Dear Parents,
Hunter College Elementary School’s PTA Nominating Committee is proud to propose the following officer slate for our PTA Board for the 2020-2021 school year. Please note that names with asterisks are new parents currently being nominated, whereas individuals with non-asterisked names are serving a second year:
President: Roseanne Ciparick Almanzar (Joseph, 5O and Carla, 1Z)
I would be honored to serve as HCESPTA President for a second year. This past year has been a highly challenging and rewarding experience, during which I strove to be of meaningful service to our entire school community of families, faculty and administrators. Being part of the Hunter family has brought me much personal satisfaction and great joy, and I hope to continue giving back in any way that I can.
The 2020-2021 school year will be an entirely new, unique experience for our community. I am ready to face the challenges, ask the questions, think outside the box, and explore ways we can make this as engaging for us, and as valuable for our children, as possible. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to be of service.
As the mom of 2 HCES kids (Joseph rising 6th grader & Carla rising 2nd grader) I’ve spent the last 6 years helping the HCESPTA in various ways — as Co-Chair of Mosaic, Director of the Talent Show, Class Rep, and many other volunteer positions, before serving as its President. It has been an honor to serve alongside the current Board, the various fundraising teams, the Class Reps and IT Reps, as we together navigated this difficult year — I am so very grateful for the support of the community and amazed by the teamwork and commitment that has been so generously and unconditionally displayed and shared by the parents, faculty and administrators. I greatly look forward to continuing to be of service.
Thank you for this tremendous opportunity, and for your consideration.
Co-Vice President: Deborah Dempster (James, 2D)
It has been an honor to serve as PTA Vice President this past year, and I am running to continue in this role for the 2020-21 academic year. I have really enjoyed working with and getting to know so many of you over the last few years.
This year has brought many challenges. In the face of unprecedented hardships, our administration and teachers have gone above and beyond to rise to the occasion. Our children had nearly uninterrupted instruction and teacher engagement when schools were suddenly closed – we are all so lucky to be part of this amazing school, which truly sets the bar. It would be a privilege to serve as Vice President under Roseanne’s incredible leadership again next year.
Many thanks for your consideration – I look forward to seeing you all in the year ahead.
Co-Vice President: Kimberly Tolman (Theo, 4M)
I am running for PTA Co-Vice President for the 2020-2021 school year.
As the current PTA Board Secretary, I have helped craft the PTA’s voice during this unprecedented year. I hope you have enjoyed this year’s upbeat Newsletters and found comfort in our messaging based in community. While I have always been impressed by the Hunter students, parents, faculty and administration, this year should leave us all inspired for what we handled and accomplished together.
For the upcoming school year, there are a lot of unknowns. What I do know is that I want to continue to give back and be of service within our great organization. In the role of PTA Co-Vice President, I will work closely with our President and my fellow Co-VP to help manage and coordinate the many community activities we sponsor (whether remotely or hopefully very soon in person). There is a lot of work to be done and I hope to meet each challenge with enthusiasm and dedication. I look forward to meeting many more of you through this role and bringing your thoughts and needs to the forefront of Board discussions.
Professionally as a business manager, I would bring years of communication and budgeting experience to the PTA Board. I also previously held the position of class parent. As my son Theo completes 4th grade and we reflect on our past years at Hunter, we both are very aware of how fortunate we are to be members of this special community. I have no conflicts of interest in serving on the PTA Board and appreciate your consideration.
Co-Secretary: Erica Goetz* (Frances, KK)
As the mother of a kindergartener (Frances Wall), we feel very fortunate to have joined the extraordinary community at Hunter. I am running for Co-Secretary of the PTA Board to help serve the students, families and administration at the school.
The coming school year will bring new circumstances and practices. Our communication as a community will be as important as ever.
In my professional life, I am a professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation where I teach and serve on the curriculum and admissions committees. I own and run an architecture firm where we design and build a variety of projects in New York City.
If elected, together with my friend Grace, I will look forward to being a part of the board and communicating the activities of the PTA with you.
Co-Secretary: Grace Monger* (Jane, KK)
What a privilege it is to run for PTA Co-Secretary for the 2020-2021 school year. I am a kindergarten parent (Jane Aphinyanaphongs K-Koon) and with our first year at Hunter drawing to a virtual close, we continue to pinch ourselves that we are part of this incredibly special Hunter community.
A Nurse Practitioner by training, my current role is CEO of my household. Prior to having 3 kiddos, I worked in the ICU, lung cancer clinical research, & as adjunct faculty at NYU nursing school as a clinical instructor. I also had the opportunity to serve as Class Rep Jane’s first year of preschool and enjoyed compiling and sending weekly emails.
Communication, collaboration, timeliness, involvement, creativity, and humor are traits I value and try to embody. I enjoy connecting with others, sharing ideas, and rarely let an email or text go by without followup or response.
It’s such an honor to be considered for the role of Co-Secretary alongside my friend Erica. I echo her words about our communication being as important as ever in this coming year and whatever unique challenges and opportunities it may bring. If elected, we hope to foster unity through timely, informative, and fun communication. Thank you for your consideration!
Co-Treasurer: Carl Riehl (Wilson, 2D)
It has been a harrowing school year in several ways. But the Hunter parent community, working through the PTA and otherwise, has shown resilience, grit, empathy, and compassion that have been truly inspiring. It has been remarkable to see Roseanne meet so deftly challenges far beyond any she could have anticipated in her first year as the PTA President. And it has been equally remarkable to see so many parents step forward into new IT Rep roles and work diligently and enthusiastically to help make the transition to remote learning so quick and nearly seamless. The class reps and their coordinator have gone well above and beyond the call of duty, as have so many other parents, whether in board or formal volunteer positions or otherwise.
I am grateful that I have the good fortune to be part of this community, and I am honored to have served on the PTA Board for the past two years. I have had the great pleasure this year of working closely with Jaime, as she taught me the ins and outs of the Co-Treasurer role. I would be honored to continue to put that knowledge to use for the PTA, and to work with a new incoming Co-Treasurer to ensure smooth continuity in the treasurer function.
Co-Treasurer: Karen Mou* (Benjamin, 2D and Matthew, KK)
I’m excited to run for the Co-Treasurer position of the PTA for the 2020-2021 school year. We have 2 boys at Hunter – Benjamin (2D) and Matthew (KK) – and I’m looking for more ways to contribute to the wonderful Hunter community.
Professionally, I work as the Head of Compensation at Perella Weinberg Partners and have been in a compensation role for more than 15 years. I’m skilled in (and enjoy) budget management, bookkeeping and reconciliation, auditing, reporting and Excel, and I believe my professional skills meet the requirements for a Co-Treasurer role. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Finance.
Fundraising Officer: Michelle Ko* (Owen, 2D)
I am running for the PTA Fundraising Officer for the 2020-2021 school year. My son, Owen Morrow, is a 2nd grader in Ms. Donegan’s class.
I have seen my son prosper from the rich academics and many special classes Hunter has to offer. I feel fortunate to be a part of the Hunter community and would like the opportunity to work more closely with the Administration and PTA to ensure that Hunter’s extraordinary programs will continue to be well funded for current and future initiatives to benefit our children.
I enjoy being an involved parent and have volunteered for a variety of roles and activities at both of my children’s schools. I have Co-Chaired the HCES Auction for the past 2 years, collaborating with the Administration, PTA, faculty and parent volunteers. Additionally, I have been a Class Parent Rep for my older son’s school for the last 6 years. This past year, I have tried to use best practices from my experiences to benefit both schools’ auctions.
Professionally, I work at Credit Suisse as a Vice President in Equity Research Management. I work closely with the COOs on a number of initiatives primarily focused on hiring, expenses, and compliance. I have been very involved with Credit Suisse’s Foundation, helping to organize events and raise money for philanthropic organizations.
With my school volunteer experiences, professional financial background, and non-profit experience, I hope to drive HCES fundraising efforts forward to support the Administration and the PTA’s vision for Hunter. Thank you for your consideration!
ICT Manager: Guy Tufau* (Stephen, 1Z)
I am excited at the pleasure to run as the ICT Manager for the 2020 – 2021 school year. As the father of a rising second grader, I have been a participant in the Hunter community for 2 years. Through kindergarten and first grade, I have had the convenience of volunteering at a number of events, plays, and open house forums for prospective parents. I am currently, one of two IT Representative for my son’s class and I enjoy improving the technological experiences of our community.
Professionally, I have over 20 years’ experience in information technology working for banking firms. As the Executive Director of Corporate Workplace Technology, I manage 2 teams of Java Developers, and a Business Analytics team. The technology we provide the bank ranges from software built in house to the purchase of systems which are leading in their space. My clients range from the full workforce of 85,000 to the Community Affairs department which manages philanthropy through donation, grant management and volunteering platforms. I believe I can help improve the technology used to support fundraising, as well as the user experience of the PTA website.
Ultimately, if I am selected, I will be able to explain to my son my real purpose in life. 🙂 Thank you for your consideration.