Why we do this
MV GATE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded and supported by Marin parents who believe in bringing enhanced learning opportunities to our kids, now, and in partnership with our schools. We believe that 1) our kids’ gifts and talents can be best nurtured through empowering challenges and support; 2) that our own community represents a great and largely untapped resource in our kids’ education; and 3) that today's kids, if they are going to be happy and successful, must develop a richer set of cognitive and life skills than any previous generation.
What we are
A nonprofit off-shoot of Mill Valley’s It Takes a Village PTA, and partially funded by ITAV’s generous grants, MV GATE in 2012 became a federally registered independent nonprofit (tax ID #46-1269141). For its first year the young nonprofit offered a variety of out-of-school enrichments in math, literature, history, and nature for grades 2-8 with the help of talented parent-members. In late 2013 MVGATE recognized the demand for computer science enrichments, and began offering its breakthrough Hour of Code Night programs and after-school enrichment classes in every elementary school in Mill Valley. Other Districts and the Marin County Office of Education expressed interest in MV GATE programs, resulting in expansion to a growing list of more than a dozen schools across southern Marin. Thousands of kids have now learned computer science, engineering, math, and more via hundreds of MV GATE classes, now providing a long-term enhanced learning path for kids in grades K-8, and engaging talented young people grades 6-12 in mentoring and teaching roles.
Who we are
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John Pearce, Director & CEO
John is a long-time information entrepreneur with specialties in media, marketing, political marketing, public relations, and education. He was founder and CEO of MediaMap, a media research and software provider for the public relations industry. He also founded and led Cambridge Communications, a Massachusetts PR agency. With Kath Cramer, he founded and directed “Ralph Don’t Run,” a national political campaign in 2003-2004 to encourage progressive opposition to the presidential candidacy of Ralph Nader, appearing on CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and Meet the Press. John has spoken at dozens of national conferences on public relations and marketing topics. John earned his BA in History, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston University. |
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Jeff Leane, Co-Director & COO
Jeff’s a physicist turned inventor turned entrepreneur. He started his first technology company in middle school, selling rocket kits to other kids and making $6.61. As a senior researcher at Accenture Technology Labs, he co-invented the shopbot. He came to Palo Alto in 1995, co-invented B2B e-commerce and the first XML application, and started two companies; the second, Chemdex, where Jeff was CTO, had its IPO in 1999. He coaches Math Team and MVGATE’s Build Your Own Computer workshop, and advises the Marin Economic Forum on startups. Jeff earned his AB in physics from Princeton University and his MS in applied physics from Case Western Reserve University, where he co-invented some nanotech thingy. |
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Kath Cramer
Kath is the architect and founder of The National Work Family Alliance, launching the organization after traveling the US to meet with and bring together respected work-family leaders. In addition to co-founding Ralph Don’t Run with John Pearce, Kath has a bachelor’s degree in economics and women’s studies from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. A strict vegetarian, she takes in stride the challenge of living in a family of strict carnivores. |
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Elizabeth (Pitt) Leane
Elizabeth is a graduate of Dartmouth College where she studied engineering at the Thayer School, majoring in Computer Science. She's Ex-Oracle. During her prior career as a Technical Specialist she enjoyed troubleshooting database problems on Massively Parallel Systems. She's a problem solver. She's also a Mill Valley mother of two daughters. At Old Mill School she delighted in bringing amazing authors to inspire the students during her two years chairing Author Committee. |
