Upper School Committee
Board Members
We are excited to welcome our 2025-26 Upper School PTO Board Members and Volunteers!
Nicole Solum Singh
President
Swaran, 9th Grade and Anika, 6th Grade
I am so honored and excited to be the Ventura PTO President for the 2025-26 school year. I have served on numerous PTO and PTA boards over the last decade. I find great joy in showing our teachers and students how much we appreciate them.
Outside of volunteering on campus, I grew up on film sets in California and New Mexico and worked in the Art Department for almost a decade before having children. I have a BA in Political Science and Sociology and am passionate about history. I am involved with several initiatives for historical education programs across the state including America 250. In my free time, I volunteer for two lineage organizations as a genealogist and run a third youth junior membership program.
This is our third year at Rancho Solano, and I cannot say enough about the exceptional quality of teaching staff and administration at Ventura. Go Mustangs!
Contact: Upperschool@RSPSPTO.org
Leslie Steinberg
Vice President
Ari, 6th Grade
Hi! My husband Jeff and I have a daughter, Ari, who’s in 6th grade. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the PTO and help support the success of our students and school community.
Professionally, I hold a leadership role in the manufacturing industry, where I oversee client success and collaborate across departments to drive efficiency, innovation, and growth. I’m passionate about building strong teams, mentoring others, and creating environments where people thrive. I love learning new things and finding creative ways to solve problems, both at work and in everyday life.
Outside of work, I love traveling with my family, playing golf, reading, and spending time crafting with my daughter. I’m excited to bring both my personal and professional experience and enthusiasm to the PTO this year!
Sheena Patel
Treasurer
Zara, 8th Grade and Reya, 5th grade
I’m excited to serve as the Upper School PTO Treasurer. I have two daughters at Rancho — Zara, who is entering eighth grade and started at Rancho in third grade, and Reya, who is entering fifth grade and began in PK3.
I have a background in finance and hold an MBA, and I currently serve as the CFO of Danmar Industries. My professional experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning helps me ensure that our PTO funds are managed responsibly and transparently.
The PTO is such a valuable part of our school community, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and help support our students and teachers.
Beth Switzenberg
Secretary
Kinley, 6th Grade and Braydon, 11th Grade
Hi! I’m a full time SAHM, and have been married to my husband, Tyson, for 22 years. We have 2 kids: Braydon (17), who is going into his junior year at DMHS, and Kinley (11), and she is going into 6th grade at RSPS. I have loved our time at Rancho, and I’m so happy to serve as middle school PTO Secretary for this school year. For fun, I love to cook and find/try new recipes, spend time with family/friends, read, and travel.
Mika Perry
Communications Liaison
Reese, 8th Grade and Paige, 4th Grade
Hello! This is our family's third year at Rancho, and I'm thrilled to serve as your Communications Liaison this year. I have Reese in 8th grade and Paige in 4th grade at Greenway. After volunteering as a Room Parent for both my daughters over many years, and serving as Teacher Appreciation Representative last year on the Ventura PTO board, I'm excited to help connect our PTO and the families of Rancho Solano. My goal is to create a strong community and keep you informed about the wonderful school events and programs your support makes possible.
I grew up in Arizona and attended ASU for my undergrad in Japanese and International Business and NAU for a Masters in Elementary Ed. My diverse career background spans education, finance, professional organizing, and content creation, leading to my current work in visual content strategy and marketing. I enjoy working out, traveling as often as we can, spending time with our Cavapoo, Poppy, and making memories with our family and friends.
Beth Kleiman
MS Teacher Appreciation Representative
Sydney and Ari, 6th Grade
Hi! This is my family's 8th year at Rancho! My twins, Sydney and Ari, are super excited to join the upper school campus for their first year of Middle School. Throughout our years at the lower school I have volunteered for a few different roles on the PTO; as a Room Parent, Book Fair Chair and the Room Representative Liaison. Prior to joining Rancho Solano, I helped run a non-profit for parents with multiples and served in many capacities including, secretary, Vice President and President. Giving back to the community has been a passion of mine since my college days as a student-athlete at the University of Florida (Go Gators!).
When I’m not driving my kiddos around town for their many activities, I enjoy pickleball, spending time with my friends and family, traveling to our favorite family spots, trying new restaurants and loving on our two golden doodles. Prior to having my children, you could find me on the sidelines of sporting events as the team dietitian for ASU. This year I look forward to showering our teachers with extra love as a member of the Teacher Appreciation Team. I look forward to another fantastic year ahead.
Joe Chegia
US Teacher Appreciation Representative
JC, 10th Grade
Hello! After living in Hong Kong for 19 years, I relocated to Arizona in July 2024 with my husband Christoph (Scottsdale native) and our son JC, who completed his first year at Rancho Solano and will now be a Sophomore. I have always been involved with JC’s schools and sports in various capacities, including volunteering as 9th Grade Rep at RSPS last year. I really enjoy interacting with fellow parents and PTO
members, and I look forward to collaborating with the Teacher Appreciation team to bring smiles to our terrific Rancho teachers and staff.
My working career has always been in the apparel sector: retail operations, sourcing and human resources. Travel is our passion and we’ve been fortunate to explore many parts of the world, but still have a long yet-to-see list. At home, you will find me cooking, baking, gardening and fixing things. My interests include fitness, art,
mahjong (both American and Taiwanese), and thrifting.
Here's to a great 2025-26 school year – Go Mustangs!
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Katie Rafferty
MS Student Appreciation Representative
6th Grade and 3rd Grade
This is my fifth year at Rancho, and I’m excited to serve as the Middle School Student Appreciation Representative! I’m looking forward to helping bring some extra fun and recognition to our amazing students this year.
All four of my children have been proud Rancho students. My two older boys have moved on, and I currently have a 6th grader and a 3rd grader at the school.
When I’m not volunteering at Rancho, you’ll probably find me doing Pilates, at OTF , walking our three dogs, or teaching preschool dance classes!
I’m thrilled to continue being part of the Rancho community and can’t wait for a fantastic year ahead!
Melissa Lien
US Student Appreciation Representative
Sarah and Michael, 11th Grade
Hello! I recently returned to Arizona with my family after spending a decade living abroad in Europe and Asia. Originally from the east coast, my husband Steve and I are proud parents to Annabelle (21), Tommy (19), twins Michael and Sarah (16) and pup Piper.
Our family is thrilled to have chosen Rancho as our high school home. In our first year, our twins enjoyed their academics, played Soccer, Track, eSports, and Beach Volleyball, all while building new friendships and embracing the school community.
My professional background is in event management. I have always been actively involved in our kids' school communities through volunteering, organizing events, and
supporting students, staff and families. I look forward to continuing that commitment in our second year at Rancho.
I enjoy exploring new places, getting lost in audiobooks, playing tennis and pickleball, dabbling in DIY projects, spending quality time with friends and family and am
always up for meeting new people, preferably over coffee or a spontaneous adventure.
Melissa Belle
US Student Appreciation Representative
Tatiana, 10th Grade
Hi Rancho Families. My husband Albert and I have three daughters: Cèci, Bianca and Tatiana. Tatiana is our youngest and will be a sophomore at RSPS. Our older two daughters attended Rancho for several years and are both attending University of Southern California in the Marshall School of Business. We have been a Rancho Family for 8 years and are proud Mustang parents! As a former teacher myself, I am very creative and I love helping promote education. I think both of these attributes will help as I co-chair the Student Appreciation position this year.
Claudia Lucaire
Grade Representative Coordinator
Bennett, 6th Grade
Hello, my name is Claudia Lucaire. My son, Bennett, is a 6th grader this year. We came to Rancho Solano for 4th grade after attending Cochise Elementary School. Bennett and I are passionate about travel and are always on the move.
My professional background is primarily in medical sales for over 30 years, real estate and various other business ventures.
I love spending meaningful time with family and friends, I value making connections and building a strong sense of community. I am excited to be a part of the PTO this year and look forward to contributing wherever my support is needed for the school and its students as Grade Rep Liaison.
Files and Forms
6 - 12 Grade Representatives
6th Grade: Sara Royce
7th Grade: Nicole Zuspan & Stephanie Binch
8th Grade: Alison Stein
9th Grade: Kristin Ellerman
10th Grade: Corinne Kotila
11th Grade: America Payne
12th Grade: Negin Kaufman
Questions regarding the Upper School PTO Committee can be emailed to upperschool@RSPSPTO.org