The Role of the Board of Trustees at an Independent School

The Board of Trustees serves as the governing body of the school, ensuring the long-term health, mission alignment, and sustainability of the institution. While the Board does not oversee day-to-day operations, that responsibility belongs to the Head of School, it plays a vital strategic and fiduciary role in supporting the school’s continued growth and excellence.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Mission Stewardship: Upholding and advancing the school’s mission, vision, and core values.
  • Strategic Oversight: Setting long-term goals and ensuring that school leadership has the resources and support needed to carry them out.
  • Financial Health: Overseeing the financial stability of the school, including approving budgets, monitoring financial performance, and supporting fundraising efforts.
  • Governance: Ensuring strong governance practices, including board development, succession planning, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
  • Head of School Support: Hiring, evaluating, and providing strategic support to the Head of School.

Trustees serve as ambassadors, advocates, and guardians of the school’s future. Their leadership is essential to preserving the school’s independence while ensuring access, excellence, and innovation for generations to come.

Meet the Board
Board Chairperson

Kathy May

Alumni-parent to Class of 2024.

Kathy May joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2021, taking on the role of Chairperson in 2024. Kathy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in U.S. History from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master of Science from Oregon State University. Her work experience spans medical device customer service, technical support, teaching, scientific research, sales, and marketing, with an emphasis on events that facilitate relationships, education, and appreciation.

Kathy has also managed a portfolio of residential and business properties in Albany, OR, and Santa Cruz County, CA. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, yoga, poetry writing, and travel.

Vice Chairperson

Jake Thompson

Future Alumni-parent to Class of 2031, 2033 and 2035.

Jake Thompson joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2021, taking on the role of Vice Chair in 2024. Jake has a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Operations Management and a Master of Business Administration degree. Jake works in the forest industry, managing a trucking company, tree farm, and wood chipping plant.

Through his work, he has experience in commercial and residential real estate operations, financial investments and banking, and charitable foundations, serving on several small business and industry boards. In Jake’s spare time, he enjoys woodworking and viticulture.

Interim Treasurer

Lori Tully

Alumni-parent to Class of 2019.

Lori has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and worked at HP for nearly 30 years, mostly as a manager.

Since 2015, Lori has led the Finance, HR, Marketing, and Sales functions at a local distillery, Spiritopia.

In her “fun” time, she enjoys yoga, gardening, and bicycling.

Secretary

Kelsey Vrooman

Alumni-aunt to Class of 2031 and 2032.

Kelsey Vrooman joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in April 2024 and became Secretary that same year.

Kelsey brings invaluable experience in mission-driven and data-informed leadership and governance in nonprofit organizations, specifically independent schools. She has also served on numerous boards and has over 12 years of experience working in schools—both in the classroom as a teacher of European History, French, and Graphic Design, and as a Director of Educational Technology.

She is the founder of Mission & Data, a firm dedicated to the effectiveness, health, and vitality of educational institutions through strategy, coaching, auditing, and data products.

Ellen Johnson

Future Alumni-parent to Class of 2032 and 2035.

Ellen Johnson joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2025.

Ellen grew up on a farm just south of Corvallis and began her career as an engineer designing food processing facilities before following her passion for helping people into financial planning. She is the founder of Thistle Wealth, a local wealth management firm.

When Ellen is not working, she loves hiking with her family, experimenting with new recipes, and caring for her ever-growing collection of houseplants.

 

Anna May

Alumni-parent to Class of 2022, 2024, 2026, 2027, 2032 and 2036.

Anna May joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2022. She grew up in Corvallis and earned an Honors Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from Oregon State University.

Anna works in Shareholder Relations at her family’s business, Starker Forests, where she manages their philanthropic activities and facilitates communication between the family and the business. She is the Vice Chair of the Starker Forests board of directors and enjoys supporting other local organizations such as Chesterton Academy of St. Andrew, the OSU Foundation College of Forestry Campaign Cabinet, and the Donor Relations Team for the Zack Packard Memorial Foundation’s Oregon Outdoor Education Center (formerly the Oregon 4-H Center).

When she has time for hobbies, she likes to read, bake, boat, walk in the woods, and spend time on the coast and in Central Oregon.

Nathan Nystrom

Future Alumni-parent to Class of 2028 and 2032.

Nathan Nystrom joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2022. He is Vice President of his family’s wood product manufacturing facility, Hull-Oakes Lumber, located northwest of Monroe. This role has given him experience in building budgets, creating financial reports, overseeing investments and cash flows, and managing employees.

Nathan also serves on several other boards, including the Philomath Youth Activities Club, the Ralph Hull Foundation, and the Oregon Forest Industries Council. He enjoys sports and spending time outdoors.

Bo Sun

Future Alumni-parent to Class of 2028 and 2030.

Bo Sun joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2025.

He is a physics professor at Oregon State University. As an educator, he is deeply passionate about the academic growth of children and about cultivating student interest in math, science, and engineering. Bo also coaches high school physics competitions.

In his free time, Bo enjoys binge-watching his favorite programs, playing tennis, and playing video games with his kids.

Mitch Tichinin

Future-Alumni Parent to Class of 2030, 2032, and 2034.

Mitch Tichinin joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2025. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He is a partner and director of two family-owned agricultural businesses—Universal Seed LLC and Universal Coating Systems LLC—as well as a real estate portfolio manager.

Mitch has a passion for sports and health, which led him to volunteer as a tennis and soccer coach.

Mark Urista

Future Alumni-parent to Class of 2034.

Mark Urista joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2025.

He received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.A. from the University of the Pacific. Mark is a Speech Communication faculty member at Linn-Benton Community College, where he has served as department chair and directs the college’s Civil Discourse Program. He has provided speech training to members of the Corvallis Boys & Girls Club and works with OSU’s College of Business Discourse Program.

In Mark’s free time, he enjoys hiking, exercising, and attempting to play the guitar.

Dr. Veneta Vanguelova

Future Alumni-parent to Class of 2031.

Veneta Vanguelova joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2025.

She owns and operates North Star Pediatrics. She received her D.O. from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Goryeb Children’s Hospital in New Jersey.

Veneta has previously served on the board of the Old Mill Center. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, hiking, skiing, and spending time with family.