Chris Colohan is proud to have the support of over 130 of these groups and individuals.

Chris Colohan has a demonstrated track record of collaborating with others to strengthen our school community. His work as a PTA volunteer, fundraiser, and substitute teacher shows his deep commitment to our schools and our kids. I wholeheartedly endorse Chris Colohan for Palo Alto School Board.

— Congresswoman Anna Eshoo

Chris is thorough, knowledgeable and fair. He will dig deep, listen, analyze and learn before making decisions. As a teacher and parent I fully trust Chris to make the best possible decisions for our district and its future.

Krista Velasquez, PAUSD Teacher, Parent and Community Member

Chris deeply cares about our kids and schools. He's served a number of years as a volunteer, executive within the PTA, PiE representative, and as a substitute teacher across a number of our schools at PAUSD. He understands the complexity of PAUSD and would do a phenomenal job in advocating for our students.

Yvette Mangalindan, Paly Parent and Volunteer

Chris is the steady rock of the Duveneck school community and is the very definition of a team player-- always ready to lend a hand for any problem that needs solving or event that needs volunteers. Whether it's for AV assistance, streamlining processes, taking pictures or jumping into the mascot costume, we can count on Chris. He is passionate about making our school a welcoming place for all and is a favorite among kids both in and out of the classroom because of his kind and calm demeanor, silly jokes and incredible knowledge base. I'm always immensely thankful to have Chris as part of our community and know that he will excel as a member of the School Board. Chris has the experience, resourcefulness and practicality to work to ensure all our kids are represented and able to thrive during their time at PAUSD.

Lindsay Green, Duveneck Parent and Volunteer

  • I worked with Chris during the pandemic closures when he was a PTA president. He impressed me with his Kids First stance on school openings and prioritizing children and staff safety. He has always had a keen eye on budgetary and operation accountability and seeks data to inform his decisions. When our district needed substitute teachers, he was among the first to sign up and continues this practice today. Chris has been an informed parent and community volunteer emphasizing transparency, effective communication, and fiscal responsibility. Chris will make a trustworthy Board of Education officer.

    Christina Schmidt, Community Advocate for Educational Equity, and Parent Volunteer

  • Chris is a very fair, thoughtful, balanced and diligent volunteer in our schools.

    Julia Murphy-Chutorian, Greene Parent and Volunteer

  • Chris has been a crucial member of our Duveneck community as a parent and as a PTA Board member. I support him, based on PTA experience, knowing he truly makes informed decisions and considers all stakeholders especially students and teachers. He is also extremely smart and funny!

    Carol Wu, Duveneck Parent and Volunteer

  • I've been impressed by Chris' dedication to our school and PTA for the last 6 years. Managing/leading passionate parent volunteers is a unique challenge and I've seen Chris at the center of the storm many times. He has been a great facilitator others look to when there's conflict and a need to understand multiple perspectives and arrive at a compromise.

    Angie Whitnah, Former Duveneck Parent

  • [Chris is] kind patient and supportive of staff and teachers who are the essential in our children’s future. Chris goes the full length to help.”

    Hersha Lodhia-Miller, Duveneck Parent and Volunteer

  • Chris is a thoughtful leader, diligent problem solver, and valued Duveneck parent. As a fellow PTA board member I appreciate his balanced and pragmatic approach and how behind the scenes he consistently goes above and beyond in service to the community. Chris will be a great advocate for PAUSD families, students and staff on the school board.

    Monica Kuchinski, Duveneck Parent and Volunteer

  • I have worked with Chris for two years on the Duveneck PTA. He is both level-headed and compassionate. He pours his heart into the schools and is clearly puts the health, safety, and academic growth of the kids as his top priority. He also cares deeply about the school community and helping everyone feel as if they belong there. As a physician and a mom, I truly appreciate Chris's commitment to the children and the community.

    Rebecca Sands, Duveneck Parent and Volunteer

  • Great volunteer to work along with. Chris cares about our kids, schools and Palo Alto.

    Sandra Lebeck, Duveneck Parent and Volunteer

  • [Chris] is a self-starter, and he follow through on his commitments

    Allen Podell, Community Member

  • Our community benefits so much from volunteers like Chris being willing to dedicate their time, energy and talent to our community. He is compasionate, witty, and has the background and intellect to do great things on the school board. Please support him in his effort to serve!

    Bob Taylor, Parent of 3 PAUSD alums

  • As a Duveneck parent and volunteer, I've seen first hand what a dedicated, thoughtful and knowledgeable problem solver Chris has been for our school. He has been so valuable for our students, teachers and PTA and I have a lot of confidence in the decision making process he would bring to the school board.

    Tom Whitnah, Software Engineer, Brisk Teaching and Duveneck Parent

  • [Chris has] analyzed the issues and has experience actually working in the schools and well as deep involvement in the PTA for a number of years. Plus his kids go to Palo Alto schools. He doesn't have an agenda other than serving Palo Alto Schools and using his skills to help the community.

    Carl Thomsen, Community member

  • Chris Colohan will make a difference. His experience teaching in the PAUSD, his leadership in PTA, and his skills motivating students and teachers means he will be a valuable member of the school board. Vote for Chris!

    Chuck Kissner, Parent of 2 PAUSD alums

  • Chris is experienced, fair and will prioritize quality education for all.

    Veronica Saleh, Physician

  • It's a delight watching Chris do the work to make sure our schools reflect the needs of all students and families. He is curious, thoughtful and smart. He will ask tough questions but respectfully and with humility.

    Beth May, Community Volunteer

  • Chris is a very involved PAUSD parent who cares deeply about our children. I have worked with Chris on Greene PTA matters he has been such a great help. I know Chris will put our children first and help make sure PAUSD is doing their best for our children.

    Chris Torres, Parent of two PAUSD students and alumni of PAUSD schools

  • Chris is a thoughtful champion for our kids.

    Lauren Daniluk, Parent of Paly & Duveneck Students

  • Chris works incredibly hard to make sure things are well-managed and well-communicated, and makes any effort he's involved in better.

    Lisa Dusseault, CTO and PAUSD parent

  • I volunteered with Chris at Duveneck PTA and he is absolutely a legend!

    Yudy Deng, Parent Volunteer

  • I spoke at length with Chris at a Greene parent coffee. Chris has clear understanding of what leads to student success, of what a school board can realistically aspire to accomplish, and an approach to building the trust among parents, teachers, unions and administrators that is necessary in order to make practical gains in student outcomes.

    Steve Bisset, Greene Parent and CEO, Terrajoule Energy Inc.

  • I'm excited to endorse Chris as I've been a fellow parent with him for almost 7 years. In those years, Chris has shown a tremendous degree of commitment to our children's care and learning. He's one of those parents that the rest of us are glad that we have kids in the same school. He goes above and beyond and I know he'll do it districtwide!

    Aishetu Dozie, Bossy Cosmetics Inc

  • I have known Chris for years in his multiple roles supporting my and other’s children in our school system. Every time somebody was needed to volunteer, Chris would step up. He is honest, direct, a listener and cares deeply about our children.

    Peter Soparkar

  • Chris has thoughtful views based on facts of the issues that impact our students and district!

    Lars Johnsson

  • I have seen Chris as a fellow parent at Duveneck. I have also seen the work that Chris has developed and produced in the Technology and Learning Sector. A person of Chris's caliber, dedication, commitment and his principles around inclusivity and diversity will take the School Board much further. I would highly recommend that you meet Chris to see how he would support the Students, Teachers. The entire PAUSD organization would benefit from his knowledge and dedication.

    Tarun Raisoni, CEO, Gruve Inc.

  • As an engineer and math nerd, Chris's priorities couldn't resonate more with me. Along with him being a substitute teacher across our District and interacting firsthand with our kids, his perspectives seem accurate to me and what I see our District should move forward with.

    Nallely Gomez, Business Coach, PAUSD parent and volunteer, Startup Founder, DEI/Mental Health advocate

  • As I've gotten to know Chris and spoken with him about PAUSD schools, I've found him to be simultaneously knowledgeable and curious. His professional experience in managing people and teams, and his leadership roles in PTA and PiE, will serve him well. However, what sets Chris apart is that he's worked in our schools as a substitute teacher, seeing firsthand the teaching and learning that happens on our campuses. I started asking around, and found out Chris has quite a fan club among teachers, school staff, and parents that I know in the community. They describe him as supportive, thoughtful, analytical, and an effective communicator. I'm convinced. As a longtime Palo Alto resident, parent, and teacher, with education leadership and advocacy experience at the local, state and national levels, I'm excited to vote for Chris and to see him join the PAUSD Board of Education.

    David Cohen, PAUSD Teacher

Elected Officials and Public Servants*

The Hon. Anna Eshoo, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Evan Low, California State Representative

Shounak Dharap, Palo Alto Unified School Board Member

Jennifer DiBrienza, Palo Alto Unified School Board Member

Liz Kniss, Former Palo Alto City Council Member, PAUSD School Board Member, and League of Women Voters President

Gail Price, Former Palo Alto City Council Member and PAUSD School Board Member

Ken Dauber, Former Palo Alto Unified School Board Member

Terry Godfrey, Former Palo Alto Unified School Board President

Barbara Sih Klausner, Former Palo Alto Unified School Board Member

Cathy Kroymann, Former Palo Alto Unified School Board Member

Dana Tom, Former Palo Alto Unified School Board Member

Patrick Ahrens, Trustee, Foothill De Anza College District and Candidate, State Assembly

Peter Baltay, Chair — Palo Alto Architecture Review Board

Claude Ezran, Former Chair, City of Palo Alto Human Relations Commission

Lisa Forssell, Palo Alto City Council Candidate 2022, former Chair Palo Alto Utilities Advisory Commission

Jessica Speiser, Trustee, Los Altos School District Board of Trustees and Candidate, Santa Clara County Board of Education, Trustee Area 1

Yan Zhao, Mayor, City of Saratoga

School and Community Leaders**

Bruce Arthur, Chair of the Palo Alto Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee

Amie Ashton

Nana Chancellor

David Cohen, PAUSD Teacher

Michael Dann

Yudy Deng

Anne Gerfen, PAUSD Teacher

Lindsay Green

Linda Henigin, Volunteer & educator, MSEd in Elementary and Special Education

Chris Hurtt

Kindel Launer, PAUSD Teacher

Hersha Lodhia-Miller

Yvette Mangalindan

Julia Moran

Julia Murphy-Chutorian

Doree Tschudy, PAUSD Librarian

Rebecca Sands

Christina Schmidt, Community Advocate for Educational Equity

Sheri Shamdasani

Jane Snyder

Krista Velasquez, PAUSD Teacher, Parent and Community Member

Keri Wagner

Sara Woodham

Carol Wu, PAUSD Teacher, Parent and Community Member

PAUSD Parents, Volunteers, and Community Members

Ore Adeyemi

Prashee Agarwal

Ravi Anaparti

Colleen Backstrand

Jamie Barnett

Elizabeth Beheler

Steve Bisset, Greene Parent and CEO, Terrajoule Energy Inc.

Greg Brail

Kris Brandenburger

Becky Buckman

Juan Caviglia

Baldwin Cheng

Barry Crawford

Susan Curry Sykes

Lauren Daniluk

Akhilesh Dhawan

Alina Din

Evan Doll, Board Member Palo Alto Little League & AYSO*

Aishetu Dozie, Bossy Cosmetics Inc.

Lisa Dusseault

Penny Ellson

Anne Fuzellier

Nallely Gomez, Business Coach, PAUSD parent and volunteer, Startup Founder, DEI/Mental Health advocate

Beth Hedge

Vani Henderson

Alice Henigin

Michelle Higgins

Kartik Hosanagar

Sheila Hurtt

Nihar Jindal

Jordan Johnsson

Lars Johnsson

Kiran Khanna

Chuck Karish

Chuck Kissner, parent of 2 PAUSD alums

Monica Kuchinski

Erik Kristenson

Sandra Lebeck

Tad Lebeck, CTO, Quantuvos*

Steven Lee, Former Palo Alto Human Relations Commission

Cathie Lehrberg

Stephen Levy

Miao Li

Helen Lu

Kunal Malik

Pooja Malik

Andrew Martin

Christopher Martinez

Stephanie Martinson

Beth May

Robert McDonnell, PAUSD Crossing Guard

Krishna Mehra

Rashi Mehta

Geoff Mendal

Kieran Miller

Patricia Mueller-Vollmer

Sidd Mundra

Meagan Nichols

Elizabeth Olson

Jill Paldi

RK Parthasarathy

Sarah Payne

Allen Podell

Janet Podell

Laura Prentiss

Tarun Raisoni, CEO, Gruve Inc.

Anna Saccheri

Veronica Saleh

Alice Smith

Peter Soparkar

Trisha Suvari

Bob Taylor, parent of 3 PAUSD alums

Lisa Taylor, Stanford Children’s Hospital

Chris Taylor

Sanjeet Thadani

Sven Thesen

Edward Thompson, Entefy Inc and Santa Clara University School of Business*

Gail Thompson

Carl Thomsen

Susan Thomsen

Chris Torres

Sunita de Tourreil

Cynthia Tham

Mike Tschudy

Jerry Underdal

Mary Vincent

Jackie Wheeler

Angie Whitnah

Tom Whitnah, Software Engineer, Brisk Teaching* and Duveneck Parent

Lynn Wolf

Yuguang Wu

Jiayi Yang

Rona Yang

Jennifer Young

William Young

Yu Zu

* Titles for Identification Purposes Only

**What is a “Community Leader”? This is someone who is a strong leader in our community — possibly including leading a non-profit. Many non-profits forbid their current and former board members from using their title in any political endorsements, to preserve their tax-exempt status. For example, the California PTA does so. So we omit any such identifying marks here.