The Board of Trustees

Laura Ferris has been a teacher at Highland Hall for over thirty-four years. She joined the faculty in the fall of 1970, while still an undergraduate at what was then San Fernando Valley State College. Originally hired as a games/movement teacher, Laura taught classes from grade one through high school before moving into the Kindergarten. She received her Bachelors degree in Physical Education/Kinesiology in 1971 from SFVSC, and completed her Waldorf Training at WISC in 1974. In 1976 Laura earned her Masters in Education from CSUN.

She has taught in our kindergarten for over thirty-three years and in addition to being an alumni parent, has contributed to the school in a number of roles as; a College member, Hiring Committee Chair, Kindergarten Chair, member of the Professional Oversight and Professional Development Committees, Leadership Team member, and AWSNA Delegate.

She has worked as a member of an AWSNA/WASC accreditation team as well as a school evaluation group sponsored by Templar associates. Laura further participates in the movement at large by serving as the Southern California Regional Representative for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America.

Jon Gardner (President) has been a parent at Highland Hall for 8 years. He and his wife Lori have two children; a daughter in the 7th Grade and son in the 8th Grade. Jon has served on various committees for Highland Hall including chairing the Development Committee in 2006. During his time with that committee, he helped work on the Strategic Plan. Jon currently serves on the Board of Trustees for his Temple.

Jon has over 20 years in the Insurance industry including the last seven years as owner of his own Insurance and Financial Services Agency. His business has been recognized on several occasions by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, including being named Small Business of the Year in 2005. Jon is very active in his community and with the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Karen Grant joined the Highland Hall faculty in 1996. Previously, she’d been at the Denver Waldorf School for eight years teaching English and music.
After leaving DWS, she had a brief stint as the pianist for the Colorado State Ballet and, upon moving to Los Angeles, became an assistant to various executives at Warner Bros. before starting her family.

Karen currently teaches English and music in the middle and high school. She co-sponsored the Class of 2002 and the Class of 2006, and is the co-sponsor of this year’s 9th grade. She has served on the Board of Trustees for several years. Karen and her husband, Bill, have one child left at the school: Connor, a sophomore, in his fourteenth year at Highland Hall. Their daughter, Kelly, graduated in 2010.

Hasib Saliefendic and his wife Tracy joined the ranks of alumni parents in June 2009, graduating their daughter, Anisa, after 14 years at Highland Hall. In his 10th year as a member of the Board of Trustees, Hasib has previously served as President, Vice-President, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, as well as President and Vice-President of the Parent Association. Tracy has previously served as President and Treasurer for the Parent Association.

Hasib has over 25 years of experience as an I.T. professional and is founder of Entoactive, an IT services company, specializing in custom applications and database development for insurance and financial industry clients.

Robyn Samuels (Vice President) has been a parent at Highland Hall for nine years. She and her husband Bruce Shragg have twin daughters. Robyn has volunteered in many capacities including Room Rep, Room Rep Coordinator, Parent Association President (2005-6 and 2006-7), Spring Soiree Chair 2009, and ongoing member of the Capital Campaign Committee. She is also active in her community at Leo Baeck Temple. Robyn grew up in St. Louis, Mo., and received her B.A. and M.F.A. in Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota.

After a career in primarily feminist theater, she obtained her teaching certificate from National University and taught elementary school for LAUSD for eight years. She enjoys writing and storytelling, especially at the Winter Faire.

Bryan Ungard and his wife Suzette started their journey in Waldorf education in Santa Fe in 2004. Bryan is a business executive with a background in technology, finance and organizational development. He spent many years in the automotive sector as a systems integrator, business owner and consultant before he became involved in organizational transformation.

He is now part of the leadership team of a local company that is on the leading edge of the conscious business movement.