The Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to its Board of Trustees. These esteemed individuals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to education, community engagement, and student success. We are excited to welcome Manish Agrawal, Swarnima Aswinkumar, Jenni Baldwin, Catherine Leap, and Eric Synn to our leadership team as we continue to empower students in the Lake Washington School District.
Manish Agrawal is a product leader on the Windows AI team at Microsoft and co-founder of IAccessible, a social enterprise connecting product makers with people with disabilities. As a blind parent with a daughter in the Lake Washington School District, Manish’s lived experience fuels his passion for fostering inclusion within the education system. “I am humbled and excited to have been given this opportunity to contribute to our school system,” Manish said. “I hope to bring the lens of inclusion through my lived experience of disabilities to the table. If we can provide great schooling to our children, we can build a stronger, better community and a better future for the world.”
Swarnima Aswinkumar is the Program Innovation and Expansion Manager at PEPS and a dedicated advocate for family and community engagement. Swarnima has been actively involved in the Lake Washington School District through her roles as a PTSA Board member and LWSF Ambassador. She remarks, “I have seen the work behind the scenes that brings about the joyful experiences witnessed by the families, and I am excited to be a part of continuous positive change and impact.” Swarnima brings a wealth of experience in strategic thinking, innovation, and building community connections, which will be invaluable to LWSF.
Jenni Baldwin is the Director of Alumni Engagement at The Overlake School and a nearly 20-year educator with a deep connection to the Lake Washington School District. Driven by her belief that every child deserves equal opportunities for success, Jenni brings a wealth of experience in education and nonprofit work, including her volunteer efforts with Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission and founding a fund for NW Harvest. “As a former classroom teacher, I’m excited to contribute my expertise to support LWSF’s impactful programs and help guide decisions that benefit our students.”
Catherine Leap is a Vice President at Newmark, overseeing the commercial real estate management division for the Pacific Northwest. With a strong background in corporate leadership and non-profit board service, including roles with CREW Seattle and the Kirkland Arts Center, Catherine is passionate about education and community involvement. “I am looking forward to being a small part of this vast school district and spreading awareness of the fantastic programming and resources offered by LWSF that are so critical for the future,” Catherine expressed.
Eric Synn, a lifelong technologist, has held senior roles at companies such as Couchbase, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft. A father of two teenagers in the Lake Washington School District, Eric has been an active community member, most recently serving as Vice Chair of the City of Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board. Eric’s commitment to education and community engagement drives his desire to make a meaningful impact. “It is only through active engagement that one can initiate impactful and measurable change,” Eric remarked. He is eager to contribute to programs that create positive and memorable experiences for students.
These new trustees join the Lake Washington Schools Foundation at a pivotal time as we continue to expand our programs and initiatives to support students, families, and educators across the district. We are confident that their diverse perspectives and expertise will greatly enhance our ability to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
To learn more about our trustees, visit www.lwsf.org/trustees.
