Parents Association Board 2020-2021
President
ANNE HOFER is the parent of Drew '19, Tommy '22, and Mark ‘25. She became part of the Breck Community in 2012 and has served as the Middle School Co-Chair for the PA Board. Her professional career has been in Financial Services, managing retail credit card programs. Anne currently works for TD Bank on the Target RedCard program. Additionally, she is an Executive Board member for the Eden Prairie Baseball Association. Anne plays in several competitive tennis leagues in her free time.
President-Elect
SARA BENNETT PEARCE is the parent of David ’19, Caroline ’22, and Bennett ’25. She has previously been involved with the initial Peter Clark Center groundwork and the Breck Annual Fund. A former Certified Nurse-Midwife and mother-baby nurse, she founded Amma Parenting Center in 2007, which she owned and operated until 2019. She has also served on the Board of the Wellesley Club of Minnesota in various capacities, most recently as President.
Past President
ZOE CUNNIFF is mom to Calista ’28 and three adult children. She served two years as Secretary on the Breck PA Board and has been a Tour Ambassador. She is an Alumni Admissions Ambassador for Cornell University, a Friend of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and a member of the Alpha Chi Omega local house corporation board. She stays fit walking her dog Dash and practicing hot yoga. Zoe lives in Golden Valley with her husband Joe and daughter Calista.
Communications/Secretary
ANNA BURNS is the parent of Alexei '26, Carley '28, and Laney '28. She has served the Breck community as a Classroom Ambassador and as a cabinet member for the Annual Fund. Anna enjoys running, traveling, and Minnesota summers. Anna and her husband Morgan live in Minneapolis with their children and wily puppy, Coco.
Treasurer
LESLIE ENGLERT is the parent of Ashley (Wayzata ’20), Meagan (Breck ’23), and Brayden (Groves ’28). She joined the Breck community in the fall of 2019, and before becoming a stay at home mother, Leslie spent her professional career at KPMG and later, Target. A lifelong cyclist, Leslie spends her free time exercising with her two rescue dogs, volunteering, and learning to play the piano.
Lower School Division Co-Chairs
NATALIE NICHOLSON is the parent of Wyatt '25, Avery '28, and Hadley '32. Her professional background is in college admissions and college counseling. Natalie works from home selling books for a children's publishing company and recently began training to become a yoga instructor.
JENNIFER RATHKE is the parent of Caroline ’30 and John ’33. Since joining the Breck community in 2016, She has served as Classroom Ambassador, New Family Mentor, Tour Guide and the Blue and Gold Bash Committee. Her professional career was spent working in sales for several Fortune 500 corporations after earning her MBA, and she now provides finance and administrative services to a multinational energy company owned by her husband. She enjoys spending time around Lake Harriet with her family and dogs.
Middle School Division Co-Chairs
SARAH MEYER is the parent of Elizabeth ‘22 and Bo ‘27. Her husband Chris ‘88 is a Breck alum. Sarah served several years on the PTA in Minnetonka schools as President, Vice President, and co-chair of a music program and a writing program. Sarah is an attorney practicing from home, allowing her time to play outside, practice yoga, and dance — and spend as much of the day as possible with family and friends.
JODI MONTGOMERY is the parent of Luci ’25, and Dylan ’28. After spending 10 years in Shanghai, China, she and her family moved back to the Twin Cities and became part of the Breck Family in January 2017. At Shanghai American School, she served a two year term on the PTSA as Vice President of Events, and a 2.5 year term as President. In her professional life, she is an independent event producer serving corporations, non-profits, and individuals. Jodi likes to entertain, travel and go to live music and sporting events.
Upper School Division Co-Chairs
JULIE DRYSDALE is the parent of Claire '14, Marianne ’16, and Ben ’21. She has been part of the Breck community since 2010 and has served as a captains' parent for the Breck Nordic team and the Breck Gymnastics team, as well as a committed spectator and concessions volunteer for boys soccer and lacrosse teams. Outside of Breck, Julie is a tax partner at PwC where she focuses on corporate international issues, and she is on the advisory board for the Carlson Global Institute. She is an avid runner and also enjoys cooking, baking bread, and traveling with her family.
CHRISTINA BOYD-SMITH is the parent of Pema ‘22, and Calden ‘23. She became part of the Breck Community in 2018 and has served as lead mentor for new families, an admissions tour ambassador, and the 9th grade parent representative. She is a corporate coach working with leaders nationwide. Christina owns her own business, The Corporate Rebel. In her free time she loves to do homey things like gardening, yoga, reading and baking.
Community-Building Co-Chairs
MEGAN ROGERS '01 is the parent of Matthew ’33. Megan and her family happily returned to Minnesota in 2018 after stints in Colorado, Washington DC, and Florida. Megan serves as an assistant city attorney for the City of Bloomington. Megan is excited to help organize parent social events and meeting and getting to know other Breck parents.
NATALIE MARTIN is the parent of Lars ’23, and two younger children. Natalie worked as a Professor of English at Prairie State Community College in suburban Chicago until 2005. She currently serves as PTO President at Edina Highlands Elementary, has served on the Special Education Advisory Council for Edina Public Schools and most recently taught a Mindfulness course. Natalie works part-time as a group fitness instructor at the Southdale YMCA. She enjoys running and music by Van Morrison.
Family Community SERvICE Co-Chairs
SCOTT McMULLIN is the parent of Henry '23. Scott and his family recently relocated to Minneapolis from Portland, Oregon. He is currently a volunteer with the non-profit Bridging and actively exploring today's Gig economy. Scott is an assistant coach for the Breck varsity lacrosse program.
NICOLE HOGAN is the parent of Ally '20 and Ty '21. Nicole and her family came to Breck in the fall of 2014. She and her husband, Mike, live on Medicine Lake in Plymouth. Nicole has returned to co-chair the Family Community Service committee, though she has always maintained her involvement in the committee's projects.
Parent Education Co-Chairs
QUANNAH PARKER McGOWAN is the parent of Miles ’30 and Sawyer ’32. Originally from Alaska, she has lived in MN for the past seven years. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from UMN, an M.Ed. in Mind, Brain and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an M.A. in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. When not wrangling her two kids she enjoys naps, reading, and triathlons.
MICHAEL KELLER is the parent of Alden ’23. Michael is the former CEO/President of Pearson Candy Company and is currently self-publishing a new children’s book called The Legend of Jet the Gerbil. Michael enjoys fitness training, movies, alternative rock, is a fan of the NY Giants, NY Yankees, Arsenal Football Club, and MNUFC...go Loons! He also serves as a board member for two start-up non-profits, Ziggy’s Art Bus and Live More Screen Less.
Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chairs
CAROL LUO grew up in Chengdu, China, and moved to MN in 2002. She joined the Breck community in 2017. She has a passion in bridging inter-cultural differences. Carol holds a Master's degree in Industrial Relations and works at the Girl Scouts of MN and WI River Valleys as their Chief People Officer. Carol lives in Golden Valley with daughter, Vivienne '30, and husband, James. In her spare time, Carol enjoys music, travel, Zumba, and spicy food.
VANESSA VEIT is the parent of Timeo ‘25 and Emie ‘26. Vanessa is originally from France and lives in Plymouth on Medicine Lake. Outside of her very demanding job, Vanessa is highly involved in her new community, coaching newcomers in Minnesota to get better connected through a series of small and large events. She likes travelling, good food and wine!
ReUse, RePlay, ReCycle Co-Chairs
MINDY ZITTEL is a self-proclaimed nature lover and appreciates all the Minnesota seasons with husband Phil and son Torsten ‘28. She is a member of the Education team at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, which allows her to share her lifelong passion for plants with students. In her free time she enjoys volunteering at Breck, reading a good book, and spending time in her garden.
SARAH JOHANSSON is the parent of Daniel ‘33. Her professional career has been in healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and airline industries. She is an executive strategic advisor to healthcare assets looking for growth and transience. Sarah has also served on the board of Valley Natural Foods since 2013. Sarah enjoys the performing arts with her family and satiates her wanderlust with international travels any chance she gets.
New Family Host Chairs
LESLEY BRIESE is the parent of Ava ‘28, Maggie ‘30, and Vivian ‘32. Lesley is also a Lower School Division Co-Chair. She has been part of the Breck community since 2014 and has served as Lower School Division Co-Chair, Classroom Ambassador, Community Outreach member, Annual Fund volunteer, Breck Ambassador, and a New Family Mentor.
CRYSTAL WITHERSPOON is the parent of Kyndal ’22, Camille ’24, and Grayson ’30. Her family joined Breck in 2017. Crystal has served as Lower School Classroom Ambassador, Eighth Grade Parent Representative, and Blue and Gold Bash Committee Member. Crystal is a stay at home mom and formerly worked as an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist. She is active in local chapters of Jack and Jill of America, Inc and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and an exercise enthusiast.
Technology Co-ChairS
KEVIN GRAEBEL resides in Plymouth with wife, Shanna, and their children, Kayla '29 and Madelyn '32. After completing his MBA and working in product marketing and management, Kevin has working on a degree in computer science in order to get more involved in the Internet of Things and data science revolution. In his free time he enjoys cooking with his family, skiing, traveling, and doing the NYT crossword with Shanna.
JONATHAN McDONAGH is the parent of Erin ‘24. He joined the Breck community in 2018. Jonathan has been on the Wayzata yacht club board since 2002 and was commodore 2011-2013. He's an avid sailboat racer.
Meals That Heal Chair
DANIELLE PREISSING is the parent of Ellis '27, Quinn '29 and three-year-old Marlowe. She has been part of the Breck community since 2014. Danielle has volunteered as a Classroom Ambassador and has served as both Chair and Co-chair of Staff Appreciation Day and Co-Chair of Meals That Heal. In her free time, Danielle enjoys being active and spending time with her family.
PRITIKA KUMAR is the parent of Tara '30. The Kumars moved from New York in 2017 and found an instant connection with Breck. Pritika is a development professional and a social scientist, working on issues of health equity and access for marginalized and vulnerable populations. Additionally, she serves on the board of two not-for-profit organizations in the Twin Cities, JustUs Health and Wellshare International. Pritika and Tara are also music and cooking enthusiasts and spend many of their evenings and weekends composing songs and cooking healthy treats!
Contact information for the PA Board, Classroom Coordinators, and Grade-Level Reps are posted in the Veracross Parent Portal under Parent Resources, then Parents Association.