Kirsten Pickworth
Co-President
What skills, experience, or perspective will you bring to the role?
I was PTSA Secretary during the 2024-2025 school year, and served as Room Parent Coordinator in 2023-2024 and as a room parent since 2022.
I have 10+ years of non-profit fundraising experience and nearly 20 years of marketing experience.
I am proud of our neighborhood school and want to engage more parents/caregivers as well as teachers’ voices in how we set our priorities to support the school and students for the years ahead.
What excites you most about the role?
I shine when connecting ideas, people, and potential impact. There have been a lot of changes at the school over the past 2 years and we have a strong base of volunteers.
This year, we need to communicate and lead from our priorities including supporting teachers and staff to provide differentiation in classrooms, advocate for our community’s needs with Principal Eckert and SPS, and strengthen community engagement in volunteer and fundraising efforts.
Favorite BF Day memory, tradition, or event:
The most memorable moments have been celebrations with my kids (4th and 1st grade), as they learned to read and achieved milestones with support from Ms. P.
Fun Fact (Favorite Children’s Book or Dream Field Trip):
Favorite Children’s Book – Caps for Sale!
Jahna Hildebrandt
Co-President
What skills, experience, or perspective will you bring to the role?
I’ve been involved with the PTSA for four years, led PTSA fundraising for three years and have a background in nonprofit management.
What excites you most about the role?
I look forward to increasing transparency and advocacy for students, and helping everyone feel welcome at the Family School.
Favorite BF Day memory, tradition, or event:
Singing the B.F. Day Song at the All-School Assemblies.
Kate Barratt Dike
Co-Vice President
What skills, experience, or perspective will you bring to the role?
I’m a former teacher and instructional curriculum leader in public (Title 1, low income) and private schools in the area. I am now in tech, but bring a balance of teaching experience to understand the systems and complexities of working in schools, with program management skills. I’ve been on the board of my two kids’ preschool for 4 years, and looking to shift with the kids into supporting BF Day in a more formal capacity.
What excites you most about the role?
I’m most excited for the energy and innovation going into the board next year. There are a lot of people with ideas and passion. I’m excited to help bring focus to these ideas to help build a strong narrative for our PTSA and wider community, and solidify what makes BF Day amazing to new and prospective families, as well as continue the effort to bring clarity and purpose to our existing community.
Favorite BF Day memory, tradition, or event:
I volunteer taught at BF Day during my time in the UW education program. I loved seeing the creative differentiation teachers brought in. And I LOVED spending time in the beautiful, bright library. I knew one day I wanted my future children here, and so grateful to be a part of our community.
I love most coaching a baseball team for two years now for our K/1 kids. Seeing them all build relationships and grow together has been incredible.
Fun Fact (Favorite Children’s Book or Dream Field Trip):
Growing up in Canada, we did a lot of nature field trips (tapping trees for maple syrup each year, swimming lessons, etc). Any field trip that helps the kids to explore their community and learn new, practical and fun skills is a dream for me. (Too bad maple tree tapping isn’t a thing here!)
Sweta Jinnagara
Co-Vice President
What skills, experience, or perspective will you bring to the role?
I have “some” people skills(just kidding, I think I’m approachable) and a collaborative, inclusive approach to decision-making. I’m fairly observant, usually focused on getting things done, and for the next year or so, I’m happy to support board members with time constraints, alongside Kate.
What excites you most about the role?
Bringing people and ideas together! Parents who are not part of the PTSA but have big ideas should still have ways to contribute, and I’d love to help facilitate connections to turn those ideas into action. I’d also love to help increase survey engagement.
Favorite BF Day memory, tradition, or event:
Village Day, Graduation Day Closing Circle and my new favorite, Spring Music Showcase – I loved how Ms. Bethany taught kids about activism and unity in diversity through the performing arts.
Fun Fact (Favorite Children’s Book or Dream Field Trip):
I’d happily volunteer for any grade-level field trip that uses public transit, especially the WA ferries.
Nate Baccellieri
Treasurer
What skills, experience, or perspective will you bring to the role?
20 years of Financial & Business Planning experience and perspective of a BF Day parent for the last 4 years (as well as school treasurer in middle school)
What excites you most about the role?
The opportunity to directly strengthen the school experience for students and teachers by ensuring our resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and strategically.
Favorite BF Day memory, tradition, or event:
Kindergarten kickoff
Fun Fact (Favorite Children’s Book or Dream Field Trip):
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Cranky Bear
Ashley Bennett
Co-Secretary
What skills, experience, or perspective will you bring to the role?
In addition to my one year of experience as current Board Secretary, I bring 15+ years of nonprofit management and advocacy experience from the global public health world. I value diplomacy, fairness, and well-run meetings! I have lots of experience navigating group dynamics in stressful situations. Because of my professional work, I tend to seek out partnership with community members who are otherwise left out of decision-making processes.
What excites you most about the role?
Our school has such a wonderful set of educators, students, and community members, all with lots of energy and ideas. Right now, budgets are tight for education and they will get tighter next year. We need as many people involved and working together toward common goals as possible. Working with Jess as co-secretaries, I’m excited to boost our organizational planning, and to share information, feedback, and calls to action more efficiently and transparently between the PTSA and our school community.
Favorite BF Day memory, tradition, or event:
The Closing Circle ceremony held the last week of school each year is one of my favorite memories from my son’s Kindergarten year. I also really enjoyed the glow in the dark dance party.
Fun Fact (Favorite Children’s Book or Dream Field Trip):
My favorite children’s book is Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan.
Jess Inwood
Co-Secretary
What skills, experience, or perspective will you bring to the role?
I work for a non-profit organization and as a staff person, I attend and present at every board meeting. I also run my own small non-profit organization and have been on another non-profit board in the past.
What excites you most about the role?
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to ensure all voices are heard and support the changes the community wants to see
Favorite BF Day memory, tradition, or event:
I have many, but I love the annual musical performance, especially having it at Lincoln HS this year!
Fun Fact (Favorite Children’s Book or Dream Field Trip or Something People May Not Know About You):
I was in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua for a couple of years in the early 2000s, working with farmers.