Kimberly Eng Lee, President

Kimberly is the parent of two Gunn graduates (2019 and 2023). She worked in the financial services industry for 14 years, and has served Bay Area nonprofits for over 20 years. Kimberly has been active in Palo Alto schools, including as Gunn PTSA President and Site Council Liaison, VP Communications at Nixon, Fletcher, and Gunn PTAs, and as Chairperson for the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education. Kimberly has assisted numerous committees and organizations, focusing on literacy, mental health, equity, social-emotional learning, and transition planning. Kimberly wholeheartedly supports the Gunn Foundation’s mission of providing resources for students to equitably access college and succeed in their post-secondary endeavors.

Erik Olah, Gunn High School Principal 

Mr. Olah graduated from Gunn High School in 1998, received a Masters Degree in Education and Bachelors Degree in Marine Science from UC Santa Cruz, and returned to PAUSD in 2008. He was a biology teacher at Palo Alto High School for 13 years and an assistant principal there for three years before joining the Gunn admin team in 2024 as an Assistant Principal, and becoming the Principal in 2026.

Jackie Liang

Jackie is the parent of a Gunn graduate (2023) and current Gunn student. Jackie has served on the Gunn PTSA executive board and enjoys volunteering in the community. Jackie is a Certified Financial Planner™️ and has been working in the financial services industry for over 25 years. She loves hiking, reading and enjoys traveling with her family. Jackie is excited to join the board to help students achieve their goals and dreams.

Jenn Silva

Jenn is a parent of a Gunn Class of 2025 graduate and a community volunteer. She joined the Gunn Foundation board as an empty nester because she believes its mission to create access to education for Palo Alto's graduating seniors benefits our entire community. She previously volunteered at Nixon Elementary as a classroom volunteer, a member of the School Site Council, an event planner, and as the fifth grade treasurer, and she served on the PTSA boards of Fletcher Middle School and Gunn for seven years. Jenn currently also volunteers at the South Palo Alto Food Closet.

Julie Lin, Treasurer

Julie is the parent of a Gunn graduate and 9th grader. Julie has been an active volunteer in the community, including as a Project Cornerstone reader at Palo Verde Elementary School, and as the treasurer or auditor for Palo Verde Elementary PTA, Gunn High School PTSA, and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs (PTAC). Julie was also involved as Treasurer for the Palo Alto senior housing Stevenson House. Julie believes in supporting education and giving back to the community. She is excited to continue to be part of the Gunn PTSA and the Gunn Foundation, where she can help the school and be a part of an organization that help students continue their growth and learning beyond high school.

Julie and the family have lived in Palo Alto since 2012. She has worked as a finance professional for over 20 years and enjoys spending time with family and traveling.

Lina Qiu, Donations Officer

Lina is the parent of a Gunn junior and a Gunn class of '23 graduate. Starting her career in public accounting, she has worked in finance, accounting and compliance functions in various organizations. She is inspired by the Gunn Foundation's mission and is excited to help Gunn students achieve their goals and make a positive impact on the community.

Padmini Krishnan

Padmini is the parent of two Gunn graduates, and has been involved in several educational causes in the area including at Ravenswood Classsroom Partners. She has volunteered in her children's schools in Palo Alto in different capacities. She believes that all students should have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals beyond high school. Padmini looks forward to working for the Gunn Foundation and helping students achieve their dreams.

Paromita Guha

Paro, a proud parent of a Gunn junior, holds a PhD in Economics from the State University of New York, UB. She spent over a decade teaching Economics and Statistics at the undergraduate and graduate levels in New York and Pennsylvania before moving to the Bay Area, where she co-founded a data startup. Currently, she is a Data Science and Analytics leader at a Fintech company in the bay area while being a part-time professor of Masters of Analytics at the Silicon Valley campus of Northeastern University. Being passionate about teaching and mentorship, Paro is excited to be a part of the Gunn Foundation and supports the mission and vision of inspiring students from diverse backgrounds to aim and reach for their educational and career goals.

Stephannie Lobell, Chief Scholarship Officer

Stephannie, a parent of a Gunn senior and a 2024 Gunn graduate, has extensive experience in education. She taught science and AVID at a local high school, integrating social justice into the curriculum and promoting equitable access for all students. For the past 14+ years, she mentored graduate students in the Stanford Teacher Education Program. Stephannie has also volunteered extensively, contributing to 10 Books A Home, Foundation for a College Education, Community Service Agency, Nixon Elementary School Site Council and PTA, and served as a JLS Connections Board Member, as well as volunteered at JLS, Fletcher, and Gunn. She is passionate about ensuring every student has access to higher education opportunities and is eager to support students as a Gunn Foundation board member.

Armie Duterte, Advisory Board

Armie has been a part of the Palo Alto community since 1999 and is the parent of two Gunn students. She has worked as a finance professional in various private and public companies across the Bay Area and brings this knowledge and a "heart to serve" to the Gunn Foundation.  Armie is thrilled to be a part of an organization focused on enabling and supporting students achieve their goals of going to college.

Derek Truesdale, Advisory Board

Derek is the proud parent of a Gunn graduate. He holds a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership, a Masters of Occupational Education, and has over 25 years of nonprofit management experience in government and higher education. A native of South Carolina, Derek moved to Palo Alto in the 2000 to continue his graduate work, followed by a move to Chicago in 2003 where he did his research and writing. In 2017 he and his family returned to Stanford. In addition to much experience in fundraising work throughout his career, Derek is also a photographer and painter. 

Miguel Lopez, Advisory Board

Miguel is originally from Mexico, where he earned his degree in Industrial Engineering. He is the parent of two boys in PAUSD. Miguel has a career in tech and has been part of our community since 2018. Most recently Miguel’s family lived in New York City and before that Arizona, where he met his wife Helen while attending the University of Arizona. He is an avid runner and reader of history books. Miguel is really excited about helping students find a path to success.