Kara Fortuna, Academic Oversight Committee Chair, is a writer, editor, and project manager currently working in the Historic Preservation field. She previously worked in hospital management, banking, non-profit/fundraising, and technology; she enjoys immersing herself in and learning about new environments and looks forward to applying this to her role on the UMCS Board. Kara is the parent of two children attending Urban Montessori and is dedicated to supporting UMCS in maintaining its dedication to providing access to high fidelity free Montessori education for all. She lives with her family in San Leandro, CA.
Reach Kara here: [email protected]
Greg Klein, Secretary and Treasurer / Finance Committee Chair, is Senior Director, Innovation and Learning at the Rogers Family Foundation. Greg joined RFF in June 2012 and now manages most of the Schools portfolio. Greg loves working directly in schools supporting principals, teachers, and students to personalize learning at Oakland public schools. Greg’s at his best when helping teams and education entrepreneurs build a common understanding of their current status and trajectory, and then helping educators and families dream even further of where their students might go next and how to get there together. Prior to working at the Foundation, Greg helped launch Downtown College Prep’s (DCP) Alum Rock campus, developing an innovative Learning Lab at the middle school level. While at DCP he managed large groups of students, integrated computers and technology into the classroom, and focused his attention on teaching. Greg began his career in education reform as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the Oakland Unified School District for seven years, including building his own computer mini-lab in his classroom as a first-year teacher. Greg graduated from Dartmouth College in 2004 with a BA in History. Back in high school, Greg was the student board representative for his school district. When not working, Greg listens to nerdy podcasts including grown folks playing Dungeons and Dragons and doing Escape Rooms. Greg is Dad to three awesome children and lives with his wife Mariah in Oakland.
Reach Greg here: [email protected]
Sarah Morrill, Board Chair and Executive and Governance Committee Chair, is passionate about creating equitable learning programs for all. Sarah spent five years as a principal leading the turnaround effort at Lazear Charter Academy, a TK-8th grade school in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Prior to leading at Lazear, Sarah served as the senior managing director for Teach For America's west coast teacher training in Los Angeles, managing the program of 500 new teachers and 100 staff members to create a strong summer school for over 2,000 students. She started her career in Atlanta, Georgia teaching 3rd grade before becoming a teacher coach across Atlanta for new teachers. Sarah graduated from Colorado College with a BA in International Political Economy. Most recently, she received her Masters in Business Administration from UC Berkeley and transitioned to adult entrepreneurship education and now supports scientists to bring climate technologies to market at the Berkeley-based non-profit, Activate. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and board games. Sarah lives in the Laurel neighborhood of Oakland with her partner and two children.
Reach Sarah here: [email protected]
Amy Ng is the Director of Strategy and Analysis at Silicon Schools Fund. She spent five years at Aspire Public Schools, leading the network’s Operations team, charter petitions and renewals, authorizer compliance, state and federal reporting, and the development of school ops leaders. Amy began her career at Amazon.com as a Financial Analyst, who helped launch the Kindle e-reader and digital content business while overseeing the Amazon retail vendor services and experience business. Amy is a first generation Chinese-American to graduate from high-school and college and received her B.A. from The University of Washington. Amy is a proud mom of two sons and lives in Oakland.
Reach Amy here: [email protected]
Ann Rhodes, FAC representative, is a former union organizer who led grassroots campaigns for healthcare reform, as well as other social and economic justice issues for more than decade. She, her husband, and two daughters moved to Alameda from D.C. four years ago to be closer to extended family. Ann does project based work with a local housing justice nonprofit, and volunteers with refugee resettlement organizations, as well as with families rebuilding their lives after domestic violence. Ann is deeply committed to public education and has been fundraising for Urban Montessori for several years, most notably our annual plant sale which combines her love of plants, community and raising resources for the school. She is honored to serve on Urban Montessori's board.
Reach Ann here: [email protected]
Evan Sequoia, FAC representative.
Reach Evan here: [email protected]
Donald Williams, Vice Chair, grew up in Carson, California and graduated from San Pedro High School. Mr. Williams attended the historically black university, Grambling State University, in Grambling, Louisiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. After graduating from Grambling State University, Mr. Williams was employed as a litigation paralegal and, later, a litigation support specialist, in the Los Angeles office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Mr. Williams received his Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School. After law school, Mr. Williams was employed as an associate attorney at the Bohm Law Group, Inc. and, later, The Rosa Law Group. Prior to opening up his own practice, Mr. Williams was employed as an associate attorney at Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin law corporation. Mr. Williams represented clients from a diverse range of industries, including professional sports, healthcare operations, agricultural and food processing industries, education institutions, restaurants, and the service industry. In 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, Donald was named a recipient of The National Black Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” Award for the state of California. The award recognizes the nation’s top lawyers under the age of 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, including legal prowess, leadership, and community involvement. Additionally, Donald was selected to Super Lawyer’s Northern California Rising Stars list in 2021 and 2022, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice, and only 2.5% of attorneys in Northern California receive this distinction.
Reach Donald here: [email protected]