Meet the PTA Executive Board
Amy Bard, President
My name is Amy Bard and I am a Los Angeles native (626 area code) who transplanted to San Diego for college and never left. I have one daughter, Audrey, who is in 3rd grade this year. She loves it at Barnard and we are so lucky she gets to have a free bilingual education.
To pay the bills, I am a corporate attorney, but I’d really much rather be volunteering at the school 
Some of my hobbies include running, cooking, traveling, and shopping at Costco.
I am so excited to serve on this year’s Barnard PTA as your President. This will be my third year on the board and I look forward to all the great things I know we will accomplish this year. Remember, many hands make light work!
Kent Lee, Vice President
Hello Barnard families! My name is Kent Lee and this is my fourth year on the PTA Board – previously serving as your Treasurer (twice) and Parliamentarian. Our daughter Alynna is in 3rd grade and our son Oliver is in 1st grade. Our family chose Barnard especially for the sense of community in addition to all the unique learning experiences and opportunities.
Outside of school, we love to stay engaged in the community, take trips to Legoland, and enjoy staycations in our beautiful region.
We look forward to a great school year and to cherishing memories with Barnard families along the way!
Nao Kabashima, Treasurer
Hello everyone! My name is Nao Kabashima, and I feel honored to serve on the Barnard PTA board as your Treasurer. This is my first time serving as a board member, but I have enjoyed serving as the Lunar New Year Chair for the past 2 years. I am a mother of two Barnard students; our son James is in 4th grade, and our daughter Kate is in 1st grade. They both love learning at Barnard with their friends and teachers, and I love volunteering at school when I can.
I am originally from Fukuoka Japan. I came to the U.S. as a graduate student and have enjoyed working in the refugees and newcomer community in San Diego since 2009. I read books everyday and love learning different languages. With my family, I enjoy playing chess, watching Padres games, hiking, camping, and traveling, especially visiting our families in Japan and China (in Jiangsu). I am so looking forward to another great year at Barnard and to meeting new Barnard friends through different events and activities. As your Treasurer, I will work hard for Barnard PTA’s financial accountability and to make every family in the Barnard Community feel belonged at school and PTA.
Ansel Herz, Parliamentarian
My son is entering 3rd grade and raves about his school – and we want to keep it that way! We feel so fortunate to have found Barnard and we want to give back so that every student can make the most of this special school. At Barnard, it’s clear that strong parent engagement contributes to an additional dimension of learning and excitement for our kids.
My background is in journalism and government and I’m honored to serve as Parliamentarian on the Executive Board. I look forward to further building upon the fantastic work of this PTA this year.
Ratha Kelly, Secretary
Hello Everyone! I’m Ratha Kelly and I am so excited to serve on our PTA Board as Secretary. I have two kids- Fiona in fourth grade, and Callan in second grade.This is my first year on the Board, but I’ve been involved in the PTA and our school community since Fiona was in kindergarten. I grew up in Long Beach and moved to the Bay Area for college (GO BEARS!) and lived there for 10 years before moving to San Diego in 2011. We have absolutely loved being a part of the Barnard community for the last four years.
When I’m not at the school volunteering, you can find me … at other schools! My background is in education and I work for San Diego Unified School District. You can also find me reading (I have a very lofty 2026 reading goal… don’t ask me how behind I am on it…), indoor rock climbing (trying to get outdoors more, so if you’re a climbing family, let’s chat!), traveling and exploring all San Diego has to offer. Our family enjoys trips to the beach and pool time, being out in nature and attending as many Barnard community events as we can.
Please come say hi if you see us at an event or at school! I would love to meet you!
Karen Chern, Financial Reviewer
Hello Barnard friends and family! I have three kids – a 1st grader and a 4th grader at Barnard and a 6th grader at PB Middle who is a Barnard alum. This will be my first year serving as financial reviewer, but second time on the board. I’ve served in the past as secretary. I’ve also organized the book fairs at Barnard for several years, so you may see me at one of our upcoming Scholastic Book Fairs.
Barnard is such a special community because everyone chooses to be here. We feel so privileged for our kids to be learning Mandarin while attending a public school and experiencing life in San Diego. We are transplants to this city so love exploring all that it has to offer, from beaches to playgrounds to finding new boba places. We enjoy traveling all over the world and especially love having our kids practice their language skills overseas!
Looking forward to another amazing school year! Go Pandas!
Elsa Leon, Community Chair
Hello, I’m Elsa! This is my fifth year serving on the PTA Board and my first year as Community Chair. I previously served two years as Treasurer and two years Financial Reviewer. I am originally from Mexicali, Mexico.
I have three girls – in 8th, 7th and 3rd grade. This is my eighth year as a Barnard parent, as my eldest two are Barnard graduates. My family and I enjoy spending our free time on road trips, going to the beach, visiting family in Mexico, and playing around our beautiful San Diego area.
Joanna Christian, Fundraising Chair
Hi, I’m Joanna! This is my first year on the PTA Board. My daughter is in Kindergarten and loving her days at Barnard. I work in the concerts and events world by day, and love sharing my passion for the arts with her—we go to as many shows together as we can. My family loves traveling, trying new food, and exploring all that San Diego has to offer.
John Cox, Membership Chair
Greetings Barnard Families! I’m John Cox and honored to serve as your membership chair this year, having served last year as the Barnard Annual Giving chair. My son Hudson will be in the 4th grade and my daughter Amara will be entering 2nd grade. We have made San Diego our home for 6 years and love being part of such an amazing community.
I grew up in Asia most of my life between Taiwan (where I was born), Hong Kong, and Singapore. I’m thrilled that my children are learning about Asian culture and language in such a positive, encouraging environment. As a family, we love camping, the beach, traveling, fishing, movies and food!
Want to volunteer for a PTA committee? Find out how.
