Welcome to new Mount Madonna School (MMS) Board of Directors members, parent Austin Shaw and eleventh grade student Ruby Bracher. The Board is responsible for the organizational health and well-being of the school, with responsibilities carried out in collaboration with the Executive Council.
These responsibilities involve strategy related to the long-term sustainability of the school, advocacy and outreach, development and fundraising, financial oversight, leadership development and personal commitment.
“I am delighted that Austin and Ruby have agreed to serve on our Board,” said MMS Head of School Mary Supriya McDonald. “Austin’s background in finance will add a broader perspective to our financial planning. I’m glad Ruby’s decided to return to Mount Madonna; student representation is important, and I look forward to the observations and contributions she will bring to our discussions.”
Shaw began his career with Wall Street firms Merrill Lynch and UBS and brings more than 20 years of experience in finance. An original employee of the Gerson Lehman Group, Shaw has worked for the past 15 years to help grow that company to its current global position. He co-founded and was the CEO of Wise Devices, a software development firm that developed an app to help parents manage their children’s screen time.
His association with MMS began when his two children, Taylor, sixth, and Logan, fifth, enrolled at MMS as Pre/K students. His wife Sandy, a professional artist, previously taught middle school visual art at MMS, and was part of the new gym Major Gifts Committee. Shaw coaches his son’s soccer team, enjoys surfing, mountain biking and all things outdoors. He is also a singer, songwriter and producer who released his first album last year.
“I’m honored to join the Board,” commented Shaw. “This opportunity will help me become more integrated into my children’s school community. I believe that my past work experience has given me the tools to problem solve, come up with solutions, and leverage my personal network to help further the school’s mission. I feel blessed that my children have such an amazing school community to go to everyday, and will do all I can to help the school thrive and prosper in the years ahead.”
Bracher first came to MMS in 2012 as a seventh grade student. She attended for three years, and then changed schools for her sophomore year.
“I decided to return to Mount Madonna this year because of the unique opportunities it provides, such as the Values in World Thought program and the learning journeys,” shared Bracher. “Mount Madonna School’s focus on global citizenship and creativity is particularly appealing to me. I volunteered to serve as a student representative to the Board primarily because I am curious about how the School Board functions, as well as how the decisions it makes affect the school.”
Mount Madonna School’s current Board of Directors are: Supriya McDonald (Ramesh, ’99, PK, ’04), Ward “SN” Mailliard, Sarojani Rohan (Dov, ’01), Jivanti Rutansky, Sarada Diffenbaugh (Noah, ’92, PK, ’95), Rajendra Bingham, Laurie Getz (Mara, ’10, and Jake, ’13), Emma Petersen (’11), Jenni Leach (Denali, 7th), Haley Campbell (’02), Christine Smith (Caroline, 12th, Cavan, 4th), Beth Brennan (Noah, 10th, Kira, 8th, Sam 6th), Carson Kelly (Zoe, ’15, Indigo, 11th and Cecily, 6th), Letty Bess (Chelsea, ’11, Courtney, ’12, Cameron, ’16), Forrest Cambell (Savannah, 8th, Bella, 6th), senior Nate Vince, Austin Shaw, and member-in-training, Ruby Bracher.
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Director of Marketing and Communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 mountaintop acres, Mount Madonna is a safe and nurturing college-preparatory school that supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.
