About

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 to our kids. We believe
• that our kids’ talents can best be nurtured through challenges;
• that our own community is a great resource in our kids’ education; and
• that to be happy and successful, today's kids must develop a rich set of cognitive and life skills.

What we are

In 2012 MVGATE grew out of Mill Valley’s It Takes a Village PTA and became a federally registered independent nonprofit (tax ID #46-1269141). For its first year the young organization offered classes outside of school in math, literature, history, and science for grades 2-8 with the help of parent-members. In late 2013 we recognized the demand for computer science, and began the breakthrough Family Code Night programs and after-school classes in every elementary school in Mill Valley. Soon these expanded to more than a dozen schools across Marin. Thousands of kids have now learned computer science, engineering, math, and more via hundreds of MV GATE classes. With community help MVGATE has built a learning path for grades K-12, and offered leadership opportunities to dozens of young people grades 6-12.

Who we are

Jeff Leane, Executive Director, Marin Educational Programs
Jeff’s a physicist turned inventor turned entrepreneur. 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. Now he coaches Math Team and develops MVGATE’s advanced computer science curricula. Jeff earned his AB in physics from Princeton University and his MS in applied physics from Case Western Reserve University.

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. John earned his BA in History, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston University.

Elizabeth (Pitt) Leane, Evangelist
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.

Kath Cramer, Evangelist
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. Kath has a bachelor’s degree in economics and women’s studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Peter Phleger, Counsel
Peter is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Private Investment Funds Group in SF. The co-director of San Francisco's Y Theater Company in a past life, he earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of San Francisco School of Law and his B.A. from Yale University. Peter and his lovely wife, the actor Courtney Walsh, have four kids. When, at MVGATE's very first meeting, Courtney walked in with a detailed proposal to connect local students with Stanford Classics Professor Rush Rehm, we knew we were really going to like the Phlegers.

Stephen Bove, Advisor
Stephen has 30 years of experience as an early to mid-stage internet and media executive, investor, and advisor. He did pioneering internet work in 1994-5 for Accenture as Senior Manager for clients SEGA and Compaq/HP, and helped build two Kleiner Perkins-backed companies that achieved multi-billion dollar market capitalizations: Move.com/Realtor.com and Chemdex/Ventro. Stephen previously helped develop & produce feature films at Orion (Navy SEALs) and Disney (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King). In 2003 Stephen founded NewEdu.com, a self-paced, personalized education system and marketplace based on the work of Howard Gardner and Fred S. Keller.

Lance Ignon, Advisor
Lance has 30 years of experience as a public relations executive and business/finance journalist. He is Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Communication at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science. Previously Lance founded Citizen Public Relations to advance values-based movements. He was founder and director of the San Francisco office of Sitrick & Co; VP of VaxGen; and Director of Corporate Communications for Tenet Healthcare. He is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and completed professional training in finance at Stanford University.

Chi Kim, Advisor
Chi was Superintendent of the Ross School District before she joined Pure Edge as CEO. She is a former school principal, teacher, and leadership coach. Chi was Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and co-founded the Teaching Garden, which brought health and nutrition programs to school children nationwide. Chi chairs the Great Minds Board and sits on the Advisory Board of Reasoning Mind. She earned her BA in psychology and M.Ed. in education from UCLA. She holds California credentials in teaching and administrative services. She is mom to three wonderful girls and resides in Boston.

Charlie Tillett, Advisor
An MBA of the MIT Sloan School of Management, Charlie is a seasoned financial executive who has 20+ years working with VC-backed, early-stage technology companies. Charlie raised over $125 million in more than a dozen equity/debt funding transactions, including a NASDAQ IPO, and participated in multiple M&A engagements. As a consultant and advisor, Charlie is an active member of senior management teams, who interacts closely with board members but maintains a roll-up-the-sleeves attitude and work ethic. Charlie has deep hands-on experience with all aspects of finance/accounting/budgeting, contracts negotiation, HR, IT, and facilities. Charlie is also an Angel Flight pilot, an active champion and substantial fund-raiser for Big Brother/Big Sister, and periodic marathon runner.