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Our Board of Directors
ECC's Board of Directors is responsible for the policies, finances, fundraising and administration of the school. Our Board is currently made up of dedicated parents of former and current ECC students. If you have any interest in joining the Board, please email The Board.
Sarah Chiriaco (she/her)
President
Sarah joined the Board in 2022. She has a background in operations, business development, and recruitment with a focus on international programs. She currently oversees HQ Operations at Creative Associates International; she brings 12 years of experience to the role, including travel to more than 20 countries. Sarah attended The George Washington University, where she received her BA in International Affairs.
Sarah currently lives in the Rockville area with her family, including one child in ECC, and their 15 year old cat. She is a passionate runner who has done more than 25 marathons (and is always happy to talk running with anyone who will listen).
Rashelle Woodson (she/her)
Vice-President
Rashelle was inspired to join the Board after her son's first year with ECC in 2022. Being brand new to the area, she was impressed with the warmth and inclusion ECC offered to her family. After such a welcoming experience, she is happy to contribute to the community.
Rashelle has 20 plus years experience in sales, management and leadership. She spent many years with Estee Lauder Companies in management and education. After moving across the country and setting in Rockville, Rashelle is enjoying time with her two young children, exploring Maryland and getting involved in the community through their schools and activities.
Laura Martens (she/her)
Secretary
Laura is thrilled to be a Board member since 2022. She views it as the perfect way to give back to ECC, the school both of her sons attended. A lifetime ago, Laura edited for a private surveillance company, designed yearbooks for middle and high schools, and joined the service department at a luxury car dealership. Her passions then drew her to the world of retail. She was often incredulous that she would receive paychecks for working dream jobs at Bath and Body Works and DSW. Nowadays, she's found herself addicted to vanilla lattes, she's quite loyal to her Bravo shows, and she's up for any podcast while out walking her dog multiple times a day.
Her heart belongs to her husband, Luke, her two sons, Nate and Zachary, her beloved dog, Ribsy, and their three fish, Coral, Diamond, and Dory. Laura is originally from the suburbs of Chicago but is now truly attached to ECC and its welcoming community.
Amy Castner (she/her)
Treasurer
Amy joined the Board in 2021. She is currently a member of the principal professional staff at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where she leads technical research projects and serves as a line manager. Amy's background is in Computer Science and Mathematics and she attended the University of Maryland in College Park and The Johns Hopkins University.
Amy grew up in Rockville and returned to raise a family. She and her husband have three children, including two ECC alum and a current ECC student. In her spare time, Amy enjoys making pottery and spending time with her family around Rockville and beyond.
Areaya Abebe (he/him)
At-Large
Areaya joined the Board in 2023. He has a background in law, investment banking and corporate and procurement policy. Areaya is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lombard Exteriors, a national facility management support company. Prior, he was the Policy Chief (Consultant) for the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Policy Chief for FEMA , Assistant Director of Procurement for the City of Norfolk and served on two Congressional Commissions providing economic policy to the White House.
He possesses a law degree from American University-Washington College of Law, graduate work in public policy from Georgetown University and Bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Areaya alongside his wife Saba, resides in Rockville, MD and has four children Rafael, Nathaniel, Sariah and Adonis. He is of Ethiopian descent, but born and raised in Plainville, CT and has become very fond of the ECC community.
Christine Epstein (she/her)
At-Large
Christine joined the Board in 2024. She works in the pediatric health field in a local practice and has a background in health and wellness as well as art. She studied at the University of Maryland for her undergraduate degree and at the Maryland University of Integrative Health for her Master's Degree.
Christine was born and raised in Rockville and lives here with her husband and son, a current ECC student. In her spare time she enjoys being creative, spending time with her family, or working with animals.
Erin Thorp (she/her)
At-Large
Erin joined the Board in 2024. She worked for 15+ years in Meeting and Event Planning where she managed site selection, contracts and logistics of annual conferences for an Association. Erin spent 4 magical years attending Hawaii Pacific University, leaving with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a love for the island.
Erin is the mother of 3 children, one who has graduated from ECC, along with Addison - 4 years old, and Olivia - 2 years old, who are both current ECC students. She resides in the West End neighborhood of Rockville with her husband and children. She spends much of her time exploring/adventuring with her kids and spends the summers at the beach with her family. Erin is very excited to join the Board and get even more involved with the ECC community.
Janice Wong (she/her)
At-Large
Janice joined the Board in 2024. She is a teacher who has worked in the field of Education for the past 12 years, both as an independent and public school teacher. She has her undergraduate degree from Tufts University in International Relations and Asian Studies, and a Master's Degree from Lesley University in Elementary Education.
She and her family live in Rockville along with the family dog and cat. Her daughter will be a member of the 3s class this Fall and is excited to return for her second year at ECC.
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