Meet Our Board
Wendy Horng Brawer
Board President Wendy joined the board in January of 2019. Wendy has over 25 years of corporate, government and nonprofit experience in the United States and Japan. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to blend her learning of social justice, educational equity, and community development theory with practical knowledge and experience in her work with local nonprofits, school districts, government agencies, and businesses in a way that has enhanced her experiential knowledge of communities. Wendy has spent her career helping schools become thriving, learning communities by creating resources and bringing together leaders, followers, creators, and doers across stakeholder. Wendy holds a BA in language from Michigan and a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University. |
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Margaret Heredia Ed. D.
Margaret is an administrator in the San Rafael City Schools district. Dr. Heredia is an expert in curriculum, instruction, an services for students with special needs. Dr Heredia received her both her Masters and Doctorate of Education from Mills College. 
Timothy Dave
Tim is the Dean of Astronomy and Physics at Chabot College in Hayward, CA. Tim is also a Principal Investigator in the Gateway to Success Program – a Multidisciplinary program, Sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The Program's directive is to improve success of underrepresented students in college and provide educational pathways to science majors. Before teaching at the college level, Tim had an extensive career in Silicon Valley, most notably with Standford's SRI Lab in the area of Electro-Optics Laser technology. |
Harold Lowe
Board Treasurer Harold is the CEO of Rising Oak, a wealth management firm. Harold has extensive experience in educational publishing including roles as Sales Manager for Prentice Hall Publishing. Mr Lowe has 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, financial analysis and strategic business planning, educational publishing, technology, and the financial services industries.Harold is a life long Rotarian and serves on number community boards. 
Tryna Lynn Smith
Ms. Smith (also affectionately known by her students as 'Ms. T') was teaching before she was old enough to ride a bike without training wheels. Raised in Georgia by her grandmother, an educator of nearly 35 years, a strong foundation of the art of teaching and the love of learning was established early on in her life. Ms Smith began her professional teaching career in in Baltimore, Md as a high school, middle school, and debate coach teacher. Today Ms.T, is an administrator at Leadership Academy in East Palo Alto, CA. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Towson University in Elementary Education. |
Joel Mackey
Joel is the former Executive Director of the Oakland, and the West Contra Costa Public Education Funds'. He brings over 20 years of experience in legal and policy analysis for organizations, including Making Waves in Richmond, Habitat for Humanity in East Bay, and Harbor House in Oakland. Joel was employed as an attorney in law firms in both San Francisco and Chicago. |
Michelle Grant-Grove
Ms. Grant-Groves has worked in the field of early childhood for over 25 years, in almost every role imaginable. She has been a student aide, classroom teacher, site and systems administrator, coach, and trainer. She is the founding Executive Director for both the Center of Gravity, a STEM-based early education school and the i3 Institute ECE Consulting Group. Previous roles she has held throughout her career include 0-8 Coordinating Officer at Oakland USD and Equity and Instruction Program Coordinator at San Francisco USD Early Education Department. She is a seasoned presenter and has a passion for designing professional learning programs and events. Michelle holds a BA in ECE Research and Policy, from San Francisco State University and a Master’s degree in P-3 Early Education from Mills College. |