Maer Ben-Yisrael is the Director of Technology. He is responsible for maintaining all Information Technology related aspects of the school and working with the Technology Committee to build and execute long-range plans for technology. He has an Associate in Science degree from City College of San Francisco in Computer Networking and Information Technology. Maer is currently earning his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management at American Public University. He has worked in the IT educational sector for ten years and before Windrush he worked at the University of California, Berkeley and the French American International School in San Francisco. Maer likes being at a smaller school where his contribution has a “more direct, more immediate impact” and where he can be close to faculty and students. He appreciates Windrush for its positive community that values its people as well as their talents and quirks. Maer originally hails from Ann Arbor, MI and after spending 20 cold winters there, appreciates the Bay Area’s weather as well as its culture. His passions are music and sailing. 

David Bond is the Director of Admissions. Originally from Cleveland, OH, David earned his B.A. from Yale University and his teaching credential from San Francisco State. Before stepping into his admissions role, he was Windrush’s Elementary Division Head. He has previously worked as a school principal, a 3rd grade teacher and a camp director.  David–who has three children at Windrush–enjoys the school for many reasons such as the beautiful campus and the engaging teaching. He especially appreciates the school's emphasis on balance. “My children and I both find our work and lives here to be meaningful and fun,” he said. In his spare time, David enjoys camping with his family, reading, singing, and making home movies.

Mishal Boscana is the Controller. Though she was born in Berkeley, her father’s naval career took her family all over the United States as well as to Cuba. Her family moved back to the Bay Area after her father retired. Now a denizen of Vallejo, Mishal considers the Bay Area the most beautiful place in California. Mishal has a B.S. in Business Administration/Accounting from California State University, Hayward. She has many years of experience in the finance and accounting world, both in the for-profit and non-profit realms. Mishal enjoys Windrush for its “friendly staff and faculty, the beautiful location and wonderful children.” When she’s not working, she likes to spend time with family, friends and her two “sweet dogs.” She also enjoys volunteering at Cornerstone Assisted Riding Equitherapy (C.A.R.E.), a therapeutic riding program for children with special needs in American Canyon. 

Francesca Danby is the Front Office Assistant. She lives in Albany where she grew up. Francesca has a B.A. in Communication from Hiram College. She likes Windrush for its small community and its focus on the well being of each student, faculty and staff member. “It’s a warm, welcoming and fun environment, not to mention the wonderful view,” she said. Francesca appreciates the Bay Area for the many things one can do such as visiting a redwood forest, a modern art museum, the ocean or a baseball game, all within an hour from home. Francesca enjoys dancing, fashion (she views creating outfits on a budget as a true art form), and family. “We bring new meaning to the game of karaoke,” she said of her family. Francesca is most proud of her college senior thesis paper she wrote called Facebook and First Impressions: A Study on the Effect of Computer Mediated Communication and First Impressions Between Freshmen College Roommates.

Teresa Henry is the Office Manager. She is originally from Detroit, MI, but has lived in the Bay Area for many years. Teresa enjoys running, bicycling, weight training, and motorcycling and is passionate about people-her family, friends and neighbors. Teresa has an Associate’s of Art from Solano Community College and was a retail sales manager before coming to Windrush. She enjoys working at Windrush for its community. Teresa likes the Bay Area for its proximity to all the California wonders such as San Francisco, wine country, beaches and the Sierra Mountains. One of her proudest moments was completing the Honolulu marathon in memory of her brother.

Enrico Hernández is the Director of Finance. Enrico comes to Windrush after serving as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, at the University of California, Berkeley.  Preceding this, Enrico was the Director of Finance and Business Services at Notre Dame High School, in Belmont, CA. Enrico is also a visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco's School of Education, where he teaches a graduate-level education finance course concentrating on not-for-profit accounting, budgeting, cost analysis, cash flow analysis, internal control implementation, development and endowment management. Enrico has a Master of Arts in Private School Leadership from the University of San Francisco's School of Education, a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology from St. Patrick’s University and School of Theology in Menlo Park, a Master of Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Stanford University. He is also fluent in Spanish. Enrico is an avid San Francisco Giants and Stanford Cardinal fan.

Ilana Kaufman is the Head of School. A long-time leader and teacher in progressive Bay Area independent schools, Ilana was previously the Assistant Head of School at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. She also fondly remembers her tenure as a middle school Social Studies and Science-in-Action/Model Rocketry teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. Originally from San Francisco, Ilana has a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Humboldt. She has a Master of Education from Mills College where she also obtained her teaching credential. Ilana has served as a California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)/Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation visiting team member; attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education Programs in Professional Education; and is a founding and long-time faculty member of National Association of Independent Schools/CAIS Developing and Mentoring Leaders of Color seminars. She currently serves on the CAIS Board of Trustees and is viewed as an expert in organizational and leadership development, multicultural and global education, and progressive education. Ilana enjoys Windrush for its mission, the children, its families, the colleagues, the overall energy and the farm stand. The Bay Area appeals to her for its beautiful landscapes and “wonderful, positive people” and because in less than hour’s drive she can “disappear into nature.” She has a passion for family, her work, being outdoors, photography and cooking for friends. 

Kevin Jacobson is Assistant Head of School. He came to Windrush from Marin Academy where he taught Modern World and American History. Prior to moving to California, he taught American History to 7th and 8th graders at the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and Spanish and African-American History to high school students at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Hamden, CT. Kevin also spent four years as Director of Shire Village Camp in western Massachusetts. Kevin graduated from Duke University with a double major in History and Spanish and earned a Master of African American Studies from New York University. He is currently enrolled at Mills College where he is working on a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Kevin is most proud of deepening the critical thinking skills of his students. He enjoys the Bay Area for its diversity, beautiful weather, day trip opportunities, hiking and camping. He resides in Oakland with his wife Aisha and their son Revel.

Sherry Liu is the Admissions/Marketing Associate and Webmaster. Arriving to the United States from Taiwan when she was eight, Sherry grew up in El Cerrito and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Legal Studies degree. Before working at Windrush, Sherry worked as a paralegal. She speaks fluent Mandarin and her favorite book is by Chinese author Louis Cha, called Condor Heroes. Her favorite aspect about the Bay Area is its diversity in all it forms. Sherry enjoys Windrush for its philosophy and the kind of people it attracts. In her free time, Sherry spends time with her two dogs–Ninjai, a Yorkshire terrier and Choco, a yorkshire/poddle mix. She also enjoys Art/Design and trying new things, from food to activities.

Bobbi Poulton is the Business Office Assistant. Before coming to Windrush, Bobbi worked in the insurance business for almost 30 years and has specialized training as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter from Golden Gate University. Bobbi, who lives in Benicia, admires the Bay Area for its beautiful views. She enjoys Windrush for its fabulous students and staff. Bobbi’s passions include animals, computers and gaming, reading and puzzles. Bobbi is most proud of raising her niece after her sister passed away and for their “great partnership.”

Ann Root is the Director of Development. She has a B.A. in History from Eckerd College in Florida. Ann has worked in philanthropy for 25 years, most recently as the Director of National Development of a San Francisco-based conservation organization. Ann has lived in El Cerrito for 20 years and her stepson is a Windrush alumnus. “I believe that along with teaching, philanthropy is one of the highest callings you can have,” Ann said. “I was attracted to Windrush because of its values and because the people here are truly mission focused.” Ann and her husband enjoy traveling, reading and their pets-a dog and two cats.

Melissa Vainio is the Database Manager. She has a B.A. in English from Mount Holyoke College and a Master of Music with an emphasis on horn performance from Finland’s Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Originally from Massachusetts, the Bay Area appeals to her for its diversity and the food. She enjoys Windrush for the wonderful colleagues, its diversity and its environmental stewardship. Melissa is passionate about music and mosaics-she loves turning broken things into objects that are whole and beautiful. Melissa is proud of learning to speak Finnish and earning a degree in Finland. She and her husband have two daughters.

Maya Varian is the Development Associate. She lives in Concord and has a B.A. in Art from the University of California, Davis. Maya is currently working towards a post-baccalaureate certificate in writing and editing at the University of California, Berkeley Extension Center. Before coming to Windrush Maya worked as an assistant to the Director of Development Operations at UC Berkeley’s School of Law. Before that, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer for two and a half years. For one year, she worked with various non-profit organizations on the East and Gulf Coasts and the second year she promoted environmentally sustainable building and living, managed volunteers, and fundraised for Habitat for Humanity East Bay in Oakland. Maya likes Windrush for its progressive ideals, tight-knit community and urban gardens. Maya is most proud of her AmeriCorps experience, living in New York City, and not letting anyone down while working with devastated communities struck by Hurricane Katrina.

Jean Witzke is Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees. Originally from Michigan, Jean has a long relationship with Windrush, not only because of her work, but because her son and daughter are alumni. Also, all her children have worked at Windrush in various capacities–on the playground, in the Afterschool and summer programs and in the Admissions, Division and Front offices. A talented artist, Jean also teaches private art classes. She finds teaching inspires his/her own artwork and believes drawing is a skill every person can achieve. Jean has a B.S. in Design from the University of Michigan and a Certificate of Apparel Design from Diablo Valley College. Her most proud feat is raising three children to become responsible, levelheaded and kind adults.

Samantha Worthington is the Communications Coordinator. As a writer, Samantha enjoys the creative process involved in her work. Samantha has a B.S. in Forestry, Resource Conservation from the University of Montana and a Master of Communication from the University of Wyoming, where she wrote a thesis on media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Before coming to the Bay Area, Samantha lived in Jackson Hole, WY for almost a decade, with the exception of an 8-month stint in New York City in 2007 where she dabbled in public relations. Samantha was a newspaper reporter and freelance writer in Jackson Hole and spent most of her spare time in the mountains. Her passion for traveling has taken her to such remote places as Nepal and India’s Himalayas, Peru and Bolivia’s Andes, Morocco’s Sahara desert and Indonesia’s volcanoes. In her free time, Samantha backcountry skis, hikes and mountain bikes while keeping up with world affairs. She adores working at Windrush as she enjoys working with genuine and passionate people while being around children.

Rebecca Wralstad is the Assistant Head’s Associate. She grew up near Minneapolis, MN and moved to the Bay Area in 2006.  Rebecca has a B.A. in English and teaching credentials for Grades 5-12 Communications and Language Arts from St. Olaf College. She earned her M.S. in K-12 Education from Capella University in the spring of 2010. A passionate reader and creative writer, Rebecca has also worked as a proofreader, copywriter and production editor in the publishing world. Having taught reading and writing as well as working in after-school programs for more than a decade, Rebecca is excited to join the Division Office and support the greater workings of Windrush School. From the ocean to the redwoods to the wine country, her favorite aspect of the Bay Area is the access to abundant adventures. Rebecca lives in Point Richmond where she produces independent films with her director husband, cultivates a container garden, walks the hills with her “labrottie” dog Rosie, and naps with her two cats, Malcolm and Lucy.