Board of Directors
Tanya Sheckley
Founder, President
UP Academy® was born of my quest to find the best education for my three children. My oldest, intuitive, curious and differently-abled with cerebral palsy, my middle, ambitious, fearless and creative and my youngest, observant, sweet, and athletic and all three of them brilliant (but every parent says that right?) This school is created as a legacy, in loving memory of Eliza Sheckley so every child, of every ability, can reach their potential. I hold a BA in Public Health and Dance and an MBA in Entrepreneurship.
Barry Sheckley, PhD
Board Member
Barry Sheckley, Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut, former Ray Neag Professor of Adult Learning, and former Head of the Department of Educational Leadership in the Neag School of Education, has devoted over 30 years to exploring through research and practice how experience enhances learning. His research suggests that engaging individuals in on-going inquiry about problems of practice is the most effective way to help them learn effectively. He has received a number of professional awards including the University of Connecticut Alumni Association’s Award for Excellence in Teaching; the Association of Continuing and Higher Education’s Marlowe Froke Award for Excellence in Professional Writing; the American Society for Training and Development’s Excellence in Research to Practice Award; a Doctor of Humane Letters, honorus causa, from the Board of Trustees University of New Hampshire; and, from the Council for Adult and Experiential Education, a lifetime achievement award in recognition to his insightful contributions to the field of adult and experiential learning.
Kari Kaplan
Board Member
Kari Kaplan, a current UP Academy parent, is committed to advancing the school’s innovative approach to education.
After seeing firsthand the positive impact UP Academy continues to have on students and families, she is passionate about supporting the school.
Kari is a software engineer and entrepreneur. In addition to her work with UP Academy, Kari serves on the board of the non-profit homeless advocacy organization Miracle Messages—and co-founded a sandwich shop in Brooklyn, New York, called Mission Sandwich Social. She lives in San Mateo with her husband and two children.
Monica Bucci
Board Member
Dr. Monica Bucci is a current Up Academy parent and an enthusiast of the project based learning approach. She joined the Up Academy board to represent the parents of the Up Academy community.
Trained as a physician, she worked as Research Faculty at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neuroscience and as Director of Research at the Center for Youth Wellness in SF, where she authored scientific research on how children's brains and bodies respond to stress.
Recently, she became certified in Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy for children and adolescents, as well as in Functional Medicine and Wellness Coaching.
Monica and her husband recently moved back to the Bay Area where she enjoys being the mom of her beautifully spirited son, writing and walking the hills with her two Goldens.
Lei Gong
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Jon Pettinelli
Treasurer
As the Owner and President of Pettinelli Financial Partners (PFP), Jon is responsible for the leadership, planning, and broad executive management of the firm’s strategic objectives. He oversees and coordinates the day-to-day administration, information systems, client service, human resources, training, processes, and overall client experience for PFP.
After completing a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from San Jose State University, Jon joined Pettinelli Financial Partners in 2005. His role has included streamlining day-to-day operations, implementing advanced financial planning software for advisors and clients, strengthening financial processes and procedures, and pursuing continued growth for the evolution of the firm.
Jon purchased the firm from his father, and founder, Dennis Pettinelli in January 2019. While Dennis remains an active contributor and ambassador for PFP, Jon has led the firm to implement structural and organizational changes to help provide greater customer satisfaction, advisor guidance and development, as well as operational efficiencies and productivity. Under his leadership, he and the entire PFP team have grown the firm to achieve a more robust and fulfilling team model. By combining the core of Dennis’ philosophy of building deep client relationships with new, experienced executive management, strong teams, financial planning expertise, innovative technologies, and enhanced client experiences, Jon believes that PFP has built a legacy of caring for our client family for many generations to come.
Jon holds his Series 7 license with LPL Financial and Series 66 license with LPL Financial and Stratos Wealth Partners, as well as his California Insurance License.
In his spare time, Jon enjoys meeting up with friends to watch or attend sporting events such as the San Francisco Giants, the Golden State Warriors, and the San Francisco 49ers. You can also find him barbecuing and attending Redwood City’s Music on the Square summer concert series.
Marni Berger
Board Member
Marni Berger is a User Experience expert with a degree in Human-Computer Interaction from Stanford University. She has experience leading and managing teams at both large and small companies, and she uses design thinking to influence the environments around her. By understanding and prioritizing her target audience, she is able to advocate for their needs.
She’s the proud mom of an UP Academy student and believes that whole-child education that fosters community is of increasing importance in today’s changing world. Marni feels fortunate to have found the unique environment that UP Academy provides its students and is excited to help shape the future of the school.