Board of Directors
Alicia (Weston-Miles) Carlson ('01), B.A.
Alicia is Vice President at Trinitas Partners, a private equity investment firm in San Francisco. She is a Pre/K-12 graduate from the Mount Madonna School program. She earned her B.A. at Claremont McKenna College in Government with a minor in Leadership. Alicia credits Mount Madonna School with giving her confidence to express and challenge herself.
Barbara Mahone, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Barbara Mahone is Professor Emerita, San Jose State University. She earned her Ph.D. at Stanford University in Communication Theory & Research and her M.B.A. through the University of Chicago. She currently also serves as on the Board of Trustee for the United States International University (USIU), Africa.
Beth Brennan, M.D.
Beth Brennan earned her M.D. at UC Los Angeles and a B.A. at UC San Diego, with majors in Anthropology and Biology. She is Board Certified for Internal Medicine and Palliative Care and started practicing primary care medicine in Santa Cruz in 1997. Previously, she served as Vice President of the Board of Physicians Medical Group, Santa Cruz. Currently she is Medical Director of Palliative Care Service of Dominican Hospital and is a Palliative Care physician for PAMF. Beth is a parent of two elementary students - Sam and Kira, and one middle school student - Noah, at Mount Madonna School.
Daniela "Dany" Bryan, M.B.A.
Dany Bryan is the owner of DB Coach, an international professional and business coaching company. She is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation and is a graduate of Coach U, Colorado. Dany earned her M.B.A. in International Management at the School of Global Management, Phoenix. She also holds a BA in Journalism - Public Relations, from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Dany is the parent of Susie ('11) and Willy Bryan, a high school student at Mount Madonna School.
Jennifer "Jen" Block, B.A.
Jen joined Mount Madonna School in 2009. She earned her B.A. in Spanish with a minor in International Studies - Latin American Emphasis at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Before coming to Mount Madonna School, she was an Outdoor Education Teacher at Camp Campbell, with Santa Cruz County of Education. In 2006, she was a student teacher in Holmen Middle and High School, Holmen, Wisconsin and was in a Study Abroad program in Mexico. Jen teaches elementary and middle school Spanish.
Leticia "Letty" Bess
Letty joined Mount Madonna School in 2011. She brings dedication and enthusiasm to MMS, as well as experience with school and nonprofit fundraising and donor interaction. She held various leadership positions on the Board of Temple Beth El, including Member at Large, VP of Membership and VP of Fundraising. Letty attended Seton Hall University, Jersey City State College. She volunteeers in the MMS Advancement Office two days per week. Letty is a parent of two MMS alumni; Chelsea ('11), Courtney ('12) and a middle school student, Cameron.
Matthew "Matt" Meachen, M.A.
Matt joined Mount Madonna School in 2005. He earned his M.A. in Education at Bethany University in Scotts Valley, CA and his B.A. in History at Lincoln-Memorial University, Harrogate, TN. He recieved a Kimball Academic Scholarship "Excellence in History" and an athletic scholarship. Matt teaches HS U.S. History, World History, Integrated American Studies: AP U.S. History and AP U.S. Government and is a Guidance Council Member.
Rajendra Ronald Bingham
Rajendra joined Mount Madonna School in 2004. He is a MMS Trustee, member of the Finance Commitee and Mount Madonna Center and a former member of the Executive Council. He provides leadership, oversight and direction for the school especially in the area of finance. He has a background in computer science, systems and technology. He studied at San Jose State in Business and Finance, Computer Science, Industrial Arts, Literature and Psychology. Before joining Mount Madonna School, he was a Financial Analyst at IBM General Products Division and a Software Engineer at IBM Silicon Valley Laboratories, Software Division. Rajendra is the creator of 4 patents and is Chief Financial Officer of Mount Madonna Center.
Rod Caborn, M.A.
Rod is the owner of First Class Fundraising, a school fundraising company that fosters community while generating resources. His M.A. is in Linguistics from San Jose State, CA, and he earned his B.A., Honors, in Business Studies from Sheffield University, England He is the father of Cassidy in high school and McKenzie ('12).
Sadanand "SN" Ward Mailliard, B.A.
Sadanand serves on the Mount Madonna School Executive Committee and faculty. He pioneered the course Values in American/World Thought, bringing world thinkers and leaders in conversation with MMS Juniors and Seniors. One of his recent dynamic projects was a collaborative venture called "Project Happiness" with the Dalai Lama Foundation.
Judith Sarada Diffenbaugh, Ph.D.
Sarada is a founding member of Mount Madonna School and served as Head of School from 1979 to 2007. She brings a vision to the school of academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. She has two sons, Mount Madonna Schoalumni Noah "Suresh" ‘92 and PK ‘95.
Serving as an Advisor:
Angeles Arrien, Ph.D.
Angeles is a cultural anthropologist, award-winning author, educator, and consultant to many organizations and businesses. Her work focuses on Cross-Cultural Education and Research. She is a long time supporter of MMS and will serve to help guide the vision.
Board Member Emeritus:
Vivian Wright, B.B.S.
Vivian has been a change agent within Hewlett-Packard in many different roles for over 20 years. She has a background in large group processes, communities, emotional intelligence techniques, and graphic facilitation and teaching within HP. Vivian brings innovation, creative experimentation and new approachs to team collaboration.