Board of Trustees at Annie Wright Schools

Annie Wright Schools are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees. The Board is made up of parents, grandparents, alumni and community members whose time and expertise contribute to the operation of the schools.

Board of Trustees

List of 20 members.

Sally Atherton 66
Bio
Sally (Peterson) Atherton ’66 joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2017. After attending Annie Wright from 1952-66, she received her BA (Colby College), her MS (Trinity University, San Antonio), and her PhD (University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio). During her career, she studied herpesvirus infections of the eye and brain at universities in Florida, Texas and Georgia. In 2014, she became Senior Associate at Health Research Associates to coach biomedical faculty on NIH grant writing skills. Sally serves as a member of the Philanthropy and Community Engagement (PACE) Committee.
Diane Bai MD
Bio
Diane Bai, MD, joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2020. She is a practicing gastroenterologist at Franciscan Health Systems in Tacoma, co-founder of South Sound Women in Medicine (SSWIM), and served as Medical Director of Service Excellence at Franciscan Medical Group. Prior to moving to Tacoma, she was Clinical Assistant Professor at UW Medical School, Medical Director of Gastroenterology Department, and a member of the Board of Trustees Finance Committee of Pacific Medical Centers in Seattle. She grew up in China and California. After receiving her medical degree at UT Southwestern, she completed her residency at Columbia University and GI fellowship at Duke University. Diane and her husband, Clay Zhang, are strong believers in the Annie Wright educational philosophy of nurturing young people to become principled, creative, and reflective thinkers and communicators in the close-knit AWS global community. They have two daughters, Sasha ’23 and Hannah ’25.
Thomas Baker
Bio
Thomas Baker, Ph.D. mathematician, joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2023 where he serves on the finance committee. Tom was the Operations Research Coordinator for Exxon before starting Chesapeake Decision Sciences, a successful software/consulting company in the supply chain arena. Upon the sale of Chesapeake, Tom established a charitable foundation focused on providing funding and counseling for inner city students wishing to enter college-track programs. An avid sailor, Tom has logged 60,000 miles. Tom’s daughter, Josephine, is a rising Grade 9 student at Annie Wright.
Medina Broadenax
Bio
Medina Broadenax is a CPA with over 15 years of experience in finance, accounting, and audit. After several years at Deloitte, Medina transitioned into the healthcare industry and is the VP of Finance at Thriveworks, a behavioral health organization. Medina is passionate about inclusion and equity and has supported DEI work throughout her career from leading bias mitigation trainings to serving as a mentor for young professionals. Medina is an ardent supporter of Annie Wright’s mission of cultivating responsible global citizens and looks forward to serving on the Board’s Philanthropy and Community Engagement Committee. Medina has a daughter, Kaydee ’29, and credits Annie Wright with fostering an environment that inspires Kaydee to achieve her fullest potential.
Tenley Cederstrand
Bio
Tenley Cederstrand joined the Board of Trustees in 2021. She works at RAIN Incubator in grant development and community outreach. With a bachelor’s in biology from Washington State University, her background is in business development, primarily in life sciences. She has also fostered start-up companies in apparel, fine art and real estate, and has served on the board for RAIN Incubator, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, AWS and Junior Achievement of Washington. Tenley and her husband Eric have two children who attended AWS, Avery ’11MS and Annika ’17 (lifer!). They credit Annie Wright with making them inquisitive learners and really nice people. She serves on the Philanthropy and Community Engagement Committee.
Jeffrey Davis
Bio
Jeffrey E. Davis, CEO of Davis Property & Investment (DPI), joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2018. Under Jeff's direction DPI has become one of the most active privately owned commercial real estate developers and asset managers in Washington State. Mr. Davis and DPI are also very active in the local non-profit community, serving on the board and/or donating resources to several local organizations. Jeff is dedicated to giving back to Annie Wright for all that Annie Wright and its staff have given to his children, Jaeger ’18MS and Olivia ’24, over the years.
James "Jim" Defebaugh
Bio
Jim Defebaugh, Partner, Made Law, PLLC, and former Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer of TrueBlue, Inc., joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2014. Jim recently retired from TrueBlue after 15 years of service, which followed 22 years at Sears Holding Corp, most recently as Chief Legal Officer of Kmart Corp. and Chief Compliance Officer of Sears. Jim also served on the Museum of Glass Board of Trustees for six years. Jim and his wife, Kristina Maritczak, have two children, Miles ’25 and Katya ’26, at Annie Wright. Jim believes that AWS is at the top of the list of crown jewels that Tacoma has to offer at both the national and international level, and serves as Chair of the Board, Chair of the Governance Committee, and on the Executive Committee.
Bill Driscoll
Bio
William (Bill) is Chairman and CEO of Clearwater Management Company, managing partner of Lincoln Park Partners and president of Tacoma Venture Fund. He currently serves on the board of PotlatchDeltic (NASDAQ). A Marine Corps veteran, Bill also serves on the boards at Topia Technology, StratusCore and Gestalt Diagnostics, and is a member of the Investment Committee at Annie Wright Schools. Bill is an AWS parent of two current students: John Saul ’27 and Anna ’30. His wife, Lisa Hoffman, is a departing AWS Trustee who is currently a professor at UWT.
C'Ardiss Gleser
Bio
CC began her career in the tech sector, later transitioning to non-profit work to better fulfill her purpose and passion. CC moved from working in nonprofits to the funding side to increase her impact, and is now entrenched in the philanthropic sector. CC was the first Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Satterberg Foundation, whose mission focuses on promoting a just society and sustainable environment. In 2021, CC left Satterberg Foundation and started Black Ivy Collective, which provides consulting services in the philanthropic sector and provides healing spaces for Black scholars, artists, and social justice advocates in the community. CC has always enjoyed showing up at school and embarrassing her kids, while serving and contributing to the school community in the process. She has served on the boards of Giddens School board and The Bush School board. Seeing our children thrive in schools ignites a passion in CC to serve. She's seen that first hand at Annie Wright with her daughter, Christian. CC's other board service includes Andrus Family Fund, Charlotte Martin Foundation, EPIP (Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy), and Grist. As the parent of a boarder, CC looks forward to getting more involved and spending more time on campus!
Jason Griffiths
Bio
Jason Griffiths joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2022. Jason has worked exclusively in entrepreneurial educational organizations since 2006 and currently serves as an advisor to Great Minds, a rapidly growing organization that provides high quality instructional materials for K-8 schools. Jason's wife, Christy, is a proud graduate of Annie Wright. Having developed a strong affinity for Annie Wright since first stepping onto the campus over 20 years ago, Jason serves on the governance committee.
Janelle Guirguis-Blake MD
Bio
Janelle Guirguis-Blake MD joined Annie Wright Schools' Board of Trustees in 2019. A clinical professor of family medicine at the University of Washington, she practices and teaches full-scope family medicine with a focus on underserved populations. She has been working since 2003 with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality where she has served in the capacities of chief medical officer, program director, and technical advisor for the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Since 2013, she has worked as a principal investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research leading systematic reviews in the area of preventive medicine for the USPSTF. Her areas of expertise include health policy, guideline development, and evidence based medicine. She received her medical degrees from Dartmouth Medical School and Brown University School of Medicine, then completed her residency at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine and health policy fellowship at the Georgetown School of Medicine. Janelle and her husband, Jeff, have two daughters, Natalie ’21MS and Norah ’28.
Manuel La Rosa DDS
Bio
Manuel La Rosa joined the Annie Wright Board of Trustees in 2020. He is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is in private practice in Tacoma & Gig Harbor. He served as an Affiliated Instructor at UW and was president Washington State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, where he served as President. He is passionate about advancing education and creating individual economic freedom. Manuel and his wife Silvia have two children, Sebastian '13LS and Sofia '23. Manuel will serve on the Head's Support and Evaluation Committee.
Martha Lantz
Bio
Martha Lantz joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2020. She is an attorney with more than 25 years of public sector experience, initially with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office and, since 2009, as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Tacoma. Martha has served as a Board Member and volunteer for many local organizations, including the Grand Cinema, the Tacoma Pierce County YWCA, the Greater Metro Parks Foundation, and the Annie Wright Schools Parents’ Association and as an elected member of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission in 2016. She and her husband Andy Fitz have two children, Owen Fitz '12MS and Allison Fitz '19. Annie Wright has been instrumental to the growth and development of her children and Martha is excited for the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board.
Damani Leech 94
Bio
Damani Leech joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2020. Damani is the NFL’s Chief Operating Officer of International, driving international fan development, player development, sponsorship and consumer products, as well as leading the planning and execution of International Series Games in key markets. Prior to his time at the NFL Damani spent 17 years at the NCAA national office in various roles. Damani, raised in Tacoma, is a graduate of the Annie Wright Middle School and serves on the Board's finance committee.
Marjorie Oda-Burns 66
Bio
Marjorie Oda-Burns ’66 joined Annie Wright Schools' Board of Trustees in 2019. After attending Annie Wright as a boarder from Hawaii and graduating from Pembroke College (the former women's college of Brown University) Marjorie completed medical school at Yale, with only seven women in her graduating class. After her internship at Stanford, Marjorie spent her career as an orthopedic surgeon in California while pursuing an active interest in medical ethics. Marjorie and her husband John's daughter, Theresa '04, also attended Annie Wright.
David Overton
Bio
David E. Overton joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2018. David manages a fourth generation forest products business in Mason & Kitsap Counties and serves on community boards focused on community building and environmental stewardship. David and his wife Katherine Steuart have three children: Caroline ’26, Henry ’29 and Elizabeth ’31, at Annie Wright. David serves on the finance and building committees.
Merritt Pulliam 92
Bio
Merritt (Klarsch) Pulliam ’92, photographer and writer, joined Annie Wright Schools' Board of Trustees in 2018. Merritt worked for 20 years as a television producer and writer specializing in promotion. She worked for PBS/KCTS 9, Harpo Studios, and Birdhouse Creative before starting Merritt Pulliam Photography in 2012. She continues to write professionally. She spent nine wonderful years as a student at AWS and graduated in 1992. Merritt is passionate about Annie Wright's tradition of excellence and eager to help sustain its future.
Kevin Sanders MD, PhD
Bio
Kevin Sanders joined the Board of Trustees in 2021, and is a radiation oncologist at Sound Cancer Care in Puyallup, Washington, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including MultiCare Good
Samaritan Hospital and MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital. He received
his medical degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine. Kevin and his wife Brenda have two children attending AWS, Alyssa ’24 and Natalie ’26. He serves on the Finance Committee.
Monica Torrez-Pfister
Bio
Monica Torrez-Pfiser joined the Board of Trustees in 2021. She is an attorney with over a decade of specialized experience in employment law, currently serving as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at TrueBlue, Inc., a Tacoma-based global company that is a leading provider of staffing and specialized workforce solutions which connects over 500,000 people to work each year. She has earned academic and professional honors, and served on community boards such as Lawyers Helping Hungry Children, Association of Corporate Counsel, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, and has served as the Employment Law Chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Monica and her husband Bill have three children attending AWS, Maxx ’28, Maison ’34 and Mia ’35. She serves on the Head’s Support and Evaluation
Committee.
Alana Zautner
Bio
Alana is a program manager with the Federal Aviation Administration. A prior U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Controller, she received her BA from the University of Washington, her MSc. from the University of Oxford, and MSc. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She and her husband, Jared Zautner, currently have three children at Annie Wright and are passionate about building and engaging communities. An avid soccer player, rower and sailor, you’ll find Alana and family enjoying the beautiful outdoors & Puget Sound most days…

Ex-Officio Trustees

List of 3 members.

Brian Prior
Bio
Bishop Brian N. Prior joined the Board of Trustees in 2021 after serving on the Breck School’s and the Shattuck-St.Mary’s School’s Board of Trustees when he was the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Brian now serves as the Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and owns his own business, Prioritize Coaching. Summer Camp Director, High School Girls’ Basketball Coach and frequent Keynote presenter at youth conferences, Brian loves working with young people. He serves on the Philanthropy and Community Engagement committee.
Jake Guadnola 94
Bio
Jake began serving as Head of Annie Wright Schools in July 2020, but his tenure at the school began long before that. He joined AWS as a second-grader when his mother became the school’s Director of Communications. He stayed through Grade 8 and was in the first class of boys to graduate from Middle School. After high school, he earned a bachelor's from Pomona College. In 2000, he launched his 20-year career at AWS, serving in a range of roles including English & Humanities Teacher, Basketball Coach, Director of College Counseling, Director of Summer Programming, Interim Director of Admissions, Assistant Director of Upper School, and most recently, Director of Upper School for Girls. These two decades of service to AWS were only interrupted by his EdM at Harvard University from 2002 to 2003.
Jennifer Mortensen
Bio
Jennifer Mortensen serves as the Annie Wright Schools Parents’ Association President. With a background in writing and marketing strategy, she worked for nearly 15 years in the global health research and tech innovation sectors. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, creative writing, from University of Puget Sound, and she is currently working toward nursing degrees at University of Washington Tacoma and Tacoma Community College. She and her husband, Mikael, have two children at Annie Wright and appreciate any opportunity to build connections with other Annie Wright families. When not paying her nursing student dues during long clinical shifts, you’ll find her running along North Tacoma’s waterfront or around the trails at Point Defiance Park.

The Board’s major responsibilities are to:

Hire and evaluate the schools' Head
Define the schools' mission and set policies
Set the vision and strategic direction of the schools
Ensure financial resources are available to the schools
Observe and monitor programs and services the schools provide

AWS Board of Trustees News

List of 2 news stories.

Michele Cannon Bessler Named Sullivan Strength in Leadership Recipient
7/1/2021
AWS Board Doubles Down on Giving Amidst Pandemic
11/9/2020

Strategic Plan 2021-2025

In January 2021, the Board of Trustees initiated a strategic planning process. Since then, a 13-person team of students, alumni, faculty, administrators, parents and trustees worked toward the development of a new strategic plan. Their work has intentionally included hundreds of diverse voices from across our community.

We are thrilled to announce that this process culminated with unanimous Board approval on September 24, 2021. Now, the next phase of work begins. We look forward to sharing the next steps and progress as we bring the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan to life.