Board of Trustees
Watershed School is a nonprofit, independent educational institution stewarded by a Board of Trustees.
Stewards of Innovative Education
The Watershed board is composed of parents, alumni, and community members passionate about innovative education. Together, they work to ensure the school's long-term health, develop policy, and think generatively about the future. The Head of School, who is selected and supported by the Board, holds full responsibility for the daily operations of the school.
2024-2025 Board of Trustees
Jason Berv (Founder and Emeritus Board Member)
Jason is the founder and former Head of Watershed School. He now leads his own coaching and consulting practice, insightLAB, with a focus on helping people find greater success and happiness. Both independently and in association with a number of outstanding partners, Jason also consults with businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations, most often related to strategic change, innovation, and leadership development.
Tim Breen, Ph.D. (Ex Officio)
Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University where he double majored in Physics and English. He earned both his Masters in Science Education and Doctorate in Education degrees from the University of Michigan. After teaching Physics for thirteen years, Tim spent two years as the Director of School Programs at the Appalachian Mountain School before beginning his tenure as the Academic Dean at The White Mountain School. Four years later, he became the Head of School- a position he held for eight years before coming to Watershed. Tim was born in Yonkers, NY and grew up in the suburbs of north NYC. He and his wife Julie have two children, Evan, an engineer and Tori who is studying dance at the University of Minnesota. Together they enjoy exploring beautiful natural settings and spending time in the mountains of Colorado. Tim is an avid cyclist and enjoys following professional cycling.
Paul Forward (Treasurer)
Paul Forward is the father of a current Watershed high school student and two college students, both of whom graduated from the Park School of Baltimore, a leading K-12 progressive school. Paul holds degrees in electrical engineering, physics, geology, and business. He spent 17 years as a sell-side research analyst for Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. and Legg Mason, Inc., and was twice named by the Wall Street Journal as the top U.S. analyst covering the metals and mining sector. He and his wife Rachel moved to Boulder in 2018 so that their youngest son James (’24) could attend Watershed.
Kirstin Gillespie
Kirstin is mother to a Watershed High School student. During and after college, Kirstin led summer wilderness trips for teenagers and worked with adjudicated youth in wilderness programs. Currently, she is an attorney who clerked for the Colorado Court of Appeals and practices mainly in the areas of natural resources and water rights. Kirstin has served on the board of directors at both Shining Mountain Waldorf School in Boulder, Co. and the Colorado Animal Rescue in Glenwood Springs, Co. When she’s not driving her oldest child to gymnastics, she enjoys CrossFit, reading, being outside in beautiful Boulder and spending time with her family and many dogs.
Julie Goldstein (Board Chair)
Julie is the parent of a Watershed graduate. A life long Coloradoan, Julie has worked in public, outdoor and nonprofit education settings for most of her professional career. Julie now serves as the director of a family foundation and sits on the board of American Jewish World Service. She has a degree in sociology and anthropology from Lewis and Clark College, as well two masters degrees, one in Experiential Education and the other in Contemplative Education. Recently, she completed programs in spiritual psychology at the University of Santa Monica (USM). Serving on the Watershed board allows Julie to combine her nonprofit and education experience with her passion for supporting the next generation of innovative learners. In her free time, Julie enjoys river adventures with her child, traveling in her van, and walking her dog.
Carol Hoeffler
Parker Meer ‘16
Parker graduated from Watershed in 2016 and followed his passion for biology and outdoor education to Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. While gaining a major in biology and a minor in computer science, Parker worked for the school’s outdoor leadership program, leading skiing, backpacking, snowshoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding courses all around the PNW. After graduating, following in the footsteps of many Watershed educators, Parker left the PNW with aspirations to travel the western U.S., living simply and rock climbing as much as possible. These rambles lead him to a career serving as a climbing ranger for Rocky Mountain National Park, conducting search and rescue operations and climbing/wilderness resource management. Parker still spends his winters traveling, climbing and skiing as much as possible, while also teaching WFR (wilderness first responder) courses for NOLS Wilderness Medicine.
Steve Nelson
Steve was Head of the Calhoun School in New York City for 19 years. Calhoun is one of America’s most notable progressive schools, particularly well regarded for its commitment to diversity and social justice. Since 1997 Steve has been a columnist for the Valley News in New England and is the author of First Do No Harm: Progressive Education in a Time of Existential Risk. He is a serious violinist and served for six years as president of a performing arts school in the Midwest. He has competed in many marathons, triathlons, bicycle races and XC ski races, with steadily decreasing success. Steve is married to Wendy Nelson, has two children, Jennifer and Christopher, and three perfect grandchildren – Quinn, Maddie and Jack.
jade polizzi
Jade is the parent of a current Watershed student (Josie, Class of '27) and a recent graduate (Zora, Class of '24). She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado. As a licensed architect and a teaching professor in the University of Colorado's Program in Environmental Design, Jade teaches a diverse range of courses, from the large lecture class "The History of the Built Environment" to intimate capstone architecture studios. Her teaching and research emphasize service learning and community engagement. Originally from the swamps of New Orleans, Jade enjoys drawing, practicing yoga, participating in outdoor activities, and savoring coffee in her free time.
Chris Rice
Chris is the proud parent of Lyra (’27). After many years doing website design and marketing Chris transitioned to working as an artist creating sculpture and functional metalwork. Since 2004 he has been a member of the SugarLoaf Fire Department. During that time he has served as Assistant Chief (during the Four Mile fire) and Chief (during the floods) and is currently a Battalion Chief. Both as Chief and Assistant Chief he worked closely with the department's Board of Directors. Over the years he appreciated what an impact a Board can have on an organization and how the members differing backgrounds and interests could be utilized to benefit the organization.
Sonia Schnitzer (Secretary)
Sonia is the proud mum of two Watershed students. She joined the board because she believes the Watershed School mission and values strengthen the Boulder community. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the future growth and success of the school. Sonia was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. While still there, she received her BA in Sociology. She then moved to Boston to complete her MA in International Communications and Marketing at Emerson College. Arriving in Boulder in 2001, Sonia became Director of Environmental Market Development for the Colorado Environmental Business Alliance. Switching gears in 2004, she joined a start-up as Director of Marketing and Administration for Applied Broadband. Along with her husband and two sons, Sonia enjoys a life immersed in the Boulder community, injected with as much travel as possible. Her Covid-Year-Project was completing her Certification in Corporate Social Responsibility with CU Boulder Leeds School of Business.
Eaton Scripps
Eaton earned his Master of Science in chemistry from San Diego State in 1985. He worked for a number of years in R&D before moving to Boulder. Eaton is the father of a Watershed graduate, Tyler (2018). He has previously served on the Watershed board from 2012 to 2019. When Eaton is not attending to board business, he enjoys outdoor photography and wood working.
Jon sisenwein
Jon has two high school students at Watershed, and has been involved with the Watershed Parents Association (WPA) since joining the Watershed community in 2017. He was WPA Co-Chair for four years prior to joining the Board of Trustees. Originally from New York, Jon had a long tenure in Advertising as Copywriter and Creative Director at some of the most well-known ad agencies in the world – leading creative teams on fortune 500 brands. Jon has also participated in the startup world as a Founder, before ultimately discovering his passion for residential real estate, and is now an active Realtor® at COMPASS Boulder. In his spare time, Jon takes on renovation projects that usually prove to be more involved than originally planned - most recently displacing his family from their home for eight months. He tells his wife, Sara, and the kids it’s going to be great! Their family dog, Zoey, remains unfazed.
Emma Starek ‘15
After graduating from Watershed in 2015, Emma went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Lawrence University. Following her passion for positive psychology and how it can applied to help people and businesses reach their full potential, she ended up working for a business consulting firm doing culture and strategy work for organizations in healthcare, higher education, and family-owned businesses. Emma currently works for the Wikimedia Foundation doing culture and strategy work for their People Department. Outside of work, you can find her playing pickleball, spending time with her nephews, or following one of her many creative pursuits.
Lisa Swift (Vice-chair)
Lisa is another proud parent of current a Watershed high school student (Bella '25). She was excited to learn about the school soon after her move to the Boulder area, and strongly believes in Watershed's values and approach to education. Lisa has lived in Colorado since graduating from the University of Georgia in 1997. She holds a degree in Marketing and enjoys participating in most any kind of continuing education, but especially that which is focused on personal and spiritual growth. She has worked with numerous nonprofits including the Montessori School of Evergreen where she taught in their pre-K program prior to serving on their board as both a trustee and board chair. Lisa started her interior design firm, Tandem Design Group, three years ago, and loves designing spaces that are both functional and beautiful. Lisa has mountain biked since her arrival in Colorado and currently helps coach the Monarch High School Mountain bike team. She also enjoys any time she gets to spend with her kids and family, listening to podcasts, running, cooking and hiking with her dogs.
