Celebrating the Heart & Soul of PEF: Meet Our Fantastic Board Members

At the Petaluma Education Foundation (PEF), we believe that real change in education is built on the commitment of those who give their time, talents, and hearts to our mission.

Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated board members. Each one of them volunteers their expertise, their energy, and their local know-how to ensure that every student in Petaluma—no matter their school—has access to the best learning opportunities possible.

Our board members embody the spirit of community that makes Petaluma special. Their service is a powerful testament to the belief that when we work together, we can truly fund the future of education.

What Our Board Members Do All Year Long

PEF’s board of directors is a “working board”, which means they are involved in a variety of activities supporting our efforts to grow the impact of our programs and share news about our activities in the community. PEF board members do far more than attend meetings. They roll up their sleeves and get deeply involved in the work that powers our mission. Throughout the year, our board:

  • Connects with our sponsors and annual partners: building relationships that sustain and grow our ability to serve students.

  • Members sit on at least one PEF committee, helping to supporting the function of the foundation and awarding grants and scholarships.

  • Joins the PEF Bus Tour: seeing Impact Grants in action at local schools and witnessing firsthand how donor dollars are transforming classrooms.

  • Plans Lunch & Learns for our community: inviting local leaders, educators, and supporters to connect and learn more about education in Petaluma.

  • Coordinates educational events and resources for parents, because we know empowered parents make for empowered students.

  • Organizes our flagship event, the Annual BASH gala: our largest annual fundraiser to support our Fund the Future Impact Grants across Petaluma schools.

Their leadership is essential to every scholarship awarded, every Impact Grant funded, and every innovative program we support in our 35 local schools.

Meet the PEF Board of Directors

Our board members represent a cross-section of Petaluma’s industries and civic life. From banking and law to real estate and nonprofit leadership, they bring expertise, networks, and a shared commitment to educational excellence.

Here’s the current roster of our board members, all of whom live in or around Petaluma, and who bring a wealth of experience from diverse careers in our region.

Meet PEF's Leadership


The Leadership Team

These are PEF’s core staff members who manage day-to-day operations:

  • Maureen Highland: Executive Director

  • Katy Verke : Program Director

  • Sharon Kimball : Accounting Manager

  • Colleen Reitzel : Alphabet Soup Store Manager

Meet the PEF Board


Officers

Our board’s officers provide strategic leadership and governance:

  • Craig Walker: President

  • Rebecca Celli: Vice President

  • Joanie Benedetti Claussen: Vice President

  • Neal Reardon: Secretary

  • Tim McGaughey: Treasurer

  • Debra Dow: Past President

Board Members

These community leaders support PEF’s mission and initiatives:

  • Daniele Tarantino Bugbee

  • Chad Fillinger

  • Kalli Fishman

  • Karen Gettman

  • Teresa Hatcher

  • Melinda Hepp

  • Cristina Hess

  • Carol Isaak

  • Rebecca Kagin

  • Anusuya Mokashi, MD

  • Melissa Morelli

  • Marilyn Quinlan

  • Michael Regan

  • Kimberly Strickland

  • Breanne Sturdevant

  • Susan Takami

Ex‑Officio Members

These educational leaders serve as non-voting, ex-officio participants on the board:

  • Tony Greco: Principal, St. Vincent de Paul College Prep

  • Mike Gardner: Superintendent, Waugh Elementary School District

  • Cindy Friberg: Co‑Superintendent, Old Adobe Union School District

  • Michele Gochberg: Co‑Superintendent, Old Adobe Union School District

  • Matthew Harris: Superintendent, Petaluma City School District

  • Matthew Long: Executive Dean (Petaluma Campus), Santa Rosa Junior College


Join Our Board! We're always looking for volunteers


Want to Make an Impact? Join Our Board!

Serving on the PEF Board is about so much more than governance. It’s a chance to join a team of passionate local leaders dedicated to shaping the future of Petaluma’s schools.

As a board member, you’ll:

  • Strengthen your connections in the community

  • See the impact of your efforts firsthand

  • Lend your skills to initiatives that directly support students and teachers

  • Help ensure every child in Petaluma has access to inspiring, equitable education

If you’re ready to get involved, learn more about board service, or nominate someone you think would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Contact us at info@pefinfo.com to start the conversation. Together, let’s fund the future of Petaluma’s students!