Laurie Fong, President

Laurie Fong grew up in San Francisco. After her degree at UC Berkeley, a Master’s in Education and her fresh teaching credential, she began a career in education that has spanned decades -- from teaching students to teaching teachers to teaching principals. What defines her perspective as an educational leader are her 22 years of keen classroom experience in middle and high schools, 18 more years as a high school administrator/principal and her current coaching of new administrators. She was first elected to the Santa Rosa City School Board in 2016 and was unopposed in 2020. She is in her second consecutive term as President. As a parent and community member passionate about public education, Laurie has transformed her values into action: constantly challenging herself to discover and implement strategies to inspire every student and adult to achieve their best. Her work ethic and compassion inspire others and she is a model in our community for equity, transparency, integrity and educational insight/foresight. Laurie was twice named Sonoma County’s Principal of the Year and completed the very first National Credentialing Program for School Principals, a rigorous two-year challenge to measure school leaders for school improvement. She and her partner have opened their home to young adults in need of safe, warm and dry spaces to live, helping them on their journeys to self-sufficiency.