Board of Trustees
Blue Oak School is governed by a Board of Trustees. According to the school’s bylaws, the Board is responsible for setting policy, overseeing financial affairs and guiding the school’s future.
The Board is also the guardian of the school’s mission. Blue Oak’s Board is led by elected officers, and trustees are nominated and approved by a majority of the voting members. The Board is accountable for the financial well-being of the school, including capital assets, operating budgets, fundraising, and endowments.
Current Board Officers
Kitty Oestlien
Chair
Biography
Liv Oestlien (BOS Class of 2029) and Axel Oestlien (BOS Class of 2031). Undergraduate in Film and Television at Queensland University of Technology and MBA from Brisbane Graduate School of Business, QUT. +15 years of GTM execution in high tech, working at companies such as Symantec and Dropbox. Currently owner and founder of Tansy Wines, a women owned winery in Napa.
Mario Marte
Vice Chair
Biography
Sebastian Marte-Corona and Gabriel Marte-Corona (2030). Mario holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of South Florida, and an M.B.A. from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Most recently, Mario was the CFO of Chewy, Inc. where he helped take the company public. Prior to becoming CFO, he led financial planning and analysis and treasury in three successful private fundraisings and the sale of Chewy to BC Partners in 2017. He has almost two decades of experience in finance at American Airlines, Hilton Worldwide and Chewy.
Carol Ritter
Governance
Biography
Shay Ritter and Mia Ritter (BOS Class of 2025). Undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley (Highest Honors, Anthropology, Class of 1999) and Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley (Class of 2003). Partner at Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty in Napa, California running the firm’s Business and Real Property Departments with a primary focus on wine industry mergers and acquisitions.
Megan Deguerre
Secretary
Biography
Elodie DeGuerre (BOS Class of 2030). Bachelor of the Arts, Communications (Public Relations) degree from California State University, Sacramento (PRSSA Chapter President 2008-09), Class of 2009. Manager and Partner at Solaron, Inc. overseeing daily operations, human resources, and customer service at one of California’s largest swimming pool solar installation companies.
Current Trustees
Cleo Pahlmeyer
Biography
Violet Watson (2027), James Watson (2030) and Maeve Watson (2033). Cleo Pahlmeyer was raised in Napa and her education took her east where she received a BA in Art History from the University of Virginia, and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Connoisseurship of Fine and Decorative Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. Eventually returning to her family winery after working in the international art world, Cleo led many areas of the business before she was appointed president. After more than ten years with Pahlmeyer Winery, she led the sale of the business. Cleo is currently founder and owner of Wayfarer Winery.
Dan Haspel
Biography
Ellie Haspel (BOS Class of 2028) and Zach Haspel (BOS Class of 2031). Undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in Mathematics (2003) and a Masters in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (2012). Managing Director at Golden Gate Capital in San Francisco, California leading the firm’s investment efforts in Technology and Financial Services companies.
Helen Keplinger
Biography
Emerson Keplinger Warner (BOS Class of 2030). Undergraduate degree from Smith College (Biology, Sigma Xi Honor Society, Class of 1994) and Masters of Science from UC Davis (Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Enology Specialization, 2000). Owner of Keplinger Wine Consulting, offering winemaking consultation services with 20 years of experience making wines of the highest quality. Cofounder and Managing Partner of Keplinger Wines, crafting ultra-premium Rhone and Bordeaux varietal wines from select, sustainably and organically farmed vineyards in and around Napa Valley.
Jean Lord
Biography
Audry (2031) and Addison (2028). Jean has a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. Jean is currently an Associate Director of Portfolio and Program Management at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
John Trinidad
Biography
coming soon
Maureen Hewitt
Biography
Michael Jennaro
Biography
Matteo Jennaro (BOS Class of 2028). Undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College and Masters of Business Administration from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Founder and Principal of The Oak Knoll Group, full service Design+Build real estate development and general contractor (CSLB License 1096006). Additionally General Manager and Partner at Pathway Home Solutions, provider of home mobility solutions to MediCare recipients nationwide.
Mitalee Gupte
Biography
Mitalee currently oversees DTC Marketing at Chandon California. She brings over 17 years of global leadership experience in luxury marketing, having held senior roles at LVMH across Asia and the United States. Her expertise spans luxury brand building, consumer strategy, business development, and sustainable marketing practices.
An advocate for working mothers and women in the wine industry, Mitalee actively mentors through organizations such as the Bâtonnage Forum and EllesVMH, the LVMH women’s employee resource group and serves on the board of Napa Moms, a nonprofit supporting families in the Napa Valley.
Sara Aikman
Biography
Jackson Aikman (BOS Class of 2030). Sara is a proud native of Colorado where she was raised and pursued her education before moving to California. Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticultural Science with a Concentration in Business Management from Colorado State University. During her time there she was the President of the Pi Alpha Xi Honor Society, Chi Chapter and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Most recently, Sara held a COO/Chief of Staff likened role with a multi-location branch of a national independent financial services firm. Sara has two decades of professional experience developing and overseeing business operations, strategic planning, team development, human resources, client care, marketing, and business merger/acquisition.
Steve Taylor
Biography
Steve Taylor is the current Senior Project Coordinator and former Director of Finance for the
Westmark School in Encino, California. Prior to joining the Board of Trustees, Steve served on the Finance Committee and volunteered his time during the 2022-2023 school year to support the administrative team and prepare a balanced budget. Steve and his wife live in Napa.