Piedmont Education Foundation Receives $70k Grant from Dress Best for Less

PEF Holds May Meeting, Welcomes New and Thanks Outgoing Board Members

On Wednesday, May 21, the Piedmont Education Foundation (PEF) Board of Directors held their final board meeting of the 2024-25 fiscal year. In addition to reviewing financial statements and approving the executive slate, budget and grant distribution plans for 2025-26, the PEF Board was pleased to receive a check for $70,000 from Dress Best for Less (DBFL) brought by DBFL representative and PEF Board Member Nagisa Yamamoto. This is a 40% increase from last year’s grant.

The check was accepted by co-chairs Sara Davison DeVries and Dana Lung, and by executive director Heather Frank. “We value our relationship with Dress Best for Less,” says Frank, “Not only do they support the children of Piedmont in a myriad of ways, they provide a much needed upcycling service that helps reduce waste.”

After receiving the grant, the PEF Board went on to unanimously approve the slate of officers for next year’s board. Bridget Schreiber will be taking over from Sara Davison DeVries and Dana Lung as Board Chair, Marco Gonzalez Navarro will step in as Vice Chair, Julia Ruthven as Treasurer, Dana Murray as Communications, and Adam Fishman as Secretary. Davison Devries will remain on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair.

“I’m honored and humbled to step into the role of Chair of Piedmont Education Foundation,” says Schreiber,  “I’m deeply committed to our mission and I’m excited to build upon the strong partnerships with PUSD, the School Board and our community. And I’m incredibly grateful to work alongside a dedicated group of board members, staff and supporters. I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the year ahead. “

During the March meeting, after an intensive vetting and interview process, the PEF board voted to approve the nomination of four new board members. In May they welcomed Ayyana Chakravartula, Supina Mapon, Matt Olson, and Dan Saper. Chakravartula, a mechanical engineer, currently serves as head coach of the award-winning Piedmont Robotics Team. Mapon is a Healthcare Strategist who served as co-president of the Beach Parents Organization and is looking forward to strengthening bonds between parent organizations and PEF. Olson leads the compensation team at Databricks and wants to ensure that PUSD remains a role model for excellence. Saper, who builds software companies, enjoys serving as a certified substitute teacher for PE.

Rolling off the PEF board after years of selfless service are Pat Keller, Dana Lung, Chad Olcott and Tom Snyder. Tonya Antonucci is taking a leave of absence.