About

School Leadership

Head of School

Jaime A. Dominguez
“As both a parent and an educator, there are particular elements I look for in a school that are integral to the highest quality education. Does the school put students at the center of its philosophy and truly honor the individual? Do teachers celebrate the unique qualities of every student and provide opportunities for wholehearted engagement?

A truly exceptional educational community recognizes the value that comes when students, teachers, and parents learn with and from one another. There is an authentic sense of reciprocity when all members of the community are learning together.”

Senior Administration

List of 9 items.

  • John Gentile

    Assistant Head of School for Community Engagement and Belonging
    Email
  • Nancy Leptuch Virrey

    Director of Advancement
    Email
  • Stacie Muñoz

    Director of Educational Innovation and Technology Services
    Email
  • Bret Nicely

    Director of Marketing & Communications
    Email
  • Erin Nowak

    Middle School Principal
    Email
  • William Perkins Tift

    High School Principal
    Email
  • Denise Ross

    Elementary School Principal
    Email
  • Miriam Singer

    Assistant Head of School for Institutional Programs & Initiatives
    Email
  • Christopher Thomas

    Chief Operating Officer
    Email
    • James Alan Astman, Ph. D.

Headmaster Emeritus

After four decades of leadership and service to Oakwood School, Headmaster Jim Astman retired from his role on June 30, 2019. We are fortunate to have been led by someone with a personal connection to Oakwood’s founders and who brought their original vision to life in innumerable ways. Always placing the Statement of Philosophy at the center of Oakwood’s endeavors, Jim grew our school into a nationally recognized leader of K-12 progressive education. In his role as Headmaster Emeritus, Jim lends his wisdom, institutional knowledge, and passionate educational vision to the continuing betterment of our community.

Board of Trustees

The Oakwood School Board of Trustees serves as the guardian of our Statement of Philosophy and is accountable for the financial stability and future of the school.
The Board is comprised of Oakwood School parents, grandparents, alumni, and community members. Pursuant to the school’s bylaws:
  • The Board can have no more than 33 trustees, including no more than 5 general members.
  • Trustees serve 3-year terms with a 2-term limit (and after one year rotating off the Board, a trustee may be eligible for re-election to the Board).
  • General members serve renewable 10-year terms and provide continuity and/or special expertise to the Board.
The Board meets 6 times annually. Trustees typically serve on two Board committees, which include: Advancement; Audit; Capital Campaign; Committee on Trustees; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; Executive; and Finance and Investment.

List of 29 items.

  • John D. Jones, Chair

    President/CEO of Greystone Management Group, Inc.
    Current and Alumna Parent
    Trustee Since 2020
  • Marcus Wiley, Vice Chair

    Founder/Producer, Immi
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2022
  • Brian Diamond, Treasurer

    President & CEO, Diamond Design Landscaping, Inc.
    Current and Alumna Parent
    Trustee Since 2023 and 2015-2021
  • David Weber, Secretary

    Entertainment Attorney
    Alumnus Parent
    Trustee Since 2020
  • Lori Hall Armstrong

    Attorney & Strategist
    Current and Alumnus Parent
    Trustee Since 2020
  • Gaby Arvizu

    President and CEO, Students Run LA
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2024
  • Mitchell Butler '89

    National Basketball Players Association Certified Agent
    Oakwood Alumnus 
    Trustee Since 2021 and 2013-2019
  • Ken Fritz, General Member

    Former President, Talent Managers Association
    Alumni Parent and Current Grandparent
    Trustee Since 1979
  • Les Frost

    Retired Educator
    Current Grandparent
    Trustee Since 2021
  • Dr. Donald E. Grant Jr.

    Clinical Psychologist
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2023
  • Marta F. Kauffman, General Member

    Writer/Director/Executive Producer
    Alumni Parent
    Trustee Since 2002
  • Courtney A. Kemp

    Writer, Producer, and Showrunner
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2024
  • Robert Kondrk

    Vice President, Apple
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2022
  • David Lipsey

    Senior Investment Strategist, Wells Fargo Bank
    Alumni Parent
    Trustee Since 2019
  • Barbara Marshall, General Member

    Alumni Parent and Current Grandparent
    Trustee Since 1970
  • Carlos Moran

    Non-profit and Sustainability
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2024
  • Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali '76 (EC), General Member

    Philanthropist and Investor
    Oakwood EC Alumna & Alumni Parent
    Trustee Since 2004
  • Maya Omar

    HR Executive, NBC Universal
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2022
  • Ira Pianko, General Member

    Consultant
    Alumni Parent
    Trustee Since 1992
  • Lee Rosenbaum

    Lawyer
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2024
  • Kara C. Sax

    CEO, Sax Agency
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2023
  • Zach Suchin '02

    Co-Founder & CEO, Brand Knew
    Oakwood Alumnus
    Trustee Since 2022
  • Gary M. Sumers

    Retired
    Current Grandparent
    Trustee Since 2023
  • Alexandra Lang Susman, Immediate Past Chair

    LGBT Civil Rights Attorney
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2019
  • Treani Swain '03

    Human Resources Specialist
    Oakwood Alumna
    Trustee since 2022
  • Heidi Taylor

    Retired Psychologist
    Current and EC Alumna Parent
    Trustee Since 2024
  • Sylvia Torres-Guillén

    Trial Lawyer
    Current and Alumna Parent
    Trustee Since 2021
  • Alonzo Wickers IV

    First Amendment & Intellectual Property Lawyer
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2021
  • Gideon Yu

    Co-Owner & Former President, SF 49ers
    Current Parent
    Trustee Since 2021