For 20 years, the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s (PEF) Principal for a Day has invited community members to spend a morning getting to know their local public schools. On October 27, 2026, 25 community leaders joined Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) principals to visit classrooms, meet students and educators, and experience part of a school day.
The visits gave guests time to listen, ask questions, and learn what students are excited about, what they are working on, and what they hope to do next. They also offered a chance to get to know the educators who support and encourage them every day.
“Principal for a Day brings our community into the classrooms to see the work of our students and educators firsthand,” said Dr. Patrick Conyers, PEF Executive Director. “You hear directly from students and teachers, see what they’re working on, and get to know the principal. We’re grateful to our guests for making the time and to our school communities for welcoming them.”
This year’s guest principals came from business, local government, higher education, cultural institutions, science, and community organizations. Each brought a different perspective and a shared interest in the schools serving Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre.
After their visits, guests gathered with school principals and district leaders for a luncheon to share what they had learned and continue their conversations.
More than 500 community members have participated in Principal for a Day since 2006. “Over the years, we’ve seen guests stay involved with the schools they visited, becoming partners, volunteers, and advocates,” said Conyers. “That continued involvement is what makes this day matter.”
PEF has spent 55 years bringing people and resources together in support of PUSD students and educators. That generosity helps students discover their talents through arts and science, supports their well-being, and opens doors to college and career exploration. Principal for a Day is one way those connections begin, giving community members time to get to know our schools and the people who make them special.
Learn more at pased.org/pfad.
2026 Guest Principals
- Lindsay Amstutz, President, Los Angeles Thunder
- Anton Anderson, Councilmember, Altadena Town Council; Principal, Productivity Consulting
- Rian Barrett, Chief Executive Officer, Pasadena-Foothills REALTORS®
- Michelle Constantine, Chair, Integrated Studies, ArtCenter College of Design
- Elias Garcia, Government & Community Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente
- Jen García, AI Advisor, Caltech CTME; Founder, Ingrained
- Dr. Alexandra Graddy-Reed, Associate Professor, Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California
- Dr. Gary Hardie Jr., Education Strategy and Public Affairs Leader, DLR Group
- Margaret Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, Hunt Philanthropic
- Dr. Monica Hunter, Executive Director and Department Chair for Early Childhood Education, Pacific Oaks College
- Tim McDonald, Library Director, Pasadena Public Library, City of Pasadena
- Andrew Molina, Director of Operations, Mathnasium
- David Moon, Regional Sales Manager, Lakeshore Learning Materials
- Michael Ocon, Executive Director, Eaton Fire Collaborative
- Anette Padilla, Director, Community Foundation & Social Impact, AEG
- Mark Rettig, Vice President, Kemp Bros. Construction
- David Reyes, General Manager, Pasadena Water & Power
- Eva Rivera, Coordinator, City of Pasadena, Office of the Young Child
- Sam Sahand, Associate Principal, Flewelling & Moody
- Trey Sorensen, Battalion Chief, Pasadena Fire Department
- Jessica Soto, Public Engagement Specialist, Carnegie Science Observatories
- Emily Suñez, Reading Interventionist; Co-Founder & Outreach Director, Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network
- Debra Ward, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA San Gabriel Valley
- Sarah Wilson, Senior Director of Education, Autry Museum of the American West
- Keith Wyffels, Associate Vice President, Education, The Music Center
