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)
Adam Maggio
Theater producer, awkward dancer, Asawa SOTA Theater teaching artist (2021–2023) + alumni (Vocal 2010)
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)
Josh Davidson
Chef, Christmas enthusiast, Head of McAteer Culinary Center for SFUSD Student Nutrition Services
Rachel Friedland
Accountant, urban wanderer, Asawa SOTA alumni parent (Band 2022, Vocal 2019)
Liz Jaroslow
Progressive educator, circus dog wrangler, Asawa SOTA 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
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 alumni 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