Board Members

Leah Choi was elected to the board in November 2021. She graduated from the University of Denver with degrees in Molecular Biology and Chemistry and pursued a Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego. She moved to Washington with her husband and began a career in financial planning at Nordstrom while her husband completed his medical training at the University of Washington. They moved to the Eastside when they welcomed their first child and now have two kids in LWSD schools. Ms. Choi is passionate about education and excited to apply her diverse background and unique perspective to further the success of the district and the students it serves.

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Lisa Guthrie was appointed to the board in August 2023. Originally from the East Coast, she grew up in a family of teachers, an upbringing that fostered an enduring interest in education. Ms. Guthrie graduated from Brown University with a degree in computer science, and is currently employed as a program manager at Microsoft. She and her husband have been part of the LWSD community since moving to the Eastside in 2013. They are parents to four children who have attended six different LWSD schools, from preschool to high school, including choice, Quest, and special education programs. Ms. Guthrie is a longtime school volunteer and PTSA chair, as well as a strong advocate for equitable and inclusive education.

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Lindsey Yocum was elected to the school board in November 2023. She graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Business Administration. Lindsey went on to receive a Master’s in Teaching from Northwest University. Her fifteen-year teaching career began in Lake Washington School District at Thoreau Elementary. Lindsey and her husband have been longtime Redmond residents and have two children who attend LWSD schools. 

With a background as an educator and a parent of neurodivergent children, Lindsey has championed for equity and inclusion in schools, communities and work environments. Her advocacy work extends to her current role as Executive Director of a nonprofit farm with a mission to provide inclusive employment opportunities for adults in our community. Lindsey is eager to bring her passion, experience, and perspective to the LWSD school board.

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Eric Laliberte was elected to the school board in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. He is a civil litigation attorney practicing at Keller Rohrback LLP in Seattle. Eric graduated with his MBA. from Chapman University and his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law. Eric, his wife, and their two children live in the Juanita neighborhood of Kirkland.

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Mark Stuart was elected to the school board in November 2013. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism. His career in Public Relations has afforded him the opportunity to work with local, national, and international media, as well as elected and non-elected government officials and their staffs on issues vital to the well being of our nation. He has facilitated collaboration between business, professional organizations, and community groups for the common good. Mr. Stuart, a life loyal Sigma Chi, currently works as an issue management and media relations consultant.

As the father of two sons who have attended four different LWSD schools, Mr. Stuart has taken the time to volunteer within those schools. He enjoys getting to know district personnel and seeing them in action. Mr. Stuart and his wife are respected as strong advocates for inclusion, multi-modal strategies, and providing students with the tools necessary to benefit from their instruction. The Stuart family appreciates the benefits of diversity in education as veterans of both public and private preschools and charter schools serving students of all abilities.

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Shira Avitan is a junior at Lake Washington High School and was selected as the student representative to schools in the Lake Washington and Juanita area in 2023. As a representative, she is super excited to bring her unique perspective to discussions and increase her understanding behind Board decisions. Shira hopes to shine light on diverse student experiences and find ways to increase the sense of belonging in students and staff across our district. 

Sunehri Nog is a junior at Eastlake High School and was selected as the student representative to schools in the Eastlake and Redmond areas in 2024. Through this position, she aims to advocate with a fresh perspective and act as a liaison, bridging the gap between students and district administration. Ultimately, Sunehri hopes to foster a strong sense of inclusivity in LWSD, encouraging all community members to share their own diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. 

Ella Shi is a junior at Redmond High School and was selected as the student representative to schools in the Eastlake and Redmond area in 2023. With an unwavering commitment to enhancing the experience for all students, Ella brings a fresh perspective and an important voice to board meetings. She commits to being the bridge between the student body and the district board, ensuring that decisions reflect collective interests. Through open communication and collaboration, Ella aims to create a positive and progressive educational experience for all students within the district. 

James Wang is a junior at Lake Washington High School and was selected as the student representative to schools in the Lake Washington and Juanita area in 2024. He hopes to voice the opinions and perspectives of students to the board, ensuring that students are represented in its decisions. Being passionate about new innovative technology, James seeks to enhance students' learning environment and equip them with the essential digital skills needed for today's dynamic world. His universal goal is to improve LWSD students' academic experience positively.