Governing School Board

Troy W. Ballard is a lifelong public educator, a champion of educational equity and excellence, and an attorney. Troy resonates closely with the mission and vision of Wai’alae School and views his role on the board as working to ensure these concepts and values are embodied within our community decision making processes. Troy attended the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa graduating with undergraduate degrees in both American Studies and Political Science. Afterwards, he attended the University of Pennsylvania graduating with a Master’s of Science in Urban Education. He additionally attended the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s William S. Richardson School of Law, graduating with a Certificate in Native Hawaiian Law and a research focus on educational equity and school desegregation. Troy currently practices law on Oʻahu supporting matters involving contracts, compliance, and miscellaneous education matters. He additionally serves as the Administrative Officer for Mālama Maui Nui and serves as a lecturer-in-law at Richardson and Mānoa's Department of Educational Administration.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Kristen Brummel has 20 years of education experience in Hawai’i’s Department of Education as an Elementary Teacher, Mentor, Instructional Coach, Presenter, Complex Area Induction and Mentoring Program Coordinator, and Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, a 2014-2016 Hawaii Hope Street Group Fellow and was the 2011 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year. Kristen has served on committees such as Hawaii’s Teacher Leader Workgroup, the Great Teachers Great Leaders Task Force, the Teacher Education Committee for Elementary and Early Childhood, and the University of Hawaii College of Education Alumni Association Board of Directors with the goals of learning from others and bringing teacher voice to the conversation. Kristen loves growing with her two children, Daniel (11) and Grace (8), and is excited and honored to serve the Wai’alae school community, whose mission and vision she wholeheartedly believes in.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Leon Geschwind is the father of two young daughters and a proud Wai’alae parent. He is the NOAA Education and Outreach Specialist at the Inouye Regional Center. He is a believer in Wai’alae’s whole-child approach and is passionate about engaging communities around climate change science and solutions. Prior to NOAA, Leon taught middle and high school Earth, Physical, and Environmental Science, served as adjunct faculty at Hawaii Pacific University, and led the Bishop Museum science education department. He has a Bachelors in Global Environmental Science, a Masters in Educational Technology, and is pursuing a PhD in Learning Design and Technology from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Keʻōpū Reelitz believes every child in Hawai‘i deserves quality care and education from birth. She has spent the last several years dedicated to increasing access to and investments in early childhood care and education. Wai‘alae School Board enables her to bridge the gap from early childhood to elementary-age education and child care. Keʻōpū is currently the Director of Early Learning and Health Policy for the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network (HCAN). Previously, she worked for the State Executive Office on Early Learning as the communications lead, as the public information officer at the State Department of Human Services, at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on self-governance initiatives and as an award-winning editor of Mana Magazine. Keʻōpū is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law, Loyola University Chicago and Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. When she’s not working or volunteering with Wai‘alae, she’s likely running around literally and figuratively. She’s a mom to three young children, a wife and an avid walker, jogger and cyclist.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Jordana Ferreira, currently serving as the City and County of Honolulu’s Early Childhood Resource Coordinator, is dedicated to enhancing access to quality learning environments for Oʻahu’s youngest children. She has extensive experience leading early learning sustainability and expansion efforts, supporting and advocating for increased access to early learning opportunities for young keiki and their ‘ohana across the State. A Pacific University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Jordana is deeply committed to advancing equity for young children and creating nurturing environments where all keiki can thrive. Her career began by supporting children with disabilities and their families, revealing systemic challenges that inspired her to champion systemic changes for keiki and their ʻohana. She understands the barriers facing communities firsthand and firmly believes investing in our children’s future is paramount for community prosperity.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Tupu Savaiigaea is the HR Director at Sacred Hearts Academy, where she is dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive educational environment. Growing up in a local faith-based all-girls school, she understands the profound importance of education for young children and the need for safe spaces where they can thrive. With over 10 years of experience in Human Resources across various industries, including higher education and non-profit organizations, Tupu brings valuable expertise in talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance, and community engagement. She also serves as a Board Member for the Society of Human Resources Hawaii Chapter (SHRM-HI), where she actively advocates for HR professionals and champions initiatives that promote healthy employee engagement and employee excellence. Tupu is passionate about nurturing the whole child and is committed to fostering environments where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to lead. She looks forward to contributing her skills and insights to advance the mission of Wai'alae Elementary Public Charter School.