George-Constantinos Charonis
George joined the National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA) as Executive Director in January 2024. In parallel, he works as Designer, Youth Engagement at the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE). At NSBMA, George provides strategic direction, leading on organizational development and sustainability while managing daily operations. At NCEE, George leads strategic engagement with students and young people to foster their active participation in their educational experiences.
George has over twelve years of experience in student engagement and youth rights. He coordinated the United Nations Human Rights Office’s first-ever global youth program. Prior to the UN, George worked in civil society organizations at the local, national and international level in Europe, including at the European Youth Forum.
George holds a Masters of Science in Climate Change and Policy from the University of Sussex and a Bachelors in Physics from the University of Bath.
Zachary Patterson
Zachary Patterson (He/Him) is the Chair of the Board of Advisors of the National Student Board Member Association. Patterson served as the Student Member of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education from 2019 to 2022, representing more than 120,000 students in Southern California after creating the role in his district. While in office, Patterson reformed the absence code to allow excused absences for mental health, introduced a graduation requirement for students to attain competency in mental health, and served as the founder of the California Student Board Member Association.
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Patterson brings expert knowledge on Student Board Member policy as well as a deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by students on school boards.
Jennifer Tran
Jennifer Tran (She/Her) is a member of the Board of Advisors of the National Student Board Member Association. Tran served as the Student Board Member for the Garden Grove Unified School District during the 2021-2022 school year, representing more than 40,000 students in Orange County, California after creating the position in her district. In her term, she removed barriers to queer safe-space adornment, passed state legislation to allow for civic engagement excused absences, and wrote a statewide bill allowing districts to give Student Board Members full voting rights.
Tran is a field expert in student education policy and a lifelong advocate for an education system where students have a direct seat at the table.
Allyson Chan
Allyson Chan (She/Her) is the Programming Director for the National Student Board Member Association. Chan served as the Student Board Member on the San Mateo County Board of Education in the 2020-2021 school year, representing over 90,000 students in the county. Through her position, she learned more about the power of student voice and advocated for her board’s support of AB 824 to allow student representation on California county and charter boards, an experience similar to her own.
Chan is passionate about building programs centered around education advocacy, and is excited to continue uplifting student voices through building trainings and other programs for NSBMA.
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Sarah Linet
Sarah Linet (she/her) joined the National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA) as Program Manager (New England). In this role, she leads efforts in New England to map student representation on school boards, assess support needs for student board members, and promote equity in student governance.
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Sarah brings over a decade of experience in education policy, stakeholder engagement, and program management. Prior to NSBMA, she served as a Policy Specialist at the Great Schools Partnership, where she facilitated the New England Secondary School Consortium, led multi-state initiatives, and developed strategies to support equity-focused education policies. She has also contributed to national and state policy efforts, testified before legislatures, and developed resources for policymakers and educators.
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Sarah holds a Master of Arts in Urban Education Policy from Brown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Brandeis University.
Victor Hinojosa
Victor Hinojosa (He/Him) is the Onboarding, Transition, & Alumni Specialist for the National Student Board Member Association. Hinojosa served as Student Board Member on the Waukegan Community Unit School District Board of Education from 2023 to 2024, representing 15,000 students across the City of Waukegan and adjacent communities.
While in office, Hinojosa passed legislation codifying the freedom to read, cementing the rights and responsibilities of the Student Board Member position, and protecting the LGBTQ+ Community.
In his role, Hinojosa develops resources for incoming Student Board Members to transition smoothly into their position, working efficiency while in office, and giving clear alumni opportunities. He additionally assists in the expansion of Student Board Member positions and association's across the nation.​
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Rida Karim
Rida Karim (she/her) joined the National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA) as East Regional Vice President before interning for the organization during its annual START Conference. She now serves as NSBMA’s Communications Coordinator, where she leads national outreach efforts, manages organizational messaging, and uplifts student board member voices across the country.
Rida served as the Student Representative on the Fairfax County School Board for the 2023–2024 academic year, representing over 180,000 students and advancing initiatives related to equitable grading, inclusive school meals, and tech access. She is currently a senior in high school and plans to study Computer Science and Public Policy, with a focus on machine learning and using technology to build more accessible, equitable systems in education and beyond.