STAFF

Margo Dow, Executive Director and LEAP Program Coordinator
Ms. Dow received a B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University. She began working in the field of primary education and has since transitioned to specialize in enhanced communications for students with disabilities. In addition, she is actively pursuing developing programs utilizing such tools as music therapy and photography to advance learning and social adaptation. Margo began working with Challenge Learning Center to coordinate the high school leadership program. She currently administers and facilitates the middle school leadership program.

Jeff Richardson, ACE Program Director
Mr. Richardson brings an unmatched passion for teamwork and a commitment to excellence from over ten years of project management training and consulting in high tech environments. He has been designing experiential-based training programs for universities like Stanford, UC Berkeley and UCSC-Extension as well as corporate clients Cisco, Symantec, Apple. Jeff has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Organizational Development and Change Management.

Lauren Mason, Program Manager
Ms. Mason joined Challenge Learning Center in 2005 as a Public Ally, Americorps intern, after she graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in African and African-American Studies. She has worked with youth in communities diverse as Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles and Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Lauren coordinated and supervised the coordination of LEAP at Crittenden and Graham Middle Schools from 2005-2007. She currently manages grants for Challenge Learning Center.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS

Jim Stinger, PhD, Board Secretary (Member since 1997)
Retired Engineer, Hewlett-Packard Company.
Jim is an active past president of Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto. He currently serves on the board of Avenidas and has served on the Palo Alto Family YMCA board for ten years.

Mhaire Fraser, Ph.D. (Member since 2007)
Assistant Professor/Internship Director, P3 Program, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology.
Mhaire is active with Junior League sustainers. She brings to the board her expertise in gender issues, leadership, and education.

Eric Hartwig (Member since 2007)
Superintendent, Las Lomitas Elementary School District.Eric is an active member of Menlo Park Rotary, and the Association of California School Administrators. He brings to the board his 32 years of working in the public high schools.

Emily Johnson (Member since 2007)
Human Relations Consultant, SRI International.
Emily is CLC’s former Executive Director (2001-2007). She has been involved with CLC programs as facilitator, program coordinator, and grant writer since 1995.

Click here to learn about previous board members.

Click here to learn more about CLC's Facilitation Team

"Students were brought closer together through the challenges they faced, they truly understood and experienced teamwork, and it honestly changed the way my students interacted with each other.

-Charity Purse, Teacher, Cupertino HS