Administration & Staff

Sam is responsible for ensuring that Marin Montessori flourishes and that we bring our school's mission to life each and every day. Educated on both coasts, Sam received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz, and his Master’s degree in the study of World Religions and secondary education teaching credential from Harvard University. Before coming to Marin Montessori, Sam studied and taught in Sumatra, Indonesia; Canberra, Australia; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Makawao, Hawaii. He also spent fifteen years at the Athenian School in Danville, California, where he served in a variety of roles, including teacher, dean, and admissions. Sam’s professional interests include mindfulness in education, curriculum design, and the neuroscience of learning. Sam lives in Marin with his wife and two teenage sons. In his free time he enjoys cycling, hiking, and camping, as well as cooking large meals with his family while listening to jazz.

sshapiro@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 117

spanday@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 103

mwales@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 325

In her work as an educational consultant, Annie has a depth of knowledge of independent schools in the Bay Area and boarding schools throughout the country, and has developed good, trusting relationships with admissions professionals throughout the independent school world. Taking a highly personalized approach to her process, Annie strives to get to know her students well so she can best advise families in finding the high schools that are the right fit for their children.

Before becoming an independent educational consultant, Annie was the Assistant Director of Admissions at The Urban School of San Francisco. Annie has also served as a teacher at Town School for Boys in San Francisco, and has worked at other schools on the East Coast and abroad. An East Coast native herself, Annie graduated from the Taft School, a boarding school in Connecticut, and received her B.A. in Psychology from Colgate University, where she was also the captain of the Women’s Ice Hockey team. Annie now lives in Marin with her husband, Evan, three children, and their Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Pulver.

415.924.5388 ext. 104

415.924.5388 ext. 102

Lauren’s work focuses largely on the financial, health, safety, and regulatory stability of the school, as well as oversight of Human Resources, Internet Technology, and Facilities.  Lauren received her Bachelor’s in Political Science from Duke University and Master’s in Public Policy from George Mason University.  She spent six years working in budget and planning for the federal government, first with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. and then with the Veteran’s Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.  Lauren then moved into higher education financial management, serving for seven years as the Finance Director for the UCSF School of Dentistry. Lauren lives in Corte Madera with her husband and two children.  

lhaworth@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 105

Colin manages billings and accounts receivable, and ensures that MMS’s technology works well. He has a degree in Accounting and Computing Information System from San Francisco State University, and he is Microsoft MCSE certified. Before working in the accounting profession, Colin spent eight years in technology support and systems maintenance. In his free time, Colin enjoys hiking throughout the Bay Area, as well as bowling, badminton, and swimming.

cxu@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 118

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Originally from Canada, Carolyn Woolf brings over ten years of U.S. and Spanish nonprofit experience to the MMS Development Department. With a Masters in philanthropy from the Lily School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, and certifications in both fundraising and planned giving (Certified Fund Raising Executive and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy), she adds vital expertise to MMS in the development and execution of best practices in fundraising and grant writing. She also is the proud mother of two Marin Montessori School students.

Shree joined the MMS Development Department in 2020 after many years working in performing arts production and public relations in New York City, where she worked closely with international nonprofit arts and education programs. She and her husband moved to California to give their two children, Miles (10) and Nola (8), sunshine, wide-open spaces, and year-round citrus. They live in Petaluma, where they enjoy home renovation, wine tasting (adults only), and cooking with Sonoma county’s bountiful farm produce.

sstarkman@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 331

mmekonenn@marinmontessori.org

Carol’s position focuses on managing and coordinating transportation needs in order to make MMS accessible to all students. These needs include regular daily shuttle routes as well as planning and coordinating mid-day field trips and extended class trips. Prior to her position here, she was an Early Childhood Educator for 35 years. Carol lives in Sonoma County with her husband, dog, and bird, with her two adult sons living nearby. She is passionate about her long-time volunteer work as a wildlife rehabilitator.

cfinnegan@marinmontessori.org
415.713.9883

Matt has been driving morning and afternoon MMS student shuttles—including the SF route—since 2011. He is a tech-savvy Marin native who works on audio-visual production and computer software development between MMS transportation commitments and enjoying life. In a previous life Matt designed and installed state-of-the-art electronics on world-class yachts. He’s a San Rafael resident.