MEET Our WONDERFUL team!

Back in 1983, when everyone else was talking about Cabbage Patch Kids and Return of the Jedi, drastic budget cuts, voter decisions, and a recession threatened our public schools. In response, a group of concerned parents and extraordinary volunteers formed The Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF TK-12) as a nonprofit to fundraise for our schools.​

Well, 39 years later, both the funding gap and WCEF still exist.

Led by passionate (and compassionate) volunteers, our board is comprised of parents, educators, and community members who continue the fight to uphold the quality of our public schools. 

We have representatives from all schools in the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High School. More than 90 percent of the funds we raise go directly to the schools we serve. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and our tax ID number is 94-2915151.

the executive board

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Eryn KING
President ​
president2@wcefk12.org​

As a daughter of a retired elementary school teacher and daughter-in-law of a retired public high school teacher, Eryn is a passionate supporter of creating equitable public education for all. Her two daughters are enrolled at Walnut Heights, and this is Eryn’s fifth consecutive year volunteering for WCEF.  
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When she’s not volunteering at our schools, Eryn (a former Disney cast member) is usually daydreaming about her next adventure to Disneyland. Eryn and her family have a community garden space at Howe Homestead Park and can often be spotted caring for their plants. ​

"I donate my time and money to WCEF because I believe in public education and I see the wonders the foundation is able to achieve year after year with additional programs and salaries offered at our schools."

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KATHLEEN MITCHELL
​​V.P. AdministratioN

Kathleen is always up for pitching in, which is why she is indispensable to everyone who knows her. Basically, Kathleen is brilliant at solving other people's problems, which is probably why she fits in so well here.

Kathleen volunteers now because she knows it takes a village to make sure all students are supported, and many times that village needs additional funding. She's creative, thoughtful, and makes our Executive Committee stronger.

Jennifer ZimmermanN
V.P. COMMUNICATIONS

KIROUN SALUJA
​​​V.P. FUNDRAISING

As a child, Jennifer was creating homemade spreadsheets and forms. Yes. You read that right. She had a love of organization and process since she was old enough to hold a crayon. She adds a much-appreciated layer of organization to our team, and her editing skills are legendary.

Her childhood obsession has proven helpful in her adult life as a corporate event planner. 

"I volunteer my time because it's a great way to positively affect our schools and students. I donate money because I know that my family's participation means that WCEF is that much closer to its goal. Imagine what could be funded if all families give something... anything!"​

Kiroun originally joined our team to bridge the gap between Walnut Creek businesses and WCEF. A passionate, creative, and uber organized volunteer we immediately promoted her to VP of Fundraising.

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CASEY BRATHWAITE
​​V.P. MARKETING

INNA RASPUDIC
​Treasurer

Casey might be the most qualified parent volunteer for a TK-12 education foundation with a child in elementary, middle ,and high schools! If you need to know key dates, how to navigate registration, Casey is an expert!

She's also a marketing guru in her professional life, and we are thrilled to have her tackling  WCEF's marketing efforts.

Like other members of our executive board, Inna has a long history of volunteering at our schools. Previously a PTO treasurer at Indian Valley, she is an absolute gift to WCEF!

Prior to moving to California, Inna worked in the public accounting field in Toronto, Canada. She is a mother of three elementary school aged kids who keep her on her toes. She loves traveling and takes her coffee very seriously!    

"I'm passionate about public education and have been involved in my children's schools since day one. I volunteer with WCEF today because it's another opportunity to support the teachers, staff, and students."

ANU GHANDI
​V.P.  COMMUNICATIONS

Anu is moving over from WCEF's secretary to co-V.P. of Communications in 2022-23. Basically, she can handle anything that comes her way! 

A creative thinker, Anu has a recent Las Lomas graduate and current Knight at home. Her commitment to our schools has been a common thread as WCEF has grown in the past five years.
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"​Having been in the district for over 12 years, I have seen first-hand the impact that WCEF funding has. At the high school level, it might seem like WCEF has a lesser presence. But make no mistake—WCEF is vital: the Wellness Center for emotional support; a broad variety of AP classes for academic rigor; smaller class sizes for personal and engaged learning; and a seven period day to allow students to explore their varied interests. All of these things make Las Lomas a special place! "

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Our Staff*

Joanna Grossman
Executive Director ​

When your parents are public school teachers, you spend quite a bit of your life near or at a school, helping set up classrooms and surrounded by teachers. For Joanna, a school campus has always felt like a second home.

It's why after almost 15 years in fundraising and marketing, she joined the WCEF Board as a community volunteer. In 2018, she accepted the Executive Director position.

Joanna is relentless in her push to make WCEF all that we envision. A fully-funded, community-centered, volunteer-led organization with your child's education in mind.

"Not much compares to the positive impact a teacher can have on a student's experience. How the simple act of going to school can change someone's life. I want every student to feel that they have a community behind them, investing in their future."
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​Email Joanna at jgrossman@wcefk12.org

Alison McDaniel
Donor Relations Manager ​

With a history as a commercial claims adjustor and a legal department coordinator, Alison developed the organization and information management skills needed to wrangle all that donor data we accumulate. 

She's been a volunteer with WCEF for ages as our Social Media Queen, and today she's our Donor Relations Manager. (Seriously, that background of hers is going to be in play 24/7!)

"WCEF supports my children throughout their educational pathways, from TK to graduation. It covers the fun stuff like art and music when they're little, supports the older kids with homework assistance, and helps teens deal with emotional and academic pressures. WCEF supports the whole kid."

Email Alison at database@wcefk12.org.

*WCEF is managed by a volunteer board and has two paid staff members: the Executive Director (80%) and a Donor Relations Manager (12 hours a week).

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SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES

Buena Vista Elementary (TK-5)
Christina Conroy
​Christine Kohne
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​Indian Valley Elementary (TK-5)
Sole Velasco
Sandra Naughton
Matt Diffley & Elena Songster

Murwood Elementary (TK-5)
Nicole Main
Tricy Otten
Kate Loftus

​Parkmead Elementary (K-5)
Laila Vatanka
Rachael Davis
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Tice Creek School (K-8)
Sonali Jolly-Wadhwa
Marika Taylor 

Walnut Heights Elementary (TK-5)
David Clinnick
Jennifer Lowe

Walnut Creek Intermediate (6-8)
Sabrina McQueen
Dayna Wagner

Las Lomas High School (9-12)
Christina Alessi
​Lisa McConnell
Allison McAdam
Lisa Michaelangeli

GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS​

Business Communication Chair
Jolene Soliman

Endowment Chair
Matt Gould

Major Donor & Grant Chair
Steve Woodhead
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New Family Chair
Katy Grant

Parent Fundraising Chair
​​​Josee Sirios

Volunteer Chair
Lisa Van Deusen

APPOINTMENTS
Auditor
Dan Purcell​

ADVISORY MEMBERS​
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Marie Morgan
Superintendent, WCSD
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Nithin Iyengar
WCSD Governing Board Member

Sara Harris
Principal, Las Lomas High School

John Nickerson
Superintendent, AUHSD

Bob Hockett
AUHSD Governing Board Member

Mikhail Ress-Nathans
WCSD Teacher Representative

TRUSTEES

Lisa Sun
​Past WCEF President

BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE                    
Board meetings are typically held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the WCSD office or via Zoom.             
       

• Thursday, August 18*, 2022, 7-8:30 PM (New Board Orientation 6-6:45 PM)
  Thursday, September 22, 2022, 7-8:30 PM
  Thursday, October 27, 2022, 7-8:30 PM
  Thursday, November 17*, 2022, 7-8:30 PM
  Thursday, December 15*, 2022, tbd (Holiday Gathering) 
  Thursday, January 19*, 2023, 7-8:30 PM
  Thursday, February 23, 2023, 7-8:30 PM
  Thursday, March 23, 7-8:30 PM
  Thursday, April 27, 7-8:30 PM
  Thursday, May 18*, 7-8:30 PM, WCSD Office (Annual Meeting) ​
  

District Calendars
WCSD School Calendar
Las Lomas School Calendar   

*Denotes meeting will occur third Thursday of the month

​volunteers needed

School Site Representatives: Work with your school principal to build awareness, encourage parent participation and inform school community of WCEF updates and events.
☐ Two monthly meetings
☐ Four to six hours a month
Fundraising Committee: We are looking for connectors who can assist with our Annual Giving Campaign as well as events such as the Read-a-thon, FORE! Education Golf Touney, and February's Turn Up the Heat. Interested in helping with just one event? Great! We've got that, too!
☐ Monthly hours vary, averages 1-2 hours a month
Communications Committee: We are looking to build up our committee with guest editors for our monthly eNewsletter, The Source, as well as a Parent Communications Chair.
☐ Monthly hours vary, averages 1-2 hours a month
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Email us today

DONATE HERE