Board of Trustees

Julie grew up in San Francisco, CA, and has been a PNW resident for over a decade. Her professional background includes event planning, project management, and online marketing with various organizations, including Stanford University and Amazon. She has a lifelong passion for philanthropy and service, and previously served on the Bellevue LifeSpring Board of Directors for two terms. At Open Window School, Julie has enjoyed volunteering in many capacities, including as the Parent/Guardian Association VP, co-chair of the annual campaign, for the auction, and in the library. She currently serves as co-chair of the school’s capital campaign. The Buis love Open Window School because of its mission to nurture the whole child (head + heart), and the compassionate, inspiring teachers who amplify their kids’ love of learning every day. 

Owen joined the board in 2022, and chairs the Advancement committee as well as contributing the Facilities and Campaign committees. He grew up in Maryland, attended Purdue University in Indiana, and then landed on the west coast where he spent 25 years working on software—ranging across Automotive, Media Center, Xbox, Photos, Video Editing, Streaming, and AI. He enjoys skiing, snowboarding, biking, running, and all things outside. Owen and his wife Polita have two middle schoolers at Open Window School. They chose Open Window because it provided the challenge and social emotional learning their daughters craved. He feels strongly that “Open Window creates complete leaders, nurturing the head and heart while understanding the needs of gifted kids.”

Priyanka Chopra joined the Board in 2024. She is currently CFO at Prosus Ventures, which invests in technology companies worldwide. She previously held deal making roles in technology investment banking and private equity, as well as finance roles in technology startups. She lives in Washington with her husband and son.

Al Morasch, a retired educator with over 35 years in public education, served in the Shoreline School District as an elementary teacher (K-6) and district administrator, where he created programs for teaching, learning, and educational technology. He played a key role in passing a $33 million bond for instructional technology and led the modernization of all district schools. After retiring, Al consulted with the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to assess state learning standards and supported the National Board Certification for teachers. He also worked at Seattle University, creating innovative teaching certification and support programs for new educators.

Al holds graduate degrees in Teaching and Learning and School Administration from the University of Washington. As a parent of a fourth grader at Open Window School, Al values the school’s holistic approach, integrated learning, and emphasis on social-emotional development. A passionate traveler, he has explored over 30 cultures since retiring.

Cydnie grew up in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles and currently serves as Chief Retail Officer for Habitat for Humanity King Kittitas Counties. At Open Window, she has volunteered in multiple roles from committee member for our Capital Campaign to Board Treasurer and Board President. The Horwats have two Open Window alumni. They chose Open Window because they felt, “The unique pairing of providing a challenge coupled (with) nurturing, including the deep SEL foundation, has provided our children with an amazing education and introduced us to parents who are now lifelong friends.” Cydnie loves to cook and was taught by Julia Child (on PBS), making her first chocolate soufflé at 9 years old. 

Liz grew up in the Seattle area and has continued to make the Pacific Northwest her home. She has spent much of her professional life in educational leadership, with the last 28 years as Head of School at Holy Names Academy. She also has a passion for STEM subjects and taught an advanced physics course for her entire administrative career. Liz has served on several school boards and boards for other professional organizations. She has one daughter who also lives in the Seattle area. Liz greatly appreciates the quality education provided to the students at Open Window School and notes, “Open Window produces well-rounded, confident, and articulate students who are ready for their next level of education and life.”

Marcus grew up in Southfield, MI, in the metro Detroit area, where he learned and experienced the value of passionate educators and enriching experiences in schools. He later earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. Marcus journeyed to the Pacific Northwest to begin a career in software engineering in 2003. Marcus and his wife, Melissa, chose Open Window School for their children together to challenge, grow, and nurture them as learners and citizens. He has enjoyed the privilege of serving on several committees at Open Window School, including the Field Day, Governance, and DEIB committees.

Tania grew up in Mexico City, where she spent her childhood through university (she studied computer science at the Tecnológico de Monterrey). In 2000 she moved to San Francisco to work for a US software company, and over the next 17 years had a successful career building large, globally distributed software organizations. In 2018 she retired to spend more time with her daughter Leila.

 

Tania and family moved to Washington in 2020. They feel fortunate to be part of the OWS community and enjoy supporting the school in whichever ways they can. Tania has served as PGA Vice President and is also an Auction co-chair this year. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies with family, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends. And while they really enjoy the PNW, they love visiting the warm Mexican beaches whenever they can! 

Terry is the Associate Head of School at The Nueva School. He has coached, advised, designed and led trips, and helped expand Nueva from a one campus 380 student PK-8 to a two-campus 967 student PK-12. He’s also worked on strategic planning, accreditation, programs, partnerships, professional development, extended learning, finance, fundraising, capital campaigns, endowment, human resources, facilities, operations, information technology, health, and transportation. He also serves on three independent school boards, a public school district finance committee, the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Secondary Board of Standards, the board of the California Association of Independent Schools Business Officers Association (CALISBOA), as a co-facilitator of the CAIS Assistant Heads affinity group, and is a cofounder and administrator of the Association of Independent Schools for Gifted Students (AISGS) and previously the Collaborative for Innovative Education (CIE). He has presented internationally, nationally, and regionally on independent school matters.