Administration
Rick Ackerly joined CDS as Head of School in 2002, bringing more than 30 years of distinguished experience in elementary and middle school education. Rick was Head of School at St. Paul 's Episcopal School in Oakland for 12 years, leaving in 2000 to become an education consultant. As a consultant, he helped schools realize their goals in the areas of leadership training, strategic planning, diversity training, enhanced communication and team building. Rick earned his B.A. in political science from Williams College and his M.A. in education from Harvard University. He also completed graduate work in applied theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and has taken postgraduate courses in curriculum development at Harvard University, the University of Virginia and the University of Massachusetts. Rick is the father of four and grandfather of four. His favorite non-professional activity is building cabins in the woods.

Aimee Giles, Director of Admission & Communication, enthusiastically returned to CDS in 2002 after four years away. In 1995, Aimee founded the farm and garden program at CDS and spent three years as the Farm and Garden Specialist and Program Development Coordinator. Aimee received her B.A. in biology from Smith College and earned an M.S. from the University of Michigan in natural resources with an emphasis on science and environmental education. Before settling in San Francisco, she studied birds and taught environmental education all over the country - in Idaho outside Yellowstone National Park, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, in Glacier National Park and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Aimee likes to spend her free time reading, shopping at local farmers' markets and taking walks in the woods.

Rebecca Kroll, Assistant Head of School, joined CDS in 2005 after completing the graduate level Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs. Previously, she taught fifth grade with Teach for America in Long Beach, CA and also served as the Academic Program Coordinator for the "I Have a Dream Foundation" in San Francisco. Rebecca has a B.A. in English literature from the University of Texas, Austin and speaks Spanish. In her free time she enjoys photography, reading, travel and studying U.S. History.

Dan Larson, Extended Program Director, worked at a youth and community center in South Central L.A. as the center’s Program Director before moving to San Francisco to join CDS in 2007. Dan speaks Spanish and brings to CDS a strong background in youth development, staff management and program implementation. Dan has a B.A. in political science and international relations from Washington University and is a graduate of the International Institute in Madrid, Spain. He is an avid baseball fan and player, and enjoys hiking.

Josée Mayette, Middle School Head, joined CDS in 2008 after serving as the Middle School Head at Chinese American International School for three years and as a middle school social studies teacher for six years. Josée received her Masters of Education in administration from San Francisco State University and her Bachelor of Education in teaching from the University of Manitoba. She has particular expertise in curriculum development, teacher recruitment and differentiated instruction.

Marion Quinones, Director of Development, served on the CDS Board of Trustees and as President of the Parent-Teacher-Trustee-Administrator Association before joining the administration in June 2004. She earned her bachelor's degree in history and communication from Stanford University and attended law school at UCLA. She practiced law for ten years in San Francisco, and her daughters Laurel (CDS '12) and Sarah (CDS '15) Quinones attend CDS. Marion enjoys family time, triathlons and keeping up with "The New Yorker" as much as possible.

Donna Shibata joined CDS in 2006 as our Director of Finance & Operations/General Counsel. Most recently, Donna worked as a labor attorney with Morrison & Foerster. She has been a manager of financial planning and analysis for the Port of Oakland and Vice President/Associate in the Public Finance Division at Shearson Lehman Hutton in New York. Donna has an MBA from Yale University and a law degree from Stanford. She is the mother of Mimi ('12) and Aaron ('06) Garfinkel.

Support Staff
Mary DeNardo, Annual Fund & Publications Manager, joined CDS in 2003. Mary has an M.F.A. in creative writing from San Francisco State University and a B.S. in human and community development from the University of Illinois. In addition to her work at CDS, she teaches creative writing at San Francisco State University and at On-Lok Senior Center. In her free time she enjoys swimming, baking and reading.

Jake Fishman, Facilities Manager, joined CDS in 2000 to help maintain the school's one-acre grounds. He is a licensed building contractor and a Spanish speaker with a B.F.A. in painting and sculpture from San Francisco Art Institute. When he's not caring for CDS facilities, Jake enjoys sailing, painting and crafting original stained glass artwork.

Terry Hall, IT Director, came to CDS in 2007 with nearly 20 years experience in the IT industry. Terry has consulted with Global 500 companies on national and international systems development. He also has extensive experience designing, deploying and supporting corporate networks. Educated in Great Britain, Terry has a dual honors degree in business studies and computing and has taken many additional courses in management, technology and customer support. When not at a computer, Terry enjoys global travel (especially visiting his three sons in Great Britain!), riding his motorcycle and being part of the Burning Man community.

Ryan Lambert, PM Receptionist & Extended Program Administrative Assistant, joined CDS in 2006. Ryan has worked as an office manager for several years, taught drama classes at an elementary school, has a 16 year-old son and is a musician in the band Elephone. He is an avid reader and his favorite author is Haruki Murakami.

Kerry Parker, Assistant to the Head, joined CDS in the spring of 2008. Prior to joining CDS, Kerry was the Executive Assistant and Program and Volunteer Coordinator at The Redwoods, a retirement facility in Mill Valley. She has also worked as the Executive Assistant to the Head Pastor at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. Kerry raised two children and has a B.A. in management from St. Mary’s College. Music is one of her great passions and on the weekends you can find her at the Noe Valley Farmer’s Market playing her fiddle.

Irene Phillips, Bookkeeper, joined CDS in 2007 with over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance with banks and mortgage companies. She holds a B.S. in management from St. Scholastica’s College in the Philippines.

Margaret Piskitel, Curriculum Coordinator, joined CDS in 2004 as a preschool head teacher with experience teaching in public and private schools in and around New York City. She completed her master's degree in early childhood education at Bank Street College of Education and earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Washington; Margaret is trained in the Responsive Classroom and Schools Attuned.

Amanda Richard, Admission Assistant & Capital Campaign Coordinator, joined CDS in 2006. Amanda worked in the CDS administration from 1993-95, has been a CDS parent since 1998, served as a PTTA officer and has participated in countless CDS events as a volunteer. She received her B.A. in psychology from Boston University and loves to spend the summers in Hawaii. Amanda is the parent of Marina ('10), Serena ('13) and Ciara ('15) Richard.

Cecilia Rosales, Senior Accountant, worked as an accounting manager at Golden State Properties and Thomas, Wirig, Doll & Company, CPA and as a senior accountant at Peter Lam, CPA before joining CDS in 2007. She received her B.S. in accounting from St. Joseph’s College in Manila, Philippines.

Elsa Townsend, AM Receptionist & Librarian, joined CDS as our librarian in 2005. Prior to joining CDS, Elsa was the head librarian at Sherman Elementary School for five years. Elsa volunteers in various organizations, serving on the board of directors of Blind San Franciscans, Inc. and The Welcome Ministry, non-profits providing services for blind and homeless people, respectively. She has a B.A. in French language and literature from Goucher College. Elsa enjoys singing, gardening, reading and cycling.