Our Staff - Cal/West Educators Placement

Here are some of the people you will work with personally when you become a Cal/West candidate or ask us to help fill your open positions.

Lee Miller, President - Lee graduated from UCLA with a BA in Sociology and holds a Standard California Life Teaching Credential K-8 from Pepperdine University. She has taught grades K-6, as well as "mommy and me" groups. She has over 20 years of Independent and Private school experience as a teacher, administrator and parent, and has been a presenter at several professional conferences. Lee was also the Director of Permanent Placement for Teachers On Reserve, the predecessor of Cal/West Educators Placement, for 10 years. Lee is married to Steve, Cal/West Vice President. Their three sons were all "lifers" in an independent school. (lee@CalWestEducators.com)

Steve Miller, Vice-President/Administration - Steve is the father of three sons who all graduated from a California independent school. He, along with Lee, has been active in school affairs, and he has been the editor of the Parent Organization newsletter. Steve has also produced and directed numerous video and television programs for commercial and public TV, the City of Los Angeles. and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. (steve@CalWestEducators.com)

Christopher Fleischner ("Fleisch"), Vice President - Fleisch graduated with a BA in International Relations from Stanford University, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Human Resources. He also graduated from St. Paul's, a leading independent boarding school in New England. He has worked with elementary and middle school students while managing SCORE! Learning Centers in California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and is an active board member of KIPP Academy of Opportunity, a charter school serving grades 5-8 in South Los Angeles. Fleisch is married and the father of two young children, who attend an independent school. (fleisch@CalWestEducators.com)

Doritt Diamond, Director of Operations - Doritt graduated from UCLA with a BA in Education and a Standard California Life Teaching Credential, K-8. She also holds an MA in Educational Administration and Supervision and an Administrative Services Credential from California State University at Northridge. Doritt has taught grades K-6, has been a master teacher, curriculum coordinator, Assistant Principal, Director of Admissions, and a Director of Development within the independent school world for more than 25 years. She has been a marketing and fundraising consultant, as well as a workshop instructor and seminar leader. Doritt is married and the mother of two adult sons. (doritt@CalWestEducators.com)

Jacqueline Olivier – Director of Recruiting and Placement - Jacqueline Olivier holds a B.A. in Spanish from UCLA, a Masters’ Degree in Educational Organization from California State University at Northridge and a Doctorate in Education from Pepperdine University. She began her career in education in the Los Angeles Unified School District where she was a bilingual elementary school teacher for six years in the inner city. After taking a break to spend time with her children, she took the position of Academic Dean and later Assistant Head of School at Carlthorp School. Prior to coming to Cal West, she was the Head of School at the Gillispie School in La Jolla, an independent, accredited elementary and early childhood school, and most recently she was the Founding Head of New Village Leadership Academy in Calabasas, California. She is currently on the board of the Coalition of Apple Lighthouse Schools. She has two teenage children, a dog and a cat. (jacqueline@calwesteducators.com)

Eleanor Dase – Bay Area Representative - Eleanor graduated with a BA in Mathematics from the University of Michigan and an MA in Educational Administration from St. Mary's College. Recently retired as Head of School of The Athenian School after 17 years, she previously held positions at the school as a math teacher, Director of College Counseling, and Assistant Head/Academic Dean. She has served on the Board of CAIS and Bay Area Teachers Collaborative, and currently sits on the Boards of Round Square (an international consortium of schools that share a commitment to service, international and multicultural understanding, outdoor adventure, stewardship and education for democracy), and Children of Grace ( an organization that supports children in Uganda orhaned by AIDS). She is the parent of three adult children and has seven grandchildren. (eleanor@calwesteducators.com)

Joyce Gregory Evans, Recruiting Consultant - Joyce received both her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Portland State University. She has taught in public and independent schools in California and Oregon. Most recently she served as Head of The Town School in New York City. Previous positions held include Head of Redwood Day in Oakland, as well as Lower and Upper School Head at San Francisco Day School. She has served on the boards of NAIS and NYSAIS, and has spoken at educational conferences nationally and internationally. She is married and has two adult sons, both of whom graduated from California independent schools. She is also a proud grandmother. (joyce@CalWestEducators.com)

Nancy Newman, Recruiting Consultant - Nancy graduated from UC Santa Cruz with an undergraduate degree in Biology, and holds a MA in Education from Stanford, a MBA from UC Berkeley, and a California Life Teaching Credential for Biology and Physical Sciences. She has taught math and science at the middle school and high school levels for over 20 years and has been an Interim Head of School, a Director of Admissions, and most recently the Dean of Faculty at Woodside Priory School. She is married and has two adult children (both Priory alums). Her son is a teacher in Sacramento. (nancy@CalWestEducators.com)

Erin Sullivan, Boston area representative - Erin Ash Sullivan graduated with a BA in English from Amherst College and a Masters in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, with a focus on technology in education. She has taught in independent schools in New York City and Los Angeles. Recently she served as the Middle School Director at The Willows Community School in Culver City, California. Erin is also a curriculum developer and educational writer, and she recently authored Get Ready for Social Studies: U.S. History, published by McGraw-Hill. (erin@CalWestEducators.com)

Mary Ellen Gozdecki – Retained/Leadership Searches - Mary Ellen Gozdecki, Ph.D., President of ITL* Consulting *Inspire to Lead, works with us as a consultant on Head and senior leadership retained searches. Mary Ellen recently stepped down as Head of Marymount High School in Los Angeles after 13 notable years of leadership. Mary Ellen has taught at every level from pre-kindergarten to post-doctoral. In addition to her time at Marymount, she has held senior administrative positions at USC, Marymount College, and the Los Angeles Children's Museum. Her considerable international experience includes serving as a visiting fellow at Cambridge University, England, conducting seminars on leadership in education, and advising the International Network of Marymount Schools. (maryellen@calwesteducators.com)

Ana Gutierrez – Administrative Associate/Applicant Liaison - Ana’s degree in Business Management has provided her with an excellent background to handle her tasks at Cal/West. She is often the first person you speak to on the phone and it is evident that she loves talking to both candidates and school representatives. She will always try to assist each caller in the most efficient and appropriate manner, handling a huge volume of calls with ease. Her warm and friendly manner is greatly valued by all who know her. Ana is also especially attached to our mascots and they love her! (ana@calwesteducators.com)

Stacey McShane – Administrative Associate/Candidate Liaison - Stacey graduated from Occidental College with a degree in Critical Theory and Social Justice. Stacey is very familiar with the independent school world as she attended an independent school in the Bay area and is the daughter of a retired Head of School. While attending Occidental she worked in the Office of Student Affairs where she realized that she was very interested in helping other students. Her accuracy and keen powers of observation make her an essential and valuable member of the Cal/West team! (stacey@calwesteducators.com)

Charlie - Charlie, a golden retriever and pointer mix. He is a bit shy, but enjoys lots of affection and is happiest playing with the other dogs!

Cinnabun - Cinnabun is a pure bred golden retriever, reddish in color, who belongs to Fleisch and vice versa. "Bun" visits regularly and is a great companion to Charlie.

Tillie - Tillie, a little Bichon Frise, is Doritt’s shadow, and comes to the office each day. She is a rescue, spoiled with love, a real sweetheart who can be a little shy as she ‘welcomes’ each visitor with a feisty bark.

Toto - Toto is the newest addition to the Cal/West Mascot Support Team. She is adorable, energetic, playful, and lots of fun!