TVT Leadership

Jill Quigley was appointed Head of School in 2022 after eight years of dedicated leadership as TVT’s Middle & Upper School Division Head. She brings a deep commitment to academic excellence, character development, and Jewish education, ensuring TVT remains a place where students grow intellectually and ethically.

Jill earned her M.A. in Jewish Studies from Emory University, specializing in modern Jewish history, and her B.A. in English from Arizona State University, where she explored literature and religious studies. During her tenure at TVT, she led the development of Character@TVT, reinforcing the school’s mission that character is paramount.

Prior to TVT, Jill was an administrator and teacher at San Diego Jewish Academy and previously taught English at Carmel Middle School and Durango High School. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, spending time with family, and tackling the New York Times Crossword puzzle.

As Middle & Upper School Division Head, Josh Adler leads TVT’s MS/US faculty and programs, ensuring a student-centered approach to learning and leadership. He is deeply committed to fostering a dynamic educational environment that prioritizes academic excellence, personal growth, and a strong sense of community.

Josh earned his MA in Education from NYU and holds a BS in Theater and a BA in English from Northwestern University. Before joining TVT, he served as Head of Middle School at New Roads School in Santa Monica and spent a decade at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in multiple leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has been guided by the belief that education is a transformative force, preparing students not just for academic success but for a life of integrity, purpose, and positive impact.

A firm believer in the power of connection, Josh thrives on engaging with students, faculty, and families to build a vibrant and supportive school culture. He is thrilled to be part of the TVT community and looks forward to partnering with students and educators to bring TVT’s mission to life.

As Division Head of Lower School, Sarah Escobar brings 18 years of experience in Jewish education, fostering a learning environment that blends academic excellence with Jewish values. She earned her Master of Arts in Education from Loyola Marymount University and has been a dedicated advocate for student-centered, holistic learning throughout her career.

Before joining TVT, Sarah spent over a decade at Temple Israel of Hollywood (TIOH), where she served as a classroom teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, Teacher Trainer, and Senior Staff Member. She played a pivotal role in reimagining education by supervising educators, developing Family Education Programming, and nurturing creativity and innovation in the classroom. In addition to her leadership in schools, she has mentored aspiring Jewish educators across Los Angeles and at Hebrew Union College and holds a Supervision and Administrative Certificate from UCLA.

Sarah finds joy in outdoor adventures, exploring new culinary experiences, and cherishing time with her husband, David, and their three children. She is excited to lead and support the Lower School community at TVT.

As Assistant Head of School for TK-12 Programming, Elise Blum oversees the alignment and enhancement of academic and student programming across all divisions at TVT. Since joining the school in 2022 as Middle & Upper School Division Head, she has been a driving force in strengthening the student experience, fostering meaningful connections, and ensuring a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Elise brings over 20 years of experience in independent school education, having served as a social studies teacher, school counselor, college advisor, and administrator. Before TVT, she was the High School Principal at American Heritage Schools in Florida, where she also held roles as Assistant Principal and Assistant Director of Guidance & College Planning. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Education from Brandeis University and a master’s degree in Teaching & Learning from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Passionate about student growth, Elise believes in creating an environment where students feel safe to take risks and embrace new challenges. In her free time, she enjoys reading, practicing yoga, hiking, running, and spending time with family, friends, and her beloved dog.

As Assistant Head of School for Strategic Engagement, Dr. Todd Eckel oversees Marketing & Communications, Advancement, and Enrollment Management, ensuring strategic collaboration across these key areas. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, he combines data-driven strategy with a people-first approach to strengthening institutions and fostering meaningful relationships.

Before joining TVT, Todd served as Assistant Vice President at Western University of Health Sciences, where he helped exceed institutional goals in both budget and enrollment. He also played a transformative role at the University of La Verne, driving significant growth in fundraising and institutional advancement. His leadership is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to community.

A father of four, Todd can often be found on the soccer field, baseball diamond, or dance stage cheering on his kids. A passionate (and sometimes irrational) Arsenal Football Club supporter, he is also a former competitive jiu-jitsu fighter.

As Chief Financial & Operating Officer, Tammi Jones provides strategic leadership in finance, operations, and institutional sustainability at TVT. Since joining the school in 2014, she has overseen critical areas including finance and accounting, technology operations, facilities, human resources, risk management, compliance, and legal. With extensive experience leading independent schools and organizations across multiple industries, she is dedicated to ensuring operational excellence and long-term financial health.

Before TVT, Tammi served for eight years as Chief Financial & Operating Officer at The San Diego Jewish Academy. She has also held leadership roles on numerous nonprofit boards, contributing her expertise in financial stewardship and organizational management. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management, summa cum laude, from Morningside University.

Outside of work, Tammi enjoys yoga, hiking, and home renovation projects.

Since 2012, Rabbi Stuart Light has led Jewish Life & Learning at TVT, ensuring a meaningful and engaging Jewish experience for students across all grade levels. He is dedicated to deepening Jewish knowledge, practice, and connection within the school community.

Rabbi Light earned his B.A. in Cognitive Science from Brown University before spending a year at an Outdoor Education Center in Vermont. He later received his Rabbinical Degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York and a Master’s in Jewish Education. Before joining TVT, he spent 12 years at the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, serving as Director of Jewish Studies and later as Assistant Head of School.

Rabbi Light and his wife, Wiebke, who is also a faculty member at TVT, are proud parents of three TVT alumni.

Mayer Cherem has served on TVT’s Board of Trustees since 2017. He is Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Management at PAAMCO Prisma, a global institutional investment firm based in Newport Beach.

Mayer began his finance career at Procter & Gamble and later worked at the Cisneros Group and Deutsche Bank. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and an engineering degree from Universidad Simón Bolívar in Venezuela, where he earned national recognition in physics.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mayer has long been active in Jewish leadership and education, including directing the Macabi Tzair youth movement in Venezuela and participating in global Jewish leadership initiatives. He is also involved in several community organizations throughout Orange County.

Bruce Gorchow joined the Board of Trustees in 2025. Recently retired as President of PPM America Capital Partners, Bruce brings decades of leadership in global investment strategy and governance. He currently serves on TVT’s Finance and Investment Committee and previously chaired the Investment Committee at Haverford College. Bruce and his wife, Jodi, are the parents of five children.

Neil Kramer has served on the Board of Trustees since 2023. With more than 35 years of experience in education, Neil has taught history, English, government, and Jewish studies, and has held leadership roles at Marlborough School, Windward School, Geffen Academy at UCLA, and deToledo High School.

He is a former assistant head of school, founding dean of faculty, department chair, and multi-sport coach. Neil is a passionate advocate for Jewish education and has served with the American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress.

He holds a B.A. in History from Union College and both an M.A. and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University.

Dara Sorkin Michaelson joined the Board of Trustees in 2024. She is a tenured professor in the Department of Medicine at UC Irvine and serves as Director of the Community Engagement Unit for the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science.

Dara’s research focuses on community-engaged approaches to health and has been supported by agencies such as the NIH and AHRQ. A proud Jewish woman and child of a Holocaust survivor, she is deeply committed to building inclusive, values-driven communities.

Izzi Neufeld has served on the Board of Trustees since 2021. She has long been involved with the TVT community through leadership roles in the Parent Association and volunteer service with the Temple Beth El of South Orange County.

Izzi is CFO of Jillson & Roberts, a family-owned gift wrap company, and has also served as treasurer for various school communities. She enjoys Pilates, reading, crossword puzzles, and travel.

Somer Tejwani joined the Board of Trustees in 2024. She is the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Too Faced Cosmetics, a brand within The Estée Lauder Companies. Somer brings extensive experience in consumer engagement, influencer strategy, and digital content, particularly in reaching Gen Z audiences.

Earlier in her career, she worked as a journalist and teacher, and she has authored three books. Somer is passionate about leadership development and actively mentors early-career professionals in the beauty industry. She is also a committed volunteer and community supporter.

Jeff Toporek joined the Board of Trustees in 2021. He is a co-founder and principal at FD Stonewater, a national real estate investment, development, and consulting firm. Based in Southern California, Jeff oversees operations, business development, and investment strategy for the firm.

He is also a dedicated youth baseball coach and believes strongly in the life lessons that team sports offer. Jeff earned his B.A. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Michigan.

Li Yu has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2020. A lifelong educator and entrepreneur, he began his career teaching at Southeast University in China and later pursued graduate studies and research in Canada and the U.S.

Li has led multiple startup ventures, including serving as CFO and partner at DTEN Inc., a technology firm specializing in interactive communication. He is also a dedicated community volunteer, supporting educational and cultural initiatives throughout Irvine and Orange County.

Li holds degrees in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, and Accountancy from institutions in China, Canada, and the U.S.