Meet the Board

Dr. Pickard is a consultant at WittKieffer, a global executive search firm that dedicates its services to mission-driven organizations predominantly in higher education and healthcare. Dr. Pickard brought her skills to WittKieffer after nearly two decades in higher education serving in academic and student affairs roles, first at Northwestern University and the University of Maryland and later at the University of Arizona. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University and her doctoral and master’s degrees, both in College Student Personnel, from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Pickard became an IST parent in 2017 when her daughter joined the preschool French program and joined the IST Board in January 2020.

Dr. Barnett is an Associate Professor in Family Studies and Human Development at the University of Arizona. She is also the Director of the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families. She taught elementary school before earning her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on family resilience and young children’s social-emotional and cognitive development. She joined the IST Board in 2018.

Colleen Nichols is Tucson native and a retired educator with 30 years of experience, serving first as a teacher and then fifteen years as the principal of an award winning elementary school in the Catalina Foothills School District in Tucson. She earned her BA of Fine Arts in Art Education from the University of Arizona, and an M.Ed in Educational Leadership and was awarded her Administrative Certification at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.

Colleen is currently the president of the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association, and serves on other boards and committees. She has two grown sons, a grandson and extended family with whom she enjoys spending time.

 She believes that each child should achieve academically, emotionally and socially, pursue lifelong learning, and become a globally responsible citizen. Learners need to be prepared to meet the many and varied challenges facing them as 21st century adults, and to learn to think critically and apply those skills.

Brandy Maben graduated with a Master of Science from LSU and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Arizona.  She has completed the coursework for her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) at Pepperdine University.  She is a Registered Investment Advisor with Levin Funding Group holding her Series 7 & 66 Security Licenses.

Brandy provides comprehensive & holistic financial planning and investment services to clients all throughout our local state of Arizona as well as the United States. She helps organize your current financial state as well as help your future financial goals. Balancing your investments, asset protection, legacy planning are all encompassed with her practice in the firm.

Brandy is a member of the Young Tax Professional Organization of Southern Arizona, International School Board, MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Committee, as well as Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council.

Brandy lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband, Philip Maben, daughter, Collins, and son, Miles. She is a member of the University of Arizona Athletics Hall of Fame, Captain of the 2008 National Championship Women’s Swim Team and a member of the Sabino High School Hall of Fame.  Her outside interests includes hiking with her two dogs, yoga, tennis, golf and camping.

Paul Grijalva Paul Grijalva is a practicing lawyer with over a decade of experience advising clients ranging from higher education to start up companies. Paul’s practice focuses on corporate and intellectual property law. Paul has served in legal roles at major universities, including University of Miami, University of Arizona, Pima College, and University of California Los Angeles. Paul and his wife Maria have all three of their children enrolled at IST in multiple language programs. Paul was born and raised in Tucson. Fun fact, Paul’s mother was Principal at Jefferson Park Elementary in the early 2000’s.

Rachel Ruder brings 20 years of experience in education to the IST Board and looks forward to supporting the school’s mission of elevating its academic and programmatic offerings. She currently serves as a Program Coordinator for Federal Programs and School Improvement in a local school district. As the parent of two former IST students, Rachel knows the benefits of language immersion. She believes strong governance is key to ensuring IST’s financial sustainability and growth for many generations.

Morgan Domenick serves as Associate Athletic Director for Administration at the University of Arizona, where she oversees human resources operations, strategic communications, letterwinner engagement, special events, and several sport programs. She also leads department-wide strategic planning and organizational initiatives that strengthen student-athlete success and community connection. With a Juris Doctor from LSU and extensive experience in governance, project management, and higher education administration, Morgan brings expertise in leadership and strategic growth to IST. A former Division I tennis student-athlete, she is passionate about education as a driver of opportunity. She and her husband, Korey, are the proud parents of Margaret (Bobcats) and Georgie (Cactus Blossoms).

Joan Daniels brings over 25 years of experience as a teacher, curriculum specialist, and administrator within the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). She has also dedicated many years to community service through her involvement with the Friends of Jefferson Park neighborhood association. Her granddaughters attended international schools in Puerto Rico and graduated from an international school in Bogotá, Colombia—experiences that have profoundly shaped their development into globally minded young adults. Joan’s grandnephews are currently enrolled at the International School of Tucson, further deepening her connection to the school. A passionate advocate for the IST model, Joan champions its positive impact not only on students but also on the broader Jefferson Park community.

Brian Prior is a U.S. Air Force veteran with 13 years of service and currently works as a Vendor and Project Manager at Citi Bank, where he manages global partnerships and leads operational initiatives across diverse teams. While working full time, he is completing he Bachelor’s degree in Project Management at Arizona State University and is on track to graduate summa cum laude in May 2026.

He and his family have been part of the International School of Tucson community since 2013 (currently has a daughter in 4th grade French), and he deeply values IST’s focus on fostering globally minded students. Drawing from his professional experience working with international vendors, he appreciates the importance of cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and curiosity — qualities he believes IST nurtures in every student.