Board of Trustees

Tiffany grew up in Holland, Michigan and went on to earn her master’s in education. Her many experiences in education and nonprofit management are an asset to Open Window. She was a founder for a charter school, teaching third grade; ran a foreign language enrichment program for young children; and studied social entrepreneurship and nonprofit management as part of her MBA. Tiffany is very involved with the Open Window community as an active volunteer, serving as Parent Association Co-President for the 2019-2020 schoolyear, chairing community building committees, and co-chairing the 2018 auction. With an OWS alum and current middle school student, the Bernals chose the school so that their children would have the opportunity to join a diverse community of eager learners led by caring, understanding teachers who could not only tailor academic instruction but also weave social-emotional learning throughout the curriculum. She is also an avid traveler and is multilingual, speaking Spanish fluently, as well as some French. 

Cydnie grew up in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles and currently serves as Chief Retail Officer for Habitat for Humanity King Kittitas Counties. At Open Window, she has volunteered in multiple roles from committee member for our Capital Campaign to Board Treasurer and Board President. The Horwats have two Open Window alumni. They chose Open Window because they felt, “The unique pairing of providing a challenge coupled (with) nurturing, including the deep SEL foundation, has provided our children with an amazing education and introduced us to parents who are now lifelong friends.” Cydnie loves to cook and was taught by Julia Child (on PBS), making her first chocolate soufflé at 9 years old. 

Liz grew up in the Seattle area and has continued to make the Pacific Northwest her home. She has spent much of her professional life in educational leadership, with the last 28 years as Head of School at Holy Names Academy. She also has a passion for STEM subjects and taught an advanced physics course for her entire administrative career. Liz has served on several school boards and boards for other professional organizations. She has one daughter who also lives in the Seattle area. Liz greatly appreciates the quality education provided to the students at Open Window School and notes, “Open Window produces well-rounded, confident, and articulate students who are ready for their next level of education and life.”

Tania grew up in Mexico City, where she spent her childhood through university (she studied computer science at the Tecnológico de Monterrey). In 2000 she moved to San Francisco to work for a US software company, and over the next 17 years had a successful career building large, globally distributed software organizations. In 2018 she retired to spend more time with her daughter Leila.

 

Tania and family moved to Washington in 2020. They feel fortunate to be part of the OWS community and enjoy supporting the school in whichever ways they can. Tania has served as PGA Vice President and is also an Auction co-chair this year. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies with family, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends. And while they really enjoy the PNW, they love visiting the warm Mexican beaches whenever they can! 

Elmar was born in Germany; grew up in South Africa; and has also lived in the US, Namibia, and Switzerland. He studied social anthropology, linguistics, and medicine and worked as a medical doctor, university lecturer, and in various roles in international development before becoming the Head of Assurance and Risk Management at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Vinh-Thomas family has two Open Window School alumnae. They chose Open Window for the “intentional balance between intellectual rigor, critical thinking and social-emotional learning.” Elmar is perplexingly proud of the Official Pretzel Twisters Certificate he was awarded by America’s Oldest Pretzel Bakery in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Vivien grew up in Hong Kong. Prior to her current position as the Chief Strategy Officer at Kohl’s, Vivien served as the General Manager, Venture at lululemon, and is currently a Board member at Jack in the Box. Vivien has an alum and current middle school student at Open Window. The Chung family chose Open Window for its focus on nurturing children’s love of learning through an integrated approach to education. Her favorite way to sweat is power vinyasa yoga.

Amber grew up in the greater Seattle area and earned a dual degree from UW in Business & English. With a corporate background in digital marketing, Amber currently co-manages a real estate investment fund and serves as the OWS PGA Co-President. Amber and her husband, Andrew, have two children. Evan, who is a sophomore at Issaquah High School and Nick, who is attending OWS as a seventh grader this year.  

 

They chose Open Window School because of the unique hands-on curriculum and learning opportunities, which allow students to think creatively; questioning the world around them in a supportive, encouraging environment.