About
Friends
Friends are donors, volunteers, educators, students, alumni, artists, activists, and allies who believe in the power of arts-based learning — a research-proven educational model that supports diversity in learning, inspires innovation, and enhances creativity and cognition across all subjects. Be a friend.
Board of Directors
Jen Burke / Vice President (Fun)
Visual designer, fun grammarian, Asawa SOTA alumni parent (World Music 2022, Orchestra 2015)
Suz Dehne / Treasurer
Architect, rainbow painter, Asawa SOTA alumni parent (Band 2020)
Don Fontowitz
Artist / educator, rebel farmer, Asawa SOTA Visual Arts director + English teacher (2001–Present)
Cheryl Kapchan / Secretary
Outlier educator, low-key collager, Asawa SOTA college counselor (2023–Present) + alumni parent (Visual Arts 2021)
Leslie Lum
Teacher / paraeducator / tutor for special + general ed, yoga yogi, Asawa SOTA Special / General Ed educator + Capstone mentor (2016–Present)
Anne Yanow / President
Insolvency accountant, friendraiser, Asawa SOTA alumni parent (Dance 2005)
Advisory Council
Anna Bukareva
Nonprofit executive director, girl power activist, Asawa SOTA Capstone mentor (2022–Present) + alumni sibling (Technical Theater 2009)
Rachel Friedland
Accountant, urban wanderer, Asawa SOTA current + alumni parent (Band 2022, Vocal 2019)
Liz Jaroslow
Progressive educator, circus dog wrangler, Asawa SOTA current + alumni parent (Musical Theater 2023, Technical Theater 2023, Architecture + Design 2020)
Khafre Jay
Executive director / nonprofit strategist, dope MC, Asawa SOTA alumni (Visual Arts 2000)
Melecio Magdaluyo
Musician / educator, martial artist, Asawa SOTA Jazz Band Artist in Residence (1990–2022) + SFJAZZ Center teaching artist
Adam Maggio
Theater producer, awkward dancer, Asawa SOTA Theater teaching artist (2021–2023) + alumni (Vocal 2010)
Amy Wilson Morris
Conservation and parks planner, pelican enthusiast, Asawa SOTA current parent (Vocal 2027, Musical Theater 2025)
Andy Padlo
Musician / retired educator, mountain man, Asawa SOTA English, Russian, and PE teacher (2001–2021) + alumni parent (Technical Theater 2009)
Michael Palladino
Hospitality entrepreneur, top-ish chef, Asawa SOTA alumni parent (Vocal 2007)
Alfredo Vergara-Lobo
Organizational consultant / coach, cycling nerd, Asawa SOTA current parent (World Music 2023)
Shellie Wiener
School admin assistant / facilitator, compulsive genealogist, Asawa SOTA alumni parent (Band 2017)
Jason Wong
Investor / education advisor, travel enthusiast, Asawa SOTA alumni (Theatre 2006)
Members Emeritus
Colleen Ivie / Executive Director Emeritus
Financial services consultant, kite flyer, alumni parent (Band 2012)
Ron McCan / Director Emeritus
Costume designer / educator, Asawa SOTA Musical Theater director + Theatre Artist in Residence (2011–2020) + alumni (Technical Theater 1995)
Help Us Grow
We’re growing our board of directors and advisory committees. If you’re passionate about arts education and arts-based learning, check out our board nomination form or connect with us at friends@fosota.org for more information.
Together we are mighty.
Allies + Angels (2019–2022)
Anne + Danny Yanow
Ashley Walker
Ava Soifer
Avrum Shepard
Beverly Chalmers
Big Leap Collective
Burke Family
Carole Denola + Joe McGuire
Dave Fortescue
Dehne-Wrigley Family
Dolorico-Francoeur Family
Estate of Dr. Robert Squeri
Friedland + Associates
Heidi Alletzhauser Photography
Her Idea
Hip Hop for Change
In Gratitude to Natascha Leddy
Janet Yieh
Janice Evans + Brady Bruce
Jerry Pannone
Julie Glantz
Kaiser Permanente
Kirkland Jue
Laroque-Calot Family
One Voice Mentors
Phillip Rayher
Ruth Asawa School of the Arts
Ruth Asawa SOTA PTSA
School Yard Rap
SF Foundation on Behalf of Gerard Gleason Fund
Shellie Wiener + Alan Geist
SOTA stories
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Tristan Arnold
Vergara-Lobo Associates
Vincent Leddy
Walter van Riel
Youth Bike America
Youth Empowerment Fund
Yurkevich Family
Yvonne McClung
And You!
Header image: Revelers at Phat Sunday 2017. The FOSOTA-sponsored fundraiser hosted 1500+ guests from 31 cities enjoying over 2000 pounds of crawfish, craft beer, and bon temps elixirs. Photo by Heidi Alletzhauser Photography