PTO Board Bios:

• Coppelia Sanfor Lopez: My name is Ana Coppelia Sandford Lopez, and I am serving as President of the PTO for the 2023-2024 school year. I grew up in Monterrey, MX, and have lived in West Michigan for the past 20 years; this gives me the advantage of a balance between cultures and connecting with people from various backgrounds, as well as potentially look for opportunities for cross-cultural exposure for our students. Teamwork, giving recognition, creativity, inclusiveness, and, more importantly, communication are some of the things I value deeply. I currently work in Amway's legal department and have experience with compliance, training, and conflict resolution. I am also a VERY retired classical dancer and attended the School of American Ballet in NYC; this is where my creativity, discipline, and -think outside the box- mindset comes from. I look forward to a fantastic school year. 

• Megan Borgyos

• Amy Butterfield - I am currently in the role of co-treasurer for the 2023-2024 school year. My husband, Dave, and I have two kids currently at Ada Vista – Gavin is currently in 2nd grade and Evie is currently in kinder. We have a third who will join them after next year. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be more involved with the school and be an active member of the PTO. I am a strong advocate for the community that we have at AV. It is so unique and we feel so fortunate to get to benefit from the amazing families, teachers, and support staff that make it so welcoming and supportive. On a personal level, I am an MSU finance graduate and have been with Plante Moran Wealth Management for 15 years as a financial advisor. I serve individuals and families and love getting to know them on a personal level and being their personal CFO.  

• Dan Westerhof: Dan served this current school year in the co-finance position and is looking forward to serving the Ada Vista community again this upcoming year. Dan is looking forward to contributing his institutional knowledge of the PTO finances and best practices, as recommended by the Forest Hills PTO and Boosters Council. Dan likes supporting our students and teachers and ensuring parents have opportunities to be involved. Ada Vista somos familia. Dan has a rising first grader and two children waiting to attend once they are old enough.

• Mike Packard: is currently serving in the Secretary role on the PTO. Along with his wife Lauren, he has three children: Alex (9) Evelyn (5), and Joseph (2). Alex will be in fourth grade and Evelyn a Kindergartener at Ada Vista in the fall of 2023. We have had a great experience at Ada Vista and Mike would love to assist with the continuation of the success for students, teachers, and parents at the school.  The 2022/2023 school year was his first year on the PTO board and I assisted with Caminata, meals for the staff during teacher conferences, Teacher Appreciation Week and Fiesta Latina. I look forward to serving the Ada Vista community again for the 2023/2024 school year. 

• Jen Byrne: Is currently serving on the communications board. She has four children who have all attended Ada Vista. Currently, she has 2 daughters at the middle school and a 1st grade son, Jude, and 3rd grade daughter, Josie at AV. She has served on the PTO board for several years and have loved supporting our teachers and school. She runs a local yoga studio and have a background in digital marketing.  

• Kristie Willis: Kristie Willis is the mother of an Ada Vista student in second grade and previously served as the PTO Vice President. She finds PTO participation fulfilling and fun. With a background in nonprofit communications and fundraising, Kristie is excited to support Ada Vista students by building bridges between parents, teachers, staff, and students. 

• Nick Lee: Nick and his wife, Becky, have two boys at Ada Vista. Colin, is eight years old and in 3rd grade; Xander is ten and is in his final year at Ada Vista. Becky and Nick grew up on the east side of Michigan, and relocated to the Grand Rapids area after Xander was born. The boys attended Northpointe Christian School until they moved to Ada last spring. He is currently a manager in the insurance industry and have more than 10 years of leadership experience in strategic planning and leading a team toward a common goal. He has also served on the planning commission for a local municipality and have always enjoyed working with my community to create an inclusive, caring environment. 

• Anthony Monica: Is the proud father of Austin and Blake Mojica, first graders at the school. Anthony was raised in Grandville, Mi in a family of 6. He graduated high school from Calvin Christian and would go on to enlist in the United States Army. After serving his contract to completion he returned home to Grand Rapids becoming a cnc machinist and along the way meeting and eventually marrying his awesome wife Kirsten. In 2018 he became a volunteer Firefighter for Grand Rapids Township and quickly realized his passion to serve in a full time role. In 2021 he became a full time firefighter for the City of Muskegon where he gets to serve that community and make a difference on a daily basis. 

• Roua Daher:  is the mother of Ryan( 2nd grade) and Mia (1st grade) Mortada. She is so glad to have made the decision to enroll their kids in the Spanish immersion program. What the program provides to the kids is far more than learning to speak another language, it is a gate to a different culture and teaches the kids to accept others no matter how different they are and the importance of diversity and inclusion. Roua is also coming from a different country and culture, and couldn't be more appreciative of this program.  

• Gem Jewell: Has a daughter in 1st grade this year and a son who in Kindergarten in Fall 2023. Last year was her first year as part of the AV family and was glad to be able to participate in meetings and events, especially in assisting with this year's Square One Art fundraiser. She looks forward to continuing to be a part of the AV PTO group!

• Keana Brewer: Keana and her husband have four kids ages 6-13. Last school year she served as a general board member and planned teacher conference lunches in the fall and spring, lunches for Teacher Appreciation and led Fiesta Latina in May. She has enjoyed being more involved with the school this year and would love to serve our wonderful community again as the Cultural Arts Board Member. 

• Natoshia Cunningham: Is the mother of Jack (age 8) Salvatore (age 6), Louie (age 3) and Aurelia (age 1), and wife to Tom. She is a scientist and pediatric psychologist at Michigan State University where she works on developing and testing psychological treatments for youth with chronic painful conditions. They moved to the area in 2019 and becoming a part of the AV community is what has made this place home! Since 2019, she has served as a coach for our Ada Vista “Run for the Hills” Track and Cross Country teams. She was also elected to the PTO board last year and helped plan the Cannonsburg tubing night. This is what drew her to the family events role. 

• Mindy Beard: Has had children at Ada Vista for the last 10 years and served on the PTO Board (Communications team) from 2017-2019. She enjoyed working together with fellow parents to lead fun events for Ada Vista. She also appreciates the community & cohesiveness that comes from collaborating with a team of people who are dedicated to making the school better. As we bring families in to enjoy the school and one another, it makes us all better.  Mindy works work full time in Sales for a large home & auto insurance company. Her and her husband Eric have lived in Grand Rapids for 13 years. They have 3 children:  Lauren age 14 (9th grade), Olivia age 12 (7th grade) and Chase age 8 (2nd grade).  All 3 have attended Ada Vista since Kindergarten.

• Beth Thimmesch-Harpold Has a son in 3rd grade, a daughter in 1st grade, and a 4 year old that will join the school in Fall 2024. Since becoming a member of the Ada Vista Community in 2020, Her and her spouse feel fortunate that their kids have been part of a school which demonstrates strong commitment to community and high quality education given through a Spanish immersion curriculum. Having been involved in the classroom level for the last two years, She is excited to extend that involvement more deeply by joining the PTO. She hopes to bring her professional experience of 13 years in higher education to apply and serve in a role with PTO. 

• Cassandre Stratton: I have three boys, two at Ada Vista (3rd & 1st grade) and a preschooler. I am a stay at home parent currently and was a post secondary teacher previously. Last year was my first year on the PTO and I helped with teacher conference meals, teacher appreciation week and Fiesta Latina. I feel I have some experience in this hospitality arena and would be happy to help carry over some of that into next year. 

• Sarab Hajjar: Her daughter Mariam is attending Ada Vista this fall and is new to the school. She heard a lot about the school, teachers, and parents from friends and accordingly decided to enroll my daughter here. She is very excited about this experience. I call it experience because Ada Vista is no ordinary school, it’s an educational experience and opportunity, and we are so happy to be part of it.

• Jessica Kochin: is passionate about building educational opportunities for all. Being the granddaughter of Michigan migrant workers, she knows firsthand how important education is to future generations.  Her daughter, Magdalena, will be a 2nd grader at Ada Vista this fall.  Her son, Thomas (4) and daughter, Mikaela (2 months) are also future Ada Vista enrollees.  Both Jessica and her husband, Steve, grew up in Michigan and are dedicated to giving back to the communities that helped shape them.  Jessica attended Aquinas College earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and received a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.  Jessica currently works as the Director of Benefits for Steelcase and has spent her career helping people navigate complex programs.  She is dedicated to building pathways for people with different abilities and currently serves as a founding member of La Mesa, Steelcase’s Hispanic Business Inclusion Group.  Jessica is honored to contribute any way she can to the Ada Vista community.