Board of Directors

The San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors consisting of dedicated parent and community volunteers.

We strongly believe that every child deserves the best education possible, and that educating the whole child is necessary for developing the next generation of future leaders and community members.

Upcoming Meetings

7:00 - 8:00pm unless otherwise noted

All meetings are currently being held virtually. If you are interested in attending, please email our Office Manager.

Tuesday, August 19th, 2025
Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 (in person)
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Thursday, June 11th, 2026 (in person)

Meet our Team

Executive Board Members

Christina Ogburn-Chow

PRESIDENT

Christina Ogburn-Chow joined the SMFCEF board in June 2021. She has a son who attends Audubon Elementary School in Foster City where she previously served as Treasurer of the PTA. Christina currently works with other nonprofits as well, and brings that experience and expertise to the SMFCEF board. Christina currently works as a technical program manager in Sales for Juniper Networks. She is responsible for managing multiple projects and activities to ensure that Juniper is able to meet the needs of their customers. Christina received her MBA from Santa Clara University and her B.A. from Auburn University.

Katherine Junus

TREASURER

Katherine Junus has lived in the Bay Area for over 10 years and joined the SMFCEF board in February 2023, currently serving as Treasurer. She is excited about efforts to help children receive equal access and opportunities to education. Through her personal upbringing and experiences, she believes that education is the key to unlocking individual and societal potential, change, and success. Kat graduated from UC San Diego with a B.S. in Management Science and Minors in Accounting and Music. She started her career at Deloitte in San Francisco as an auditor for a variety of emerging growth companies in the TMT sector. After a few years, she then joined Roblox, an San Mateo-based company, where she currently still works today as the Senior Director of Finance. She and her husband have recently welcomed their first child in 2023 and her hobbies include dog sports, hiking, and traveling.

Lauren Esposito Cummings

VICE PRESIDENT

Lauren Cummings has lived in San Mateo with her family for over 10 years, having grown up in New York. She and her husband have two children attending Baywood Elementary, with one to soon move up to Borel Middle School. Lauren joined the SMFCEF board in 2024 to take a more active role in supporting and advocating for the excellent public school system that exists in our area, recognizing what an important role it plays in the community. Lauren has worked in finance since receiving her BA from Colgate University in 2001. Over 15 years of her career were spent at Morgan Stanley in investment banking. She is now a Managing Director at Hellman & Friedman, a private equity firm with strong roots in San Francisco. In addition, she helped write the authorized biography of Warren Buffett, The Snowball, by Alice Schroeder. In her free time, she enjoys running and basically all athletic endeavors.

Markesha Tatum

SECRETARY

Markesha Tatum has dedicated the past 20 years to the San Mateo-Foster City School District, where they have served in various roles, including as a School Site Council member and a DELAC representative supporting literacy for all learners. With a deep passion for education, she has worked with individuals with special needs in both the public and private sectors, supporting both children and adults. Markesha made a career shift and became a preschool teacher and currently works as a K-12 Substitute Teacher across several districts in San Mateo County. In addition to teaching, Markesha works part-time at StreetCode Academy, where she teaches coding to kids and contribute to various community-based projects. Markesha’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in STEM, furthering their commitment to developing inclusive, engaging, and future-ready learning environments. Markesha is currently a parent at Parkside Montessori and has an older child who graduated from SMFCSD.

Directors

Amanda Landavazo

DIRECTOR

As Project Director at Benetech (an edtech nonprofit), Amanda Landavazo leads the Department of Education-funded Bookshare project, the world's largest accessible ebook library. With a strong background in education technology and direct student services, Amanda is also the connection between the Bookshare product and its educator and student users. Amanda’s experience includes fostering collaborative partnerships with state and local education agencies and national organizations, building virtual and in-person events, and UX research. Her focus is driving impactful initiatives that improve educational outcomes for all learners. Prior to Benetech, Amanda worked as an in-school social worker, in instructional design, and with edtech startups. She has a B.A. in Sociology from Purdue University and lives in San Mateo with her husband and toddler. Amanda is excited to take on work that improves opportunities for students in the district where her daughter will soon attend school and to become more connected to the community.

Dr. Marcella McCollum

DIRECTOR

Dr. Marcella Cardoza McCollum is a bilingual speech-language pathologist, undergraduate program coordinator, and assistant professor at San José State University. For over 20 years, Marcella has focused on equitable services for diverse populations by serving on committees, developing guidelines, providing workshops at the local, state, national, and international level, and mentoring students and professionals. A proud CSU graduate herself, she values the importance of public education, and strives to increase the diversity of the field of speech-language pathology, as well as ensuring the students at all levels have access to culturally sustaining and strong educational opportunities. She has worked in university clinics, hospitals, public schools, and private practice settings. Dr. McCollum has partnered with teachers, doctors, audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, and music therapists to support patients, clients, and students holistically. In her non-academic time, Marcella enjoys traveling with her family and reading by the pool.

Colleen Sullivan

DIRECTOR

Colleen Sullivan began working with the SMFCEF in December 2015, served as Board President from 2016 through 2021, and is currently a Director. She served on the San Mateo-Foster City School District Board of Directors from 2007-2015 (serving as President in 2011 and 2015). She has two children who attended Highlands and Borel and are currently in the working world pursuing their passions. While the kids were at Highlands, she served seven years on the Highlands PTA and coordinated the Art in Action program. She also volunteered at Borel and Lead. She is passionate about providing students with the best education possible and improving access to opportunities for all students. Colleen has a B.A. in Mathematics from Carleton College. She was born and raised on Oahu and moved to the mainland for college. She received her secondary teaching credential from the University of Michigan and moved to the Bay Area in 1988. She worked as an Actuary for Fireman’s Fund and Industrial Indemnity before joining GE Computer Leasing as a programmer.

Jenel Lim

DIRECTOR

Jenel Lim joined SMFCEF board in June 2022. She moved from San Diego to San Mateo in January 2018 with her husband and two young children. Their eldest son was halfway through his 1st grade year when they enrolled him at Laurel Elementary School. The Laurel community welcomed her son and entire family with open arms quickly making a strange place feel like home. Jenel joined Laurel’s PTA Board in the fall of 2019. Her eldest attends Abbott Middle School and her youngest is a student at Beresford. Jenel has a BA in psychology with a minor in neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside. While working as a neuroscience research associate at the University of California, San Diego, she went back to school and earned her masters degree in public health from San Diego State University. For over 15 years Jenel has worked as a public servant for county government helping communities address major public health issues such as childhood obesity, access to healthcare, food insecurity and homelessness. Raised with the value that education is the key that opens all doors, Jenel is excited to be working with the Education Foundation to help ensure every student in the San Mateo-Foster City School District has equitable access to a quality education that is provided in a safe, nurturing, and culturally inclusive environment that honors the whole child.

Jane Sreeram

DIRECTOR

Jane has lived in San Mateo since 2009 and joined the SMFCEF board of directors in June 2025. She has two children, one at North Shoreview Montessori and the other at George Hall Elementary. She is the former VP of Communications and is the incoming Secretary of the North Shoreview PTA. She is very active at both school sites as a room parent and regular classroom and campus volunteer. She is passionate about meeting the needs of neurodiverse children and supporting inclusion in our schools. Jane has a BA in Psychology from Vassar College and received her MSW from the University of Georgia. She worked for 10 years at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center in Foster City planning programs for older adults and overseeing the senior transportation program. She continues to do grant management contract work for the PJCC.

Marianne Wallace

DIRECTOR

Marianne Wallace has lived in Foster City since 2007 and joined the SMFCEF board of directors in September 2019. She has four children, two of whom attend Bowditch Middle school and two attend Audubon Elementary School. She is an active member of both Bowditch and Audubon PTA boards. Marianne is a former financial analyst and portfolio manager for a hedge fund in San Mateo. Prior to working at this hedge fund, she worked as a financial analyst at Franklin Templeton. Marianne is also a former executive board member of the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA, where she worked closely with the 49ers Foundation on their annual Bowl for Youth event. Marianne graduated from Villanova University with a B.S. in Psychology.

Ex-Officios

Diego Ochoa

EX-OFFICIO

Superintendent, SMFCSD

Superintendent Ochoa joined the district in July 2021. He has 22 years of educational experience as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, executive director, and superintendent. Superintendent Ochoa has a strong background in instruction, curriculum, special education, equity, student wellness, parent engagement, and building school facilities. In 2012, Superintendent Ochoa joined the Esparto Unified School District in the Sacramento area. He served as the Director of Special Education and Superintendent until 2018. In Esparto, he developed long range academic plans and oversaw the development of greatly expanded Advanced Placement programs. In the 2018–2019 school year, Superintendent Ochoa joined the Hollister School District (HSD). He led the district in developing quality special education services for children with autism. He oversaw major curricular adoptions and led a new early literacy small-group reading program. He also led efforts to coordinate new school configurations addressing struggles with overcrowded middle schools and a lack of classroom space at multiple sites. In 2021, Ochoa concluded the $52 million dollar campus built to serve up to 850 students. Prior to his work at HSD, Ochoa served as high school principal, assistant principal, and elementary school special education teacher. Ochoa received his Bachelor of Arts, Teaching Credential, and Master of Arts in Education from California State University San Marcos, and also holds a Special Education Teaching Credential. Active in community associations, he has served as President Elect of the San Benito County Educational Leaders Association (ACSA), member of San Benito County League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and board member for Capay Valley Vision. Diego and his wife Hallie are parents to five children.

Maggie Trinh

EX-OFFICIO

Trustee, SMFCSD

Maggie Trinh is the SMFC Board of Trustees appointed Ex-Officio board director for the school board term December 2023 - December 2024.

Cristal Fernandez

EX-OFFICIO

SMFCSD Athletics Director

Mayor of San Mateo

EX-OFFICIO

Mayor, City of San Mateo

Ryan Haven

EX-OFFICIO

Director of Administrative Services, SMFCSD

Larissa Kenny

EX-OFFICIO

SMETA Representative, SMFCSD

Mayor of Foster City

EX-OFFICIO

Mayor, City of Foster City

Staff

Karina Wilhelms

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Karina Wilhelms has been a SMFCSD parent since 2012 and is a proud advocate of public education. She joined the SMFCEF as Executive Director in November 2024. Karina has spent the last decade volunteering on numerous boards, including the Fiesta Gardens Homeowners Association, Fiesta Gardens International School PTA and Borel Middle School PTA, and the last two decades working in leadership development consulting. She has three sons who attend Fiesta Gardens International School, Borel Middle School, and Hillsdale High School. She grew up in Southern California, received a BA in English Literature at UC Berkeley, and has lived in San Mateo since 2009.

Karina is truly a relationship builder, team player, and someone who loves to do the hard work while having fun and building community. She believes strongly in equity in education and helping all children develop a love of learning. She is greatly inspired by the work SMFCSD and the Ed Foundation are engaged in and is thrilled to help champion this important work.

Kim Crellin

OFFICE MANAGER

Kim Crellin is the part-time office manager and bookkeeper for the Foundation. She was on the Board from 2012-2021, in various roles including Treasurer and Secretary. She has two children who attended Highlands and Bayside Academy.

Kim has a B.S. in chemistry from Duke, and a Masters in chemistry from Stanford. She was born in Canada, and raised in South Carolina by an Australian and a Yankee. Kim came to California in 1993 and fell in love with San Mateo and the Bay Area. After working as a medicinal chemist for many years, she started a family and began volunteering at her kids' schools. She likes to travel, read, ski and play tennis.

Advisory Board

Katie Boyd, Board member 2017-2021

Kim Crellin, Board member 2012-2021

Bob Hardy, Board member 2016-2022

John Pavolotsky, Board member 2017-2021

Dr. Joan Rosas, SMFCSD Superintendent 2015-2021

Diane Shew, Board member 2016-2022

Annie Tsai, Board member 2021-2024

Liz Yeager, Board member 2016-2020