Advisory Board members play a critical role in the allocation of A to Z Fund mini-grants, which support teacher-led enrichment initiatives and professional development opportunities. In addition, they bring their collective expertise and passion to help guide the development of community-based resources that strengthen Oakland public schools through volunteer support, fundraising, thought-partnership, and network-building
This summer, we are thrilled to expand our Advisory Board with several new members. We are sincerely grateful for the time, dedication, and leadership they bring to the Ed Fund and to the broader mission of supporting Oakland students so they learn, grow, and thrive.
Ryder da Silva is a Financial Analyst with experience helping organizations optimize their financial resources. He aims to bring these skills and his strong background in community engagement and fundraising to his work supporting the Ed Fund and schools across Oakland.
Maya Guzdar, most recently an officer in the U.S. State Department, is a co-founder of Piedmont for Oakland Public Schools (POPS)—a youth-led initiative raising funds for and partnering with Black-led, Oakland-based organizations advancing educational justice. She brings this experience, a background in community-based research, and a commitment to equity to her role on the Advisory Board.
James (Jim) Honan, Senior Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, brings decades of experience in educational leadership, nonprofit management, and board governance to his role on the Advisory Board. He aims to leverage his local, national, and international network in the education, government, and nonprofit/NGO domains to help steer the next chapter of the Advisory Board and advance the Ed Fund’s mission.
Karissa Hurzeler, a Collections Information Specialist at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, is passionate about increasing public access to art, history, and culture. Her role on the Advisory Board will allow her to bring her unique perspective in support of educational outcomes for students in her community.
Matt Mani, Principal at Mani Law Office, brings a passion for literacy, critical thinking, and supporting educators to his role on the Advisory Board. Through his experience raising three of his children and serving on the board of his children’s school for three years, he has seen firsthand the value that education has on young minds.
Abby Matthews is an education professional with a deep-seated commitment to educational excellence and equity. She is currently the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Lowell High School and a College Lecturer at San Jose State University. She has worked in a variety of roles supporting teacher and curriculum development, including at Oakland Unified School District schools.
Jennifer Nguyen is the Director of Postsecondary Success at the Stupski Foundation, where she leads the Foundation’s grantmaking strategies to close equity gaps for students in the Bay Area and Hawaiʻi. Her background in education and experience in philanthropy inform her writing, where she advocates for changing philanthropic norms in the service of students, educators, and school communities.
They join Community Advisory Board members Anne Busacca-Ryan, U.S. Department of Education; Grant Commodore, Google; Sam Finn, California Newcomer Network; Aubrey Green, University of California, Berkeley; Seppo Helava; Riza Hernandez, EntreFolio; Molly Lorenz, Advisory Board Co-Chair; Christina Macalino, EMPower Educational Consulting, LLC; Michael McGuirk, Civic Edge Consulting and Advisory Board Co-Chair; Zury Molina, Fennemore; Caleb Ren, IXL Learning; Roxana Rodriguez, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; Audrey Ronningen; Heer Shaikh, A Moment of You, Amoofy; Andre Sternberg, The Worker Agency; Gina Tomlinson, T5 Solutions Technology Consulting Services; Cristina “Tina from the Town” Tostado, Costco Wholesale; and Kathy Yu, Pixar.
Interested in learning more and joining the Advisory Board? Apply here.