Vida School Board of Directors

Guiding our school's vision with wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication to our community.

The Board of Directors plays a vital role in stewarding our school's mission and ensuring its long-term success. Through responsible governance, the Board establishes policies, sets strategic direction, and upholds the values that define our educational community. Board members work to ensure our school remains financially healthy and sustainable by overseeing budgets, managing resources prudently, and planning for future growth and stability. The Board also provides essential oversight and support to the administrative team, working in partnership to guide the school's leadership while maintaining accountability to our families, faculty, and broader community. Together, these responsibilities ensure that our school continues to thrive and deliver an exceptional educational experience for all students.

Chris Cummiskey

Board President

Chris brings extensive legal and leadership experience to the board. As an attorney, he advises companies and nonprofits on governance, compliance, and employment matters, and has deep expertise in real estate, construction, and development projects. His background includes negotiating complex agreements, guiding organizations through growth and change, and helping teams manage risk effectively. Before practicing law, Chris proudly served in the U.S. Army out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Chris lives in Agoura Hills with his wife, Michelle, their son Kellen, and their daughter Paige. Chris spends much of his free time at the baseball and softball fields.

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Joanna Mone

Board Treasurer

Joanna received her BA from New York University where she double majored in dance and communications. After dancing professionally in NY for many years, she transitioned into finance. As the Director of Institutional Sales for a real estate investment fund, Joanna raised over $100m through public pension funds, unions, endowments and foundations. She is an extremely proud parent and member of the Vida board. In her free time she volunteers at the California Wildlife Center rehabilitating seals and sea lions.

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Keyna Binder

Board Secretary

Bio coming soon!

Danny Scuderi

Board Member

Danny is an education consultant and leads strategic planning and professional development with schools around the country to shift to learner-centered systems, structures and practices. Previously, he worked in Bay Area independent schools for 16 years as a K-5 teacher and administrator, middle school English teacher, and head of middle school. As a school leader, he led project-based curriculum redesigns, established public and private partnerships aligned with service-learning and outdoor education programs, and implemented AI guidelines and training. Danny has been invited to present at the White House for Michelle Obama's Reach Higher initiative, where he led a workshop on reimagined pathways to higher education for underserved communities. He is also a former National Poetry Slam winner.

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Dr. Jennifer Galvan

Board Member

Dr. Galvan received her Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University, where she majored in Psychology. She later earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) from Alliant International University. She holds advanced clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy from the New Center for Psychoanalysis. She currently runs a private practice, which has earned recognition as the "Best in Calabasas" for 2 years in a row. Her and her husband, three daughters and their variety of pets reside in the San Fernando Valley where they can be close to family, work and Vida School. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, having weekend getaways to Palm Springs, camping and hosting family and friends. Dr. Galvan is a proud member of the Vida board and continues to find fulfillment in her ability to further expand and enrich our school.

Katie Amanda Keane

Board Member

Katie Amanda Keane received her BFA and MFA in Acting, graduating on the Dean’s
List with a 4.0 Post grad, she appeared regularly with Shakespeare Orange County but soon made her transition to film and TV. A working actor for over twenty years, she was a series regular on ABC Family’s Ruby and the Rockits - created by and starring music icons Shaun and David Cassidy. Katie has recurred and guest starred on over thirty TV shows. She is passionate about dog rescue and spent eight years volunteering at Best Friends
Animal Society in Mission Hills – where she honed her dog skills by working with some
of the most challenging and misunderstood pups. Katie loves to bring her knowledge of the industry and craft of acting to the classroom. Her teaching credits include UCLA, Chapman University, Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and Orange County School of the Arts.

Ed Leyson

Board Member

Ed Leyson brings over 18 years of experience as the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Carolwood Estates. His consistent talent as an art director and keen eye for cutting-edge design trends has his work featured in such notable publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Architectural Digest, WIRED, GQ, Robb Report, Haute Living and many more.

As Chief Marketing Director of Carolwood, Ed spearheads advertising campaigns for some of the most expensive properties in the nation and multiple new developments in Los Angeles. Ed has become the engine of the top-producing real estate office in Los Angeles.