About us
Parents & caregivers.Just like you.
FAQ
SEED was founded in 2006, became a legal entity in 2008 and received non-profit status in January of 2010.
Yes! SEED is a 501(c)(3) Organization, Tax ID 26-3072860. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The SEED Board is all volunteer. Each member serves a minimum one year term.
Yes! As a non-profit organization that is run entirely by volunteers, SEED graciously welcomes volunteers of all ages. We have multiple positions available that will meet your particular schedule and best utilize your personal skill set. Click here fore more info.
SEED's Mission
SEED’s Mission is to enrich the education of children with special and diverse learning needs, and maximize resources and supports to these children and their families in Lafayette, California.
About SEED
The Special Education Enrichment Development Foundation (SEED) was developed by a small group of parents in 2006, after recognizing the need for a foundation to augment special educational services for children and families in Lafayette, California.
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With the collaborative efforts of its diverse parent population – stemming from Early Intervention, Lafayette’s four elementary schools, Stanley Middle School and members of the Lafayette community – SEED quickly grew, raising money through grant writing, annual fundraising, community partnerships, and individual donations.
SEED provides a wide range of support and resources to families of children with special and diverse learning needs, as well as training programs for educators who work with these children.  The programs we fund include recess facilitation, after school social skills play groups, educational seminars, support groups and socials for parents and teacher training. To apply for an educator grant or family scholarship from SEED, please click here.
SEED is grateful to all the individuals, corporations, foundations and trusts who make charitable contributions that make these important programs possible.
FAQ
SEED was founded in 2006, became a legal entity in 2008 and received non-profit status in January of 2010.
Yes! SEED is a 501(c)(3) Organization, Tax ID 26-3072860. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The SEED Board is all volunteer. Each member serves a two year term.
Yes! As a non-profit organization that is run entirely by volunteers, SEED graciously welcomes volunteers of all ages. We have multiple positions available that will meet your particular schedule and best utilize your personal skill set. Click here fore more info.
The SEED Board2023-2024
Christine Parker, Co-President
Christine is from the Bay Area, growing up just through the Caldecott Tunnel in Piedmont. After attending college in Washington DC, she moved back to the bay where she began her career in education. Having received her Masters of Education in Special Education, Christine has served in an array of roles supporting diverse learning initiatives. She was previously a middle school SDC teacher in San Francisco, a K-8 Resource Specialist and Director of Student Services in Oakland, and most recently served as a SELPA Program Specialist.
Christine and her husband moved to Lafayette with their two young children in 2020. They are looking forward to joining the Burton Valley Elementary School community this year with their incoming Kindergartner!
Greg Millar, Co-President
Greg grew up in Buffalo, NY and has been living in the Bay Area for 19 years. After graduating college, he spent time in Miami, FL working in development at a homeless shelter for children before moving to California.
Greg was in sales and sales leadership in the software industry for 22 years. Currently, he balances his time between business coaching and being a stay-at-home parent, helping to raise his three boys. His sons attend both Happy Valley and Springhill Elementary Schools.
Greg was inspired to join the SEED Board after attending a SEED breakfast that was nothing short of transformational. Both he and his wife, Hannah, have continued to be inspired by the wonderful support SEED has provided the Lafayette community.
Subadhra Seetharaman, Treasurer
Subadhra moved to Lafayette in the summer of 2021 from New York City. She has spent 15 years working in financial services and investment banking focusing mainly on corporate finance. She earned her MBA at Purdue University following an undergraduate degree in Math from the University of Madras.
Subadhra was inspired to join SEED after receiving a wealth of information and support while researching the Lafayette area to move to.
Subadhra and her husband live in Lafayette with their two sons and an energetic labrador puppy.
Marci Semain
Marci is originally from Arcadia, California and has enjoyed life in the Bay Area for the past 14 years. A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BS in Business Administration, she spent her career in the fashion industry as a Sales Executive for numerous large designers. Since relocating to Lafayette for the distinguished schools and rolling hills, Marci has enjoyed meaningful philanthropic work within the East Bay. She is a former Board Member for the Lafayette Juniors. In that role and as an advocate for the diversely-abled community, she selected Futures Explored to be a beneficiary of a portion of the organization’s annual fundraising. In tandem with her SEED role, Marci is a member of the Children’s Health Guild and actively fundraises for George Mark Children’s House and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.
Marci regularly serves as a point of contact/mentor for new families in Lafayette Special Education and is thankful for the presence of SEED in the Lafayette Community. She looks forward to continuing advocacy for inclusion for neurodiverse learners.
Marci and her husband Chris have two young boys. When not cheering on her boys at Lafayette Little League games or skiing with Achieve Tahoe, she loves long weekends in Lake Tahoe, gardening, and entertaining.
Liza G.B. Shriner
Liza is a born and raised California girl. While most of her time has been spent in different parts of Northern CA, she experienced life in Southern CA in her formative years and again when she attended college at UC San Diego. Liza returned for graduate school in San Francisco and has remained in the Bay Area since.
Liza spent the majority of her career in the psychology field, working therapeutically with underserved communities and focusing on children and families. She spent her last 10 years as an LMFT working for We Care Services for Children at their therapeutic preschool site where she gained valuable knowledge on how to help families advocate for their children and doing the same for her clients at community and district meetings. She has since moved on to becoming a writer and is currently editing her first book.
For the last five years, Liza has lived in Lafayette with her husband, Matt, her daughter, Clara, her bonus daughter, Zara and their puppy, Tater Roo Cocoa Puff Garshrennan. Liza became familiar with the many resources this community has to offer when her daughters were at Happy Valley and continues to learn more as Clara transitions to Stanley Middle School.
Liza is thrilled to join SEED after an initial introduction via Zoom two years ago where she learned about the many ways in which SEED supports kids and families in the community. She is looking forward to putting her past experience and skills towards the wonderful work that SEED does.
Katie Howard
Katie is a proud alum of both Stanley and Acalanes High Schools. For the last 20 years, she has worked in the public and non-profit sector holding a number of leadership roles, including extensive work in budget, policy development and implementation, and human resources.
Katie is passionate about SEED and the support it provides to parents of kids with special needs, learning differences, and disabilities. She’s particularly interested in parent resilience and education, and working with the district to meet the needs of all our children.
Katie and her wife, Beth, are now raising their son, a 2nd grader at Lafayette Elementary, and daughter, who attends the Burton Valley Early Intervention Program, in Lafayette.
