List of 12 members.

• 

  Abani Heller 

  Chair of Finance Committee.

  Bio

  Abani is a dynamic and driven individual with a passion for using Technology and Data to solve complex problems. With over 25 years in the tech industry and a background in Psychology, he has a proven track record of building and leading successful teams as he did recently for social networking pioneer classmates.com and for the people search industry as the CEO of Inteius.com and then PeopleConnect.

   

  Abani is an expert in growth, transformation, data, the SaaS business model and direct to consumer offerings. Abani holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Abani currently resides in Kirkland, WA and in his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, traveling, time with family, and always using his Sprinter Van to get there.

   

  Abani was introduced to VVS by his spouse Elysia (Marsh) Heller, ’88 and currently has two children  Finley, VVS Class of ’24 and Peter, VVS Class of ’26.

   

  Respected and experienced leader with proven results as a CEO, senior advisor and executive across Sales & Marketing, Technology, Data, Legal, Finance, HR and Business Development. Deep experience with a variety of online models, industries, c-level roles and business maturity.
  
  
• 

  Amber Davies-Sloan '99 

  Secretary. Advancement Committee. Chair of Communications Task Force.

  Bio

  Amber Davies-Sloan grew up in Northern CA and relocated to Sedona AZ when she was 15. Attending VVS taught her many important lessons that she has carried with her throughout her life. After graduating in 1999, Amber attended Northern Arizona University and the University of New Mexico, earning degrees in Communication, with emphases in family and interpersonal communication. She is currently an Assistant Professor at DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond WA, where she guides future game developers through the process of learning communication tools for successful professional and personal relationships.

  
  Amber’s academic research focuses on the identity formation of transracial adoptees through communication and how biracial and adoptee identities might affect interpersonal relationships in adulthood. As a Korean adoptee herself, Davies-Sloan feels that it is important to share the experiences of adoptees and amplify their voices as historically the rhetoric surrounding adoption is from the perspective of the adopter and not the adoptees themselves.

  
  

  Anyone who has met Amber knows her love and dedication to VVS and its mission. She is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees and looks forward to supporting the short and long term goals of VVS so that current and future students can experience the same “magic” that she was able to during her time at the school.

  
  Amber currently resides in Western Washington with her husband, two young boys, and sassy Corgi. A recent transplant from Arizona to the Pacific Northwest, she enjoys spending time outside, exploring her new home. In her spare time, she can be found in the kitchen working on her cooking and baking skills, or curled up with a good book and a cup of tea. 
• 

  Betsy Smith 

  Chair of Endowment Task Force. Finance Committee.

  Bio

  Betsy Smith grew up in Northern New Jersey and relocated to Austin, Texas to avoid winters a couple years after graduating from Penn State University with dual majors in Math and Accounting. After a decade in the traditional corporate world as an internal auditor and investment data and analytics manager, Betsy (and her partner Joseph and two cats), traveled the American Southwest for a year while working as a horse wrangler. Betsy and family eventually settled in Apache Junction with two adopted horses, starting a career with Bureau of Land Management while acting in murder mystery shows and helping her neighbors with home renovations on the weekend. Betsy inadvertently was embracing the guiding principals of VVS in action, which she realized when attending VVS’s 75^th anniversary with her aunt (Amie Rodnick) and uncle. Betsy’s thrilled to bring her passion for the VVS lifestyle and prior work experience to the Board of Trustees and to help ensure VVS is thriving for the next 75 years and beyond. 
• 

  Christopher Gebhardt 

  Chair of Branding and Marketing Task Force. Advancement Committee.

  Bio

  Christopher is a leader in using storytelling to drive social impact, applying a strategic framework he developed at his impact agency/consultancy Stir and while serving as Participant Media's EVP for digital, brand, and business development. At Participant, he led the creation of digital communities and created impact agency/consultancy Tag, which had clients Disney, Intel, American Express, MacArthur Foundation, and Gates Foundation. Prior to Participant, he was a pioneer in branded entertainment at Pepsi, Ogilvy-where he was the head of emerging technology and innovation—and as co-founder of Integrated Entertainment Partners. He was also a consultant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and has an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School. He is an Edmund Hillary Fellow and a fellow of the RSA. He teaches at UCLA’s Anderson School and served as Chair of the Ad Council Issue Advisory Board.
• 

  Chris  Means '75 

  Vice President. Chair of Land and Facilities.

  Bio

  I hope to contribute to VVS as a board member or consultant as a means of giving back for all that it has done for me and my goal is to help with the building improvements for the school and enhance the VVS experience for students and faculty.  I found my passion for building early in life. I have been working in construction since 1977. I have been a general contractor for the last 39 years in both residential and commercial projects in my home town of Santa Rosa, CA. I have had the pleasure my having both of my sons work with me on their journeys to their own careers.  I enjoy active outdoor activities, mushroom foraging, home winemaking, cooking, and collecting Native American art.
• 

  Don Groves 

  Endowment Task Force. Branding and Marketing Task Force. Advancement Committee.

  Bio

  A life-long educator in the Americas and Africa, Don was a teacher and counselor at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, high school principal, and international school superintendent. Don earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate from the University of
  Northern Colorado. Post doctorate studies include coursework and seminars at the University of Oxford, Harvard University, Brown University, and State University of New York-Buffalo.
  
  Don gained governance experience throughout his career by serving on a variety of boards and being president of three of them. As a local resident, he has continued this experience as a member of several community boards and task forces. He previously served as a VVS Trustee from 2011-2015.
  
  Don brings to the Board of Trustees a wide perspective of education, the role of governance, and the Verde Valley.
• 

  Hassan Majid '86 

  Governance and Finance Committees.

  Bio

  A proud 1986 graduate of VVS, Hassan brings a lifelong connection to the school and a strong background in finance and entrepreneurship. After earning an MBA in Finance from Drake University, he built a career as a small business owner in the travel industry, later working as a financial advisor with AXA. Today, Hassan is an active stock trader and lives in Chicago, IL. As a trustee, he is excited to give back to the community that helped shape his journey.
• 

  Tamara Cook '83 

  President. Chair of Governance Committee.

  Bio

  Born in La Paz, Bolivia to parents in the U.S. foreign service (State Department), Tamara Cook (aka, Tammi Nydell), is a four-year graduate of Verde Valley School, Class of ’83.  During her four years, she served as Class President and helped start “Student Government.”  It only made sense that she would go on to receive degrees in Political Science and Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona, and, in 1991, a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.    

   

  As for experience she brings to the VVS Board, Tamara is a trial attorney with three decades of legal and business experience.  She is presently the co-owner and founder of Williamson Law Group Arizona.  Over the course of her career, her diverse law practice has focused on issues concerning employment law, commercial litigation, business litigation, risk management and safety assessment, insurance coverage and bad faith, medical malpractice, and personal injury.  Beginning July 2020, Tamara is certified by Maricopa County Superior Court as an arbitrator and Judge Pro Tempore.

   

  June 2022 starts Tamara’s third time on the Board of Trustees.  Like so many others, Tamara is passionately dedicated and devoted to VVS and its Mission.  From a place of trust and respect, she intends to work tirelessly with her Board colleagues and the VVS family near and far, new and old, to ensure VVS survives and thrives, and that the vision of Hamilton and Babs Warren is shared with many more generations of our youth.
• 

  Jeneda Benally '92 

  Chair of Native Nations Task Force.

  Bio

  Jeneda Benally plays bass and sings with her brother Clayson Benally in the multi-award-winning duo Sihasin. In 2012, they formed Sihasin, the Navajo word for “hope”, releasing their Ed Stasium-produced debut album, Never Surrender, in 2012 to critical acclaim and numerous awards on the American Indian Music scene, and received the honor of being called the "#1 Freedom Fighting Band to Get You Through the Trump Years” byThe Huffington Post in December 2016. Sihasin’s latest album “FIGHT LIKE A WOMAN” has also won numerous awards internationally and nationally. They also collaborated on the song “Sister Moon and Brother Sun” for the 2017 Grammy-nominated album by roots children’s duo The Okee Dokee Brothers. Their punk rock version of the Christmas classic, “Winter Wonderland” was featured in an ad campaign with Tony Bennet for Hyundai. Jeneda has had a long musical career that first began with her brothers in the Native American iconic punk band “Blackfire” formed in 1990.
  
  Jeneda Benally also performs in the internationally acclaimed family's dance troupe, The Jones Benally Family. Benally has toured throughout the world to share her Dine’ (Navajo) culture as a means to build respect and understanding for Indigenous Nations. Not only does Jeneda advocate for indigenous teachings, she is a traditional practitioner of Navajo medicine and works alongside her father, Jones Benally, a Navajo medicine man.  Benally is also well-known for her work as an advocate for human rights, sacred sites, youth empowerment, and environmental and animal rights. Jeneda was part of the Delos Convention for the United Nations in Greece and was a plaintiff in the federal court case against reclaimed wastewater in order to protect the Sacred San Francisco Peaks.  Benally has been featured on NPR, as an actress in Nanobah Becker's film The Sixth World, and has appeared in numerous TV specials and in national and international media formats.
  
  "Verde Valley School deepened my values and core commitment to ideals that I didn’t realize extended beyond the embrace of my family. These values of being connected to our global community, appreciation for nature, the creative force of art, the beauty of diversity and the thrill of education connected me to a bigger family, my Verde Valley School family. I carry these values with me everyday. I am still supported by that embrace of a growing global family as I consistently work as a positive change maker to build bridges of respect and unity."
• 

  Melissa Shanahan '83 

  Communications Task Force. Advancement Committee.

  Bio

  With over twenty years experience working with adolescents and their families, Melissa and her company Educational Pathways, have over twenty years experience working with adolescents and their families.  Her work focusses on offering a personal approach to navigating the best possible educational pathway for a child, whether in a more traditional school setting, therapeutic environment or wilderness program. As a counselor in drug and alcohol programs, residential treatment facilities, public high schools and outdoor education programs, Melissa clearly understands the turmoil students face today and the need for parents to stay committed to keeping their children on track. Melissa works face-to-face with families all over the United States, regularly tours schools and programs, and attends conferences in order to stay current with the various issues and special needs that affect students today. Melissa earned a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver and lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and two children.
• 

  Tom Standring '78 

  Treasurer. Governance and Finance Committees.

  Bio

  Grew up in Tucson and Fresno, then moved to Winnipeg before his sophomore year of high school.

  Some would say Tom’s growing up part is still a work in progress.
  
  Toured various high schools before his senior year with the final stop at VVS. No further touring necessary.
  
  Through a circuitous life journey from Sedona after graduation, Tom ended up back in Tucson getting a BSBA degree from the University of Arizona in ’92 then passing the CPA exam in ’94.
  
  Worked in various CPA firms, then began working in his current capacity in 2002 as a traveling “auditor” for Real Estate Franchisors and now has run his own firm doing same since 2007.
  
  Tom is very grateful he has an opportunity to give something back to Verde Valley School as a contributing Board Member. As a viewpoint was recently conveyed to the Board, VVS is a magical place. Tom would like to help ensure it remains that way.
  
  Married and living in Tucson with his wife of 23+ years, Tom’s interests are traveling for fun, visiting family in Northern California, following University of Arizona sports teams of all types, and collecting pre-machine made Antique bottles. Those made roughly 1910 and before.
• 

  Monte Warren '09 

  Advancement and Governance Committee

  Bio

  Monte Warren is a 2009 graduate of Verde Valley School and the grandson of VVS founders Hamilton and Babs Warren. He grew up on campus where his parents worked for 20 years and is now proud to join the Board of Trustees.

   

  Monte is the founder of Cureos, a venture studio that helps companies build and launch sustainable products. Over the past decade, he’s worked with organizations like Microsoft, PepsiCo, Tetra Pak and others on innovation strategy, product development, and new venture design. 

   

  He’s glad to stay connected to VVS and help support the school’s next generation of students.