October 03, 2009
Board Bios and Photos 2009-2010
Board Bios and Photos
PRESIDIO HILL SCHOOL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2009 - 2010
SCOTT DUYAN, head of school, comes to the board with a wealth of independent and progressive school experience. Prior to Presidio Hill, he was the founding head of Blue Oak School, an independent and progressive K-8 school in Napa, California, which opened in 2001. In building a school literally from the ground up – collaborating with architects and builders, creating a school ethos, hiring faculty and staff, developing a curriculum with teachers, setting policies, supporting professional development and evaluation systems, budgeting and fundraising, marketing and welcoming families – there is no area of running a school in which Scott does not have extensive hands-on experience.
Before Blue Oak, he served as lower school head of the Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon, a highly regarded independent progressive school, for thirteen years. He also has served as the founding middle school principal at the American School in Japan in Tokyo as well as taught at the International School of Stavanger, Norway and the Inter-Community School of Zurich, Switzerland, giving Scott a very global perspective in this increasingly interdependent and collaborative world in which our children live. Scott holds his bachelor's degree from UCLA and a Master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and he has done additional post-graduate work in education at both UC Irvine and Lewis and Clark College.
AUDREY YEE is the mom of Sam Steiner (Class of 2015) and serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees. A fifth generation Californian on both sides of her family, Audrey graduated from U.C. Berkeley and Boston College Law School and practiced estate planning, tax law and charitable gift planning for several years, during which time she met her husband Mike. After stints with the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund and Save-the-Redwoods League, Audrey now works for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in Fort Mason. She has served on several nonprofit boards and executive committees. Audrey, Mike and Sam enjoy travel, hiking, reading, games, cultural arts, sports, and visiting with grandparents and cousins.
GRACE ANGEL is an artist, a painter, a poet and a photographer. One way that she hopes to make a difference at Presidio Hill School is by investing her time helping ensure that PHS continues its mission to educate human beings not just students. She believes in PHS’ most fundamental principle – that to question, to investigate, to explore is the path to knowledge and that we must raise our children to be aware of the world and their responsibilities to it. This is the education she wants for her daughters Ilise (Class of 2016) and Isabella (Class of 2014). Volunteering in numerous school activities, leading admission tours, and serving as room parent have enriched, re-affirmed and deepened Grace’s belief in PHS. She is committed to having the school open to all children regardless of economic, social, religious and cultural background. These are among the reasons why Grace has been deeply involved in the school’s fundraising and community building events like Art for Kids Sake Auction. She served as the Auction Committee chair for the past three years and continues to lead the community’s fundraising efforts. Grace hopes to build on the success of the auction while keeping to the school’s core values. In addition to her background as an artist, Grace is the Events and Conference Manager at Semphonic. She currently serves on the board’s Development Committee.
JILL CHASE has been a parent at Presidio Hill School since 1995. She has an older son, Keil, who graduated from PHS (Class of 2005) and is a senior at Lowell High School, and her younger son, Trey, currently a second grader, started kindergarten at PHS in the fall of 2005. She has worked on the Development Committee for eight years (co-chairing for three years), and has worked on the Annual Fund campaign for eight years (co-chairing for 2 years). Additionally, she has been a room parent for many years and enjoys being a part of the Parent Association. Away from PHS, she is a small animal veterinarian. She has been in practice for 22 years—self-employed for the past 16 years—working full-time, and she is honored to care for many PHS families’ and staffs’ wonderful pets.
LOUISE GREGORY has a daughter, Ella Scanga (Class of 2014). Louise serves on the Development Committee and has spoken at PHS gatherings in support of the annual fund, as well as given a fundraising presentation to the Board. Louise volunteers in school-wide activities such as the Auction and the Walk-a-thon and has been a room parent. Louise has over 15 years experience in nonprofit fundraising and volunteer management and has served on boards of local arts organizations. She is the Director of Leadership Gifts and Planned Giving at the California Academy of Sciences where she is a key participant in the Campaign for the New Academy and the growth of the Academy's endowment. Louise received an undergraduate degree from Hollins College and her masters degree from San Francisco States Museum Studies Program.
LISA HONIG has a daughter, Isabel (Class of 2011). She is currently a weaver. She was an employment lawyer for 15 years, representing employees in race, sex, sexual orientation and disability discrimination cases. She has served on numerous Boards of Directors, including multiple terms on the Board of the ACLU of Northern California, where she was the treasurer and is currently a member of the Finance Committee and Executive Committee. She also has an extensive background in development and other work with non-profit organizations.
NOEL KAUFMAN, the board secretary and chair of the trustees committee, has a daughter, Stella (Class of 2012), and a son, Gabriel (alumnus, Class of 2009). Noel's volunteer efforts at PHS have included work on the board’s trustees, executive, strategic planning, and directorsearch committees, as well as work related to the development of the Parents and Guardians Association. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home parent in the fall of 2008, Noel was a partner at Straight Line Editorial Development, a developer of educational content for K-12 classrooms, including textbooks and electronic- and web-based materials, with a primary focus on reading, language arts, and social studies. He has more than 20 years experience as a writer and editor of educational materials. He received an undergraduate degree from
Stanford University and a master’s degree from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
ANNE KRANTZ, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice with children and adults in San Francisco. She was a PHS parent for 14 years, and is currently serving as a community board member.
TOBY MORRIS is the father of Emily (Class of 2009) and Tucker (Class of 2011) and an alumnus of PHS in some of its relatively tumultuous years of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Toby has been a member of the PHS community as a parent since 1999. By profession, Toby is an architect with a masters degrees in Architecture and in City Planning from UC Berkeley where he has also taught courses on affordable housing design and development. He and his wife, Biz Kerman-Morris, have a small architectural firm, Kerman/Morris Architects, specializing in housing (custom single-family; mixed-use; non-profit and market-rate multi-family projects) in San Francisco. Toby’s volunteer efforts with Presidio Hill have included work with the Development Committee on auction planning/fundraising, alumni outreach, volunteering at school events and curbside duties. He is currently a member of the Finance Committee and search Committee for the new Head. Outside of the school, he has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and supported the efforts of non-profit housing developers in San Francisco.
ROBYN MOSS is PHS’s First Grade teacher, and also serves as a cross country coach. She is in her second year at PHS. Prior to PHS, Robyn taught first and second grades at Children's Day School and first and third grades at Town School For Boys. Her prior experience includes working as a recruiter for Organic, Inc, CBRE, and in marketing for several small software companies in the Bay Area. Robyn is a native New Yorker and has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Boston University and a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential through the BATTI Program at San Francisco State. She has been a participant and fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training and has completed two marathons, one century ride, two olympic distance triathlons and two Ironman triathlons. She has raised over $40,000 for cancer research.
AMY PEARSON is the Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance. She has co-coached middle school x-country and takes a particular interest in helping “green” the school (composting is her forte). Prior to PHS, Amy was the Associate Director of Admissions at The Nueva School. Before landing in admissions, Amy taught 2nd/3rd grade at Marin Horizon School and worked as a writer and project manager for a local advertising agency. She has always been drawn to the communities in independent schools and has a particular fondness for the community at PHS. Amy enjoys spending time with her children, Emmaline and Henry, visiting with extended family (all seven grandparents live in the Bay Area), volunteering at her children’s preschool, baking, exercising and checking out all the treasured kid spots in the Bay Area.
Amy has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Vassar College, a New York State teaching credential, a master’s degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University and a baking and pastry arts certificate from California Culinary Academy.
ANNE REGENSTEIN is the mother of Talia (Class of 2011) and Jacob (Class of 2009). She has co-chaired the Development Committee and has also been a room parent. Anne served on the Board of Directors of Pacific Primary for three years, chairing the Committees on Communications and Alumni Relations. For three years she coordinated the production of that school's annual newsletter and their Book Fair. Anne is a perinatologist (high risk obstetrician) at Kaiser Permanente. She received her degrees from Brown University and the Yale School of Medicine.
HELLE RYTKØNEN is the mother of Mika (Class of 2116) and Teresa (Class of 2010). Helle is a native Dane and came to the US as an exchange student at UC Berkeley 15 years ago. After two years at Berkeley, Helle went to Stanford University and earned a Ph.D. in Modern Thought and Literature in 2002. She's been a fellow at the Program of Comparative Studies of Race and Ethnicity at Stanford and is now employed as a Lecturer in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford. She has also taught at University of San Francisco and recently taught a class of former addicts at a halfway house in Redwood city. Helle is on the admission committee at Stanford and has served as committee chair on numerous committees there and at the Telegraph Hill Cooperative Nursery School where Mika and Teresa went to pre-school. She has also served on various committees at PHS, including as the co-chair of the diversity committee and the May Fest. She is currently helping revise the PHS mission statement and is a member of the trustees committee.
MANOLO SANTANA is the father of Alejandro (Class of 2010) and Daniel (Class of 2016). Born in Cuba, Manolo is a producer and attorney who has garnered a respected reputation for his work in the music industry since 1990. From his ground-breaking work in Havana with some of Cuba's most important artists, to multiple Grammy-award-winning artist Carlos Santana and other internationally renowned performers, Manolo has been at the helm of some of the most exciting and innovative productions to date. During the mid-1990s, he also acted as co-creator and chief developer of Star Media Broadband. Manolo and his family have been active at PHS since his oldest son was in kindergarten. His wife, Rebeca Mauleon, a professional musician, has also been active at the school, teaching after-school drumming classes, performing at benefits, and working as a musician in classrooms.
MAX SCHRANK has a daughter, Hannah (Class of 2015). Max has been in the financial and technology industries for over 15 years as a manager in many capacities ranging from operations, sales, technology, project management and information security. Max has been with Wells Fargo for 8 years and currently is a security program manager in Internet Services. He has worked the morning curb duty at PHS for the several years and served on the food committee for AFKS in 2006 and 2007. He has also helped in many capacities at Mayfest, Follies and other PHS events. Max has been involved in volunteer work since high school when he worked with the Red Cross on blood drives and fundraising. He has been a mentor for inner city children and regularly has organized volunteer events from park and beach cleanups to foodservice for the needy. He also is a leader for the annual United Way campaign at Wells Fargo. He is exceptionally proud of the family and social values that PHS stands for and wants to help promote the school to greater prominence as San Francisco’s premier independent school. He currently serves on the Finance committee.
TINEKE TRIGGS is the mother of Ryan (Class of 2015), and Jaden, (Class of 2017). After graduating from UC Santa Barbara as a Mathematical Sciences major, Tineke worked as an analyst for Robertson Stephens Investment Banking for two years before moving into sales. She then moved to the Chicago to start a sales position with Linotype Corp. She was the first female rep. to become number one in the nation. After four years she went to work for high-tech firm Silicon Graphics, Cisco Systems and finally Inktomi Corp. At Inktomi Corp. Tineke was extremely successful, becoming the top salesperson for each of the six years she worked there. After the financial success of her years at Inktomi, and with the birth of her second child, Tineke decided to shift careers and follow her dream of becoming a Interior designer. In September of 2002 she started the design firm, Artistic Designs for Living. Tineke’s work has been published in many national magazines, including California Homes and Designs, Better Homes and Gardens, and Western Interiors. Tineke's passions are her two boys, interpretive dance, horses, tennis, and art.
February 03, 2009
Joining the PHS Board 2-3-2008
February 3, 2009
Dear PHS Community Members:
Each year at this time, the Presidio Hill School Board of Trustees begins the process of renewing its membership for the coming school year. The trustees committee of the board is charged with promoting membership and seeking out candidates whose skills and experience support the board’s current practices and future plans.
The trustees committee analyzes current board composition in conjunction with the board’s near- and long-term plans to identify areas of need within the board’s membership. The ideal board envisioned by the committee meets those needs while comprising a balanced blend reflective of the diversity of the school community.
The names of candidates to the board come from a variety of sources—teachers, administrators, current board members, and interested, involved parents who would like to be considered. Once candidates are identified, they are interviewed and may be asked if they are interested in serving on the board or joining one of its committees as a non-trustee member. Through this process, the trustees committee is able to identify candidates to recommend to the board and the community. Final candidates are submitted for nomination, and the community is notified in advance of the election at the spring corporation meeting.
If you know of someone who you believe has qualities that would be useful for the board, or if you yourself are interested in being considered for possible nomination, please contact any member of the trustees committee or any member of the board. Submission of a name does not guarantee nomination, but it is the essential first step. And of course, if you have any questions about the board or the nominating process, please feel free to contact any member of the trustees committee.
Respectfully,
Trustees Committee
Noel Kaufman, chair
Helle Rytkonen
Jennifer Franklin
Jill Chase
Manolo Santana
As stewards of the school, board members are legally entrusted with fiduciary responsibility, and have the duty to oversee the mission of the school, set strategic goals, and establish broad policies that support and enhance the mission.
General Attributes Highly Desirable In All Board Members
from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
A. Is a broad thinker: the ability to see the big picture; the ability to see connections and relationships; the ability to integrate the perspective of what best serves the school in the near term and in the long term into all discussions and decision-making.
B. Understands the history and mission of the school and is aware of the larger educational and institutional issues facing the school.
C. Exhibits collegiality/is a team player: the ability to discuss what at times may be tough issues in a candid yet friendly manner; the ability to "put the school's best foot forward" as an advocate in both internal and external relationships; the ability to maintain confidences.
D. Has a strong association with the school and broader bases as well: is willing to make the commitment to the school as a priority; can bring elements of life outside of the school community to the benefit of the community.
Desirable Characteristics of Board Members
1. Committed to the school’s mission and values
2. Knowledgeable about the school
3. Willing to assume responsibility; able to delegate (works to develop potential leaders)
4. Able to exercise authority; able to make decisions, especially within group decision making process
5. Updates governance knowledge and skills; knows and uses basic parliamentary procedures
6. Respectful of all voices; facilitates or contributes to constructive discussions in meetings
7. Focuses own energy and that of others on policy issues; able to maintain big picture view
8. Able to problem solve; sensitive to cliques and power struggles but disassociated from them
9. Skilled at long range strategic thinking
10. Effective oral and written communicator
11. Works well with the Director of the school
12. Interested in financial oversight
Practical Expectations for Board Participation
1. Attend monthly board meetings
2. Actively participate in at least one board committee with concomitant meetings
3. Attend board retreats (twice a year)
4. Make financial contributions within one’s ability, to insure full participation of Board in Annual Fund and other fundraising activities
5. Attend and be visible as board member at school functions, such as corporation meetings, May Fest, fundraising events, and so on
6. Participate in fundraising training and activities
7. Provide snacks for board meeting one time a year
August 14, 2008
Interim Director Announcement
August 13, 2008
Dear PHS Community Members,
I am so pleased to send this letter on behalf of the Board of Trustees announcing the appointment of Susan Andrews as Interim Director for the upcoming academic year. Susan knows our school well, having served as Director of the school for sixteen years and a Board member for the past eight years. As you will glean from her letter, Susan is a forward-looking individual who will lead the school with grace, maturity, and a deep knowledge of schools in general and ours in particular.
The Board acted quickly this summer to convene an interim director search committee and to hire a search consultant. The interim director search committee, with the input of the search consultant, developed criteria for the interim director and the priorities for the school in the coming year. Susan Andrews emerged as a possible candidate, and in evaluating her it became clear that she was the most qualified candidate we could hope for. We, on the Board, feel extremely fortunate that Susan has agreed to take a leave from her otherwise demanding work schedule in order to assume the Interim Director position.
I first met Susan, over five years ago when I traveled to pick up my then 2nd grader, Jacob, from the Camp Valley of the Moon overnight (he is now entering 8th grade). I was struck by her wisdom, thoughtfulness, patience, insight, humor, and her deep love of children and our school (why else would she choose to spend a night on a thin mattress on a bunk bed). My positive first impression has been enhanced by the dedication, strategic thinking and intellect she has demonstrated as a board member. Welcome, Susan! We are thrilled to have you assume this leadership role!
The Board is also pleased to inform you that we have retained Clay Stites, a consultant with the nationally known search firm Resource Group 175. Clay will be working to help the school recruit and hire a long term Director to begin in the 2009–2010 academic year. He will also provide counsel to the Board and Susan during this transition year. In addition, he will work into the next academic year to support a smooth and successful transition with a new Director.
Clay was a school Head for twenty years and has been a search consultant for the past eleven years. He comes highly recommended and knows Bay Area schools well, having done numerous successful head searches for schools in Northern California.
We, on the Board, recognize that the community may have questions about this transition year and the process the school will follow to hire a new permanent Director. For that reason, we are planning a coffee talk from 5:00–5:45pm on September 16th and from 8:00–8:45am on September 17th at which Board members and Clay will be available to answer questions as we look ahead. We look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Sincerely,
Anne Regenstein
Chair, Board of Trustees
August 13, 2008
Dear Presidio Hill School Community,
The PHS Board of Directors has asked me, and I have agreed, to take on the Interim Head position during the 2008–2009 school year, as we conduct a guided head search and, most importantly, continue our esteemed program under the seasoned management of our administrative team and highly qualified and diverse faculty. Honored to step into this role for one year, I greet you with an understanding of the school’s past as well as an investment in its future.
Some of you may know me; many don’t. Currently an eight-year community member of the Presidio Hill School Board, I was the PHS director from 1980 until 1996. I retired to give my full attention to a diagnosis of advanced non-Hodgkins lymphoma. After some pretty amazing attention from modern medicine, I have survived cancer-free.
During the period since my retirement and cancer treatments, I served as interim director of Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley, helped start Oak Hill School for students with autism and other developmental differences, and taken on partnership in the family business, Buddy Rhodes Artisan Concrete, as Vice President of Marketing. I have served on the Board of Trustees of San Francisco School, as well as Oak Hill School, and I remain on the Board of the Eva Gunther Foundation, Chez Panisse Foundation and, though my role will be changing, Presidio Hill School. While I am no magician, I do have experience relevant to our community, and the will to put it to good use.
I view my assignment this year as an opportunity to help move the school forward in preparation for new leadership, as well as to support current operations while providing loving care and guidance to a school community that has undergone many transitions in the last 12 years. Despite our disruptions in leadership, many of those transitions have been very positive: the new building, the growth of the middle school, development of a strong administrative structure, extensive technology enhancement, and the development of a cadre of youthful new teachers to partner with the core of wise veterans.
I believe that we can look forward to this newest transition together with the support of a strong Board, the aforementioned excellent teachers and administrators, and the guidance of Clay Stites, our expert independent school search consultant. The parents and students that make up the current Presidio Hill community are as active and inspired as ever, and I come back to full-time immersion in the PHS family confident in our powers. Presidio Hill School is in its 90th year; crises have come and gone, and we have survived and prospered throughout the continuum. Our history buoys us. We are charged with both respecting it and learning from it as we move forward. We are participants in an amazing educational practice. I look forward to this exciting and remarkable time to work together.
Best wishes,
Susan Andrews
Interim Director