WFIS Board and Staff
2023-2024 Board of Directors
Aimee Allen
Head of School, Harbor Montessori School
Constituency: MONT
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2025
Patrick Carruth
President & Headmaster, The Bear Creek School
Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2023
Jeff Droog
Superintendent, Mount Vernon Christian School
Constituency: CSI
Region: Western WA
Term Expires: 2026
Angela Flores
Principal, Evergreen Christian School
Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
2nd Term Expires: 2026
Stephanie Gates
Principal, Cascade Christian Academy
Constituency: SDA
Region: Eastern WA
Term Expires: 2026
Connor Geraghty
Assistant Superintendent for Mission & Catholic Identity, Seattle Archdiocese
Constituency: CATH
Region: Statewide
2nd Term Expires: 2025
Erin Hart
Superintendent, Three Rivers Christian Schools
Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
2nd Term Expires: 2025
Ron Jacaban
Associate Superintendent, Washington Conference, SDA
Constituency: SDA
Region: Western WA
Term Expires: 2026
Kristen Okabayashi
Principal, Hope Lutheran School
Constituency: LUTH
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2026
TJ Romano
Principal at Assumption Parish Catholic School
Constituency: CATH
Region: Eastern WA
Term Expires: 2025
Cecil Swetland
Senior Director, Western Division ACSI
Constituency: ACSI
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2025
Jamie Tender
Head of School, Saint George’s School (WFIS Board Chair)
Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
2nd Term Expires: 2024
David Zimand
Head of School, Seattle Jewish Community School
Constituency: Jewish
Region: Western WA
Term Expires: 2025
OPEN
Constituency:
Region:
Term Expires:
OPEN
Constituency:
Region:
Term Expires:
OPEN
NWAIS
Constituency: NWAIS
Region: Statewide
Term Expires: 2026
Ex Officio Members
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
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
Open
High School Principal
Private Schools Representative
Washington Association of Secondary School Principals
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 supports inquiries from private K12 schools, state agencies, sponsors, media, and families to advance Washington State’s diverse educational landscape and shared priorities of success for every student. She serves as the private schools’ liaison with the nine regional ESDs, point of contact for local health jurisdictions, and appointing agent for private school educators on Professional Educator Advisory Boards.