Board of Trustees

Mandy serves as the Assistant Vice Provost for Research Integrity and Chief Administrative Officer for the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at the University of Washington. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education administration, operations, compliance, and organizational strategy, she is passionate about supporting strong governance, community partnership, strategic stewardship of funds, and educational environments that help people engage their curiosity, creativity, confidence, and love of learning in pursuit of their highest potential.

Brigitte Bertschi, born and raised in Basel, Switzerland, is an early childhood educator with several decades of teaching experience. While traveling in Asia, she met her husband in India, and later joined him in Seattle where she founded Bertschi School and served as the Head of School for 40 years. She attended the Rudolf Steiner school in Basel growing up. She and her husband live on a houseboat on Lake Union where they raised their two children.
Brigitte joined the SWS board a decade ago and has seen the school grow and go through several changes in leadership. She believes that the focus, philosophy, and pedagogy of the school is unique and precious. As a member of the Board, she believes in the mission of the school, and seeks to foster the wellbeing of the school community as well as the school’s vision and future plans.

Bill is the parent of a K-12 Seattle Waldorf School alum and his history with SWS provides the board with a perspective that fosters community and well-being as we move together into the future. He brings expertise in business analysis and planning, finance, governance, real estate, and strategic planning. He chose to serve on the board based on his strong conviction in Waldorf-based education and he hopes to contribute to its success through SWS.

Claire Reimer is a parent of two children at Seattle Waldorf School. She was born and raised in Hawai’i and is an alumna of the Honolulu Waldorf School, where she attended from preschool through high school. These foundational years instilled in her a profound appreciation for the lifelong gifts of a Waldorf education. In addition to her personal experience, she contributes her expertise in nonprofit development and fundraising. Claire is committed to working together to cultivate a school environment that is connected, inclusive, and collaborative.

Robin Berger joined the Seattle Waldorf School Board of Trustees in July 2023. As the parent of a current student and an SWS graduate, he brings a deep appreciation for Waldorf education, along with professional expertise in child and adolescent mental health, neurodiversity, and equity. He is serving his second year as Chair of the Board Equity Committee. Robin grew up in the Camphill Rudolf Steiner community in Aberdeen, Scotland, where Waldorf education shaped his upbringing. He is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and University of Washington faculty member, caring for youth with complex mental health needs, including those involved in the youth justice system. Robin enjoys alpine climbing and spending time outdoors with his family.

Eva Elliott is a mother of two Seattle Waldorf School alumni and is passionate about partnering with non-profits who support and enhance communities across Seattle and Washington State. She is honored to serve on Seattle Waldorf School’s board of trustees. She holds SWS’s holistic vision of education and child development close to her heart and believes the world needs more of the engaged citizenship and creative problem-solving that Waldorf instills in students.

Anu Horsman grew up in Finland, where childhood was spent outdoors, surrounded by nature and free from the pressures of early competition. She spent her youth traveling and living in different countries, studying both business and the arts, before settling in Seattle, where she built a career in marketing and publishing and has worked as a Creative Director for the past 15 years. Parent of an SWS alum, Anu and her family chose Waldorf education to provide their daughter with a loving community in the absence of nearby family, and to preserve the joy and freedom of childhood for as long as possible. Anu also lends her expertise to support the school’s marketing efforts, helping to share its story and highlight its unique approach to education. She believes that Waldorf education’s focus on critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and care for both body and mind offers the skills the world most needs today.

Nimisha Joshi is a proud mother to a high school senior and a spirited goldendoodle. A multilingual educator and passionate globetrotter, she brings a deep curiosity about cultures, languages, and the diverse educational systems that shape young minds across the world. Nimisha holds an Ed.D. in Education from the University of Northern Iowa, where her research focused on shared equity leadership in PK–12 schools. She also earned an M.A. in English and Educational Leadership and has served as instructional faculty with the UW-Seattle Teacher Residency (STR), mentoring future educators and supporting the development of culturally responsive teaching practices. Currently, she is the assistant principal at Impact Public Schools, where she champions excellence in elementary education and remains inspired by the educators she supports.

Jeanne Stevens was born in the Pacific Northwest and raised by a public school teacher. After earning her BA and exploring a variety of career options in sales and management, Jeanne discovered Waldorf Education in 2013. She earned her Grades Teaching certificate from Sound Circle Center and taught at Seattle Waldorf School for 8 years. During that time, Jeanne spent three years as a middle school class teacher and five years as a math specialist for middle and high school. Jeanne currently teaches math at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, and joined the Seattle Waldorf School board in June of 2023. Jeanne has also served on the board of her condominium association and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in Snohomish County.

Joana is mom to a grade school student at Seattle Waldorf School. Having grown up in an education system that emphasized rote learning over creativity, she was drawn to SWS’s whole-person philosophy and its focus on developing both academic and creative capacities in children. Professionally, Joana works in marketing, helping companies bring new products to market. She is excited to help families learn about Waldorf education, so that more children grow into adults who can think critically and draw connections across disciplines.

Vanessa joined SWS in 2019 as the Early Childhood Director and has served as Head of School since 2022. Prior to becoming a member of the SWS community, Vanessa spent many years as an Early Childhood teacher at Whidbey Island Waldorf School. Vanessa has been very involved in the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) organization, representing the northwest region from 2010–2018 and she served on the planning committee for the 2021 national conference. Vanessa received an undergraduate degree in Music from the University of Texas, Austin and a Masters of Education from Antioch University.