Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal is a dedicated advocate for public education and community engagement. A product of public schools—including UC Berkeley and the University of Virginia School of Law—she has spent nearly a decade supporting Laguna Beach schools through leadership, service, and strategic initiatives.

Shaheen served two terms as PTA President at both Top of the World Elementary and Thurston Middle School, leading through principal transitions and pandemic challenges. She has been an active leader on PTA boards for eight years and served as a SchoolPower Trustee, continuing to support the organization alongside her husband, who sits on the SchoolPower Endowment Board.

A corporate attorney for over 20 years, Shaheen built a boutique private practice that balances the demands of a dynamic legal career with motherhood. She has championed student enrichment programs, even teaching Bollywood dance at TOW. Her passion for education and community-driven solutions fuels her work in uniting families and advocating for policies that prioritize student success. As a parent of two LBUSD students, Shaheen remains committed to ensuring Laguna Beach schools thrive for all families, now and generations to come.

Emily Rolfing has been a dedicated advocate for Laguna Beach schools, students, and families, bringing years of experience in education-focused volunteerism and community engagement. A proud Laguna Beach native and Laguna Beach High School alumna, Emily is deeply committed to ensuring that the district remains a pillar of excellence for future generations. As the daughter of a public special education teacher and an LBHS soccer coach, she grew up with a strong appreciation for public education, student support, and the power of community involvement.

Emily has remained actively involved in the district, taking on leadership roles to strengthen the school community, move the district forward, and empower families. Her extensive service includes being a room parent, PTA volunteer, El Morro PTA Vice President, SchoolPower Trustee, and Laguna Beach PTA Council member. She has contributed to key decision-making processes as an LCAP stakeholder, LBHS and El Morro School Site Council member, Multi-Sport Booster Representative, and Curriculum Council member. Beyond LBUSD, Emily has fostered youth development as a coach for Laguna Beach Little League and AYSO.

In addition to her school-based leadership, Emily has been an active voice in local advocacy efforts, attending school board meetings, running a school board campaign, and mobilizing families to engage in education policy and board accountability.

Danielle Roedersheimer has dedicated 17 years to advocating for children's education and community engagement. An Orange County native, she earned a degree in Economics from UC Irvine and built a decade-long career in management and strategic consulting at Accenture before focusing on raising her two children with her husband, Jeff. Their children have attended public schools since first grade, with one now a Junior at LBHS and the other a Laguna graduate attending a public university out of state.

Danielle’s passion for education began with Junior Achievement, teaching middle schoolers while working in the corporate sector. She has since held leadership roles in Tustin and Laguna Beach school PTAS, including President and Vice President of the Laguna Beach Council of PTAs and board positions at TOW, Thurston, and LBHS. She has participated in LCAP development cycle and WASC accreditation. She also served as a SchoolPower Trustee for six years, co-chairing its Gala and auction.

Beyond education, Danielle has been deeply involved in the community, teaching catechism for seven years and serving as Booster Rep for LBHS Cheer for three years, earning recognition from the Athletic Director.

Her dedication to education, student advocacy, and community service continues to shape her contributions to Laguna Beach schools.

Jeff Roedersheimer is a dedicated community leader and advocate. After retiring in 2023, he shifted his focus to service, leveraging his leadership and technology expertise. He spent over 14 years at Capital Group as Global Head of Technology Strategy and Architecture and CIO for Global Client Experience. Before that, he was an Executive Partner at Accenture for 15 years. He has also been a guest lecturer at USC’s Marshall School of Business for over 12 years and served on UCI’s Digital Transformation Advisory Board.

Committed to youth advocacy, Jeff serves on the board of Orange County CASA and has been a sworn-in advocate for foster youth since 2020. He and his wife, Danielle, were Trustees for SchoolPower for six years, supporting public education. He has also coached AYSO soccer in Irvine and Laguna Beach.

Beyond education, Jeff served as Vice Chair of the Laguna Beach Parking, Traffic, and Circulation Committee, working to improve local infrastructure. Originally from the Midwest, he has lived in Southern California for over 20 years. He holds a degree in Decision Sciences and Operations Management from Miami University and remains deeply committed to community service and advocacy.

Newth Morris, Managing Director

Newth is a co-founder and Managing Director at Ankona Capital, a growth-stage venture capital firm based in Newport Beach, specializing in B2B technology.

Newth began his career as an electronic systems designer at Electronic Design Associates (EDA), working on emerging technologies, including audio encoding, text-to-speech, voice recognition, GPS, and wireless data.

In 2000, Newth co-founded Telogis, a pioneer in the fleet vehicle tracking market, now known as the field of telematics. The company developed innovative solutions in hardware, SaaS, digital mapping, and parallel computing, growing into a market leader with clients like Coca-Cola and AT&T. In 2016, Verizon acquired Telogis, and Newth served as Senior Vice President of Strategy for connected car and Iot.

Recognizing a need for growth-stage funding in Southern California, Newth co-founded Ankona Capital. The firm focuses on capital-efficient B2B technology companies and manages nearly half a billion dollars in assets.

Newth serves as Vice Chairman of the Laguna Beach County Water District Commission, on the board of OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) and is a past chapter chair of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). He co-founded FUEL – Families Unified for Education in Laguna – a 501(c)(4) advocating for education. He was named one of Orange County’s 40 Under 40 and honored by the Orange County Business Journal as Entrepreneur of the Year, Innovator of the Year (2015), and Business Person of the Year (2016), OC50 Entrepreneur (2025) and OC500 Business Leader (2025).

Newth and his wife, Claudia, are proud parents of Tano (13), Thiago (11), and Taegyn (9). He is an avid skier, snowboarder, mountain biker, and hiker. Through the Newth & Claudia Morris Foundation, he is active in the autism community and supports schools and orphanages in Guatemala. His involvement in Guatemala builds on his earlier work with an NGO on rural infrastructure projects. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Matt Gummow is a seasoned architect and co-founder of Alder James, a Laguna Beach-based custom residential architecture firm, which he co-owns with his wife, Emily. A Laguna Beach resident of more than a decade, Matt has a deep-rooted connection to his community, which inspires his passion for shaping high-quality, functional spaces that blend seamlessly with the region's unique architectural community. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego before pursuing his Masters of Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design in Downtown San Diego.

With over 15 years of experience in the architecture industry, Matt has led a diverse range of projects, ranging in all scales from residential to institutional, with a focus on innovative design that meets the practical needs of clients. His leadership at Alder James is characterized by a collaborative, growth-focused environment where his team is empowered to thrive professionally while maintaining the firm’s core values of reliability and excellence.  Matt’s leadership approach emphasizes clear communication, streamlined processes, and a focus on high-value work that allows his team to engage with the most fulfilling aspects of architecture while contributing to the firm’s continued success.

Matt is deeply involved in the Laguna Beach community, contributing to local initiatives and engaging in city planning discussions. He is passionate about supporting sustainable growth and contributing to the area’s development. Along with Emily, Matt serves as a trustee for the local SchoolPower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, supporting elevated public education in the community.  Matt and Emily have three children—all attendees of LBUSD schools.

Iva Pawling is a dedicated community member and parent who has called Laguna Beach home for nearly two decades. For the past seven years, she has been actively involved in local schools, volunteering her time to enrich the educational experience. As a SchoolPower trustee for the past six years, she has served on the Executive Committee and was President during the 2023–2024 school year.

Iva has built her professional career around brand growth and marketing. She is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Gorjana, overseeing brand marketing and e-commerce for the 100-store, Laguna Beach based jewelry brand.

Previously, she was Co-Founder and CEO of Richer Poorer, leading the brand for 14 years through fundraising, acquisitions, and its sale to Francesca’s. She then became President at Francesca’s, driving marketing, e-commerce, and brand expansion.

Claudia Morris is  a deeply invested parent of three children within the Laguna Beach Unified School District, is a long-standing volunteer dedicated to cultivating a collaborative, transparent, and student-centered educational environment. For eight years, she has been part of the school community, actively serving as a room parent, classroom volunteer, and currently as Vice President of the Thurston Middle School PTA. Recognizing the importance of supporting all families, she also serves as a parent mentor within the district’s Special Education department. Further demonstrating her commitment to community service, she holds a position on the Board of Directors of Easterseals Southern California, where she gains valuable experience in non-profit governance and strategic planning. Claudia has a bachelor degree in computer science. Prior to her community involvement, she established a career as a systems engineer, holding roles as a software developer, project manager, and implementation engineer for a consulting software firm. She is eager to apply her professional acumen and diverse volunteer experiences to champion the mission of promoting and advocating for the students of the Laguna Beach Unified School District.

Julie Gersten is deeply committed to and involved in supporting public education in Laguna Beach. She has two children enrolled in LBUSD and has logged countless hours volunteering at Top of the World and Thurston Middle School as a room parent, classroom volunteer, PTA member, head of PTA Empathetic Citizenship Committees at Top of the World and Thurston, member of PTA Council and Executive Board Member of Laguna Beach SchoolPower as VP for Family Support Services. Julie has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector building social change movements. She has expertise in program design, fundraising, community engagement and non-profit governance. Currently, she serves as Chair of Governance on the board of HIAS, an organization that provides vital services to refugees and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives. She holds a Certificate in Jewish Experiential Education from Yeshiva University, an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science from Vassar College.