MEET OUR TEAM

SchoolsRule–Marin is guided by a collaborative leadership team made up of 17 school district foundation leaders from across Marin County.

Our work is further strengthened by a dedicated Donor Advisory Board, and we are proud to operate with the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) as our fiscal sponsor.

FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

Melinda MacKaben

Executive Director

Melinda began with SchoolsRule–Marin as Director of Operations in March 2023 and now serves as the Executive Director, leading the organization’s mission to support equitable educational opportunities for every public school student in Marin County. She is a past PTO President at Coleman Elementary School, currently serves as Co-VP of Events at Coleman, and is a member of the San Rafael Superintendent Parent Council. Melinda also serves on the Board of HeadsUp San Rafael and is the parent of two children in the San Rafael City Schools.

Michelene Moayedi

Vice President

Michelene is the Executive Director of HeadsUp San Rafael Public School Foundation and serves on the San Rafael City Schools Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. A past Davidson Middle School PTA Vice President and Coleman PTO President, she is also a Practitioner Coach for Marin Leadership for Equity and Opportunity. Michelene is the parent of two children who currently attend or have graduated from San Rafael City Schools.

Laura Trahan

MCOE Staff advisor

Laura serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Education Services for the Marin County Office of Education, bringing over 25 years of experience across special and general education. She is known for building strong partnerships with Marin County’s 18 school districts and providing leadership that supports effective teaching and learning. Laura’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, ensuring all students, especially those with the greatest needs, have access to the support and opportunities they deserve.

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Naomi Engelman

Operations Manager

Naomi joined SchoolsRule–Marin in December 2024 and serves as the organization’s Operations Manager, bringing a wealth of experience in talent development and leadership. She previously spent over 10 years as a Director of Talent for a national recruiting firm. Naomi is also the parent of one child, a future Marin public school student.

susan mathews

Treasurer

Susan is the Founder and Executive Director of School Fuel, the Novato Foundation for Public Education. She has previously served as a PTA leader in Novato and was a public member of the Marin Independent Journal Editorial Board. Susan is also the parent of three children who have graduated from Novato Public Schools.

FOUNDING TEAM

Trisha garlock

Co-Founder

Trisha was a visionary leader and lifelong advocate for equitable public education in Marin County. In 1981, she co-founded Kiddo!, a grassroots nonprofit that has become a vital supporter of arts and enrichment programs in Mill Valley public schools, reflecting her deep belief in the transformative power of the arts.

Trisha’s commitment to equity eventually led her to help launch SchoolsRule-Marin, a countywide coalition of public school foundations dedicated to ensuring all students have access to high-quality educational opportunities in arts, literacy, technology, and health. Throughout her career, Trisha’s leadership, collaboration, and passion for community-driven support helped shape and strengthen public education across Marin County.

Mary Jane Burke

Co-Founder

Mary Jane Burke is a respected community leader and cofounder of SchoolsRule-Marin, dedicated to advancing equity and excellence in public education. During her historic 28-year tenure as Marin County’s elected Superintendent of Schools, she brought people together to tackle complex challenges, champion racial equality, and expand access to quality education for the county’s most marginalized students.

As superintendent, Mary Jane oversaw 19 public school districts serving more than 40,000 students, from preschool through community college, managing combined budgets exceeding $600 million.

Through her leadership and the founding of SchoolsRule-Marin, Mary Jane helped launch a groundbreaking fundraising model that has distributed over $6.2 million in its first decade—ensuring students across Marin County have access to the same educational opportunities.

DONOR ADVISORY BOARD

elisabeth buford

Elisabeth Buford is a marketing and communications professional with extensive experience in brand strategy and community engagement. She serves on the Board of Advisors for SchoolsRule–Marin, contributing her expertise to support equitable educational opportunities across Marin County. Elisabeth is the parent of three children who attended and graduated from Marin public schools, giving her a strong personal connection to the success of public education in the community.

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liz harrell

Liz served as the Board Chair of the Tam High Foundation (2023–2025) and previously was President of Marin Charitable (2017–2019). She works as a strategic marketing consultant and is the parent of three children who have attended schools in the Mill Valley School District and Tam Union High School District.

April Lepito-smith

April is a dedicated Marin County real estate professional and proud parent of two children in San Rafael public schools. As a long-time community member, she has been a passionate advocate for equity in education, championing opportunities that support all students in thriving within our public school system. In her work with SchoolsRule-Marin, April serves as the organization’s key connection to the Marin realtor community, helping build partnerships that benefit classrooms, educators, and families across the region.

emily uhlhorn

Emily is a Trustee for the Mill Valley School Board and serves on the Measure J Committee. She is a board member of Mill Valley Rotary, focusing on youth services, and chaired the 2016 Measure E Campaign. Emily is also the parent of four children in the Mill Valley School District.

Camille Dibble

Camille has been a member of the MarinHealth Foundation Raccoon Branch since 2012 and is co-chairing the 2025 Garden Tour. She has been a Marin Master Gardener since 2018 and served on its board from 2023 to 2005. Camille is also a long-time member of the San Francisco Yacht Club, where she served as Youth Sailing Co-Chair (2002–2004) and as Auxiliary member and Treasurer (2000–2002). She is the parent of four children who attended and graduated from the Reed Union School District and Tam Union High School District.

Sydney joyner

Sydney currently serves on the board of Friends of Marin Health and has chaired the Parcel Tax Committee for Reed Union School District. She has also served on the 2011 Tam Union Measure B and 2001 Reed Union Measure C Committees, and previously held board positions with The Foundation for Reed Schools as well as Redwood High School Foundation, where she served as Annual Giving Chair and President. Sydney is the parent of two children who have graduated from the Reed Union and Tam Union High School Districts.

Ken Lippi

Ken is the retired Senior Deputy Superintendent of Schools for Marin County and has served as MCOE Staff Advisor and support for SchoolsRule–Marin from 2010 to 2025. He is a Board Member of the Marin Public Finance Authority and Oak Hill Apartments Educator Workforce Housing, and has held leadership roles as Mayor and Council Member for the Town of Fairfax. Ken is also a past Board Chair and member of Bennet House Senior Housing in Fairfax and a former member of the Marin County Planning Commission.

MEET OUR TEAM

FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

FOUNDING TEAM

DONOR ADVISORY BOARD

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