Friends of Tahoe Truckee Waldorf
Board of Directors
Liz Sheppard – President
Liz Sheppard joined the Friends of Tahoe Truckee board 4 years ago in hopes of increasing access to Waldorf Education in the Tahoe region. Liz holds a Masters in Education from UNR, and a BA in Environmental Science and International Relations from Tufts University. With a passion for outdoor education, Liz has worked for prominent California companies such as Naturalists at Large and Adventures Cross Country. She is a long time employee of Vail Resorts and a member of the AASI Western Education Team. With this experience she brings to our organization over two decades of experience in customer service, training and educating children of all ages. Liz comes to FOTTW with experience serving on a variety boards and is presently serving as our Vice President.
Ami Vannoy – Treasurer
Ami is a founding member of FOTTW, currently serving as the boards Treasurer and previously as President, Vice President and Secretary since its inception in 2016. Ami is a devoted parent to her daughter Maci, who is in the 6th grade. She is also a local business owner of Nor-Cal Floor Design, Inc, alongside her husband Matt. Prior to her dedicated focus on her business and FOTTW, she worked in many claims capacities at Progressive Insurance for 17 years. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family and dog CC, mountain biking and skiing.
Alexandra Ball – Secretary
Alexandra Ball, mother of Maxim (TLC), Bohdan (LG), and baby Nataliya, has lived in Truckee since 2017 and joined the FOTTW Board in 2021 when her eldest son began his kindergarten journey. Being an alumna of the Seattle Waldorf School, and believing in the power of a Waldorf education, she and her husband Conor are thrilled to not only be able to offer their children that same education with the most incredible teachers, staff, and parent community, but also to bring the benefits to our region as a whole. With a background in public health and nonprofit organizations, and a career in higher education, she will use her experience to help bring the Tahoe Truckee Waldorf community to its full potential!
Shawna Jacobi
Waldorf has been a part of Shawna and her family's life since stumbling into an outdoor Waldorf Nursery in 2013. Her two daughters, now in first and sixth grades, have been in Waldorf schools ever since. Developing a deep appreciation for its philosophy and strong communities, she believes Waldorf education should be available to all who wish to partake in it. Shawna practiced architecture for 20 years before moving into software design. She and her family moved to Truckee in 2020, where they enjoy rock climbing, skiing, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Mia Andler
Mia Andler is the mom of Kai (3rd grade) and Seren (Little Gems). She is the founder and Executive Director of Vilda, a 501c(3) that provides nature education programs to children and adults. She also directed and was a founding staff member of the Bay Area branch of Trackers Earth. Mia has a teaching credential from Sierra Nevada College and has been a teacher for over 25 years. She has served on the board of several non-profits including Sustainable Fairfax and Circlecenter and been an elected member of the Fairfax Open Space Committee. She has been on the leadership team of several conferences and large events including The Nature Connection and Leadership Conference and the Earth Skills Alliance Educators Conference. She comes from a family of facilitators and directors and has a commitment to conscious leadership methods. She has studied several of them, one of her favorites being the Open Space Facilitation Method by Harrison Owen. Mia is also the author of two foraging books "The Bay Area Forager" and "Sierra Forager". She has numerous certifications including permaculture, archery and teaching yoga. She has appeared on radio, tv, newspapers and in a documentary called Play Again. She is a passionate naturalist, forager, world-traveler and loves building happy and healthy communities wherever she goes.
Heather River
Heather is a small business owner, and mother of two who had the opportunity to be educated in a waldorf school. She brings over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience as well as an in-depth understanding of Waldorf education. Her skills are grounded in the arts with a true love of economics and business. Her experience and understanding of community events is what has brought her to the FOTTW board. Heather is currently serving as our events and fundraising chair.
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is the father of Jaida (TLC) and Aurora (LG), and the owner of New Moon Natural Foods in Truckee and Tahoe City. Billy decided to join the Board at the birth of the Learning Center after witnessing the passion and devotion of the community to keep the Waldorf mission alive. The dedication and love that the parents, teachers and staff have shown for educating our kids in this magical place keep him inspired.