Ali spent the first decade of her professional life advocating for improved systems and policies for kids. Upon graduating with a Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Georgia, Ali was a public middle school teacher in New York City and then served as a policy advocate for teachers at two different non-profit organizations. Missing her direct work with students, she then ventured into wilderness therapy, as a field guide for adolescents facing a wide range of challenges. These collective experiences inspired her to obtain her Master's in Social Work from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Ali then worked as an intensive in-home therapist and provided outpatient therapy in private practice and at several Durham and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools, supporting the abundant caseloads of school social workers and guidance counselors. She is most interested in the intersection of mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools. Ali equally loves the mountains and the beaches of NC, and any opportunity she and her family have to practice mindfulness and rest.

Amber Sowa brings extensive experience in organizational strategy, finance, and operations, with a background in leading global teams and supporting complex initiatives across more than 50 countries. She specializes in organizational transformation, strategic planning, and operational effectiveness, and is known for her creative problem-solving and collaborative leadership style.

As a board member at Willow Oak Montessori, Amber is committed to supporting equitable access, transparent governance, and strong leadership. She values the Montessori approach and its focus on nurturing independent and compassionate learners, and she brings a strategic lens to board discussions that help strengthen the school’s mission and community impact.

Livia brings over two decades of experience in finance and business operations. She has worked in financial management and organizational strategy, with a focus on building sustainable systems and efficient internal processes that support growth. As both a parent and dedicated board member, Livia is passionate about ensuring Willow Oak Montessori has the resources and financial stewardship needed to provide an authentic Montessori education for all students.

Josh is a parent, educator, and advocate for student-centered learning. He is a Teaching Professor of Organic Chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he focuses on making complex material accessible and helping students grow in both skill and confidence. His approach to teaching emphasizes structure, empathy, and curiosity — values that align closely with Willow Oak’s mission to foster independence, respect, and a lifelong love of learning. As a board member, Josh is committed to supporting a thriving school community that empowers both children and educators. Outside of work, Joshua enjoys spending time with his family, particularly nature walks, cooking, and reading with his spouse and two young children. He is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a school that reflects the kind of world he hopes to help build.

Dorothy is an attorney with nearly two decades of experience advising non-profits, educational institutions, and businesses on legal compliance, with a particular focus on employment and non-discrimination law. She grew up in North Carolina as a daughter of an Army sergeant and a teacher’s assistant (now a retired EC teacher), and earned a B.A. in Russian literature at UNC-Chapel Hill and a J.D. at Vanderbilt Law School. After living in Chicago for ten years, she returned to North Carolina to raise her two children, who are now students at Willow Oak. She brings to the board a deep commitment to public education and a strong belief in the Montessori philosophy. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, gardening, and reading.  

Matthew grew up the son of a teacher in the mountains of western North Carolina. After college, he was an English tutor to elementary students in rural Japan and continued working with children doing scientific outreach with highschoolers in the genetics of blight resistance in the endangered American Chestnut during his

Bioinformatics PhD research at UNC-Charlotte. He then moved to the area for his postdoctoral research at UNC-Chapel Hill in dynamic treatment regimes, cardiovascular epidemiology and the gut microbiome. Matthew lives in Chapel Hill with his wife and two young children and enjoys music, electronics and programming in his spare time. He is interested in the interface of education with technological advances. Matthew was thrilled to join the board at Willow Oak after witnessing his daughter thriving in her first year in the Children's House and looks forward to contributing to the future success of the school.

Elisabeth is a novelist and former high school teacher. She earned her MA in teaching in 2009 and began her career at two top Boston charter schools (MATCH Public Charter and Benjamin Banneker Montessori Charter) before moving to teach in Chatham County, where she met her husband, a lifetime Chatham resident. They live in Pittsboro with their 2 daughters, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. 

Elisabeth brings experience to the Willow Oak Montessori Board as the former fundraising chair of her children's preschool board, where she resurrected scholarship funding through multiple events and drives. She is an active member in the Pittsboro small business community and regional animal rescue. She plans to use her experience in education, marketing, and community organization to support several committees within the board, with a focus on community outreach and engagement.

Manju credits his dad (an educator) for his awareness of the impact good education has on students of all ages. Manju knows he has benefitted from the educators and schools he has attended, and views his service on the WOM Board as a way to pay his educational benefits forward to subsequent generations and to the community.  He especially appreciates the student choice and mixed-age groupings in Montessori classrooms, which he believes closely represents the real world environment in social and professional settings. He and his wife have two children at WOM, and he is delighted to be able to serve on the Board, combining his computer science and MBA skills to support the school.

Katie Sheffield was born and raised in Chapel Hill, the daughter of a school guidance counselor.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Smith College and a master’s degree in engineering management from Duke University.  Having worked in various cities throughout the US upon graduating, she was thrilled to move back to North Carolina where she now lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, two daughters, one dog and one cat. 

She currently works as an Automation engineer within the pharmaceutical industry,  dedicated to advancing innovative technologies and streamlining complex operations. With a strong foundation in systems engineering and a passion for continuous improvement, Katie brings strategic insight and technical expertise to her role on the WOM board.  Katie’s experience in cross-functional leadership and her dedication to inclusive, forward-thinking education make her a valuable contributor to the school’s governance and vision.

Alexa is a North Carolina native whose early career in retail evolved into small business ownership, where she created a welcoming space for community members to connect through their shared love of the arts. Her recent work has centered on marketing and community engagement for mission-driven brands, particularly those with a strong storytelling focus that celebrates individuals making an impact.

Alexa’s connection to Montessori education began in childhood through her family’s business, which manufactures cloth and vinyl products for childcare centers nationwide. Today, she proudly represents the third generation involved in the family-run company, based in North Carolina.

She is deeply passionate about supporting businesses and organizations that create safe, inclusive environments where children can grow into compassionate, responsible global citizens. Currently residing in Chapel Hill with her husband, two children, and their Siberian cat, Alexa enjoys live music and theater, antique hunting, meaningful conversations over coffee or delicious food, and spending time in nature with her family.

As a WOM parent, Alexa is excited to contribute her time and energy to help ensure the WOM community continues to feel supported, connected, and nurtured.