BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Gwynedd Friends School is governed by a Board of Trustees, comprised of a majority of Quakers. The board is the guardian of the School’s mission. It is the board’s responsibility to ensure that the mission is relevant and vital to the community it serves and to monitor the success of the school in fulfilling its mission.
Sarah Braccia is a passionate advocate for the integration of nature and learning. She grew up in Wilmington, DE, attending the Wilmington Friends Meeting, where she developed a deep appreciation for Quaker values. These principles of integrity, stewardship, and community have shaped her life and the way she and her husband raise their children.
Sarah and her husband were drawn to Gwynedd Friends Preschool for its commitment to Quaker teachings, seeing it as the perfect environment to nurture their children's growth in a values-centered community.
With eight years of experience as an online school counselor, Sarah is dedicated to supporting and empowering students in their educational journeys. She believes in fostering a holistic approach to learning, where academic growth is complemented by emotional and social development. Outside of her professional life, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family in nature, where the beauty of the world around them becomes a perfect backdrop for learning and exploration.
Lauren Cordrey is an attorney and mom of three energetic children, all of whom attended Gwynedd Friends School. She and her husband live in Blue Bell with their three children and their lovable (and slightly crazy) dog. They were drawn to the school’s strong Quaker values, and their family quickly fell in love with the warmth, thoughtfulness, and sense of community it offers. Experiencing that impact firsthand is what inspired Lauren to join the Board of Trustees and give back to a place that has meant so much to her family.
Outside of Lauren’s professional and volunteer roles, she is happiest gathering people around a table, exploring new places, or with her toes in the sand at the beach. She values connection, community, and creating meaningful experiences—both in her personal life and in the work she does in support of the school.
Deb Hejl has been a Friend for more than 45 years, attending Meetings in Detroit,
Philadelphia, Haddonfield, New Jersey, and Indianapolis before moving to
Pennsylvania. Since 2018, she has been a member of Gwynedd Friends Meeting. She
came to Friends seeking a religious home that was consistent with her activist
commitment to peace and social justice, but over the years has come to cherish the
spiritual connections she has made through worship and in community. Deb is a retired
Social Studies teacher who taught for 27 years in New Jersey and Indiana where she
was the Department Chair. She taught a course in Quakerism for the Upper grades at
Detroit Friends School for one year. Deb shares the vision of Gwynedd Friends School
to help students develop their talents to the fullest and to become responsible global
citizens.
She has served with numerous social and political organizations, including the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and the American Friends Service
Committee (AFSC). Deb presently serves as the Clerk of the Gwynedd Peace and
Social Action Committee, on the Quaker Life Committee and on the Justice, Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Working Group.
She has been married to Jim Hejl for over 50 years and raised three children who are
living on both coasts -- she delights in playing with her six grandchildren! Her outside
interests include reading, cooking, Book Club and completing Sudoku puzzles.
Marie Hubbs is married and lives with her husband in Lower Gwynedd Township. She has two grown children, and is active in her granddaughters' lives.
Marie is a retired circulation manager at the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, where she was employed for over 30 years. This position offered her great satisfaction while helping the public and working with the library staff. She is a member of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting and has served on a number of committees and as a Trustee for the Meeting.
Volunteerism has been an important part of her life. Among other commitments, she served for over 25 years on the Board of the College Settlement Camps in Horsham, which offer a camping experience to underprivileged children. She is currently on the Board at Foulkeways.
Marie has had the opportunity to watch the School grow from very small to its current size, while continuing to offer a high quality caring and learning environment for children.
Heather O’Malley and her wife, Erin, moved to Ambler in 2014, seeking a strong, positive, and engaged community in which to raise their family. When it came time for their daughter to begin school, they sought a warm and nurturing place that reflected their values - equity, love, and acceptance - and sought a place where all students are welcomed for who they are.
A graduate of St. Joseph’s University with a degree in Elementary & Special Education, Heather believes that how children learn is as important as what they learn. From the very first day Heather visited Gwynedd Friends School, she was drawn to the school’s mission and to the energy of its faculty, its leadership, and especially its children.
Heather is a lead stylist at Vanity Salon in Philadelphia. Community participation and outreach are important to Heather. Over the years, she has worked with the homeless in Philadelphia, on AIDS outreach initiatives, and with juvenile delinquency programs designed to teach self sufficiency. She has been a long-time advocate for the underserved and excluded.
These pursuits are balanced by Heather’s absolute mandate that life must be fun! She enjoys bringing her high-spirited energy to Gwynedd Friends School.
Roger Sternfeld Roger attended a small Friends School for preschool and elementary school, where he was introduced to the values and style of Friends education. He became an attender at Gwynedd Friends Meeting in the late 1990s, eventually becoming a member. Roger had two careers: the first in mental health services, and the second in education. He taught elementary and middle school at Media-Providence Friends School, and then served as Assistant Head of School, math teacher, and Business Manager at United Friends School. Upon his retirement, Roger joined the board at Gwynedd Friends School.
Roger lives in Upper Dublin with his wife, Kathy. They have two children and four grandchildren, whom they enjoy immensely. Roger plays pickleball, softball, and all kinds of board games, and enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and with friends.
