Governance
Golden Bridges School is independently incorporated and self-administered. The school is governed 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, pedagogy, 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 and supports the Leadership Council, College and Faculty in offering service, protection, and in holding the spiritual intentionality of the school mission. The Board meets regularly to discuss long-term planning, practical matters, budget review, and overall operations. 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.
2023-2024 Board of Trustees
Alia Al-Sharif
Alia co-leads Civic Edge Consulting, a strategic communications firm based in San Francisco. She is a communications and creative messaging whiz who manages complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives throughout the Bay Area. Alia has worked on numerous political campaigns and brings 15 years of coalition-building experience. She studied Public Affairs and Practical Politics as a graduate student at USF where she had the privilege of learning from some of the country’s most well-respected politicos. Alia enjoys exploring the Bay Area's beautiful open spaces and historic sites with her kindergartener and is involved in local organizations that promote access, equity, and thriving communities for all.
Kindra Briggs
Kindra Briggs is Junior/Senior Class 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.
Daniel Cesca
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 worked at 826 National and the SF Circus Center, focusing his career on supporting organizations in youth education and the arts. A Waldorf alum himself, he 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 GBS since 2015 when he and his wife moved to the Bay Area so she could join the school's faculty.
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Nicole Barnes
Nicole is a product marketing leader with over 15 years of experience. Most recently, she led marketing for a community-focused education startup. Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University. Driven by a passion for giving back to the community, she spent time volunteering with New Orleans youth programs pre- and post-Hurricane Katrina, and continues to volunteer with Bay Area literacy programs.
In 2020, Nicole took a career pause to focus on her family. Together, they love exploring new hiking trails, visiting the library, and discovering new recipes. An active participant in the GBS Family Collective, Nicole loves seeing how the magic of a Waldorf-inspired education translates into deep curiosity and wonder in her daughter. Kit Colbert
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.
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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Jess Buslach
GBS Preschool Teacher
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 School 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 and is wholly committed to helping the school evolve in holistic and sustainable ways.
Jessie Elliot
Director of Development
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 San Francisco Waldorf High School.
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