13 Jul Meet Our New Board Members

A big shout out to our three new board members Trisha, Marcus and Alex. All three of them bring their own unique gifts and perspectives and will be working hard to get Tiny Trees Preschool to opening day. All three are driven – and were selected – by their passion for giving every child a joyful, high quality education, bringing more nature and active, outdoor play into kid’s lives and helping make preschool more affordable and available across Washington State. Here are their stories:

Trisha Kozu – Board Member
An attorney for Microsoft and a mother of two small children Trisha brings a relentless commitment to seeing Tiny Trees succeed, hopefully in time for her little ones to attend. Trisha grew up in rural Michigan where she spent the majority of her childhood outdoors, exploring what the natural world had to offer. After working to put herself through college and later law school she moved to Seattle with her husband in 2007. Since making Puget Sound her home and having 2 small children, Trisha realized that the opportunity for a nature based childhood is limited in an urban setting and that Tiny Trees, and outdoor preschool, is the solution.

“When I heard about Tiny Trees’ mission it struck a chord within me and ignited a passion that I haven’t felt for over a decade.  I realize that if I can use the skills I’ve acquired as a corporate transactional/contract attorney to benefit a personal passion of my own, I’d be not only helping a great cause but bringing personal satisfaction to my life – a win win.” 

Marcus Dover – UW Foster School of Business Board Fellow
A former accountant and financial analyst with Google and Bank of America, and now a full time MBA student at UW, Marcus bring skills in finance, marketing and business strategy to the Tiny Trees Preschool board. A self-described military brat Marcus was born in Georgia and moved every few years as a kid. After nine years in San Francisco he is happy to call Seattle home where he hopes to make an impact after he graduates at an organization addressing education and poverty.

“As the product of teenage parents, I have witnessed first-hand the transformation in our lives as my parents completed their college degrees. My own education has opened doors to opportunities that I never thought possible. I believe a child’s access to a quality education should not be determined by their parent’s financial means. Tiny Trees provides the perfect opportunity to invest in others the way so many people have invested in me.”

Alexander Suk – UW Foster School of Business Board Fellow
For 8 years Alex worked as a senior analyst helping corporations build benefit packages for their employees and effective risk management plans. Now a full time UW MBA student Alex is looking to shift into a career in building new things (a.k.a. marketing and product development). Born and raised in Michigan, Alex moved to Seattle 8 years ago after graduating from Michigan State University. He is excited to use his skills to help boost Tiny Trees Preschool through the startup process and to give back to the community that has given him so many opportunities.

“First, I’m excited about the opportunity to make a difference in the education sector. Education has played a huge role in my life over the years and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities I’ve had. Second, I’m excited about Tiny Trees because of the stage the organization is currently in. Tiny Trees provides a unique opportunity to be a part of building an organization that can help solve a serious problem for people in Seattle – the rising cost of preschool. The opportunity to be a part of something so new and innovative is exciting and I’m looking forward to sharing the Tiny Trees’ vision with the rest of Seattle!”

A warm welcome to Trisha, Marcus and Alex. We are grateful to have you as a part of the Tiny Trees family.

Our partnership with The University of Washington’s Foster School of Business

Alex and Marcus join us from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. Each year MBA students at UW apply for the board fellowship program for the opportunity to serve at select Seattle area non-profits.  Of the 100+ applicants Marcus and Alex were our top choices. Their skills and passion for the Tiny Trees work are exactly what we need as we move from a startup organization to hundreds of little rubber boots on the ground. Over the next year in addition to their board duties they will each take on specific projects to help build a more effective and efficient organization. A thank you to our board president Greg Scully who will be their mentor during their service with Tiny Trees Preschool.