Board of Trustees

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 Grade 12 student at Annie Wright. 

Amber English is the President of Digital and Online at The Estée Lauder Companies, where she has led transformative digital initiatives for the past three years. In her role, she oversees the global digital strategy, e-commerce growth, and technology innovation across the company’s prestigious portfolio of beauty brands. Prior to joining Estée Lauder, Amber spent 14 years at Amazon, where she held various leadership roles across business units and technology teams, helping to shape and scale some of the company’s most impactful digital platforms. Her earlier career included roles in the fashion industry with Gap Inc. and Giorgio Armani, blending her passion for design and commerce. Amber is also a committed advocate for diversity in technology and currently serves as the Executive Sponsor of Women in Tech at Estée Lauder Companies, where she champions initiatives to support and advance women in technical and digital roles. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and now lives in Gig Harbor, Washington, with her husband, Michael, and their two children, Harper and Hudson, who attend Annie Wright Schools.

 

CC joined the Annie Wright board in 2023. CC began her career in the tech sector, later transitioning to non-profit work to better fulfill her purpose and passion. She moved from working in nonprofits to the funding side to increase her impact and 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 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, who boarded at Annie Wright since 2021. Christian graduated from Annie Wright School in 2025. CC's other board service includes Andrus Family Fund, Charlotte Martin Foundation,  EPIP (Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy), and Grist. CC lives in Detroit, MI, with deep roots in Seattle, WA. 

Alexander Grays is a dynamic security and technology executive with over 15 years of experience driving data-led risk mitigation across global eCommerce and technology platforms. Currently serving as Regional Operations Manager for Worldwide Operations Security at Amazon, he oversees digital security technology programs and engineering operations spanning the U.S. and Canada — managing a cross-regional team of engineers. Throughout his career, Alexander has demonstrated a consistent ability to build analytics-driven detection systems, integrate fraud and abuse controls, and lead high-performing, multidisciplinary teams. His tenure at Amazon, JCPenney, and Rite Aid reflects a track record of measurable impact — including a 500%+ improvement in loss recovery performance, a 47% reduction in incident resolution time, and the deployment of cross-regional digital monitoring systems that significantly enhanced data visibility and detection fidelity. Beyond his professional career, Alexander served seven years as an executive board member of the Washington State Organized Retail Crime Association (WSORCA), contributing to statewide strategies that combat organized retail crime and strengthen public-private partnerships. He is also a proud member of the International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE), an organization committed to advancing diversity and leadership within the security profession. Alexander's commitment to community is equally evident outside the boardroom. He serves as an AWSPA Athletics Booster and is the Founder and President of the Grit City Gators Booster Club, where he champions youth athletics and community development. He is also a devoted husband to his wife, Lindsey, and father to their son, Thomas, who has been a student at Annie Wright Schools since pre-school.

With nearly 25 years in education across Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Washington, Suzanne has extensive experience in consulting, teaching, coaching, and leadership, including over 20 years in independent schools. Since 2017, Suzanne has been the head of Hyla School, a 6-12 school on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Founded in 1993, Hyla is known for its student-centered approach, experiential learning, and a strong, vibrant culture and community. 

Before leading Hyla, Suzanne was the Assistant Head of School at the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle for nine years, following her tenure in Kauai, Hawaii, where she worked as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director.  At Hyla, Suzanne has led the school through several large strategic initiatives, including a capital campaign, campus-wide renovation and building project, and an expansion to an upper school division, including the acquisition and renovation of a second campus. At JDS, she led a school-wide curriculum and pedagogical redesign to an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning—an approach still in place and thriving today. No matter the initiative, what remains her most important work is Suzanne’s dedication to school mission and the essential role of culture. Suzanne works to cultivate and strengthen the practices that foster inclusivity, community, and belonging, alongside engaging academic programs where students can thrive. 

 

Suzanne is also deeply engaged in association and volunteer work in the field of education. With a longstanding appreciation for NWAIS—its mission, values, and people—she has served as a governor on the NWAIS Board since 2022, currently chairs the Accreditation Committee, and will begin her term as Vice President/President-Elect of the Board of Governors on July 1, 2025. In addition, Suzanne contributes to the association through service on accreditation teams, both the Board Operations and Standards & Practices Committees, and recently on the NWAIS Executive Director Search Committee. Suzanne is honored to contribute to NWAIS’s mission and values and is inspired by the association’s commitment to continuous improvement in support of the diverse independent schools that are at its core. She is thrilled for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees at Annie Wright Schools—an institution well respected for its outstanding work on behalf of students. 

 

Outside of her work in schools, Suzanne loves outdoor adventures from trees and trails to the snow and sea, and enjoys taking big leaps into water!

Kyra Mungia joined the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees in 2024. A proud Yellow Tie from the Class of ’09, Kyra currently serves as COO of the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation, a civic nonprofit unlocking resources and advancing bold, practical solutions for Oakland. She previously co-founded and led Rooted (formerly TRiO Plus), a nonprofit tackling housing affordability for educators, which merged with OFPI to expand impact and infrastructure. Her career has spanned the classroom, the Oakland Mayor’s Office (as Deputy Director of Education), and the school board. Kyra holds a BA from Brown University and an MA from Loyola Marymount. She’s a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Roddenberry Fellow, and a firm believer that every student deserves access to an excellent education. As a lifer herself, Kyra's connection to Annie Wright runs deep. Both her brothers attended through Grade 8, her younger sister graduated in 2025, and her nephew is entering Grade 3.

Alana Zautner serves in the Executive Office of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aircraft Certification Service, where she leads strategic engagement, executive initiatives, and enterprise-wide efforts supporting one of the nation’s largest aviation safety organizations. A former U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Controller, Alana brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning aviation, public service, and organizational strategy. She holds a BA from the University of Washington, an MSc from the University of Oxford, and an MSc from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Alana and her husband, Jared, have three children at Annie Wright Schools and are passionate about fostering strong communities. Outside of work, she enjoys soccer, rowing, sailing, and exploring the Puget Sound with her family.

David joined the Annie Wright Board of Trustees in 2025. He has been an educator for almost three decades, serving in both K–12 and higher education as a teacher, advisor, coach, administrator, and Dean of Grade 12. He is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound (BA) and the University of Missouri–Kansas City (MFA), as well as the Iona Olympia School (Seminary).

He is currently the Director of Learning Innovation at Tacoma Community College, where his team focuses on instructional design and faculty support that centers on pedagogical excellence, equity, and accessibility. David has also served on several NWAIS Visiting Teams for accreditation, and is deeply committed to the Association’s mission and vision.

 

Alongside his work in education, David serves as the Archdeacon for Mission and Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. Before his diocesan appointment, he served at St. Luke’s Memorial Episcopal Church, founded by Charles Wright alongside Annie Wright Schools, making his appointment to the Board of Trustees a meaningful continuation of that long legacy. David and his wife Amy have one adult son, Andrew.