Welcome Your 2026/2027 PTO Executive Board
Boo-Yah to you for taking the first step and learning all about what it's like to be on the PTO Executive Board! We cannot accomplish all that we do without a board full of amazing Bobcat Parents who truly want to make a positive impact on our campus.
The election timeline is outlined below for you. Then read on for answers to our most frequently asked questions.
Election Timeline:
Nominations will be submitted online from March 2nd - March 9th.
| NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED |
>>CLICK HERE to complete the nomination form.<<
*Link will only be active March 2nd - March 9th.
**You must be a fully enrolled PTO Member in order to submit your nomination.
PTO Candidate Information Below
Candidate information will be posted by March 16th
*All candidate bios will be published on this page at least 2 weeks prior to the voting.
President Candidates:
Morgan Tannenbaum
Bio:
My name is Morgan Tannenbaum and next year I will have 4 Bobcats at Bridges. We fell in love with Bridges and the Project Based Learning curriculum when my oldest entered kindergarten July 2020. And even though that school year started different due to the pandemic I could tell from day one the level of passion and love of education from all the teachers as well as the administration.
I have had the privilege of serving on the PTO board for the last 4 years and I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the school that my kids love and the educators that have helped to mold and create the school that we love.
My work background is in exercise, injury prevention and rehabilitation as well as being a mom to four amazing kiddos! My husband is in the field of education and can't say enough positive things about Bridges Elementary! BOO-YAH BOBCATS!
What motivates you to seek this position and what do you hope to accomplish in the school year?
This past school year I had the privilege of serving as the PTO President and have enjoyed working with a strong and supportive group of parents who love Bridges! If I get elected again I would love to continue to build the positive culture, programs and events that we have done this past school year and make next school year the best yet!
What strengths will you bring to the board as a whole and to your specific position?
I would say that one of my strengths is my ability to communicate well. I am a firm believer that authentic connections are imperative to build a strong team and have successful programs and events. I am also great at multitasking and accomplishing goals! I feel like I show this strength daily with juggling work, my family and my board position on PTO!
What about this position will be a challenge for you and why are you still the best candidate for this position?
I do believe that between juggling my family, my work, and the PTO board position can be a lot to take on however that is where my strengths of communication and multitasking come in handy. I know that I can handle and uphold my commitment to the PTO Board and know with trust in my team next school year will be the best school year yet!
Executive Vice President Candidates:
Rochelle York Tondreau
Bio:
Hi everyone! I’m Rochelle York Tondreau, and I’m thrilled to be running for my third year on the Bridges PTO Board. With a Kindergartner and a 4th grader currently in the den, I am deeply invested in our school’s success. When I’m not volunteering, I work full-time as a Chief Operating Officer for a vascular practice with 3 valleywide wide locations. I love what I do, and I enjoy applying my professional experience to help our PTO run smoothly. My goal is to ensure our incredible staff and students feel supported through the high-quality events and initiatives our families have come to love at Bridges!
What motivates you to seek this position and what do you hope to accomplish in the school year?
My motivation stems from a deep commitment to the Bridges community. Having been involved with the PTO since my oldest started Kindergarten, I’ve seen firsthand how our initiatives directly impact the morale of our teachers and the joy of our students. I am driven by the belief that a strong school requires a strong support system. My goal is to ensure that every teacher feels valued and every student has access to the 'extras' that make elementary school memorable!
What strengths will you bring to the board as a whole and to your specific position?
To the Board as a whole, my greatest strength is strategic oversight. In my professional life, I manage complex operational systems across the valley; I bring that same 'big picture' thinking to the PTO to ensure our goals are met on time and within budget, all while supporting our President in executing the school’s vision. For the website and spirit gear I view it as our school's identity and brand, I bring strengths in vendor management and inventory logistics to ensure our families have high-quality options, streamlined ordering processes, and timely delivery.
What about this position will be a challenge for you and why are you still the best candidate for this position?
Treasurer Candidates:
Janice Barnum
Bio:
Hello, I'm Janice! I have one Bobcat heading into the 2nd grade next school year and I am running again for PTO Treasurer.
What motivates you to seek this position and what do you hope to accomplish in the school year?
I am motivated to serve as Treasurer because I care about our school community and the impact PTO support has on our students and teachers.
What strengths will you bring to the board as a whole and to your specific position?
I served as the Treasurer this past school year and worked hard to keep our finances organized, transparent and supportive of our schools needs. I'd love the opportunity to continue in this role!
What about this position will be a challenge for you and why are you still the best candidate for this position?
The Treasurer role requires careful oversight and consistent organization throughout the year. Having served in this position this past school year, I understand the responsibilities and systems in place. That experience allows me to continue leading with accountability and stability.
VP of Fundraising Candidates:
Jen Berg
Bio:
My name is Jen Berg and I’m a proud Bridges parent with two Bobcats in 3rd and 5th grade. Being part of the Bridges community has been incredibly meaningful for our family, and I enjoy finding ways to stay involved and support our school. My professional background includes experience in leadership, wellness, and education, where I’ve spent time planning programs, coordinating events, and working collaboratively with groups to create engaging and meaningful experiences. These skills have translated well into my involvement with PTO activities and fundraising efforts at Bridges.
Through volunteering and supporting school events, I’ve enjoyed helping organize initiatives that bring families together while raising funds for our students and teachers. I value organization, teamwork, and
creative thinking when it comes to building successful fundraising opportunities.
What motivates you to seek this position and what do you hope to accomplish in the school year?
I’m motivated to seek this position because I care deeply about the Bridges community and the opportunities PTO fundraising provides for our students and teachers. I enjoy bringing people together and creating events that are both fun for families and impactful for the school.
In the coming school year, I hope to continue building on the strong fundraising efforts already in place while also exploring creative and inclusive opportunities for families to participate. My goal is to help organize well-run fundraiser events, strengthen community involvement, and raise meaningful funds that support programs, experiences, and resources for our Bobcat students and staff.
What strengths will you bring to the board as a whole and to your specific position?
I bring a collaborative, creative, and motivated approach to the board. I’m a strong team player who enjoys working with others to plan, support shared goals, and create opportunities that bring families together and strengthen our school community.
Having served in this role last year, I also bring experience and understanding of how the fundraising efforts run throughout the year. In the VP of Fundraising position, I would continue to bring organization, creativity, and enthusiasm to help plan engaging fundraising opportunities while building on the strong fundraiser events and partnerships already in place. My goal is to continue growing community participation and support for Bridges students and staff.
What about this position will be a challenge for you and why are you still the best candidate for this position?
One challenge for me in this position is gathering enough volunteers to help support fundraising events. I plan to encourage more volunteers by clearly communicating opportunities to get involved and helping families see that even small contributions of time can make a big difference. I will continue to create a welcoming and organized environment for volunteers to help.
Having served in this role last year, I already understand the fundraising calendar, processes, and community partnerships, which allows me to plan ahead and support fundraisers more effectively. My experience, along with my collaborative, creative, and motivated approach, allows me to continue creating successful fundraising opportunities that support the Bridges community.
I’m excited about the opportunity to serve as VP of Fundraising and help lead thoughtful, well-organized efforts that support Bridges programs while continuing to strengthen our Bobcat community.
Secretary Candidates:
Caitlin Olson
Bio:
Hi! I’m Caitlin, and I have a first grader this year at Bridges (James) and a four year old (Charlie) who is home with me, but desperate to join his big bro at school! We moved here in 2023 from Minnesota, and have been fully enjoying ourselves in the sun, pool, and mountains. Between the two boys, there’s never a dull (or quiet) moment at home. You can catch us rocking out on the drums, keyboard, microphone, or guitar on any given day!
What motivates you to seek this position and what do you hope to accomplish in the school year?
I feel strongly about the importance of public schools in general, and one of the top criteria we had while house hunting in the area was access to great schools. We really hit the jackpot with Bridges, and we are so happy to be a part of this amazing community. I’m looking forward to staying involved and having a hand in keeping this school strong, not only for my own kids but for the community as a whole.
What strengths will you bring to the board as a whole and to your specific position?
Out of all the positions on the board, my personality and skills most align with the secretary role. I’ve previously worked in administration, and done a bit of freelance writing. As a whole, I’m bringing the laid-back and sarcastic energy to the board.
What about this position will be a challenge for you and why are you still the best candidate for this position?
I think the initial commitment to all of the events and meetings can feel daunting. However, I do believe that I’ll still be able to maintain a good balance of volunteering for the school and being available for my family (who are always my number one priority.)
VP of Hospitality Candidates:
Jessica Somar
Bio:
Hi, I’m Jessica. I have one Bobcat—Jackson—who will be in 5th grade next year and has been at Bridges since kindergarten. I’ve been actively volunteering with the PTO since Jackson started at Bridges, which has been a great way to stay connected to the school community. I’m also a bonus mom to three girls, ages 15, 17, and 29, which keeps life full and fun. Professionally, I’m a VP of Wellbeing Strategy with over 20 years of experience helping organizations and individuals thrive. I volunteer every Friday morning teaching preschool story time at Rock Point, and outside of work you’ll usually find me fueled by workouts, caffeine, and sunshine—walking the Bridges community with an audiobook or podcast, spending time with friends and family, or cheering on Jackson as a proud football mom.
What motivates you to seek this position and what do you hope to accomplish in the school year?
I’m motivated to seek the VP of Hospitality position because I truly value connection and community, and I believe hospitality is one of the most powerful ways to make people feel welcomed, supported, and engaged at Bridges. Having volunteered with the PTO since Jackson started at Bridges, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful events and small moments of appreciation can strengthen relationships among families, teachers, and staff. I’m passionate about creating environments where people feel seen and valued, and this role aligns naturally with both my personal values and my professional background in wellbeing strategy.
During the school year, I hope to foster a warm, inclusive, and energizing school culture by supporting meaningful hospitality experiences for staff and families. My goal is to ensure teachers and staff feel genuinely appreciated, parents feel connected and welcomed, and our school community continues to thrive together. I’d love to bring creativity, organization, and a wellbeing-focused lens to the role—whether that’s through staff appreciation efforts, community-building events, or simple touches that make Bridges feel like home.
What strengths will you bring to the board as a whole and to your specific position?
I will bring a combination of strategic thinking, strong relationship‑building, and a high level of detail orientation to the board as a whole. With over 20 years of experience in wellbeing strategy, I’m accustomed to balancing big‑picture goals with thoughtful execution. I’m organized, dependable, and collaborative, and I work well with diverse groups to bring people together around a shared purpose. Having volunteered with the PTO since Jackson started at Bridges, I also bring continuity, institutional knowledge, and a deep commitment to our school community.
In the VP of Hospitality role specifically, I bring strengths in planning, coordination, and volunteer leadership. I’m highly detail‑oriented and experienced in managing and motivating teams of volunteers to accomplish a common goal efficiently and positively. I enjoy creating welcoming, meaningful experiences and understand that successful hospitality depends on both thoughtful planning and strong teamwork. My goal is to foster connection, appreciation, and inclusivity—ensuring teachers, staff, and families feel genuinely supported—while helping volunteers feel engaged, valued, and excited to contribute.
What about this position will be a challenge for you and why are you still the best candidate for this position?
One of the biggest challenges for me in this position will be managing a full schedule, balancing my professional responsibilities, my husband’s travel, and Jackson’s sports commitments. I’m realistic about the demands of the role and understand that hospitality requires thoughtful planning, coordination, and follow‑through throughout the year.
That said, this is also where many of my strengths come into play. I’m highly skilled at multitasking, prioritizing, and proactively planning ahead to ensure commitments are met without compromising quality. In my professional role, I regularly manage multiple initiatives and stakeholders, and I bring that same level of organization and accountability to my volunteer work. I’m also comfortable building and leading volunteer teams, which allows work to be shared effectively and ensures events and initiatives run smoothly even when schedules are busy.
These skills, combined with my commitment to the Bridges community, make me confident that I can meet the challenges of the VP of Hospitality role and deliver meaningful, well‑executed outcomes for the school.
VP of Events Candidates:
Position still open. Email our President bridgespto.president@gmail.com to find out more about this "Out of this World," position!
| VOTING IS NOW CLOSED |
Online Voting
Voting will occur March 30th - April 3rd
>>CLICK HERE to go to your Open Forms.<< Then Click on 2026/2027 Executive Board Vote.
*The voting form will only appear in your account March 30th - April 3rd.
**If you have the 2-parent membership, a second voting form will appear in your account for Member 2 to complete.
***You must be a fully enrolled PTO member in order to cast a vote.
Executive Board FAQ:
We are so excited that you are interested in running for a Bridges PTO Executive Board position! We created this FAQ section to give you some more information to help you decide if being on the board is the right fit for you.
- Is Bridges PTO part of the school?
- Bridges PTO is its own separate entity, it is NOT a part of the school or the district. Executive Board members are, therefore, not considered employees of HUSD. Bridges PTO is licensed through Arizona Corporation Commission as a non-profit entity and through IRS as a 501c3 non-profit. This means that Bridges PTO has its own business practices and bylaws, files its own tax returns, and needs to follow business and non-profit accounting protocols.
- Do Executive Board members get paid?
- No. All board members are strictly volunteers.
- How many hours per week do you work?
- Each position is a little different and it will vary throughout the school year, but on average it will be about 7 hours per week outside of events.
- Am I able to be on the board if I have a job/career too?
- Yes! In fact, most board members have full-time careers outside of the PTO.
- Do I need to be available over summer months or breaks?
- Yes, there is some planning and work that is done over summer and most breaks. However, it is all done on your own timing and easily accomplished with a little forethought. The board typically plans items out a quarter in advance so over the summer you will be planning the first quarter of the school year.
- Do I need to be available during the school day?
- Not necessarily. Some positions may have a need for occasionally being on campus during the school day, such as President and Hospitality. Most positions do not need to be on campus during the school day, outside of events.
- Do board members work all events?
- Board members will need to plan on working all major events, such as movie nights, Bobcat Breakfast, etc. Smaller events (Kinder Roundup, Coffee Breaks, etc) will be divided up with only a few board members attending each one.
- What does a typical major event day look like?
- Board members start setting up for an event shortly after school gets out (around 3:30pm). Board members will stay and work during the event as well as clean-up after the event. Every effort is made for board members to have scheduled time with their family during the event as well as breaks to eat, relax, and have some fun too.
- Is each board position solely responsible for its own area?
- No, the board works as a team. Each position will have its main areas to focus on. However, each board member assists wherever possible to help each other out and make each endeavor successful. Everyone has unique strengths and skillsets; the board will work together to best utilize those unique talents.
- How are decisions made?
- Decisions are made by a majority vote. A board member will put together a proposal and present it to the board for discussion and voting.
- Do I need prior experience to be on the executive board?
- No, but it is highly recommended that you have some experience with our PTO, such as having volunteered at events, participated in a subcommittee, and/or attended our open meetings.
- Are there any other requirements to be on the board?
- Per our bylaws, you must be an enrolled Bridges PTO member in good standing. Click here to view our current bylaws. (You will need to be logged into your PTO membership account in order to view the meeting/bylaw webpage).
- How can I learn more about being on the board?
- Please come to our Open Meeting on Tuesday Feb 10th at 7pm in the Training Room. We’ll be deep diving into what it’s like to be on the board as well as talking more about each individual position. In the meantime, you can also review the graphic below for a brief overview of the positions.
Being on the executive board is a very rewarding experience, allowing you to have a significant positive impact on our campus. The mission of Bridges PTO is to support our school campus, its students & staff and provide opportunities to enhance our Bobcat community. We accomplish this through a variety of means, such as organizing school-wide events, pampering our staff with pick-me-ups, providing curriculum enhancements & supplies for our students, classes & clubs, communicating with parents, making improvements to our physical campus and, of course, fundraising to help support all these initiatives.
As a board we certainly have a lot of fun as we fulfill our mission, and each executive board member plays a vital role in achieving yearly goals. It is important to note, however, that being on the board is a commitment. Board members make a commitment to volunteer year-round to help our Bobcat Community succeed.
