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.
The Role of the Board of Trustees
at an Independent School
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.
Jake Thompson
Interim Chairperson
Alumni Class of 2000; 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.
Ellen Johnson
Treasurer
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
Secretary
Alumni-parent to Class of 2022, 2024, 2026, 2027, 2032 and 2036.
Anna May joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2022. A Corvallis native, she 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 philanthropic activities and communication between the family and business. She serves as Vice Chair of the Starker Forests board and supports several local organizations, including Chesterton Academy of St. Andrew, the OSU Foundation College of Forestry Campaign Cabinet, and the Zack Packard Memorial Foundation’s Oregon Outdoor Education Center.
In her free time, Anna enjoys reading, baking, boating, walking in the woods, and spending 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.
Ashbrook Alumna and future alumni-parent to class of 2030, 2032, 2034.
Laura Burke joined the Ashbrook Board of Trustees in 2026, bringing a deep appreciation for the school’s mission as both an alumna and proud parent to three future Ashbrook graduates.
After attending the University of Portland, Laura earned an M.D. at Creighton University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in ophthalmology residency at Loyola Stritch University Medical Center outside of Chicago.
In her free time, Laura enjoys playing tennis, gardening, and beekeeping.
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.