SVEF Board of Directors

Margaret Pendleton, President

Margaret Pendleton joined SVEF in August 2008. She has been a fundraising professional for nearly 20 years, working first for two large non-profit organizations in Orange County, then as a direct marketing specialist for Epsilon, one of the leading direct marketing firms in the nation. In 2000, she helped form KassMark where she oversees direct mail fundraising programs for a wide variety of clients across the country. In addition to previously serving on the board of the Orange County Chapter of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), Margaret is a regular speaker on direct mail and membership programs. Margaret and her husband live in Foothill Ranch and have two sons at Foothill Ranch Elementary School.

Pam Klister, Vice President

Pamela Klister joined SVEF in August 2008. Born and educated in the United Kingdom, Pam traveled extensively while working in both the travel and recruitment industries. Achieving the position of Director of Sales for an IT recruitment company, she was transferred to San Francisco in 1989, and in 1992 she moved to Laguna Hills to run the West Coast operation. She is married and has two sons currently attending schools in the Saddleback District. Former President of the Valencia PTA, Pam continues to hold a board position as Parliamentarian as well as serving as President of that school’s Education Foundation. She was elected in 2006 to serve on the Valencia Site Council for a 3-year term and also works part time in the Capistrano School District in special education. In 2004 she lead one of the major fundraisers in SVUSD, helping to raise over $400,000 to save class size reduction district wide. Pam is passionate about working within organizations that acknowledge current issues and wants to ensure that her own district continues to provide the highest level of education and support for all children.

Jan Jurgemeyer, Secretary

Jan joined the SVEF Board in October 2006. She and her husband moved to Mission Viejo in 1969 and their children attended the Saddleback Valley schools. She was been a teacher at Mission Viejo High School from 1973 – 2003, where she taught physical education and US History. She was also the scholarship coordinator and career coordinator at MVHS. Jan joined SVEF because she was eager to remain active in the SVUSD as a volunteer.

Sarah Nagel, Treasurer

Sarah Nagel has been on the Board since 2003. As a practicing Certified Public Accountant, she has been doing tax preparation, planning, small business advisory services, tax problem resolution and representation services to individual clients since 1984. She is the President and Founder of Expressions of Grace, a non profit and Expressions, Inc. Her 3 children have attended school in the Saddleback Valley School District where she has been active in the PTA and School Site Council. She has a daughter currently attending Mission Viejo High School.

Ellen Phillips, Director

Ellen Phillips joined the board in 2007. She has been an employee, parent, and volunteer in SVUSD over the past 24 years. Ellen has worked for SVUSD, both at the primary level at La Madera Elementary School and at the secondary level at Silverado High School. She is also employed part-time by the Coastline Regional Occupational Program and has worked for SVUSD Adult Education. Both of Ellen’s daughters graduated from El Toro High School. She has been a member of the community for many years and has been involved in a wide and diverse variety of community organizations, including Rotary Club, Bobby Sox Softball, local community theater, and school site councils. She believes that there are many parents and community members in the Saddleback Valley that would like to assist in improving educational opportunities for our children, and that the SVEF can be the vehicle to mobilize their efforts.

Avis French, Director

Avis French has been on the SVEF Board since 1987 and has served in various positions over those years. She worked in several writer positions in her 27 years at Unisys until she retired at the end of 2001. Since then she has remained active in SVEF as well as continuing to volunteer in a wide array of programs within the local educational community.

Carol Lerman, Director

Carol Lerman joined the SVEF Board of Directors in August, 2006. She was the District Guidance Specialist, coordinating the SVUSD guidance program, for the 18 years. Her two children graduated from Mission Viejo High School and her oldest granddaughter attends Serrano Intermediate School.

Vicki Harris, Director

Vicki Harris joined the Board in December 2007. Vicki and her husband are 30-year residents of Lake Forest and have two children who attended Saddleback Valley district schools. Vicki’s employer, Fremont Investment & Loan in Laguna Hills, is very supportive of its employees’ efforts to volunteer in their local communities so the foundation is a good fit for her. Many of her years of volunteer service have been dedicated to education- related causes and organizations. Some of the organizations with which Vicki has volunteered are: Exchange Club of Irvine – mission is to prevent child abuse; Jr. Achievement – promotes free enterprise in grades K-12; Habitat for Humanity – helping families realize home ownership; Irvine Chamber of Commerce – member since 1978: Irvine Historical Society – member from 1982 – 1986.

Barbara Schulman, Director

Barbara Schulman joined SVEF in August 2008. She has taught in the District for almost 20 years in Special Education. She has been at Esperanza School and Serrano Intermediate School and is now working at the District Office with students with special needs, helping them transition into adulthood using life skills. She believes that you can never do too much for the school where your son or daughter attends. She wants everyone to give of their time helping at their children’s schools and providing financial support to make us the best district in southern Orange County. She would like to see parents become enthusiastic supporters of SVEF.

Julie Schwarz, Director

Julie Schwarz joined SVEF in August 2008. She serves SVEF as the liaison for the Saddleback Valley PTA Council. This is Julie’s 17th year as a parent and volunteer in SVUSD. Her two oldest children are currently in college after graduation from Laguna Hills High School. Her youngest daughter is currently attending Laguna Hills High School Julie is serving her second year as the Saddleback Valley PTA Council President. She has served on the council for the past six years as Vice President, Auditor, and Membership Chairperson. She has also been a Director on the Moody Foundation (a family foundation) since 1996. Julie has owned her own Financial Planning Practice for the past 20 years. Her financial planning practice also includes income tax preparation. She has also been a Creative Memories Consultant for the past 13 years.