Mary Bevernick, President
Mary is a retired educator with a commitment to education for all. She has focused on providing access to quality educational opportunities for students with special needs as a teacher and administrator for more than thirty years. She has two daughters and four grandsons. In retirement, Mary hopes to continue to support education on a global level.
Kate Parnes, Vice President
Kate spent 35 years in the public school system administering programs for students with disabilities. Upon retirement, she consulted with school districts on topics related to program accountability, best practices in fiscal management and legal compliance. Now Kate volunteers at several Bay Area food pantries, reads extensively and travels to expand her world view. She is married and has three children. Through her Global Grandmother work, she now considers herself a grandmother to the world’s children.
Judith Van Hoorn, Secretary
Judy is a retired professor of education, author, and researcher focused on children’s development and diverse cultures. A long-time early childhood educator and peace psychologist, she works with organizations to improve the lives of children and their families. Judy is married with two children and four grandchildren.
Diana McDonough, Treasurer
Diana worked for 30 years as an attorney for pubic school districts. Now she puts her energy, and communication skills, into helping kids more directly, and having fun. She does that with her eight grandchildren and with Global Grandmothers. Her special interest is the education of girls.
Sarah Pruden, Non-Profits Researcher
Sarah joined Global Grandmothers in January 2011 as our first member! Sarah’s early and enthusiastic support of GG naturally followed from her lifelong commitment to children’s issues, starting when as a child her family supported a war orphan in Italy. Sarah served as a school board member, and later a high school college/career advisor. Now, as a grandparent of four, Sarah gives time to make the world a better place.
Leni von Blanckensee, Webmaster
Leni’s 37 years in education spanned grades kindergarten through high school and led to her later work coaching school leadership teams in data-based school improvement. She was also the Coordinator of Assessment and Intervention in a mid-sized school district. She is married with two daughters and three grandchildren. She continues to volunteer in schools.