The Board of Trustees helps Seven Hills navigate a future we imagine together. By looking up and out to the world in which our students will contribute and thrive, the Board serves as leaders, ambassadors, visionaries, and partners.
— Kathleen McNamara, Head of School
For over 60 years, The Seven Hills School has remained unwavering in its commitment to providing a well-rounded, whole child education that equips our children for tomorrow’s world. I am deeply honored to serve as Board Chair during this exciting moment in Seven Hills’ history. As I embark on my fifth year of Board service, and ninth year as a Seven Hills parent to two daughters who began their educational journey here in Kindergarten, my connections to this vibrant community have only grown stronger.
The partnership between the Board of Trustees and the Head of School is a cornerstone of our school’s enduring success. I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of dedicated board chairs and trustees who have stewarded Seven Hills, and I am grateful to our current trustees who embrace the school’s mission and bring their valuable skills and perspectives to the governance of our independent school.
This document is designed to offer a deeper understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees, its various committees, and our current priorities. While this brochure primarily focuses on the board’s activities, Seven Hills’ ongoing success is the result of collective efforts from trustees, faculty, staff, parents, guardians, volunteers, and the generosity of our philanthropic community. Together, we enable our students to experience the transformative power of a Seven Hills education.
For those in our community interested in becoming involved with the Board, I invite you to explore our most recent strategic plan, Whole Child, Whole Community (2019). Please feel free to reach out to any of the trustees if you have questions or thoughts to share. We are thankful for the privilege to serve Seven Hills’ students, uphold its mission, and be part of this extraordinary community.
Sincerely,
Julie Meissner, Chair, Board of Trustees
TThe Board is responsible for stewarding the Seven Hills mission and strategic goals, and trustees act as fiduciaries for future generations of Seven Hills students— exercising oversight of the school’s financial health, approving the school’s annual budget, and overseeing the school’s physical assets and fundraising efforts. Importantly, the Board selects, evaluates, and supports the Head of School. The Board also offers expertise in areas such as law, construction, human resources, marketing, public health, and finance.
The Board, with the Head of School, creates the school’s strategic plan; the Head of School and Leadership team are responsible for overseeing its implementation. The Head alone is responsible for collaborating with faculty and staff to develop and maintain the academic programs that fulfill the school’s mission, as well as dealing directly with parent needs and concerns.
The Board is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the school—disciplinary and personnel issues, as well as admissions and modified tuition decisions, are the responsibility of the Head of School. In short, the trustees act as stewards of the school, while serving as ambassadors of the Seven Hills mission.
Unlike charter schools or for-profit private schools, the Board serves as an independent governing body of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Seven Hills is an active member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), and holds a full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools (WASC). The Board adheres to the “Principles of Good Practice” established by NAIS.
The Board, with the Head of School, creates the school’s strategic plan; the Head of School and Leadership team are responsible for overseeing its implementation.
Seven Hills’ Board operates through a series of standing committees with additional ad hoc and advisory committees formed as needs arise. There are currently three standing committees: Finance, Governance, and Risk Management & Audit in addition to two ad-hoc committees in support of the strategic plan: Development and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.
Committee meetings are held on a regular basis, separately from the full Board, and generally work to research and develop recommendations on issues of importance to the school. Most committees also include at least one Seven Hills staff member who participates as a liaison to school administration. An Executive Committee serves as close advisors to the Head of School, and board members typically serve on one or two committees.
The full Board meets regularly during the school year. These meetings typically include reports from the school administration and from Board committees addressing matters that require the Board’s attention. Periodically, outside speakers make presentations on key topics such as diversity, fundraising, and trends in independent school education.
Committees
Finance & Investment
Governance
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Consistent with the Board of Trustees governance principles regarding fiduciary duty and oversight responsibilities, the Finance Committee oversees the financial management, budget, investment, and fiscal integrity (procedures and audit) of the school. The committee advises the Administration in preparation of the annual budget and advises the Board regarding annual tuition setting.
Governance ensures a strong Board by undertaking an ongoing trustee nomination process including analysis and planning for future needs and clarifying to candidates the expectations of a trustee. They also oversee trustee orientation and development as well as conduct the annual board health survey.
The Risk Committee assists the Board in its oversight of the school’s activities, including financial and operational risks and other material risks and exposures, as well as the actions and activities of the school to mitigate such risks and exposures, to the extent such oversight is not otherwise the responsibility of another committee of the Board.
Working with the Director of Development and team, the committee provides advice on and helps with the strategic direction and implementation on all aspects of the development program including Annual Fund, Auction, capital and endowment campaigns, communications, alumni relations, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
A joint committee of trustees, parents, administrators, faculty, and alumni charged with steering the diversity, equity, & inclusion efforts at Seven Hills, the DEI committee is unique in that multiple constituencies are represented. The committee works to enrich the student experience and school community through cultural competency, promote an inclusive environment, and expand accessibility and affordability.
As is commonplace in independent schools, Seven Hills’ board is self-perpetuating and trustees nominate and select the members. Members of the Board have included current parents, guardians, alumni, past parents, grandparents, educators, and community leaders. Following the NAIS Principles, the Board strives for a composition that reflects the strategic expertise, resources, and perspectives needed to achieve the mission and strategic objectives of the school. The Board’s Governance Committee determines which mix of skill sets and outside experiences may be needed for incoming board members based on the school’s strategic needs and goals.
The full board meets on a monthly basis and presently comprises 27 members. Trustees commit to a three-year term, and most trustees serve two or three terms. The Head of School acts as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board. We deeply appreciate those volunteers who serve as trustees and thank them for their time, talent, and deep dedication to the long-term success of the school.
Katie Alberts
Heather Alumbaugh
Pat Blake
Paul Deeringer
Jonathan Forman
Kwesi Graves
Joel Grossman
Raj Gupta
Rose Harris-DeBaca
Jacques Herring
Chalis Kuba
Rashna Larson
Alex Lee
Eric Littell
Whitney Livermore ’00
Tanvee Mehra
Greg Marsh
Ianthus Martin
Julie Meissner
Ronke Olatunji
Bryce Pinkos ’99
Chris Riley
Marcela Robledo
Rina Shah
Del Stafford
John Sween
Ben Winig
If you are interested in learning more about getting involved on the Board, please reach out to Greg Marsh, the current Chair of the Governance Committee.
Named for the family who once owned the land on which the school flourishes, The Hale Society recognizes the spirit of service of those trustees who have successfully completed at least one three-year term of service. Permanent membership in this society honors their vision, willingness to serve, and generosity of spirit. These trustees gave of their time, talent, and treasure, but also their heart.
Below is a record of those who have served at least one full term, since the school’s inception in 1962, as a way to memorialize and archive the generations of school leaders who lived by the Seven Hills mission to show respect for and responsibility to our world, and to ensure the future of the school for generations to come.
Sameer Advani
Jamil Akoni
Mary Anderson
Kelly Barlow
Shiva Berman
Parke Boneysteele
Milton Bruzzone
Stephan Butler
Annette O’Donnell Butner
Jim Clark *
Steve Cohn
Mike Coke
Michele Cooper
Joan Costello
Cathy Cutler
Mary Dalsin-Mills
Scott DeVries
Bob Dolinko
Dick Eaton †
Luzanne Engh
Meribeth Farmer
Jay Fischer
R.J. Fleischmann
Candace Fleming
Laura Furstenthal
Bob Gallo
Phil Gardner
John Gingrich
Anthony Giordano
Kent Godfrey *
Khira Griscavage
Anne Grodin
Julie Gutzwiller
Guy Henshaw
Terry Heywood
Sameer Hilal *
Bill Horton †
Denise Howard
Mary Ann Hruska
Fred Hughes
Jim Hulburd
Ravi Hundal
Charles Hunt †
Matt Janopaul *
Deb Jansen *
Ruwani Jayasingha
Gail Jern
Mary Anne Jorde
Michael Kamarck
Ross Kari
Kevin Katari *
Carolina Katz
Larry Kirsch †
David Lardner
Lou Lavigne
Alan Lefkof
Mackenzie Lesher
Patrick Lin
Rob Little
Sherrie Littlejohn
Mo Livermore
Teeda Locodo
Matt Macomber
Beth Mahler
Pat Matthews
Bill Miller
Jim Mills
Julia Miner
Gina Morris
Ed Nemeth
Jane Ord
Ralph Pais
Dick Palomba
Shami Patel
Grant Petersen
Eric Peterson
Lu Pilgrim
David Pottruck *
Darlene Quinn
Joanne Reichenbacher
Susan Safipour
Ed Scherr
Ron Schmidt
Brian Sharpes
Brad Skepner
Beryl Smith
Virginia Smith
Patrick Sullivan
Seiyonne
Suriyakumar ’02
Suri Suriyakumar
Lisa Barnett Sween
Bahman Taheripour
Lou Ann Terry
Brian Thomas
Peter Thomson
Mary True
Alice Villanueva
George Vukasin
Nancy Wallace
Julie Anne Springman
Wickes ’98
Roy Yih
Kirsten Young
Shawn Young
* Board Chair
† Deceased
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. If we have made any errors or omissions, please bring it to the attention of Amy Walters at (925) 933-0666.
The partnership between the Board of Trustees and and the Head of School is a cornerstone of our school’s enduring success.
— Julie Meissner, Board Chair
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Every student deserves a whole child education that balances academic excellence with social and emotional development.
Learning is joyful . Through an integrated and experiential program, students are taught compassion, agency, and collaboration.
Passionate and creative faculty challenge, nurture, and inspire each child.
Our vibrant community is connected by more than five decades of service and lifelong learning.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters cultural competency and global understanding.
Our beautiful, natural campus provides unique opportunities for student engagement, innovation, and wonder.
Effective stewardship of our financial, physical, and philanthropic resources is a shared responsibility.
The Seven Hills School is a learning community with a mission to develop the intellect, engage the spirit, and foster respect for, and responsibility to, our world.
