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Our Board of Directors
ECC's Board of Directors is responsible for the policies, finances, fundraising and administration of the school. Our Board is currently made up of dedicated parents of former and current ECC students. If you have any interest in joining the Board, please email The Board.
Sarah Chiriaco (she/her)
President
Sarah joined the Board in 2022. She has a background in operations, business development, and recruitment with a focus on international programs. She currently oversees HQ Operations at Creative Associates International; she brings 12 years of experience to the role, including travel to more than 20 countries. Sarah attended The George Washington University, where she received her BA in International Affairs. Sarah currently lives in the Rockville area with her family, including one child in ECC, and their 15 year old cat. She is a passionate runner who has done more than 25 marathons (and is always happy to talk running with anyone who will listen).
Kristen Konopka Pazan (she/her)
Vice-President
Kristen joined the Board in 2022. She is the proud mother of two empowered young women, including four year-old Opal who currently attends ECC. Kristen has worked in healthcare consulting for over a decade and is currently with Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States. Kristen has undergraduate and graduate degrees from The George Washington University. She and her family live in the Woodley Gardens neighborhood of Rockville, where she was also born and raised. They are thrilled to be part of the ECC community and she appreciates the opportunity to give back through serving on the Board.
Laura Martens (she/her)
Secretary
Laura is thrilled to be a Board member since 2022. She views it as the perfect way to give back to ECC, the school both of her sons attended.
A lifetime ago, Laura edited for a private surveillance company, designed yearbooks for middle and high schools, and joined the service department at a luxury car dealership. Her passions then drew her to the world of retail. She was often incredulous that she would receive paychecks for working dream jobs at Bath and Body Works and DSW. Nowadays, she's found herself addicted to vanilla lattes, she's quite loyal to her Bravo shows, and she's up for any podcast while out walking her dog multiple times a day.
Her heart belongs to her husband, Luke, her two sons, Nate and Zachary, her beloved dog, Ribsy, and their three fish, Coral, Diamond, and Dory. Laura is originally from the suburbs of Chicago but is now truly attached to ECC and its welcoming community.
Amy Castner (she/her)
Treasurer
Amy joined the Board in 2021. She is currently a member of the principal professional staff at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where she leads technical research projects and serves as a line manager. Amy's background is in Computer Science and Mathematics and she attended the University of Maryland in College Park and The Johns Hopkins University. Amy grew up in Rockville and returned to raise a family. She and her husband have three children, including two ECC alum and a current ECC student. In her spare time, Amy enjoys making pottery and spending time with her family around Rockville and beyond.
Areaya Abebe (he/him)
At-Large
Areaya joined the Board in 2023. He has a background in law, investment banking and corporate and procurement policy. Areaya is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lombard Exteriors, a national facility management support company. Prior, he was the Policy Chief (Consultant) for the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Policy Chief for FEMA , Assistant Director of Procurement for the City of Norfolk and served on two Congressional Commissions providing economic policy to the White House.
He possesses a law degree from American University-Washington College of Law, graduate work in public policy from Georgetown University and Bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Areaya alongside his wife Saba, resides in Rockville, MD and has four children Rafael, Nathaniel, Sariah and Adonis. He is of Ethiopian descent, but born and raised in Plainville, CT and has become very fond of the ECC community.
Rashelle Woodson (she/her)
At-Large
Rashelle Woodson joined the Board in 2023 after her son's first year at ECC. Being brand new to the area, she was impressed with the warmth and inclusion ECC offered to her family. After such a welcoming experience, she is happy to help contribute to this community. Her daughter is enrolled as an ECC student this year. Rashelle has 20 plus year’s experience in sales, management and leadership. She spent many years with Estee Lauder Companies, in management and education. Last year she and her family moved across country and settled here in Rockville. She is now enjoying her time with her two young children, exploring Maryland in their free time, and getting involved in the community through their schools and activities.
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