communitysupportandbuy-in,ourintegrityasanorganizationisourbiggestasset.
We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Michelle McDonald
Board Member: _____________________________________________________________________
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
I moved to Los Angeles in 1994, and to Manhattan Beach in 1995. We bought our home here in 1999.
We have one adult child, Russell, who is 23 and works in Malibu. He went to Pacific, MBMS, and Costa, and he had a phenomenal experience in the MB public schools.
2. Where did you grow up? In Atlanta in the 60’s and 70’s, when it was much less blue than it is now. My politics did not align with much of what I observed there growing up, and I left in 1986. My family is still there, and we just don’t talk politics when we visit!
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? We love to travel, and it was always pretty easy to do with just one child. My husband and I are both from the East Coast, so the three of us logged a lot of miles traveling cross country to visit family over the years. We still love to travel, and I’m delighted that our son loves to travel and still likes to join us when he can. I also love to read, relax at the beach, and kayak.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Mangiamo. We have taken many visiting family members and have a lot of happy memories of great meals there.
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? I’m a big believer in the concept of Teachers on Special Assignment to encourage collaboration and align teaching across classrooms. Some of our teachers are stronger than others, and I believe and hope that TOSA’s can help to ensure all our kids are taught effectively. I also love Maker Space for providing young students a fun and joyful introduction to STEM, and the librarians for helping our kids discover the joy of reading. Both these programs are inclusive – Maker Space helps kids who learn in a more hands on way, and our librarians offer a place for kids to feel safe and, I hope, to find books that expand their perspective and perhaps to read about other kids who are like, and also not like, themselves.
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? As a retired nonprofit CFO, I bring financial skills and knowledge. As an extroverted people person, I bring enthusiastic willingness and interest to connect with others in our community to explain our mission and the need for MBEF. And as a parent whose child benefited so much from our excellent public schools, I bring the desire to ensure our public schools remain strong so that all our students, current and future, can have the same great MBUSD experience that our son did.
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I am thrilled that we joined with so many wonderful like-minded people in our community to renew the Measure MB Parcel Tax. And I’m so pleased that we had an excellent fundraising year when initially 2023-24 looked very challenging.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Let’s get every single Board member engaged on at least one committee so that we are stronger….and let’s have the will to let Board members know that this type of engagement is what is expected and required if they choose to serve on the Board.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Holding Board members accountable for engaging beyond just making a donation and attending Board meetings.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? I think Transparency is the most important value, as there are still some parents that don’t understand why or how MBEF operates. And I’d say Engagement and Communication with the Community are most important, as that’s where I feel we Board members currently have the most room for improvement.
We ARE the 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Carolyn Mukai Board Member: _____________________________________________________________________
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 16 years. I have one son at Costa; he will be a senior. My older two sons graduated from Costa in 2020 and 2022.
2. Where did you grow up? Japan
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? My favorite activities would be having dinner together as a family and going to Walt Disney World. As an individual? I like gardening and reading books.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Nick’s
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class size reduction, the CCC counselors and the VAPA Pathways
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? I have always supported and believed in the MBEF mission so am excited to be a part of the team that makes it happen.
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I am impressed by the 7.4 million dollars granted to the district!
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? To never lose the dedication and passion to that is takes each year to raise the funding for the district.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Looking at MBEF from the outside, I can only see all the amazing things that are accomplished and the impressive dollar amount that MBEF raises each year. I don’t think I have enough knowledge to state an area of improvement at this time.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? I feel all of it is important but if I had to pick one, it is first priority listed – Development and Fundraising - as I think you need this as the foundation that sustains and affects the other four priorities.
We ARE the 2024-2025 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 layo s.
8 What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Maintain and expand outreach/school funding awareness e orts.
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 2024-2025 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 services.
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 times.
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 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Board Member: Katie Ranne
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? 8 years – 2 kids at MBUSD (3rd grade at Pennekamp and 6th grade at MBMS)
2. Where did you grow up? Moorhead, Minnesota (right across the border from Fargo)
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? We love lake activities (water skiing) as a family. I love to play tennis and pickleball.
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? MB Post
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class size reduction, PE and Science Lab
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Graphics, organization, events
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? Recovering all the Elementary Specials for this school year.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Would love to see a large increase in annual appeal participation percentage.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? More concise email communication (using more bullets rather than long paragraphs).
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Continuing to grow the endowment. Until last year, I didn’t realize how important that was in achieving the high annual appeal amount.
We ARE he Board of Direc ors
Board Member Nathalie Rosen
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We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Board Member: __________Scott Rosenthal___________________________________________________________
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools?
14 years in Manhattan Beach. 3 kids in MB schools.
2. Where did you grow up?
Connecticut, Vienna Austria, Budapest Hungary
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual?
Travel, sports (play & watch)
4. What is your favorite MB eatery?
Simmzy’s
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
All of them! But to answer the question (and in no particular order) C&C counseling, class sizes, elementary enrichment (as a group, hard to rank individually)
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board?
Experience.
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year?
Increased the amount granted to schools by 20%.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year?
Grow participation in the Annual Appeal. Intermediate term goal to restore participation rate to re-2020 levels.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF?
Raise understanding and appreciation with younger families. Discussions in the spring showed many still don’t fully understand MBEF or the role it plays.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Program Impact.
We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Board Member: Kate Sinclair
1. How long have you lived in MB and how many children do you have in MB Schools? We moved to Manhattan Beach in 2019 - 5 years. Our daughter Leontine (Leo) will be in 6th grade at MBMS. Our son Linus will be in 8th grade at Harvard Westlake.
2. Where did you grow up? Kansas
3. What is your favorite activity to do as a family? As an individual? As a family: Dodgers baseball For me: interior design, yoga & walks with Michael
4. What is your favorite MB eatery? Jame
5. What three MBEF grants do you believe have the greatest impact for students? Class size reduction, Music & Maker Space
6. What talent(s) do you bring to the MBEF Board? Communications & messaging, creative direction, special event production & experiences
7. What is one thing you are proud of that MBEF accomplished last year? I was proud that MBEF was able to sustain the integrity of our core grant programs in the past two years despite some volatility within the community and other external factors.
8. What is one thing you want MBEF to accomplish in the upcoming year? Streamline the Annual Appeal effort so it is not so burdensome on the staff and better engage the many talents of the Board to give MBEF a larger presence in the community.
9. What is one area of improvement you would highlight for MBEF? Educate the community on the importance of the Endowment and optimize the external communications to be most valuable and effective.
10. What is the most important element of the MBEF Strategic Plan? Program impact
We ARE the 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Roger Spencer
Board Member: _____________________________________________________________________
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 2024-2025 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-funded programs do you believe have the greatest impact for students?
- Class size reduction / filling teacher gap (far & away #1 in current environment)
- Science labs
- 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.