According to Chat GPT: Samantha is thrilled to be serving as this year’s PTA President. Her family includes husband Pat—grill master and sports enthusiast, —daughter Kylie, a cheerleader and Sephora aficionado, and son Jamison (“JJ”), a 4th grader who plays Wolfpack, Little League and Next Level flag football. When she’s not planning school events or answering PTA emails, you can find Samantha cheering from the sidelines, reorganizing her pantry, or working her day job as the SVP for Living Proof haircare. 

[Read in your best Bring It On cheer voice]

It’s me, Ja-Ja-Ja-Jackie, a mom with finance flair, I do it all, big or small, juggling tasks beyond compare! I’m learning to say no with grace, because I gotta keep my life in place. But reach out if you need, and I will advise you on how to proceed.

Hi!  My name is Amy Christiansen, and I am the VP of Volunteers. I have kiddos in kindergarten and 3rd grade. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, working out, and carbs!  Looking forward to a great school year at Matthew Turner! 

Hi! My name is Ashly Bridges and I’m the VP of fundraising. My little girl is in the 1st grade and it’s her third year at Matthew Turner and my first year on the PTA Board. Im excited to help support all the amazing opportunities/activities Matthew Turner has to offer. I love being outdoors and you can usually find us near the water whether it’s a lake, ocean, river or pool! 

Hi! I’m Dana Montanez, the VP of Communications. I’m mom to a Kindergartener and a 3rd grader, and I also serve as Vice President and Program Director for my family’s nonprofit. This is my first year on the PTA board, and I’m excited to support our school!

Hi! My name is Alexa Ponder & I am excited to take on the role of VP of Programs this year. I have daughters in 5th & 2nd grade and this is my second year on the PTA board. I work as an Oncology RN. I love yoga, our puppy Finn, good coffee, & the ocean. I’m looking forward to a really great year for our Matthew Turner students & families! 

I have been the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Representative for the last 3 years on the PTA board at MTE, and am excited to keep it going strong under my Outreach title. My goal is to ensure that ALL students and families feel a sense of inclusion and belonging at Matthew Turner. I have worked alongside representatives from the other elementary schools and middle school in our district to ensure we are all aligned. When I am not representing the underrepresented, I am working to expose the Benicia community to visual arts with the local non-profit organization, Arts Benicia. I'm also the proud parent of a high schooler, middle schooler, and first grader. Please reach out if you feel there is an area that needs better representation here at MTE.

I’m Dolly Zink, Auditor, and I am an independent consultant in technical writing. I love baseball, cooking, camping, CrossFit, and traveling.  

Hi! My name is Kim Dao and I'm excited to take on the role of Historian this year. This is my first year serving on the PTA board, and I’m thrilled to help build on the amazing community we already have at Matthew Turner. I’m a proud mom of three — an 8th grader at the middle school, and a 5th grader and kindergartener here at Turner. Professionally, I work in corporate learning and development, but outside of work you can usually find me cheering from the baseball, softball, or soccer sidelines. When I’m not at the fields, I love reading, relaxing at the beach, and binge-watching reality TV. 

Hi, I'm Puneet Khera, your Parliamentarian. I've been part of MTE PTA since my daughter (Myra 9), now a 4th grader, started here in TK. I've spent over 25 years in the corporate financial industry, but some of my favorite adventures happen outside the office, on road trips and travels with my family.