Board of Trustees

List of 11 members.

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  Sarah Dunn 

  Board Chair

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  Dr. Sarah L. Dunn, is a Professor at California State University, San Bernardino on the Palm Desert Campus in the Kinesiology Department. Her areas of scholarly expertise are in the early mechanisms for disease risk in young adults which include: inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, adiposity, and vagal insensitivity. More specifically, she is interested in how lifestyle interventions, incorporating healthy nutritional choices and physical activity prevent disease and the comorbidities associated. Dr. Dunn obtained her bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of New South Wales and University of Sydney, both in Australia, and recently joined the CSUSB community after a tenured professorship at the University of La Verne in La Verne, CA. She currently holds a Fellowship in the CSUSB Provost and Faculty Affairs Office and is passionate about research and the idea of systematic inquiry and adding to the scientific body of literature. In 2020 she completed a 4 year grant, funded by the W.M. Keck Foundation, for Broadening Participation in Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) in STEM. That funding supported high impact research immersion experiences promoting key learning outcomes while increasing STEM retention and success for undergraduate students. Dr. Dunn sits on the Board of Directors for the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research and previously served a three-year term on the Southwest American College of Sports Medicine, Board of Trustees. She is the mother of two current firebirds (Class of 2030 and 2035), and has volunteered over the years for the Parents Association and in the classroom.
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  Kevin Doran 

  Board Vice-Chair

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  Kevin Doran is the co-owner and CFO of Byrd Books, LLC since 2015 where he is responsible for the business and financial management, intellectual property defense, and contracting, as well as assisting his wife, Kate, in marketing/advertising and publishing. The business allowed Kevin to leave his previous career as a small business and intellectual property attorney.
  
  

  Kevin attended a school much like Palm Valley (Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, WA) and is a firm believer in the value that a small, independent school can offer, as well as the challenges that it can face. He graduated from USC in 2004 with a degree in Classics and then the rigorous, 2-year SCALE program at Southwestern Law School. Kevin has served on the Board of Trustees since 2022. His son, Tristan, is in the class of 2036.
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  Sara Rouche 

  Board Secretary

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  Sara Rouche is a communication professional with more than two decades of experience in corporate, executive, and development communications, media relations, and content creation. She currently serves as a member of the corporate communications team at a global nonprofit research organization, where she develops and executes integrated communication strategies to increase donor support for the organization. Rouche worked for a decade in the Office of Communications at a top-tier California law school, helping to raise the school’s profile, increase philanthropic funding, and enhance alumni involvement. She previously represented legal and professional service providers as a director of media relations at a boutique press relations firm.
  
  

  Rouche holds an M.S. degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a B.A. degree in communication from the University of Pennsylvania. She and her family moved to the Coachella Valley in 2021 to join the PVS community. As the proud parent of a current PVS middle school student, she is honored to serve on the Board and support Palm Valley School.
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  Garrett Falzone 

  Board Treasurer

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  Garrett Falzone and his family moved to Palm Springs in 2021. He has nearly three decades of experience in the analysis, investment, trading and sales of municipal fixed income securities. He retired as Head of Municipal Bond Research at PGIM Fixed Income in 2023. Prior to joining PGIM Fixed Income he was Head of Municipal Bond Strategy for the investment bank Jefferies. He additionally has held senior positions at Barclays and BlackRock. Garrett is committed to applying his knowledge and experience to help entities and organizations that align with his personal interests and where he can make a difference. He previously served on the Klamath Tribes’ Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors as its Treasurer. Garrett’s wife Donna is an Occupational Therapist and they are the proud parents of a PVS graduate.
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  Paul Antle 

  Board Member

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  An award-winning serial entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Pluto Investments Inc., a family office focused on small to mid-sized private equity acquisitions. Pluto currently holds majority interests in businesses ranging from ship repair and aquaculture to med-tech and
  laboratory services. Mr. Antle’s early business career was focused on the environmental services industry, having worked in sixteen countries across four continents.
  
  Mr. Antle is a graduate of the Harvard Business School (co valedictorian), and possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry (Memorial University) and a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering (University of New Brunswick). He is a philanthropist and continually supports a multitude of community organizations
  focused on children with disabilities, homelessness, food security, autism, seniors, and life-threatening diseases. He recently chaired a capital campaign for children with disabilities to secure funds to construct a new therapeutic equine facility. He currently chairs the Turning The Tide Marine Industry Awards Program, which recognizes achievement in the marine sector of eastern Canada.
  
  Mr. Antle has received many awards for his accomplishments over the years. Notably, in 2022 and 2014, he received the EY Atlantic Canada Entrepreneur of the Year Award and is a member of the Junior Achievers Business Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was recognized by
  the Senate of Canada (150th Commemorative Medal), was Memorial University’s Alumnus of the Year, and received an Alumni of Distinction Award from the University of New Brunswick. He received Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Pin for his community involvement. He is the father of two Firebirds (Class of 2030 and 2031).
• 

  Kristen Dolan 

  Board Member

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  Kristen Dolan is a highly experienced professional who serves as the executive director for the California Desert Arts Council and La Quinta Arts Foundation. With a focus on advocacy for the creative economy and program development to enhance the quality of life for Coachella Valley residents through the arts, Kristen brings over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience to her role.

   

  Throughout her nonprofit career, Kristen has led mental health programs for at-risk youth, directed teams supporting victims of human trafficking, and specialized in communications and revenue development for anti-poverty initiatives. Additionally, Kristen is a skilled public speaker with over 25 years of experience, starting with a successful career as an award-winning speech and debate student and continuing as an on-air radio personality in various cities across the country for 14 years.

   

  A resident of the Coachella Valley for 14 years, Kristen resides in La Quinta with her husband Casey, and their beloved feline companions, Tiki & Bodhi.
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  Stone James 

  Board Member

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  Dr. James brings more than 25 years of private and public sector leadership, management, and collaboration to the PVS Board. As a city manager for a nearby city, Dr. James is focused on increasing community wealth and social-wellbeing through enhancing economic, social, and educational opportunities. Having just completed University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy’s Doctor of Policy, Planning, and Development program, Dr. James brings a passion for education and a socially-minded conscience to the Board.

  Despite a variety of roles and accomplishments, Dr. James is most proud of his role as a father and husband. As father of three, his youngest child, Sierra, is a proud PVS high school student and has attended PVS since Kindergarten. Even at this young age, Sierra is looking forward to graduating from PVS and leveraging the prestigious PVS brand and academic rigor to gain admittance to a top university. In addition to her passion for art, Sierra is interested in “becoming a research doctor to help find a cure for cancer.” 
   
  Dr. James is grateful for the confidence, kindness, intellectual curiosity, poise, and moral compass PVS has helped develop and instill within Sierra. “Sierra has been surrounded by great students from great families the entire time she has been at Palm Valley. Sierra has received phenomenal care and support from PVS faculty and staff. PVS has been a safe, fun, and challenging environment to create memories, make friends, and develop her passions”. Enrolling Sierra in Palm Valley all those years ago and keeping her at the school has been one of the best parenting decisions I have made.
• 

  Nate Otto 

  Board Member

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  Nate Otto, with deep-rooted ties to Palm Springs, moved to the desert with his wife Gina in 2000. Their daughter enrolled in Palm Valley during the 6th grade. Witnessing her remarkable progress beyond academics solidified Nate's faith in the school. She proudly graduated as the Valedictorian of the class of 2023. He believes Palm Valley School has a special ability to foster the best in children and actively contributes to the community it serves. Nate learned the craft of construction from his father, refining his carpentry skills and eventually becoming a General Contractor and Developer, overseeing his own projects. In 2009, Nate made a transition to the solar industry and now owns one of the Coachella Valley's premier solar companies.
  
  

  Besides his professional pursuits, Nate is dedicated to volunteer work and supports various community programs and events. He previously served on the Palm Springs Sustainability Commission from 2014 to 2017 and presently serves on the Board of Directors at Desert Arc.
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  Alexandra Palmer 

  Board Member

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  Alexandra Minton, MA is a Medical Anthropologist with an interdisciplinary background in clinical outcome assessments (COAs), qualitative research methods, data analysis and interpretation, project management, and team leadership. She was born and raised in the Coachella Valley and attended Palm Valley School from Kindergarten through 12 th grade. Wanting to live someplace where snow was an annual experience, Alexandra completed her undergraduate study in Chemistry and Hispanic Studies at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. During this time, she also attended the University of Córdoba (Universidad de Córdoba) in Córdoba, Spain. She went on to graduate from Boston University School of Medicine with a Master of Arts degree in Medical Anthropology and Cross-cultural Practice. Alexandra now works at IQVIA, where she is the product owner for a portfolio of IQVIA’s COAs, most notably the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), the leading patient reported outcome tool for measuring treatment satisfaction with medication in healthcare, academic research, and routine care settings. Prior to joining IQVIA, Alexandra held research positions in the department of Cardiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where she analyzed coronary angiograms as part of the TIMI Study Group and served as Managing Editor of www.wikidoc.org, the world’s most widely viewed open-source textbook of medicine. Alexandra lives with her husband and two children in La Quinta and enjoys visits to the local farmers’ markets, cooking, being on game shows, and working alongside her author mom on her children’s book business which includes the Family Choice Award-winning nutrition adventure story Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen.
• 

  Elizabeth Richardson 

  Board Member

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  Elizabeth Richardson began her career in the New England area working in health education, developing prevention and wellness based programs for college aged students, and later conducting and leading worksite health promotion. After completing her Masters in Public Health from Oregon State University, Elizabeth worked for the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation evaluating the effectiveness of tools provided by Schwab Learning programs. Finding balance between work and family, Elizabeth spent her parenting years working in product management and tradeshow logistics, which offered a flexible schedule.
  
  Elizabeth has enjoyed the fulfillment that volunteering in independent school communities has offered since her girls began kindergarten, and is now serving her second year as Palm Valley School’s Parent Association President. She strongly believes in the education, nurturing, and
  opportunity that independent schools offer, and that dedication and support from enrolled families results in positive outcomes for the entire school community. Her daughters have thrived at PVS for three years, now benefiting from the robust MUS curriculum.
  
  Elizabeth has a passion for inspiring young leaders through volunteer work with Girl Scouts and Desert Cities National Charity League.
• 

  Briana Jordan 

  Emeritus Member

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  Briana Jordan is the Vice President and CFO at Brudvik Inc Electrical Contractor in Palm Springs. Briana attended Western Washington University and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 2003. She began working at Brudvik in 2004 and now is a Corporate Officer and Board Member for the company. Her day-to-day duties include managing receivables, managing payables, insurance policies, banking, contracts, advertising, financials, taxes, collections, directly supervising the Rental Department, managing the office staff and more. Briana has served on the Palm Valley Board of Trustees since 2020 in the capacity of General Member, Treasurer and Secretary. Briana also served as the President of the Palm Valley Parent Association from 2020 - 2022. Briana is married to Nate Jordan, who co-owns a vacation rental business here in the Coachella Valley. They have one daughter, Kenleigh (class of 2035), who has been enrolled at Palm Valley since she was 18 months old. Briana loves the school and hopes to make a difference by engaging families and working with her fellow board members to make Palm Valley the best school in the desert!