Board of Trustees
Charting a course for the future of the school
The Phoenix Country Day School Board of Trustees is the policy-making body of the institution and is responsible for its fiscal well-being, its philosophy and objectives, and the effective implementation of its policies.
The Board is comprised of 18 regular members and three ex officio voting members. Ex officio members include the Headmaster, the President of the Alumni Association, and the President of the Parents’ Association. In addition, the Board has active Advisory Trustees who may attend Board meetings and serve on standing committees.
Among the Board’s many responsibilities is the selection and hiring of the Headmaster, who is in charge of the daily operation of the School. The Headmaster is responsible to the Trustees for implementing the School’s Mission Statement and Statement of Objectives. The Trustees are available to the Headmaster for encouragement, support, management perspective, and advice on governance issues.
The Board also has fiduciary responsibilities, which it fulfills by approving the School’s budget, approving major capital expenditures, and by ensuring the School’s fiscal well-being. The Board sets investment policies, approves insurance programs, and assesses the performance of the investment advisors. The Board identifies the means for funding student programs and support services and sets the goals for the annual fund campaign and major capital campaigns. Members of the Board also set the pace for individual donations and serve as the principal solicitors of major donations.
The PCDS Board of Trustees abides by the National Association of Independent Schools’ Principles of Good Practice.
Trustees' Standing Committees
- Advancement Committee
- Audit Committee
- Facilities Planning Committee
- Finance Committee
- Strategic Planning Committee
- Trusteeship Committee
Advancement Committee
The Advancement Committee assists the School in raising financial contributions for new facilities, endowments, and annual giving. The Advancement Committee has oversight of capital campaigns and of each year’s Annual Fund. It approves mailings to solicit gifts and supervises Annual Reports that disclose the gifts from all constituencies and thank donors.
Audit Committee
Facilities Planning Committee
The Facilities Planning Committee oversees all physical facilities of the School. The committee approves all major expenditures for new campus resources and changes in present facilities. When appropriate, the Facilities Planning Committee takes its recommendations to the Finance/Investments Committee to be certain that funding is available for any project before it is recommended for approval by the full Board.
Finance Committee
The Finance & Investments Committee oversees the financial condition of the School. It approves all major expenditures as well as the annual budget submitted to it by the Headmaster and the Chief Financial Officer. The Finance/Investments Committee recommends to the full Board the proposed tuitions each year for approval. This committee oversees the School’s investments and reviews its annual financial audit. In addition, the committee reviews the recommendations of auditors and oversees the implementation of policies designed to financially strengthen the School.
Strategic Planning Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee, in concert with senior administrators, oversees the Strategic Plan. The committee monitors the implementation of the School’s plan and makes periodic reports to the Board on the plan’s status, including, but not limited to, constituency feedback and timing of the next process. Additionally, the Strategic Planning Committee educates the Board on particular challenges and successes related to the plan and its implementation.
Trusteeship Committee
The Trusteeship Committee recruits and trains new trustees as well as ensures the staffing of the Board’s Standing Committees by both trustees and non-trustee parents. The Trusteeship Committee exists to ensure the future leadership of the Board, including successful succession of the Presidency and Vice Presidencies. The Committee recommends trustees for election, renewal, and advisory status.


"Serving PCDS on the Board of Trustees is an honor. My colleagues and I are proud to support the School's mission and ensure the strength of the PCDS experience for years to come." – Tracy Brennan
Board President
Board of Trustees
President
Executive Vice President,
Vice President,
Committee on Trusteeship
Vice President, Strategic Planning
Vice President, Advancement
Vice President, Facilities Planning
Vice President, Finance/Operations
Vice President, Finance
Don Dady
Adam Goodman
Donna Johnson
Mercedes Liljegren
Tim Louis ‘81
Jordan Rose
Margaux Rosen
Tracy Schwimmer
Daniel Silverman
Kiran Singh
Andrew Rodin*
Headmaster
Tiffany Pondelik ‘00*
President, Alumni Association
Marian Florey*
President, Parents’ Association
*ex officio
Advisory Trustees
Beverly Bradway
Daniel J. Donahoe III
Bennett Dorrance
Susan Garrity
Samuel Garvin
Bert Getz
Donald R. Loback
Nan P. Miller
Jahm Najafi
Ellie B. Nolan
Frederick M. Pakis
Nicholas J. Sakellariadis ‘69
Jonah Shacknai
Shoshana B. Tancer
Garth Wieger
Gay F. Wray