Meet the Board

Max Smith Board Chair maxsmithjr@gmail.com I am passionate about politics, activism, and effecting change in my community. I have extensive experience in program management, namely in the field of education. I seek to utilize this skillset to provide guidance and support for the Amani Board and mission. Further, I have extensive experience in community organizing, especially as a political and campaign operative. I am furthering my career with professional aspirations of broadening my knowledge of politics and advocacy, continuing my professional development, and making significant contributions to the community at large.

Gina Sardi Board Vice Chair Gina was the Founder, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Montessori Charter School in the South Bronx. This school opened in 2011 (the same year that Amani opened) with 104 students and grew to have 325. It was the only Montessori charter school in NY State, and the only Montessori public school in NY City. Founding and directing this school was the culmination of over 42 years of experience as a school leader and educator, which started with teaching, co-founding, and co-directing in an experimental school in Venezuela and included 20 years as an educational director of an Independent School in NYC. At NYCMCS, Gina developed innovative educational programs that met the demands of the State Education Department, and applied Montessori principles and differentiated instruction. Since her retirement she has worked as mentor and consultant for several schools and educators and has pursued her life-long passion for art, taking classes, drawing and painting, and organizing an Art Collective to provide art classes and open studio time. Gina has a BS in Secondary Education and Spanish Literature from Long Island University and an MS in School Leadership from St. John’s University.

Alex Spencer Board Member

John Kuo Board Treasurer John W. Kuo serves as the Treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee of the Amani Public Charter School Board of Trustees. He is a retired general counsel of Fortune 1000 companies and now serves on company and not-for-profit boards and engages in community and volunteer activities. In addition to Amani, John is on the board of directors of Mirion Technologies (NYSE:MIR), a radiation safety company, and chairs its Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and serves on its Compensation Committee. He is also on the advisory council of the Asian Pacific Fund, and he was the past chairman of the Administrative Board of Cornell University Council and the past president of the Berkeley Law Alumni Association Board. Professionally, John has been in life sciences for almost 20 years, most notably 15 years as SVP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Varian Medical Systems, a Fortune 1000/S&P500 medical device company devoted to treating cancer. Most recently, he was the CLO at Visby Medical, a late-stage start-up pioneering rapid, portable PCR technology. John has worked in the energy, high-tech and life sciences industries, and has been an expat working in Scotland and Singapore. John speaks on cross-border transactions, general counsel practice, corporate governance and diversity & inclusion.

Latoya Attis Board Member

Paul Morenberg Board Member Paul Morenberg is chairperson of the Fundraising Committee of the Amani Board of Trustees. A resident of Wayland, Massachusetts, Paul previously served on the Wayland Public Schools Foundation, where he encouraged local businesses to support the public schools. Paul currently serves on the Personnel Board for the Town of Wayland. Paul has operated a small law practice specializing in employment law and business litigation for about twenty years. He is a seasoned trial attorney who has tried cases in state and federal courts. Paul is also trained as a mediator and certified in discrimination prevention training. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Boston College Law School.

Sondra WuDunn Board Secretary

Stephanie Edwards Board Member