Board of Directors
Family Connections talented team of Board of Directors oversees the operations of our non-profit, helping us with funding and advising us on how we can better serve the needs of San Mateo low-income families in need of a preschool education.
Amy Sahn, President
Professional Affiliations: North Star Site Council Member; Chairperson, North Star Academy Environmental Committee; Chairperson, Temple Beth Jacob Chesed Project Chairperson; Member, Elks Club. Former Professional Affiliations: Member, Temple Beth Jacob Board of Directors; Member, San Jose Downtown Association.
Curtis Chen, CFP, Vice President
Professional Affiliations: The Carey School Community Events Chair; Member, Financial Planning Association/SF EARN pro-bono Planning Program; Member, CCPPNS San Mateo Council Consultant Services; Member, Foster City Rotary Club. Former Professional Affiliations: Board Member & VP Registration, Little Hands; 3-year member of Family Connections Author's Night Committee.
Laura Abram
Professional Affiliations: Member, National Council of Jewish Women; Parent Volunteer, Sequoia High School. Former Professional Affiliations: Volunteer, Woodside High School; Volunteer, North Star Academy; Parent Volunteer, Redwood Parents Nursery School; Volunteer, Entrepreneurs Foundation.
Cris Adair
Professional Affiliations: Chair Primary Fundraiser; Tierra Linda Middle School; Spring Fling Business Donations Chair, San Carlos Educational Foundation; Tutor, Healthy Cities; Co-op Girl Scout Leader; Secretary, San Carlos Youth Softball Association Board. Former Professional Affiliations: Fundraising Chair, Arundel Elementary School PTA; Treasurer and substitute Teacher, Woodside Parent's Nursery School; Community Outreach Coordinator, Belmont Oaks Academy; Team Captain and Campaigner, YMCA's Community Support Campaign; 2002-04 Family Connections Author's Night Committee; 2008-09 President, Family Connections Board of Directors.
Debbie Denton
Professional Affiliations: Secretary, Parks and Recreation Foundation of San Carlos; Board Member, Rosalie Rendu Center, East Palo Alto; Member, St. Charles Conference of St. Vincent de Paul; Board Member, San Carlos Hometown Days Organizing Committee; Spirit-wear Coordinator, Sacred Heart Preparatory Parent Association Board. Former Professional Affiliations: President/Board Member, Sequoia Parents Nursery School; Board Member, Little Hands.
George Jaquette, Treasurer/Secretary
Professional Affiliations: Member, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks; Volunteer, AYSO. Former Professional Affiliations: Volunteer, Reading Partners; Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity; Volunteer, Urban Ministries of Palo Alto / InnVision; Volunteer, BUILD; Treasurer, MIT Club of Puget Sound and MIT Sloan Club of Puget Sound; Member, Intuit We Care and Give Back Committee.
Alisa Greene MacAvoy
Professional Affiliations: Board Trustee, Redwood City School District; Member, Peninsula Open Space Trust Skyline Committee; Board Member, Emerald Lake Country Club. Former Professional Affiliations: President, Clifford Parents Board; Member, Clifford School Site Council; Member, North Star Academy School Site Council; Volunteer, Redwood City Education Foundation. President and Fundraising Chair, Carlmont Parents Nursery School; President and Vice President Liaison, Little Hands.
April Pardini
Former Professional Affiliations: President, Brittan Acres PTA; Chairperson, Chicken's Ball Steering Committee.
Joyce Romeo
Professional Affiliations: Member, San Carlos Chamber of Commerce; Member, RSVP-Realtor Service Volunteer Program. Former Professional Affiliations: Board Member & President, Little Hands; Volunteer Captain, Measure B/San Carlos School Parcel Tax.
Denise Touhey
Professional Affiliations: Council/Chairperson for Preschool/School Age Child Care, Peninsula Covenant Church. Former Professional Affiliations: Board Member, Redwood City Girls Softball League.
“After graduating from Family Connections when my son went to Kindergarten, I helped in the classroom as a teacher’s aid during the art program. I wanted to see his development in the classroom. He was happy to see his Mom there too!”