The Sunstone board is a balanced partnership of ten dedicated members. Together, they work on meeting the pedagogical needs of the school while weighing the financial and practical aspects of staffing and the physical plant. The board also holds the mission of the school in trust, seeing that it stays true to its founding principles.
The board members are:
Cathy Newman, Head of School. Cathy explains the work and needs of the school to the board at its meetings. She provides the crucial link between the day-to-day operations of the school and the broader, longer-range vision of how the school needs to develop. Cathy has two daughters in Sunstone's elementary program.
Marie Bliven, Board President. Marie is a partner in the jewelry manufacturing business Joseph Brinton Designs. She has been an active volunteer at area Montessori schools for years, and she brings great organizational skills and a sympathetic heart to the board.
David Smith, Board Vice-President. David works for Centerstance, a regional IT consulting firm, where he solves clients' business problems with judicious use of computer technology. At Sunstone he has served as a combination of handyman, computer repairman, and network engineer. He has two children in the Children's House.
Chris Pellissier, Treasurer. Chris is the Controller of the Zidell Companies. She makes sure the board meets its financial responsibilities and keeps a close eye on the school's bookwork. Like others on the board, she is committed to finding practical solutions to emergent problems. Chris has a child in the elementary program.
Janet Bixby, Secretary. Janet is on the faculty in the Teacher Education department at Lewis and Clark College. Her cool, calm presence helps keep discussion focused on the board. Janet currently spearheads efforts towards unifying the two campus communities.
Karen Bettencourt. Karen is a CPA and a partner at Moss Adams, LLP. Karen supports the internal accounting function at Sunstone and has been important in building the school's budget model. Karen's considered analytical skills and business background have helped build the sound financial foundation Sunstone currently enjoys.
Josh Shulman. A current parent and a trial lawyer, Josh often identifies discrepancies that the rest of the board is not seeing. His respect and sensitivity for our community members are palpable and are deeply valued by the board. Josh has a son in the elementary program, and another on the way.
Jerry Elliott. Jerry is President of the law firm Elliott, Ostrander & Preston, P.C., where he assists clients primarily on business and real estate matters. Jerry leads the board in its efforts to secure and maintain excellent facilities, and helps guide the board towards a bold vision of what Sunstone can become. He has two children in the elementary.
Jordia Blumenstein. Jordia is a teacher and service-learning coordinator at Pacific Crest Community School, a private school serving grades 7-12 in northeast Portland. She brings her teacher's eye and her penchant for active community collaboration to the board.