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Building Community: Principal for a Day
Since 2006, the Pasadena Educational Foundation has invited our community to step into the vibrant world of the Pasadena Unified School District with our Principal for a Day program. This immersive experience is not just one day; it’s a journey into the heart of public education, where community leaders, professionals, and advocates discover the magic that happens within our classrooms.
Principal for a Day is a chance to engage, inspire, and be inspired. Every school and every classroom offers opportunities to be immersed in the diverse perspectives that make each classroom a unique hub of ideas. Guest principals will spend time with students and teachers, witnessing their enthusiasm for learning and sharing their dreams, passions, and creativity.
Principal for a Day has engaged more than 500 guest principals and helped build lasting relationships with community partners who invest in the district’s initiatives and growth. They provide resources, engage in projects, become volunteers, and, most importantly, advocate for our schools.
Thank you to all who have joined us in working to achieve excellence and equity in all our PUSD schools.
Take a look at our amazing 2025 Principals for a Day:
Altadena Arts Magnet: Julia Cowlishaw
Julia was raised in Chula Vista, CA, earned a B.A. from Baylor University and M.F.A. from Cal State University Long Beach. She began her bookselling career at Warwick’s Books &…(read more)
Blair IB: Catherine Buzzini
Catherine is an Executive Director in IT at Kaiser Permanente. She has been with Kaiser for 20 years and has worked in various roles and markets across the enterprise. Prior…(read more)
Blair IB: Stephen Cook
Stephen Cook received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of South Carolina where he studied composition with Dr. Samuel Douglas and piano performance and…(read more)
CIS Academy / Rose City: Josh McCurry
Josh was born and raised in Pasadena/Altadena, where he graduated from Polytechnic School before attending Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. After graduating in 2011, he moved to Austin, Texas where…(read more)
Don Benito: Terry Madigan
Terry Madigan has been a volunteer member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association since 1993 and currently serves as the Association’s Executive Vice President. He will serve as the…(read more)
Early Childhood Education: Shelley Boyle
Shelley Boyle is a third-generation Pasadena resident and the Co-Executive Director of Young & Healthy, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting children and families to quality healthcare and supportive services. She…(read more)
Eliot Arts Magnet: Alex Chu
A former student of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO), Alex Chu feels lucky to be the Pasadena Symphony’s Director of Education for the past 8 years. Alex holds a…(read more)
Field: Alan Lee
Alan is the Senior Manager of the Compass Pasadena, bringing over a decade of hands-on real estate experience and a uniquely people-driven approach to agent support and leadership. Over the…(read more)
Hamilton: Carol Soucek King
Since 1993, Carol Soucek King, M.F.A., Ph.D., has devoted much of her time to writing uplifting design-oriented books from her home “Arroyo del Rey” [King’s Creek] in Pasadena. Soucek King’s…(read more)
Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet: Khanh Russo
Khanh serves as President and CEO of the Pasadena Community Foundation. He has extensive leadership experience in philanthropy, public policy, and community engagement, as well as his deep commitment to…(read more)
Madison: Miguel Márquez
Before joining the City of Pasadena in 2022, Miguel Márquez served as the Chief Operating Officer of the County of Santa Clara, responsible for all operations of the county, the…(read more)
McKinley: Brandon Lamar
Brandon D. Lamar is a force for change, a bold visionary whose life’s work is dedicated to justice, equity, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. As the President of the…(read more)
Muir: Ezra Callahan
Ezra Callahan is a former longtime Facebook employee. He currently runs the Callahan Family Foundation with his wife Marisa.(read more)
Norma Coombs: Matu Taylor
Previously serving as the Director of High School and College Age Outreach at Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood since 2016, Matumaini brings with her an impressive 20-year career in…(read more)
Octavia E. Butler: Dr. Kassahun Betre
Dr. Kassahun Betre (he/him) is assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy at San Jose State University. He received his PhD in theoretical particle physics from Stanford University…(read more)
Pasadena High School: Joann Kozyrev
Joann Kozyrev is the Dean of Extended Studies at ArtCenter College of Design. A committed advocate for accessible and impactful education, she brings over 10 years of experience leading the…(read more)
San Rafael: Ari Chaet
Ari Chaet is the Managing Partner of Untitled Events, an event management company in Los Angeles, CA.(read more)
Sierra Madre Elementary School: Geoff Woods
I was raised in La Crescenta and hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Arts degree from California State University, Northridge, and…(read more)
Sierra Madre Middle: Dr. John Desjarlais
Dr Desjarlais is the Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Xencor, Inc. a Pasadena-based biotechnology company developing antibody therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. John has led the…(read more)
Thurgood Marshall Secondary: Anders Corey
Anders Corey serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation (ARRC). Prior to this, Anders served as an advisor to Los Angeles County…(read more)
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet: Dr. Ja Ne’t Rommero
Dr. Ja Ne’t Rommero is a seasoned academic leader and psychologist with a strong foundation in clinical practice and higher education. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from California State…(read more)
Webster: Diana Herrera
With 29 years of experience in the Credit Union industry, I’ve built my career from the ground up. Today, I’m proud to serve as a Regional Branch Manager for Pasadena…(read more)
Take a look at our previous classes of Principals for a Day:
Principal for a Day 2024
Principal for a Day 2023
Principal for a Day 2022
Principal for a Day 2019
Principal for a Day 2018
Principal for a Day 2017
What’s New
Learning through the resilience and beauty of nature.- Celebrating PUSD Staff Dedication: Thanks to You TacosThe Pasadena Educational Foundation held “Thanks to You [More]
- News & Updates: Winter 2025Our Unwavering Commitment to PUSD For more than 50 years, [More]
- Warner Bros. Discovery Volunteers breathe new life into the greenery at AllendaleFor the Altadena Arts Magnet students, gardening has become [More]
INTERESTED IN BEING A PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY?
Contact us at connect@pasedfoundation.org
Support Your Community Schools
Principal for a Day is one of the many ways the Pasadena Educational Foundation helps connect the resources of our community with our public schools.
