Upcoming Events
- Friday, March 31
- Monday, April 3
- Tuesday, April 4
- Wednesday, April 5
- Thursday, April 6
- Friday, April 7
- Thursday, April 13
Executive Board for 2022/2023
JIRKA AMBROZ
PRESIDENT
Jirka and his husband Rasmus have two children at West Hollywood Elementary school Olivia in the 5th grade and Lukas, who is now in 4th grade. Both have been involved with the school over the last six years. Jirka has been active at the school since his children started and is excited about becoming the new President of FOWHE. While Jirka knows his kids will be moving on from the school shortly, Jirka would like to reestablish the sense of community that made the school so extraordinary before the pandemic. Jirka wants the new families to have the same great experiences his family enjoyed when they first started at West Hollywood Elementary. Hence, the school's great legacy carries on.
Jirka moved from the Czech Republic in 1998 and started Abacus IT - IT Managed Service Provider in 2002. Jirka and Rasmus met in 2003 and were married in 2014. Both enjoy traveling, active life, languages, and spending quality time with their family and friends here, in the Czech Republic and Denmark.
JESSE SLANSKY
VICE PRESIDENT
This is Jesse’s sixth year as part of the West Hollywood Elementary family. His daughter Amelia started in TK and is now (gulp!) in the 4th grade. His son Henry is in 2nd grade. Over the years, he has served in on the gala committee, as a room parent, and stop & drop coordinator, and now is happy to serve on the FOWHE board.
When not at WHE, Jesse leads a non-profit affordable housing developer, building homes and providing services that move people from insecurity to stability.
PETER GANDOLFO
COMMUNITY COMMITTEE CHAIR
Peter’s family first joined West Hollywood Elementary in Fall 2018, and since then he’s served as a FOWHE rep and a room parent. Matthew and Alec are now proud to be in 2nd grade and kindergarten, respectively. With a deep appreciation for the service of prior board members and volunteers, he’s excited to lead fundraising for FOWHE.
Beyond school, Peter is an executive coach and consultant. He and his husband Andrew enjoy traveling with the boys and making the most of everything Southern California has to offer, including the mountains and ocean, a thriving art community, and an underrated food scene.
DYLAN VOX-ROSEBERRRY
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE CHAIR
With his magical daughter Fallon, this is Dylan’s first year at West Hollywood Elementary. He is excited to join the board to help all children benefit from every opportunity we as parents can provide and to keep our school at an exceptional level. He is excited about working behind the scenes to help forge a place where our kids can grow, learn, and enjoy their early years.
Dylan is a recovering lawyer who now owns his own production company. Between entertaining Fallon with her ballet, gymnastics, soccer, and swim classes along with beach days, snail hunts and barbie tea parties, he manages to direct and produce film and television.
ADITYA SAMANTA
CO-TREASURER
Adi and his family have been at West Hollywood Elementary since 2020. Their son Krish is now in the first grade. After a year with remote learning, they look forward to a fun filled in person learning environment.
Adi leads the risk and operations for a finance and insurance company and enjoys spending time with his family and traveling in his spare time.
GAREN CALAC
CO-TREASURER
Garen and his wife Lindsay started as parents at West Hollywood Elementary in 2018 when their daughter Finlay was in Kindergarten. After watching Lindsay coordinate field trips and enrichments for Finlay's classes over the years, and lead our local Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies troop, Garen decided it was time to pull his own weight for the community. He is joining the FOWHE Board this year grateful for a behind-the-scenes role where he can continue the amazing work by the parents that came before him.
A Stop & Drop volunteer enthusiast, Garen also enjoys spending time with other WHE families, bike rides with his family and searching for his favorite taco in Los Angeles.
ELLIE SULTAN
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR, SECRETARY
This is Ellie’s first year serving on the Board. Her son Adam attends TK grade at West Hollywood Elementary. Ellie grew up in Kazakhstan and moved to Los Angeles in 2014 for UCLA studies. She attended University of Glasgow for her graduate degree where she received a Masters in Finance. She loves being involved in school-wide initiatives that impact our kids' education and school experience.
In her spare time, Ellie enjoys paragliding, biking, hiking, volunteering, helping out to the community and spending time with her family and friends. Professionally, Ellie worked for more than 10 years in finance/banking industry and currently works full time in Commercial Real Estate Group at BofA.
JESSICA VALDES
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jessica and her husband Rocco have been part of the WeHo Elementary community since January 2020 moving here from Miami, FL. They have 2 children Summer in 5th grade and Ace in Kindergarten. Jessica has been a room parent for 3 years while volunteering in the classroom and around school. She has been on the Communication Committee since April 2022. Jessica is honored and proud to be part of the FOWHE board.
She is looking forward to growing our school community and continuing the boards mission of providing the best school experience for our children. When not volunteering at school Jessica and her family enjoy exploring our new city. We love going to museums, hiking, theater and Dodger games.
PIA ROSNER
GRANT COMMITTEE CHAIR
This is Pia's first year at West Hollywood Elementary. Born in Los Angeles (not far from the WHE campus), she is excited to raise her children in her hometown. She and her husband, Jake, have two children; Josh, who started Kindergarten in the Fall, and Shayna, who just started preschool. Pia is excited to be on the FOWHE board to help fundraise and build community friendships. When not shuttling the kids around town, Pia manages the DNA Unit for the Los Angele Police Department Crime Laboratory. On the weekends, she enjoys going to the farmers market and taking the family to the park.
RUDY FARMANARA
ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
Hi I am Shaya Haase’s mom, he is 9 years old, in 4th grade with Mr. Baxendale. We have been at WEHO since kindergarten. I have been a FOWHE Rep. and a room mom through out the years. I joined the board last school year to help get more events secured for this year. I’m heading the Enrichment Committee to get more community involvement!!
Useful Links
Annual Pledge Drive
FOWHE Board Application
FOWHE Volunteer Application
Uniform Policy
Welcome Packet