WFIS Board and Staff

Board of Directors | Ex Officio Members | WFIS Staff

2024-2025 Board of Directors

Aimee Allen

Head of School, Harbor Montessori School

Constituency: MONT
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2028

Patrick Carruth

Headmaster, The Bear Creek School

Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
2nd Term Expires: 2026

Kathleen Conklin

Principal, Assumption-St. Bridget School

Constituency: CATH
Region: Western WA
Term Expires: 2028

Jeffrey Droog

Superintendent, Lynden Christian School

Constituency: CSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2026

Angela Flores, Board Chair

Principal, Evergreen Christian School

Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
2nd Term Expires: 2026

Stephanie Gates

Principal, Cascade Christian Academy

Constituency: SDA
Region: Upper Columbia
Term Expires: 2026

Roger Gerstenberger

Head of School, Northwest Christian Schools

Constituency: CSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2027

Anjanette Gonzales

Head of School, Seattle Area German American School (SAGA)

Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2027

Peter Martin

Principal, Zion Lutheran School

Constituency: LUTH
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2028

Craig Mattson

Principal, Northwest Christian School

Constituency: SDA
Region: Western WA
Term Expires: 2026

Chad McNatt

Superintendent, Seattle Christian School

Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2027

Ray Wilson

Head of School, The Northwest School

Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2027

David Zimand

Head of School, Seattle Jewish Community School

Constituency: Jewish
Region: Western WA
2nd Term Expires: 2028

OPEN

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Term Expires:

OPEN

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Private School Reps

Jan Brown

State Board of Education

Private Schools Representative
Washington State Board of Education

Debbie Schindler

Superintendent, Pacific Christian Academy

Chair, Private School Advisory Committee

Mark DeJonge

Director of Athletics, Bellevue Christian School

Private Schools Representative
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

Mike Patello

Facilities and Maintenance Manager, Christ the King School

OSPI School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee

Jen Sandvig

Childcare Director at Sagebrush Montessori

Private Schools Representative
Early Learning Advisory Council – DCYF

David Mayer

Director of Early Childhood Education, Office of Catholic Schools, Seattle Archdiocese

Private Schools Representative
Fair Start for Children Subcommittee

Dee Hirsch

Head of School, Discovery Montessori School

Private Schools Representative
Provider Supports Subcommittee – DCYF

WFIS Staff

Suzie Hanson

Executive Director

Suzie Hanson has been the Executive Director of WFIS since 2010, where she is a tireless advocate for the interests of Washington’s private schools. Suzie works closely with the State Board of Education (SBE), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and state legislators to ensure that private schools’ perspectives are included in policy-making processes that impact independent education.

Her deep understanding of private education, gained from over sixteen years as a teacher, administrator, and outreach coordinator, informs her leadership and advocacy efforts. Suzie is passionate about safeguarding the independence of private schools and promoting diversity in education, believing it is essential for the well-being of students, families, and educators. She engages with education leaders statewide and in Olympia to protect independent school autonomy and enhance educational opportunities for all children.

Sharon Ricci

Community Relations Director

Sharon Ricci advances Washington State’s diverse educational landscape by serving as a key liaison between private K-12 schools, state agencies, sponsors, and the public. As Community Relations Director for WFIS, she leads efforts to strengthen communication and collaboration between private schools and external stakeholders, aligning shared priorities to ensure student success across the state.

Sharon manages relationships with the nine regional ESDs and is a central point of contact for local health jurisdictions, addressing health-related matters for private schools. Additionally, she coordinates private school representation on Professional Educator Advisory Boards, ensuring private school educators are actively involved in state education policy discussions. Through her role, Sharon cultivates partnerships, promotes private education, and advocates for the needs of Washington’s diverse student population.