For Immediate Release
Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) is proud to announce the election of five new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Heather Backstrom, Mimi Carter, Will Morris, Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy, and Teri Richardson. These distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to support PEF’s mission of achieving excellence and equity for all Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) schools.
The new board members, elected at the April 2024 meeting, officially began their tenure on July 1, 2024. PEF is led by a diverse group of volunteer board members who are deeply rooted in the community, committed to the organization’s mission, and passionate about public education. Board members are business and civic leaders, educators, parents, and professionals who work collectively to make a better future for PUSD students and the community.
“We are honored to welcome these outstanding community leaders to our Board of Directors,” said Dr. Patrick Conyers, PEF Executive Director. “Their diverse backgrounds, skills, and deep commitment to public education will greatly enhance our ability to support PUSD students, teachers, and schools. Each new member brings unique insights and experiences that will be invaluable as we work towards ensuring every student in PUSD has access to a high-quality education.”
The addition of these new members not only strengthens the board’s expertise and deepens PEF’s community connections, but also amplifies its capacity to drive forward PEF’s strategic directions. Their diverse perspectives and experiences will help PEF expand its impact and create transformative educational opportunities that will shape the future of public education in Pasadena for years to come.
Dr. Heather Backstrom
Dr. Heather Backstrom is a professional coach, facilitator, keynote speaker, author, and adjunct professor with extensive experience across various sectors. She coaches leaders at all organizational levels, focusing on enhancing effectiveness, influence, and workplace relationships. Dr. Backstrom is the author of “Collaborative Confidence,” a top-selling women’s leadership book, and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Redlands.
With a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University and certification as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Dr. Backstrom brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. She uniquely incorporates principles from improv into her coaching and facilitation. Dr. Backstrom has served on the Board of Directors for Leadership Pasadena and volunteers with the Tournament of Roses Association, demonstrating her commitment to community involvement and leadership development.
A PUSD alumna, she attended Eliot Arts Magnet and John Muir Early College Magnet.
Mimi Carter
Mimi Carter is an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor to early-stage companies. She is a partner at Carterus Strategies and former director of the Pasadena Angels, named one of the top angel investing groups in the US by Forbes Magazine. Carter has served on the advisory board for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s WiSTEM program and is a board member of Innovate Pasadena, a collaborative partnership advancing greater Pasadena as a center of innovation.
For the past 14 years, Carter has been an active community volunteer and leader, serving as a steering committee member for the LA County Science Fair, VP of Sierra Madre Elementary PTSA, and a Science Olympiad coach. She has also been a supporter and funder of STEM education for underserved communities. Carter currently serves on the board of Five Acres, a children’s welfare agency serving Los Angeles since 1888.
Will Morris
Will Morris, a Pasadena native and PUSD alumnus, brings a unique blend of legal and athletic expertise to the PEF Board. He attended Oberlin College and the University of Wisconsin Law School. After practicing law, Morris followed his passion for coaching, leading college teams in basketball, lacrosse, and tennis, and he currently serves as the head women’s and men’s golf coach at Occidental College. He also holds the position of Coordinator of Community Wellness at Occidental.
Morris has been an active PUSD volunteer, serving at his children’s schools as Chair of the Annual Fund, Chair of the School Site Council, and PTA member. Both of his children are proud PUSD alumni.
Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy
Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy brings extensive experience in education and community service to the PEF Board. She graduated from Stanford University and received a Master’s in Teaching from the Harvard Graduate School of Education before earning her Ph.D. in English from UCLA. Dr. Pomeroy served for thirteen years on the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education, including two terms as President, consistently advocating for the academic and creative development of diverse students.
Her community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Sierra Club and Pasadena Museum of History, as well as on the Pasadena Library Commission and Recreation & Parks Commission. Dr. Pomeroy has authored books on regional history and founded Many Moons Press. Her connection to PUSD continues through her grandchildren, with one attending John Muir and another at Eliot.
Teri Richardson
Teri Richardson is an attorney with an M.S. degree in clinical psychology and is a strong advocate for public education.
As a parent of two Marshall students, she has been actively involved in the Pasadena Unified School District. Richardson has served as the Marshall PTSA president for the past two years and previously held the same role at Sierra Madre PTSA. Her commitment to education extends beyond PTSA leadership. Richardson is also a member of the Marshall School Site Council and serves as the Pasadena Education Network (PEN) Marshall representative. Her diverse background in law and psychology, combined with her extensive volunteer work in education, brings a valuable perspective to her role in supporting PUSD schools.
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