WFIS Board and Staff
2017-2018 Board of Directors
Paul Bootsma
Superintendent, Lynden Christian School
Constituency: CSI
Region: Western Washington
Term Expires: 2020
Kristin Dixon
Superintendent, Archdiocese of Seattle
Constituency: Catholic
Region: Western Washington
Term Expires: 2020
Peter Fackenthall
Principal, Auburn Adventist Academy
Constituency: SDA
Region: Western WA
Term Expires: 2020
Sherrie Gibelyou
Administrator, Concordia Lutheran Schools
Constituency: LUTH
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2019
Brian Harris
Principal, Walla Walla Valley Academy
Constituency: SDA
Region: Eastern Washington
Term Expires: 2020
Barbara Hutton
Head of School, NOVA School
Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2020
Rivy Poupko Kletenik
Head of School, Seattle Hebrew School
Constituency: Jewish
Region: Western WA
Term Expires: 2020
Holly Leach
Superintendent, Northshore Christian Schools (WFIS Board Chair)
Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2018
Gracie Martinez
President PNMA, Three Tree Montessori School
Constituency: MONT
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2019
Cyndi Pollard
Principal, Evergreen Christian School
Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2020
Mike Prato
President, Kennedy Catholic High School
Constituency: CATH
Region: Western Washington
Term Expires: 2019 (2)
Patrick Russell
Principal, Mount Vernon Christian School
Constituency: CSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2020
Christian Sullivan
Head of School, Annie Wright Schools
Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2021
Jamie Tender
Head of School & Head of Advancement, Saint George’s School
Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2021
Eric Thuau
Head of School, French American School of Puget Sound
Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2019
open position
Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: open
Ex Officio Members
Chelle Downey-Magee
Director, Issaquah Montessori
Private Schools Representative
Early Learning Advisory Committee
Judy Jennings
State Board of Education
Private Schools Representative
Washington State Board of Education
Don Johnson
Superintendent, Cascade Christian Schools
Chair, Private School Advisory Committee
Jon Kellett
High School Principal, Life Christian Academy
Private Schools Representative
Washington Association of Secondary School Principals
Andrew Rauch
Facilities Manager, Epiphany School
School Safety Advisory Committee
Rick Skeen
Athletic Director, King’s Schools
Private Schools Representative
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
WFIS Staff
Suzie Hanson
Executive Director
Suzie Hanson joined WFIS in 2010 after being an active member for many years. She worked in private education for sixteen years as a teacher, an administrator, and an outreach coordinator. Suzie is driven by the belief that diversity in education is vital to the well-being of children, families and educators. She enjoys her work with schools throughout the State and in Olympia fighting for independence for our schools.
Sharon Ricci
Membership and Communications Manager
Sharon Ricci joined WFIS in 2015. She draws in participants from across the diverse educational community of WA State to build strong community relationships, establish new programming and collaborative opportunities, and cultivate clear communication for private school advocacy. She develops, maintains and promotes positive and professional outreach for WFIS to engage member schools, state agencies and ESD’s, sponsors, media and the general public.