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 TTW with experience serving on a variety boards.
Patrick kamin - Vice president
Patrick brings a strong background in engineering and a deep passion for community service to his volunteer role. With over a decade of experience at technology leader Adobe Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has led technical teams and mentored engineers across large-scale projects. During that time, he developed a reputation for strategic thinking, collaboration, and delivering results.
Now based in Truckee, CA, Patrick has turned his professional drive toward giving back locally — partnering with Friends of Tahoe Truckee Waldorf to support its mission of expanding Waldorf-inspired education in the Tahoe-Truckee region. He contributes his skills in technology, project coordination, and community outreach to help strengthen the organization’s capacity and visibility.
Outside of his volunteer work, Patrick enjoys exploring the Sierra Nevada outdoors, tackling home-improvement projects, and finding creative ways to make an impact in his community.
Tracy bondi – Secretary
Bio Coming Soon…
Shawna Jacobi - Secretary
Waldorf has been a part of Shawna and her family's life since stumbling into an outdoor Waldorf Nursery in 2013. Her two daughters 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 and Seren. 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.
Lauren bello
Lauren Bello Okerman is an artist, architect, and designer whose creative practice bridges art, design, and education. As Board President of Tahoe Truckee Waldorf, she leads the effort to grow a thriving Waldorf-inspired learning community in the Tahoe Truckee region—most recently guiding the unification of the school on a 40-acre forest campus in Truckee. Her leadership blends artistry, vision, and deep respect for nature, creating spaces where children can learn through hands, heart, and imagination.
Beyond her work in education, Lauren is the founder and creative director of Folklaur Studio, a multidisciplinary practice that explores the intersections of architecture, art, and storytelling. A graduate of Colgate University (Neuroscience) and the Rhode Island School of Design (Master of Architecture), she has designed everything from buildings and installations to public art and custom furniture. Her public art installations in Truckee—like The Feather bike-rack sculpture—reflect her dedication to accessible, place-based design that celebrates community and nature.
Lauren is also known for her long-time collaboration with Coalition Snow, where as Creative Director she designed over 30 ski and snowboard graphics, bringing women’s stories and mountain culture into the world of outdoor gear. Her designs have been featured by REI, Outside, and The Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum, where her work is part of the permanent collection.
Rooted in the Sierra Nevada and inspired by its landscapes, Lauren lives in Truckee with her family. Whether she’s shaping a piece of art, a learning environment, or a community initiative, her work is united by a belief that creativity and connection to the natural world are essential to a meaningful education and a vibrant community.
jonathan jung
Bio Coming Soon…
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is the father of Jaida and Aurora, 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.