Chandler Education Foundation Leadership
Meet the Chandler Education Foundation (CEF) Board of Directors! These distinguished leaders selflessly volunteer their time and expertise to support the students, staff, and families of the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD).
Each board member brings a wealth of experience from various fields, united by a shared commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering a thriving school community. Their dedication ensures that every student in our district has the chance to achieve their highest potential. Discover more about the individuals driving our mission forward and their invaluable contributions to our community.
The Chandler Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986. In addition to the volunteer Board, CEF is supported by three staff members.
Executive Committee Officers
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Larry Rother - Board Chair
Government Segment Manager, Intel
Board Chair
"The work of CEF impacts either directly, or indirectly, every student and teacher within the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD). After I left the district as an employee, I still wanted to make a positive impact on the greater CUSD community, so joining the CEF board was a logical fit."
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Grenee Martacho - Past Board Chair
Chief Executive Officer, Concord General Contracting
Past Board Chair
"Serving on the CEF Board helps me live my personal ‘why’. Being in the private sector there is always a focus on moving fast and constantly going forward, CEF allows me to slow down and celebrate the impactful work teachers do in our community and the students who are reshaping our world. I hear and see the challenges educators face and the roadblocks a lot of our students encounter, being involved in CEF allows me to be a part of making small and large differences for our schools."
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Dr. Jeff McGee - Chair Elect
Chief Executive Officer, Cross-Cultural Dynamics
Chair Elect
Governance Committee, Chair
"I’ve always liked to give back to my community and what better way than to invest in the next generation. Serving on the Chandler Education Foundation Board gives me the opportunity to fulfill my purpose."
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Matt Marshall - Treasurer
Executive Vice President, FirstBank
Treasurer
Finance Committee, Chair
"As a parent and member of the Chandler business community, few things are as important as a high-quality public-school system. I’m proud to be part of the Chandler Education Foundation (CEF), whose efforts to impact kids, teachers, and staff within the Chandler Unified School Districts (CUSD) are unmatched. During my time on board CEF has proven to be an amazing partner to CUSD and its efforts, paired with amazing district support have solidified CUSD as the best educational experience in the State of Arizona."
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John Anguiano - Secretary
Senior Loan Officer, First State Bank
Secretary
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Drew Keil - Member at Large
K12 Business Development Manager, CORE Construction
Executive Committee, Member at Large
Marketing Committee, Chair
"Chandler is a great community and the people on the Chandler Education Foundation Board are amazing people that believe in the Chandler Unified School District’s goal to empower each student to be successful."
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Vicki Potter - Member at Large
Marketing Coordinator, Sunrise Engineering
Executive Committee, Member at Large
Marketing Committee, member
"The education of our children is vital to the future success of our communities. Chandler Education Foundation offers opportunities to help students succeed, and offers me a way to participate in making a difference."
Board Members
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Valerie Ahyong
Landscape Architect | Associate, Lloyd Sports + Engineering
Marketing Committee, member
"Our firm became involved with CEF during its Golf Tournament & Fundraiser in 2023. I volunteered during the event and met a handful of the CEF staff and board members. Through those introductions and conversations, I learned about the wonderful things that CEF does for Chandler Unified schools, teachers, and students, and thought it would be a great organization to get involved with and volunteer my time towards."
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Adam T. Cain
Chief Operating Officer, Sustainability Partners, LLC
Finance Committee, member
"I decided to serve on the Chandler Education Foundation board because I love Chandler and have three children in the Chandler Unified School District."
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Greg Hallas
Director of National Sales, Johnson Commercial Solutions
Governance Committee, member
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Jason Heinkel
Director of Production, J2 Media LLC
Marketing Committee, member
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Najwa Khazal
VP/GM STC Americas, Edwards
Governance Committee, member
"As an educator and business leader, I know how important education is but I also know how challenging it can be for our future workforce. I want to make a difference by sharing what I have learned in my career and inspire rising leaders to purse their dreams and find their next steps. I want to serve and pay forward as I have had many mentors in my career who influenced who I am today leading an organization and committing to make a difference."
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Andrea Laskowski
Senior Vice President of Supply Chain & Quality, VAST
Marketing Committee, member
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Kristel Patton P.C.
Attorney, Kristel K. Patton, P.C. d/b/a Empowered Legacy Planning
Finance Committee, member
"I decided to serve on the Chandler Education Foundation Board because I live in Chandler with my husband and two school-aged children. We love the Chandler schools and wanted to give back in a meaningful way."
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Jayson Phillips
Principal, Santan Junior High School
Marketing Committee, member
“The CEF's sole mission is to help the students and teachers of the Chandler Unified School District. Joining an organization dedicated to improving education in Chandler was an easy decision.”
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Christine Warren
Trauma Injury Prevention and Outreach, Chandler Regional Medical Center
Finance Committee, member
Social Committee, Chair
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Matt Wedding
Business Unit Leader, Chasse Building Team
Governance Committee, member
Golf Committee, Chair
Chandler Unified School District Liaisons
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Leo Schlueter - CUSD Liaison
Chandler Unified School District, Executive Director of Elementary Education
CUSD Liaison
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Barb Mozdzen - CUSD Governing Board Liaison
Chandler Unified School District Governing Board, President
CUSD Governing Board Liaison
Foundation Team
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Jen Hewitt
Executive Director
"Working at Chandler Education Foundation isn't just a job for me; it's a profound commitment to nurturing our community's future through public education. Every day, I am driven by the belief that investing in education today will create a brighter tomorrow for our students and our society.”
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Raelynn Mackenzie
Office & Programs Manager
"My personal commitment to volunteering and community service drives my passion for working at CEF. Being part of an organization that prioritizes giving back and fostering positive change aligns perfectly with my core values."
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Heaven Rendon
Project Manager - Toyota Driving Possibilities Grant
“CEF’s core values Access, Innovation and Excellence is dedicated to students, their families as well as district staff to ensure all are fully supported by reducing barriers. I’ve chosen to be a part of the CEF team because I believe in empowering young people to reach their full potential is key to their success as they are the leaders of today and tomorrow.”
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Easter Weiss
Marketing & Campaigns Director
"I am both a beneficiary and a staunch advocate of education's transformative power to unlock opportunities. It is a privilege to work in an organization dedicated to harnessing this power for the betterment of our community."
