Governance
Golden Bridges School is independently incorporated and self-administered. The school is governed as a legal and fiscal entity by the Board of Trustees. The Leadership Council (Administrative Director, Pedagogical Director and Chair of the College of Teachers) promotes, maintains, and facilitates harmonious workings within the bodies of the school by assuming authority and responsibility for the well being of the school, working with the social and spiritual ideals of Anthroposophy and working to uphold the social justice mission of the school. The College of Teachers (members of the Faculty) is responsible for supporting the school’s curriculum development, pedagogical policy, program administration, faculty hiring/interviewing, professional development, and student admissions, through the lens of Anthroposophy and anti-racism, in collaboration with the Pedagogical Chair. The Faculty carries the heart of the school, especially the cultural ethos, along with programming and curriculum mindful of selective collaboration with current educational trends. The faculty strives to make the spirit of Waldorf-inspired education relevant for modern times and our present cultural situation.. The Administration is responsible for finance, development, business matters, and communication. The Parent Body is responsible for attending all-school and class meetings and participation in committee and volunteer work.
The Board of Trustees carries the legal and fiduciary responsibility of the school. Equally, the mission of the Board is to support the Leadership Council, College and Faculty in offering service, protection, and holding the spiritual intentionality of the school mission. The Board meets regularly to discuss long-term planning, practical matters, budget review, and overall operation in relation to the mission of the school. The Board is composed of current parents, teachers, and friends of the school who have demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to the aims of Waldorf education and the founding mission of Golden Bridges School. For more current and detailed information about our board, please visit the website.
2022-2023 Board of Trustees
Alia Al-Sharif
Co-leads Civic Edge Consulting, a strategic communications firm based in San Francisco, CA. She is a communications and creative messaging whiz who manages complex, multi-stakeholder campaigns and initiatives throughout the Bay Area. She consistently thinks outside of the box and utilizes field best practices – while applying a flair all her own – to excel at meeting her clients’ most challenging endeavors. Alia has worked on numerous political campaigns and brings 15 years of coalition-building experience to Civic Edge. She studied Public Affairs and Practical Politics as a graduate student at the University of San Francisco where she had the privilege of being taught by some of the country’s most well-respected politicos. In her spare time, Alia enjoys exploring the Bay Area's beautiful open spaces and historic sites with her preschooler and is actively involved in local organizations that promote access, equity, and thriving communities for all.
Daniel Cesca
Board Treasurer - GBS Parent
Daniel is the Director of Finance and HR at America Scores Bay Area, a nonprofit that provides a unique mix of soccer, poetry, and service learning to under-resourced youth in the region. He has also worked at 826 National and the San Francisco Circus Center, focusing his career on supporting organizations in youth education and the arts. A Waldorf alum himself, he attended Waldorf schools in both Oregon and California from preschool through high school, and holds an MFA from the University of Iowa, Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He is excited to support GBS and is a strong believer that Waldorf education helps ignite a lifelong passion for learning, creative exploration, and appreciation of the natural world. He has been connected to Golden Bridges since 2015 when he and his wife moved to the Bay Area so she could join the school's faculty. They have two children and their son now attends Dandelion Preschool. Maria Hutchins
Maria came to Waldorf Education as a student in Susan Howard's kindergarten class at the Lexington Waldorf School. Recognizing the positive impact of that experience, she became a teacher herself and has taught in a number of small independent schools. Maria holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Evergreen State College and a MS in Environmental Education from Antioch University New England. With a rural upbringing and her background in Outdoor Education & school gardens, Maria particularly loves the GBS farm. A professional potter who has worked and taught in studios from Vermont to Colorado, Maria now has a studio in her San Francisco home where she lives with her husband and young daughter.
Vanessa Ginzton
GBS Parent
Vanessa is a multi-skilled member of the GBS community helping with everything from development on the GBS Board, co-hosting fundraiser auctions, to sewing crayon cases. She has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA and worked in the tech industry for over a decade. She is a strong believer in Waldorf education and the Golden Bridges School mission to teach the whole child, and believes that discovery and love of art, science and even technology can result in a beautiful and ultimately fulfilling life. Currently she is finding joy in learning guitar, reigniting her first love (dance), and learning about anthroposophy. She has 2 children attending Golden Bridges.
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Kindra Briggs
GBS Parent
Linkedin profile Kindra Briggs is currently Junior/Senior Dean at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. An experienced educator, leader, and advocate for school equity practices, Kindra has taught in the Bay Area for 20 years. Before landing in San Francisco, she taught abroad in Thailand and Korea. With a graduate degree in literature, stories are central to how Kindra builds relationships and community in schools and beyond. The opportunity to support child centered Waldorf inspired education at Golden Bridges brings Kindra deep satisfaction and joy- which she sees daily with her own child who is in the upper grades program.
Kit Colbert
Board President - GBS Parent
Linkedin profile Kit Colbert is President of the Golden Bridges School Board of Trustees. He has two children at Golden Bridges School and is a founding parent of the school, with his eldest daughter having been in the inaugural class. In his day job, Kit is the Chief Technology Officer for VMware, driving technology strategy, innovation, and platform engineering. Kit has served on the board since 2019.
Arjun Kulothungun
GBS Parent
Arjun Kulothungun leads data and engineering teams at LinkedIn, and brings many years of customer and analytical experience to the board. He has a deep appreciation for Waldorf's philosophy of instilling moral purpose, creativity, and intellectual abilities in children. He is excited to help realize the school’s mission, and has been with the Board since 2020. |
Jess Buslach
Faculty Representative
Jess Buslach was born and raised outside of Seattle. After becoming a mother to Maia, a current 4th grader at GBS, Jess was inspired to learn more about Waldorf Education. She began working in preschools and then started her own home daycare Inspired by Waldorf and RIE philosophies. In 2018 Jess joined the Golden Bridges aftercare team and volunteered at Dandelion Preschool. She quickly knew it was her place in the world and began Waldorf teacher training. She is one of our preschool teachers at GBS. Jess joined the board this year as the faculty representative. She is committed to helping the school evolve in holistic and sustainable ways. Jessie Elliot
Founder Representative
Jessie is a Waldorf-Trained Teacher and professional administrator who brings a passion for weaving practicality and spirituality into every facet of the school life. As a founder, Jessie has participated in the development of the administrative and governing bodies of the school. Jessie has one child at Golden Bridges School and one child at the SF Waldorf High School.
Kim Pendleton
Interim Administrative Director
Linkedin profile Kim has been working with Golden Bridges during the 21/22 school year as a consultant, helping us with our strategic planning, administrative restructuring, governance support, and more. She comes to us with 18 years in Waldorf school administration and governance, having served schools in the US and abroad as an Administrative Director and Consultant, Interim Head of School, AWSNA Accreditation leader, and Regional Northern California ANA Rep to AWSNA. Kim will serve as an interim AD while recruiting and setting the stage for our next permanent AD.
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