Board of Trustees
Crestview Preparatory School, as a non‐profit school, is governed by a Board of Trustees. They serve as the stewards of the school’s mission and resources, responsible for establishing broad institutional policies and maintaining fiduciary oversight. The Board hires the Head of School to implement the mission and manage the day‐to‐day operation of the school.
If you are interested in joining The Board of Trustees please read about our ideal trustee, and fill out this Crestview Board Interest Form.
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"I was drawn to Crestview because it offers experiences I enjoyed as a child that have been lost in the public school system – small classrooms, daily PE, art and music. It is the ideal mix of independent school quality with a public school feel."
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With a background in the sciences, Syd Smith attended the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed two fellowships at Johns Hopkins before shifting gears to a satisfying career in marketing.
As the Head of Partnerships and Promotions at NBC Universal, Syd spent 15 years innovating brand marketing and shepherding global initiatives including the Universal Monsters, Jurassic Park and Seuss franchises across all business units. Her post-studio work includes launching an in-restaurant digital network for McDonald’s and developing an exciting big data platform that unlocks social media attributes for MasterCard, Hilton, P&G and the GRAMMYs. Syd currently serves as CMO for the luxury hospitality company Parker&Morgan. Last year, she was able to marry her production background with an interest in showcasing stories of strength as the Event Director for TEDxPasadenaWomen.
Syd has two sons - Crestview Alumni Max ('14), now a senior and ninth grader, Zachary ('17) who both attend Flintridge Prep.
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Syd Smith (Board Chair)|
“We chose Crestview because the faculty and staff support the whole child, enabling a love of learning to develop naturally. In addition, the Head of School's extraordinary dedication and breadth of knowledge bring out the best in the entire school community. Crestview demonstrates that warmth and kindness serve as a strong foundation for academic excellence.".”
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Devin Agran is a Los Angeles native who graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor's degree in History and Literature. She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California.
As a clinical social worker, Devin worked at the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center, the Tingstad Older Adult Counseling Center, Family Service of Santa Monica, and the National Council of Jewish Women | Los Angeles. After the birth of her first child, she paused her career to parent full-time.
Devin's daughter Juliette is a second grader at Crestview, and her son Charlie is a freshman at La Salle College Preparatory.
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Devin Agran|
“We love being part of Crestview family. Crestview provides a perfect balance between academic excellence and development of social emotional intelligence for their students. Our daughter loves learning in an environment that is safe, peaceful, fun, and challenging while strengthening her self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.”
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Tuba Diken Müdar has B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. She got the opportunity to come to US when she received full scholarship from University of Colorado at Boulder where she earned her M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. Her master thesis focused on developing a biopharmaceutical drug to prevent brain tumor.
After graduating from CU Boulder, she followed her passion of research in genetic engineering field and moved to Louisiana as a research associate at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport. She worked as a full-time researcher while attending business school at night on a full-time basis.
After earning her MBA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, she started her private industry career in Texas and worked for a pharmaceutical contract manufacturing firm for small molecule pharmaceutical drugs. Two years later, she was recruited by Baxter Healthcare Corporation as a Quality Engineer and moved to Los Angeles, CA with her husband. She has been working at two different Southern CA locations of the same company (Baxter/Baxalta/Shire/Takeda) for 22 years with increasing leadership responsibilities in various areas such as Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing where she managed up to 550+ employees as head of manufacturing of plasma manufacturing operations. She is currently working for the same company as head of manufacturing for finishing operations in biologics manufacturing operations unit located at Thousand Oaks, CA.
Tuba is also very involved in woman in science/engineering programs since her graduate school years and she is currently serving as the committee chair in community outreach program in Ventura county on behalf of Women at Takeda group.
Tuba is a proud mother of Crestview third grader Selin Ayşe and honored to be part of fantastic Crestview family with her husband Zafer Müdar. |
Tuba Diken|
"We chose to send their children to Crestview because of the staff’s relentless focus on each child’s social and educational development, as well as Crestview’s family atmosphere and emphasis on community.”
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Fred Esrailian serves as Assistant General Counsel at Grifols Shared Services North America, Inc. Grifols is a global leader and innovator in producing plasma-derived medicines for patients who face life-threatening conditions and provides hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare professionals with the tools they need to enhance the quality of life for their patients.
As Assistant General Counsel, Fred handles a variety of matters, with a focus on corporate transactions, acquisitions, and governance, as well as the purchase, sale, leasing and development of real property.
Fred draws from his previous experience as a litigator, where he focused on real estate, contract, and insurance disputes in the private sector. He is also a licensed real estate broker.
Fred received his BA from Santa Clara University and his JD from Loyola Law School. Fred and his family enjoy living in La Canada Flintridge, and he is honored to have his children, Dylan (1st grade) and Evan (3rd grade), attend Crestview.
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Frederic Esrailian|
"Crestview embraces childhood and provides a nurturing environment that celebrates a love of learning. Crestview cultivates students to genuinely care about the world, the environment, and their community. Crestview is a very special place."
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Dr. Maureen Holland is a proud native of Southern California and our very special foothill community.
Dr. Holland graduated high school from Flintridge Preparatory School and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, followed by her Masters of Science in Psychology and Masters of Science in Gerontology from the University of La Verne. Dr. Holland earned her Doctorate in Clinical-Community Psychology from the APA Accredited University of La Verne.
Dr. Holland’s career has focused on serving the children and families from the local community. She has trained and worked at several community mental health clinics in the Pasadena area, including ENKI, The Center for Aging Resources, and Pacific Clinics, before transitioning to Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH). For the last 10 years, Dr. Holland has served in DMH’s intensive crisis outpatient clinic that specializes in serving the needs of seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents in acute need in Los Angeles County. Her clinic provides crisis intervention, assessment, intensive treatment, thorough psychiatric evaluations and diagnosis, stabilization and linkage to acute and sustained care. Dr. Holland is currently part of the management team and serves as an Administrative and Clinical Supervisor.
Dr. Holland’s daughters are a proud second grader and kindergarter at Crestview.
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Maureen Holland|
"Crestview is an amazing school, the community, academic rigor, and social emotional development for every child. Our family has been grateful to have a school that places the student above all else.”
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Robert Lavichant received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
He is a Managing Partner of Brentwood Capital, a real estate investment firm with retail, office, and industrial properties in the Southwest United States. Prior to joining Crestview Preparatory School Board of Trustee Robert served on the Board and also Chair of Human Resources of a large private international School in Bangkok, Thailand. Prior to Brentwood, Robert worked in finance (mergers, acquisitions, and private equity) an management consulting focusing on turn-arounds and corporate restructuring. Robert and his partner, Sopana, are proud parents of Matthew and Kaitlyn (Crestview '19) both attending Flintridge Preparatory School and Nate who is currently at fifth grader at Crestview Preparatory. |
Robert Lavichant|
"Crestview is led by an exceptional team of educators that foster an environment where our children learn critical skills—confidence, self-direction, collaboration and open-mindedness—that, I am sure, will prepare them to live fulfilled lives.”
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Ivan is a Southern California native. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Ivan is a Managing Director at a global investment bank, and has advised international corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic matters for over 20 years.
At Crestview, Ivan’s daughter, Olivia, is in the fifth grade, and his son, Ellis, is in the third grade.
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Ivan Leung|
“We credit the social and academic experiences our children received at Crestview for providing the foundation to allow them to mature into wonderful adults. We wish everyone could start their formal education in an environment that encourages life-long friendships, intellectual curiosity, and enjoyment of outdoor activities."
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Terry Krupczak received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Business Taxation from the University of Southern California.
He is a retired partner of Ernst & Young LLP, where he was the Los Angeles office tax managing partner and served both public and private clients for over 30 years. Terry is a recognized expert in developing and implementing tax planning strategies for entities with diverse business interests and complex organization charts.
In his semi- retirement he continues to consult on business matters with his clients and is associated with HKG LLP based in Pasadena. Terry is also former Vice Chair for Union Station Homeless Services. He was the Chair of the Search committee when the organization conducted a search to replace the long time CEO of the organization. He continues to serve on the audit, finance and investment committees for Union Station Homeless Services. Terry is also an active member of the board of advisors for the USC Masters in Taxation program.
Terry and his wife, Teresa, are proud parents of two Crestview Prep alumni, Michael ('99) and Sarah ('02). Both attended Flintridge Preparatory School. Michael is a graduate of Bucknell University and Sarah is a graduate of the University of Southern California.
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Terry Krupczak|
"In Crestview, I have so much more than a strong education for my daughters. I have a support system and partnership that helps to develop my children to be prepared socially and emotionally for the fast changing, diverse and connected world we live in. At the heart of Crestview, values are lived that I believe are critical to having a positive impact on the world and those around you.”
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Katie Lopez was named the Chief Human Resources Officer at Bonduelle Fresh Americas (formerly Ready Pac Foods) in 2019. She has been with Ready Pac Foods since 2014, when she joined as Director of Human Resources. Katie has experience contributing to a variety of business contexts from public international stable growth businesses to private equity turnaround businesses in a variety of different market sectors, including aerospace and defense and FMCG. She has spent her career with a passion for talent development, change and culture acceleration, people analytics and mergers and acquisitions.
Mrs. Lopez (prefer Katie) received a Bachelors’ degree in economics from Occidental College. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Human Resource Design from the Claremont Graduate University, Peter Drucker School of Business. She is the proud and loving mother of Crestview fifth grader Addison and first grader Amelia.
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Katie Lopez|
“Crestview was the best fit for my family because it strikes the perfect balance between traditional academic rigor and social emotional development. The Crestview leadership understands the importance of preserving the innocence of the early childhood years.”
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A Criminal prosecutor, Cornell University MBA, and UCLA instructor and childcare center chain owner/operator, Michelle McGinnis has the business of education and safety of children in her DNA.
As a classroom teacher, Michelle has experienced the daily practical challenges faced by teaching staff. As a childcare entrepreneur, she knows what a monumental task it is to run and grow a school. As a criminal prosecutor, she witnesses firsthand the tragedy of a failed early childhood experience. This confluence of experience made Michelle eager to serve on the Crestview Board.
Michelle led one of the most notable turnaround stories in Los Angeles education. In the mid-2000s, Michelle was the key leader of the safety program at Markham Middle School in Watts, California. Situated among low income projects pervaded by warring street gangs, the program reduced criminal incidents and raised test scores after just one year. While at Pepperdine, Michelle surveyed School Resource Officers to investigate the role of police officers on a school campus. More recently, Michelle led a team of Ivy League MBA executives in developing a strategic marketing project for LEGO Education. Michelle considers her most challenging and rewarding achievement to be parenting third grader, Dylan, and fifth grader Morgan.
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Michelle McGinnis|
"Crestview strikes the perfect balance between academic rigor and a warm, supportive and happy community for children. It is unique in proving that one doesn’t preclude the other. We are so very fortunate to be part of this community and institution."
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Edith Navasargian has a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and English Literature from UCLA, a Master of Arts Degree in Medieval British Literature and Language from King’s College, University of London, and a Master of Philosophy Degree in Medieval Philosophy from Cambridge University. She is currently a Principal and CFO of Lapinco Incorporated a private real estate investment, development and management firm. With over 800,000 square feet of GLA in the portfolio, holdings and transactions include retail, boutique retail, shopping centers, light industrial, multifamily and office. Edith is active in all facets of the business: acquisition, escrows, financing, leasing, contracts, tenant management, financial reporting, tax preparation and day to day management.
Additionally, Edith has been very fortunate to be able to serve the community in various endeavors. She is currently on the Civic Advisory Board of Adventist Health Glendale- and has been so for over ten years. Previously, she has been on the Advisory Board for the Campbell Center in Glendale, serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is also on the Annual Fund Committee for the Child Educational Center, where she has served for seven years.
With three boys at Crestview in sixth, fourth and kindergarten, Edith is excitedly looking forward to many years in the Crestview community.
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Edith Navasargian|
"Crestview has been an amazing experience for all my girls; they have had a great time since they have arrived to the school and are thriving."
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Lior Pachter was born in Ramat Gan, Israel, and grew up in Pretoria, South Africa where he attended Pretoria Boys High School. After receiving a B.S. in Mathematics from Caltech in 1994, He left for MIT where he was awarded a PhD in applied mathematics in 1999. He then moved to the University of California at Berkeley where he was a postdoctoral researcher (1999-2001), assistant professor (2001-2005), associate professor (2005-2009), and until 2018 a professor of mathematics and molecular and cell biology with a joint appointment in computer science. Since January 2017 he has been the Bren professor of computational biology at Caltech. He is a fellow of the International Society of Computational Biology.
Lior is passionate about education at all levels and previously served on the board of Black Pine Circle School in Berkeley, CA. There he helped in the development of the Q-lab, a maker space and science building for K-8 students. He and his wife are parents to Talia (3rd grade), Ruth (5th grade) and Steinunn (class of 2019), and are honored to be part of the Crestview community.
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Lior Pachter|
"Crestview provides positive early childhood experiences and fosters character building in a balanced social-emotional and academic setting. Crestview is also true to the CREST mission, as the core values are threaded effortlessly into the curriculum and daily classroom practice. Additionally, the tight-knit and diverse community is an invaluable source of support and friendship. As proud members of the Crestview family, we hope to support the wonderful team, mission, and community of this special school."
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Farnaz Parvini received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University. During her time at Emory, Farnaz developed an interest in research at Yerkes National Primate Research Center. She later transitioned from laboratory to clinical research at a site specializing in neurological studies. Farnaz found her niche in regulatory compliance and pursued a path in study auditing. She held roles at pharmaceutical development companies IQVIA (formerly Quintiles), PPD and Novo Nordisk. During this time, she worked on cardiovascular, diabetes (type I and II), influenza, and gastroesophageal reflux clinical studies.
Farnaz has taken leave from her career to focus on her family. Her three children, Ella, Aydin and Arian all attend Crestview. Farnaz is an avid volunteer and enjoys serving as a Room Parent and Room Parent Co-Liaison on the Crestview Parent Association. She greatly appreciates the opportunity to further serve the Crestview community as a member of the Board of Trustees. In her free time Farnaz enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading, cycling, and baking.
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Farnaz Parvini|
"We feel so lucky to be a part of this truly joyful, warm and welcoming community. Ella feels loved, cared for, and important at Crestview. Equally important to us is having at the helm, a forward thinking Head of School who is fiercely dedicated to building a strong intellectual foundation. Ella's love of learning goes beyond the classroom and she continues to be challenged while maintaining a strong sense of confidence and empowerment."
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Shar Poormosleh is an Associate Dean at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. Prior to her current role, Shar practiced law for over a decade at global law firms in Washington, DC and LA. Shar graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She received her law degree from American University, Washington College of Law, and is a member of the California and District of Columbia Bars. Shar and her husband are parents to Ella (6th Grade).
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Shahrzad (Shar) Poormosleh|
"I was drawn to Crestview by the strength of its leadership and by its commitment to a Pre-K through 6th grade education, as I believe that it is important for children to begin their educational lives in an environment filled with support, kindness, and joyful love of learning. Children deserve to be in a place where their voices matter – where their ideas are respected and their questions seen as a gift. Crestview is a place that believes wholeheartedly in the potential and beauty of every child."
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A lifelong educator, Peggy Proctor’s credentials include a BA in International Relations and Spanish from Dartmouth College and an MA in Spanish from Middlebury College in Vermont and Madrid, Spain. Peggy’s study abroad included time in France, the UK, Mexico, and Spain and ultimately led to a teaching position at a boarding school in Switzerland and a rural community school in Costa Rica.
Peggy returned to the US teaching at the Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica and later serving as a teacher and a class dean at The Branson School outside of San Francisco, as a Dean of Students at La Jolla Country Day School and as a Director at the Windward School in Los Angeles. She currently serves as Head of School at Echo Horizon School in Culver City where she has transformed teaching and learning through her leadership in Writing and Rhetoric Across the Curriculum, Global Studies, STEAM, Academic Integrity and the Senior Capstone Program. She also led the school in re-thinking faculty evaluation and professional growth and as committee chair to the Challenge Success team, which partnered with Stanford’s Graduate School of Education to focus on increasing student engagement while minimizing unnecessary stress and anxiety. Peggy is now leading Echo Horizon through a Strategic Planning process and brings her experience at exceptional schools across California to Crestview.
Peggy lives with her husband John Johnston and eleven-year old daughter Sidney, who attends Echo Horizon School. They are avid readers and nature lovers and have hiked and camped together in over 15 national parks.
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Peggy Proctor| "We were initially attracted to Crestview by its small class sizes and quality instruction, but quickly discovered that it delivers so much more. Crestview's faculty and staff are dedicated to celebrating and nurturing the uniqueness of each student. We feel very fortunate to be part of a community in which our son is thriving both socially and academically.” |
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Bonnie Wongtrakool is a Portfolio Manager and the Global Head of ESG Investments at Western Asset Management, a fixed-income investment firm with $450 billion under management. A frequent media commentator and author, Bonnie leads Western Asset’s research, strategies, and investments in its socially responsible portfolios. Prior to her current role, Bonnie led Western Asset’s agency mortgage-backed securities investment team. Before joining Western Asset in 2003, Bonnie worked in strategy consulting, private equity, and investment banking.
Originally from Ohio, Bonnie graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. She subsequently received a law degree, with honors, from Harvard Law School, and is a member (inactive) of the Massachusetts State Bar. Bonnie is also a CFA® charterholder.
Bonnie’s son Colin is a second grader at Crestview and her daughter Alex is an eighth grader at Polytechnic.
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Bonnie Wongtrakool