Board of Trustees
Orinda Academy is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) governed by a self-selecting Board of Trustees. The Board works closely with our Head of School and helps steward the financial health and sustainability of the school. OA trustees bring diverse perspectives and areas of expertise to inform their decision-making and policy setting, in the best interest of serving our school mission and community.
Laura Cottril
Laura joined the Orinda Academy Board in 2016 and became Board Chair in 2017. She was previously President of the Orinda Academy Parent Group for two years. Laura has a BA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University and holds a Master and Craftsman distinction from the Professional Photographers of America. She previously served on the board of Northern California Professional Photographers and has been active in the professional photography industry for over twenty years. For Laura, the most rewarding aspect of serving as trustee at Orinda Academy is supporting this exciting opportunity for students who may otherwise fall through the cracks and helping to sustain and grow the school.
Collin Pugh
Collin joined the Orinda Academy Board in 2016 and is a member of the Finance Committee. Collin graduated from Orinda Academy in 2001. After leaving Orinda Academy, Collin attended Saint Mary’s College of California where he received his BA in Communication with a Religious Studies minor (2005) and a Masters degree in Counseling specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy (2014). Collin is currently a Student Engagement and Academic Success Coach & Coordinator of the Tutorial and Academic Skills Center (TASC).
Trudy Hsu
Trudy joined the Board in 2017 and sits on the Marketing/Admissions Committee. Trudy holds a BA in Political Science from Wellesley College and a MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Trudy appreciates the opportunity to serve as a trustee – supporting Orinda Academy’s growth as it fulfills its mission by inspiring students’ success and helping them fulfill their potential.
Steve Podell
Steve joined the Orinda Academy Board in 2017 and is Secretary and Finance Chair. Steve is a graduate of the Athenian School in Danville and served on the Athenian board of Trustees for many years where he was on the Facilities, Finance, and Executive Committees at various times. Steve has a BSEE from Swarthmore College and started off designing computers and cancer treatment physics machines, then transitioned to software.
Paul Epstein
Paul holds a BA in Classical Civilization (emphasizing Greek Theater) from the University of California, Berkeley and an MA in Psychology and Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. After more than twenty years as a Jewish educator – teacher, principal, specialist, consultant and board member – Paul now pursues several creative endeavors. He has cowritten a young adult novel which he is now actively marketing to agents and publishers; he is transforming his photography hobby into a commercial enterprise; and he studies clowning at the San Francisco Clown School.
Jill Gorman
Jill joined the Orinda Academy Board in 2022. She has served in Orinda Academy Parent Group leadership for four years, two years as President. Jill has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Masters in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. She currently works in the department of Counseling, Equity and Achievement at Merritt College in Oakland. Jill appreciates the opportunity to be a trustee and looks forward to working with the board in supporting the Orinda Academy community.