About

Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

Open Window School is a Washington non-profit, section 501 (c) (3) corporation. A self-perpetuating Board of Trustees governs the school and holds it “in trust” for future generations of students.

The Open Window Board of Trustees is composed of current and alumni parents and professionals from the education and business communities. Trustees serve as volunteers and are committed to fulfilling the school's mission and the long-term sustainability of the school. The Head of School and the Parents & Guardians Association President(s) are ex-officio, non-voting, members of the board.

Partnering closely with the Head of School, the board sets long-range policies to fulfill the mission of the school and lead it successfully into the future. The Head of School is the board’s only employee. The Head of School controls all of the operational and educational affairs of the school, administers policies, hires, evaluates and dismisses all school employees, and guides the day-to-day operation of the school.
 
Selection of trustees is a multi-step process that is led by the board's Governance Committee, which evaluates the professional and personal skills that are needed on the board to best serve the school. Potential trustees must be voted in by a two-thirds majority of the current board. Trustee terms are three-year commitments and trustees may be re-elected for one additional term.

Board Committees

List of 5 items.

  • Executive

    The Executive Committee facilitates effective Board meetings, advises and evaluates the Head of School, and oversees legal, corporate, regulatory and governance issues on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
  • Advancement

    The Advancement Committee works in conjunction with the Director of Institutional Advancement and Strategy to develop financial resources other than tuition to fulfill the mission of the school.  The committee champions and exercises oversight over all forms of school fundraising, including the Open Window Fund, auction, and capital campaigns.
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

    Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee recommends strategies, policies, and practices that further the school’s Diversity Commitment.
  • Finance

    The Finance Committee supports the Board of Trustees in its’ fiduciary responsibilities, including state, federal, and banking regulatory compliance, and internal control oversight. Working in conjunction with the Director of Finance & Operations, the committee reviews, recommends, and monitors the annual audit; annual and five-year budgets; provides cash, investment, and asset oversight; and monitors the annual business office compliance calendar.
  • Governance

    The Governance Committee reviews the school's strategic goals and plans to identify the skills, experiences, and relationships required by the Board in the present and in the future.  The committee nominates candidates for the Board and recommends members of Board committees. The committee also leads an annual process of Board review and advises the Board on issues of governance and recommends policies and practices to strengthen the good work of the Board.

2024-2025 Board of Trustees

President
William Kennedy
Vice President Julie Cheng Bui
Secretary Owen Paulus
Treasurer
Priyanka Chopra
Members
Cydnie Horwat
Bobby Huang
Sage Khanuja
Al Morasch
Dena Saunders
Liz Swift
Marcus Russell
Tania Valdes
Vivien Yeung
Michael Crowson, Honorary Trustee
Nancy Robinson, Honorary Trustee
Ex-Officio Members    
Elaine Christensen, Head of School 
Jane Lauckner, PGA Co-President
Kaitlyn Tamulonis, PGA Co-President
Members of the Board of Trustees sign an annual commitment, reinforcing ethical practices and the governance role of the board.

Bios

List of 16 items.

  • William Kennedy, President

    William grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. His career as a software development engineer led him to Microsoft Corporation where he held positions as General Manager and Corporate Vice President. William has helped Open Window through many phases of growth from strategic planning to capital campaigns. He is also an active board member for many other organizations. The Kennedys have two sons, both alumni of Open Window School. They chose the school because they felt it was a great education and environment for their kids. William loves photography.
  • Julie Cheng Bui, Vice President

    Julie grew up in San Francisco, CA, and has been a PNW resident for over a decade. Her professional background includes event planning, project management, and online marketing with various organizations, including Stanford University and Amazon. She has a lifelong passion for philanthropy and service, and previously served on the Bellevue LifeSpring Board of Directors for two terms. At Open Window School, Julie has enjoyed volunteering in many capacities, including as the Parent/Guardian Association VP, co-chair of the annual campaign, for the auction, and in the library. She currently serves as co-chair of the school’s capital campaign. The Buis love Open Window School because of its mission to nurture the whole child (head + heart), and the compassionate, inspiring teachers who amplify their kids’ love of learning every day. 
  • Owen Paulus, Secretary

    Owen joined the board in 2022, and chairs the Advancement committee as well as contributing the Facilities and Campaign committees. He grew up in Maryland, attended Purdue University in Indiana, and then landed on the west coast where he spent 25 years working on software—ranging across Automotive, Media Center, Xbox, Photos, Video Editing, Streaming, and AI. He enjoys skiing, snowboarding, biking, running, and all things outside. Owen and his wife Polita have two middle schoolers at Open Window School. They chose Open Window because it provided the challenge and social emotional learning their daughters craved. He feels strongly that “Open Window creates complete leaders, nurturing the head and heart while understanding the needs of gifted kids.”
  • Priyanka Chopra

    Priyanka Chopra joined the Board in 2024. She is currently CFO at Prosus Ventures, which invests in technology companies worldwide. She previously held deal making roles in technology investment banking and private equity, as well as finance roles in technology startups. She lives in Washington with her husband and son.
  • Cydnie Horwat

    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. 
  • Bobby Huang

    Bobby grew up in Taiwan and has lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 20 years. He is a managing director at Deloitte & Touche, working with investment management, life sciences, and technology companies. Bobby is passionate about the mission of Open Window School and the unique experience it offers for the children. He enjoys volunteering at the school, with Pizza Fridays and Field Day being two of his favorite activities.
  • Sage Khanuja

    Sage grew up in Seattle. He is a technology entrepreneur who previously co-founded Spira, a healthtech company that was acquired in 2021. Before that, Sage worked at several early-stage software companies as an engineer. Sage graduated from Open Window in 2017. In his free time, Sage loves playing tennis and golf.
  • Al Morasch

    Al Morasch, a retired educator with over 35 years in public education, served in the Shoreline School District as an elementary teacher (K-6) and district administrator, where he created programs for teaching, learning, and educational technology. He played a key role in passing a $33 million bond for instructional technology and led the modernization of all district schools. After retiring, Al consulted with the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to assess state learning standards and supported the National Board Certification for teachers. He also worked at Seattle University, creating innovative teaching certification and support programs for new educators.

    Al holds graduate degrees in Teaching and Learning and School Administration from the University of Washington. As a parent of a fourth grader at Open Window School, Al values the school’s holistic approach, integrated learning, and emphasis on social-emotional development. A passionate traveler, he has explored over 30 cultures since retiring.
  • Dena Saunders

  • Liz Swift

    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.”
  • Marcus Russell

    Marcus grew up in Southfield, MI, in the metro Detroit area, where he learned and experienced the value of passionate educators and enriching experiences in schools. He later earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. Marcus journeyed to the Pacific Northwest to begin a career in software engineering in 2003. Marcus and his wife, Melissa, chose Open Window School for their children together to challenge, grow, and nurture them as learners and citizens. He has enjoyed the privilege of serving on several committees at Open Window School, including the Field Day, Governance, and DEIB committees.
  • Tania Valdes

    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! 
  • Vivien Yeung

    Vivien grew up in Hong Kong and attended school in the United Kingdom and the United States. Prior to her current role as an executive mentor with the EXCO Group, she served as Chief Strategy Officer in retail companies, including Lululemon and Kohl’s Department Stores. Vivien currently serves on the Board of Jack in the Box. 

    She has an alum and current middle school student at Open Window School. The Chung family chose Open Window for its amazing teachers and its integrated, hands-on approach to education. Her favorite way to sweat is hot power yoga.
  • Elaine Christensen, Head of School

    Read the Message from the Head of School to learn more.
  • Jane Lauckner, PGA Co-President

    Jane grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to the USA for college. She has a PhD in Neurobiology and Behavior and is currently the Executive Director of an academic nonprofit. She has 2 children at Open Window School and an elder daughter in high school.
     
    Jane and her family value the welcoming and nurturing community at Open Window School. She enjoys supporting the school by volunteering on the PGA. In their free time, Jane's family enjoys traveling, hiking, seeing plays, and soaking up the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
  • Kaitlyn Tamulonis, PGA Co-President

    Kaitlyn grew up in Reno, Nevada and moved to Seattle over 10 years ago.  In her career before having her own children, she worked as a school psychologist in local schools to ensure that all students were able to access education.  Currently, Kaitlyn continues to support vulnerable youth through her work on a board dedicated to funding and advocating for programs and policy aimed at creating better futures for foster youth.   Kaitlyn is the proud mom to Julia (3rd) and Brookie (1st). She has volunteered in various capacities at OWS but her favorite role is planning the grade level parties. The Tamulonis family chose Open Window School for its focus on developing and nurturing the whole child. When not at school you can find their family, hiking up mountains, skiing down them, or huddled around a board game together.
Open Window School provides a challenging academic curriculum blended with nurturing support from teachers that prepares students for long-term success.