About REF
The Ravenswood Education Foundation (REF) was incorporated in June, 2007 as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our vision is to help the Ravenswood City School District develop educational outcomes that are on par with students from the surrounding communities.
Why an Education Foundation? Nearby school districts have education foundations that raise over $3 million annually to pay for vital services and programs such as: reading and math specialists, classroom aides, librarians, art, music and science instructors, technology infrastructure and counseling staff.
The Ravenswood Education Foundation collaborates with all our stakeholders--school administrators, teachers, city officials and business leaders--to generate more support for improvements to the Ravenswood City School District. In addition to monetary contributions, the Foundation's work fosters increased volunteering, advocacy, and community trust.
A full-time Executive Director partners with the Foundation's Board of Directors and the District leadership to ensure funds and resources are used most effectively to support student achievement.
Executive Director
Renu Nanda
Board of Directors (FY 2011-12)
Eric Lane, President
Laird Simons, Vice President
Brenda Woodson, Secretary
Sue Allen, Treasurer
Charles Catalano
Marnie Foody
Ellen Mouchawar
Jenny Rutherford
Charley Scandlyn
Michele Sharkey
Annette Shelby
Ex Officio Members
Maria De La Vega, Ravenswood City School District Superintendent
Board Advisors
Susan Axelrod, Consultant
Arturo Cazares, Silver-Peak Systems
Kim Garlinghouse-Jones, Consultant
Maria Hilton, Menlo Park City School Board
Mohan Iyer, former REF Board Member
Duncan Matteson,The Matteson Companies
Jen Novak, REF Founder, Jen Novak Consulting
Scott D. Rash, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Linda Reed, Stanford Alumni Association
Lara Sellers, former Teach for America
Ravenswood Education Foundation
"Why shouldn't these children have the same educational opportuniities as kids from the surrounding school districts? That was our vision in starting the Ravenswood Education Foundation."
- Jen Novak, Founder
