Nia House Board Candidates

Meet the candidates hoping for your vote to serve on the Nia House Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 school year. 

 on Wednesday, June 25, 2025

HOW:

• Each family may submit 1 ballot. If two parents accidentally vote, the first submitted will be honored.

• Vote online. Submit your ballot on Wednesday, June by 5pm.

WHO:

• 4 Parent Representatives

• 1 Staff Representative

• 2 Community Representatives

MEET YOUR CANDIDATES

Parent Representatives

Adriana Penuela-Useche (Lucia and Emilia), Incumbent

Educational background: UC Berkeley MBA with Sustainable Business emphasis; University of Florida, BS Chemical Engineering

Current Employment: Climate Tech startup advisor and consultant for Aepnus Technologies, Mars Materials and Intropic Materials. My Climate Journey Community Organizer. UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Sustainability Alumni Group VP.

During Lucia's 4 years at Nia House, we have seen her personality, secure attachment, and ability to flourish tremendously. This highlights how Nia House provides holistic education during formative years, cultivating individuals with diverse mindsets, equity lenses, and holistic visions of social and environmental sustainability. I am running to continue on the Nia House board because I value this opportunity to serve and support staff in nurturing our children. As treasurer, I have developed financial policies, invested funds, and ensured fiduciary responsibility.

In my day job, I run a climate tech consultancy for entrepreneurs, helping them turn scientific strategies into businesses that could reduce our carbon footprint, drawing on my background as a Chemical Engineer and Berkeley MBA.

As a passionate advocate for holistic education and equity, I am eager to continue serving on the Nia House Board as a parent representative. With expertise in business management, finance, and innovative thinking, I will challenge the status quo and explore how education can empower and shape our children's lives.

Gloria Gerngross (Finley and Kaia)

Educational background: UC Berkeley MBA, Master of Arts in International Business & Law, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

Current Employment: Operations Lead at Snag Solutions

Hi! I’m a mom to my son Finley who joined Nia House at 18 months and is now thriving in Primary North with Nicole, and his little sister Kaia (just shy of 4 months!) who will be joining the Nia community soon too. From day one, I’ve been deeply grateful for the thoughtful, loving environment Nia House provides, and I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute more deeply as a finance board member.

Professionally, I bring a strong finance and operations background: I started my career as a financial auditor at Ernst & Young, earned my MBA from UC Berkeley, and went on to work in Strategy & Operations roles at Stitch Fix and DoorDash. These days, I wear many hats at a fast-moving early-stage startup, where I draw daily on both my financial toolkit and operational problem-solving chops.

What I hope to bring to the board is a balance of analytical thinking and pragmatic decision-making, with a dash of startup scrappiness. I believe in clear communication, thoughtful planning, and above all, supporting a community that’s as special as this one. Also, I take budgets seriously—but never myself.

Reena Karia (Zeenat)

Educational Background: Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, Two years Masters level program in Brand Strategy & Design at Miami Ad School, Atlanta.

I would be honored to serve as a parent representative on the Nia House 2025–2026 Board of Directors. Our family has been part of the Nia House community since April 2023, when our daughter Zeenat—then 20 months old—joined the Toddler West classroom. Shortly after, I became actively involved as a member of the 50th Anniversary Committee. During that time, I designed the anniversary graphics and deepened my understanding of the school’s incredible legacy rooted in community, justice, and Montessori philosophy.

Each morning when I drop Zeenat off at her Primary North classroom, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be part of this community. I am moved by the dedication, knowledge, and care the teaching staff bring to our children every day. I would love the opportunity to continue engaging more deeply with the school and support its mission in meaningful ways.

Professionally, I am a creative problem solver and co-owner of a design agency that works with clients across a wide range of sectors—including Fortune 500 companies, academia, technology, hospitality, non-profits, and the arts. My work spans brand strategy, digital design, packaging, print, marketing, and social media. I’ve also been an entrepreneur in the cannabis industry, with experience in compliance, construction project management, and business operations. Additionally, I produce media projects such as short films and podcasts, and I enjoy dabbling in industrial design.

My passion for education began with my service as an AmeriCorps mentor and tutor at an underserved elementary school in Austin, Texas, and as an English teacher for youth in Korea. My personal philosophy is: “If I can think it, I can make it.”

I would bring that same spirit—as well as my creative, operational, and community-focused experience—to my role on the Nia House Board to support the school in any way I can.

Geechi Taylor (Briella and Jasiri)

Educational Background: Bachelors of Arts at New England Conservatory of Music

Current Employment: Executive Director of Young Musicians Choral Orchestra

Community Representatives

Monica Parran (Stephen)

Monica served on the Nia House Board of Directors from 2017-21

Educational Background: Doctor of Law (JD), American University Washington College of Law, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Public Relations

Current Employment: Management Analyst Superior Court of California  

I am a former Board member who strongly believes in Nia House’s mission to bring together children of diverse backgrounds and I want to help it to operate in accordance with that mission and ensure its sustainability. My son Stephen attended Nia House from 2016 until 2021 when he headed to first grade. Nia House holds a special place in our hearts and I would love the opportunity to return to serve this community.

I am a management analyst for the Drug Courts in Alameda County. In that role, I review our operations, identify areas for improvement, and implement improved practices. I develop and monitor all budgets and ensure compliance with local and federal funding requirements. I also write and grant applications, implement grant activities, and report on progress towards the goals stated in our applications. I currently serve as the Parent Stewardship Committee co-chair at my son's current school. This group works to build and cultivate parent/family culture and community.

Victor Manansala (Zara and Caleb) Current Board Advisor

Educational Background: Architecture & Urban Planning at Howard University

Current Employment: Senior Project Manager in the Education and Facilities Sector at Cordoba Corporation

Staff Representative

Sambo Nhey (Sovann and Xolani) Incumbent

Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Human DevelopmentUniversity of California, Davis, City College of San Francisco Early Child Development, and A.M.S Credential

Current Employment: Assistant Lead Teacher at Nia House

The Nia House community continues to inspire me daily, from the incredible children, the devoted parents, and to the talented staff. The invaluable experiences in the classrooms has given me the passion and the motivation to obtain my AMS Early Childhood credentials. Over my 9 years here at Nia House- from current teacher and parent to alumni parent, I have witnessed the importance of a strong community through the interconnectedness that we all share here at Nia House - which is the mission and traditions that is upheld in our school.  It would be an honor to represent the voice of staff, while contributing to upholding Nia House’s traditions and the development of its continued success.