Board of Directors

______________

Carolie Sly
Executive Director

Dr. Carolie Sly is the former director of education programs at the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, California. She holds a Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley in science education and has worked with many San Francisco Bay Area public and private schools. Dr. Sly has been a classroom teacher, principal of an alternative high school, science coordinator for the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools, and author of many highly regarded science and environmental education curricula.

Michele Cobble
Financial Director

Michele Cobble retired from a 30 year career in the financial industry. She holds a BA in Applied Mathematics/Economics and a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. She volunteers tutoring grammar school children between trips to Lesvos where she shares her teaching and organizational skills and heads up our Girls Empowerment program.

Cate Sundling
Administrative Director

Cate Sundling retired from a 25-year career teaching secondary school English. She’s worked extensively on accreditation teams, written numerous courses of study, and served as a department chair and mentor teacher. Cate takes these and other experiences to her efforts in supporting and enhancing education for refugees.

Anne Wilson-Siembieda
Education Director

Anne Wilson-Siembieda retired from a rewarding career as a school librarian because the world was calling. With a BA in French Education and an ESOL Certificate, she has been a Peace Corps Volunteer in Camaroon and Morocco. She joined REAL in Lesvos teaching English and as Volunteer Coordinator.

Melissa Bloom
Community Outreach Director

Melissa Bloom started her career as a motion picture film editor. After working as an advisor and student coordinator at Berkeley High School, she went on to earn her TOESOL credential at UC Berkeley Extension. After working for 10 years teaching ESL in both private and public schools, she went to Lesvos, Greece and found her calling teaching refugees from around the world.

PRESIDENT EMERITUS

Cecelia Wambach

Dr. Cecelia Wambach spent most of her working life as a Math Education Professor at San Francisco State University. She has held diverse roles in education: teacher, principal, workshop leader, and student teacher supervisor. She has a TESOL credential (Teaching English as a Second Language) and is a professional artist.