Meet the Escuela + Harwood Board of Trustees

March 10, 2025

Dear Escuela Community,

Happy spring from the budding campus of Escuela del Sol Montessori + Harwood Art Center!

As Board Chair, I’m thrilled to share this update to keep you informed and connected to the impact you have at the school.

While some of you visit campus daily, others are alumni, alumni families, grandparents, and former faculty who can only be here sporadically.

Put simply, we want to express gratitude for putting your trust in us. What can you expect?

• Impact Updates: Learn how your contribution is helping Escuela thrive.
• Celebrating Success: See our milestones and achievements.
• Upcoming Events: Stay informed about opportunities to connect in person.

Today I’d love to spotlight our dedicated Board members and the often behind-the-scenes role they play to help guide our impact.

MEET THE BOARD

Paige Abrams

Paige is an early childhood educator with 30+ years of experience, as a pre-K consultant, Montessori mentee, and teacher in preschool, theater, art, and movement. She’s currently Education Program Supervisor at Wemagination Resource Center.

Douglas Carver

Douglas is the dad of a Jr. High alumnus from 2024. A sought-out law expert on ethics and race, ethnicity, class, and gender in the criminal justice system, he’s Acting Executive Director of the New Mexico Sentencing Commission.

Allison Chavez

Allie is an alumna of Escuela from 1995. She’s a new mom who works at Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Oregon, and is a great connector for alumni relations.

Emilie De Angelis

My son also attended Escuela through Jr. High, and moved up in 2024. I have 25+ years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising, leading transformative campaigns at major arts, culture, and education organizations in Chicago, New Mexico, and beyond.

Ann Edenfield Sweet

All four of Ann’s sons are Escuela alumni from the 1980s! She’s a nonprofit expert, motivational speaker, author, and continues to run a nonprofit that supports family members of the incarcerated.

Maria Garcia Geer

Maria is a trusted family law expert and the retired Principal of Geer, Wissel, Level & Harwell P.A.. While she’s been an invaluable leader to us for many years, she’s also recently become an Escuela grandparent.

Linh Nguyen

Linh is the dad of an Escuela alumna from 2019. He’s a nationally recognized leader in strategy, talent development, and change management with 30+ years experience in management consulting and organizational leadership in the mission-driven sector. He’s currently VP for Equity, Culture, and Talent at Lumina Foundation.

WHAT DOES THE BOARD DO?

Trustees help guide strategic decisions for Escuela and Harwood. We provide the fiduciary review required by our 501c3 status, serve as thought partners, and advocate to ensure sustainability, mission alignment, and success of the organization.

YOUR ROLE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Whether through sharing ideas, volunteering time, or making an annual gift, you are the helpers and difference-makers that elevate our entire community.

More ways to connect:

• See this open Call for Expressions of Interest for the Board for enrolled families.
• Read about donor-supported projects in our Community Report.
• Save the date to celebrate our Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 17, on the Escuela campus!

Thank you for every way that you’re a part of our Escuela + Harwood community.

Sincerely,

Emilie De Angelis
Escuela + Harwood Board of Trustees Chair