Committed to Student Academics and Emotional Renewal
As the board, our guided purpose is to ensure the highest standards of governance, financial integrity, strategic vision, and adherence to our unique mission and legal requirements.
Bridget Mercay
Board President
Bridget's unique educational vision, having taught her own children alongside others, resonates with our mission to think differently about education. Her experience in 2E and dyslexic learning styles, along with her roles in sales and marketing, make her an asset in shaping Athena's outreach and educational approach.
Amy Darling
Trustee
Amy works with individuals and families navigating aging, brain health, caregiving, and loss, helping guide both the practical decisions and emotional complexities that accompany chronic illness, cognitive decline, and end-of-life care. Her background includes extensive experience in geriatrics, hospice care, long-term care insurance, and advocacy around compassionate care and patient autonomy.
Her passion for dyslexia advocacy grew from her own family’s experience navigating the challenges of identification and support within the school system. Since then, she has become involved in literacy education and parent advocacy, including supporting the parent affinity group for students with learning differences at Menlo School. Amy is honored to serve on the Athena Academy Board and support its mission of empowering dyslexic learners and their families.
Andy Dill
Trustee
Andy joined the board in 2026 as an Athena parent. His family found here what they hadn't found elsewhere: teachers who took the time to understand how his child learns, appreciated what makes them different, and challenged them accordingly. That experience — and the dedication of the staff behind it — is what he'd like to help protect and extend.
He has spent more than twenty years as a software engineer at early-stage companies, building consumer products in social gaming and messaging, often in categories that didn't yet exist. He brings that experience to the work of introducing Athena to more families and supporting the teachers who make it exceptional.
Manish Madan
Trustee
With over 20 years of leadership in digital transformation and strategic portfolio management, Manish brings a rigorous focus on governance and operational excellence to the Board.
Currently a Portfolio & Delivery Lead at First Citizens Bank (formerly Silicon Valley Bank), he specializes in steering complex enterprise initiatives, financial stewardship, and long-term strategic planning. Manish combines this corporate discipline with a strong commitment to the local school community, having previously served as Executive Vice President for Barron Park Elementary School's PTA. An alumnus of the Indian School of Business (MBA), Manish is passionate about building educational environments where every student can thrive
Toni Ratzburg
Trustee
Toni’s belief in the importance of a strength-based and neuro-affirming approach to supporting youth led her to Athena.
She founded a group mental health therapy practice specializing in the unique needs of gifted, 2E, and neurodiverse children and families. Prior to her work in mental health, she held a career in non-profit development and operations. Toni is also a mother of two 2E children and is excited to bring all of these experiences together to help support the values and mission of Athena.
Rupa Robbins
Trustee
Rupa Robbins is a licensed psychologist and the founder of Spark Psychology. She conducts neuropsychological evaluations and provides individual therapy for children and teens. Dr. Robbins has extensive experience in both educational and clinical settings. She has worked as a 3rd grade teacher and a school psychologist. Before founding Spark Psychology, Dr. Robbins worked as a psychologist at the Summit Center in Walnut Creek. There, she developed an expertise in gifted and twice exceptional individuals.
Dr. Robbins also has an interest in children, teens, and technology. In addition to Spark Psychology, she also founded Tech Positive Parenting, an organization committed to helping families find wellness in the digital age. She has spoken nationwide on parenting in the digital age and promoting digital wellness.
Dr. Robbins holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from UC Berkeley and a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University. She lives in San Jose with her husband and two daughters.
Jennifer Salma
Trustee
Jennifer serves as the Regional Leader for Decoding Dyslexia California's ("DDCA") Peninsula Region and as a Co-Support Group Leader for the DDCA Peninsula Support Group. Jennifer is passionate about improving public education for dyslexic learners and assists DDCA with statewide legislative efforts.
Jennifer holds a Juris Doctorate, is a member of the Council for Parent Attorney Advocates, and her son is a proud alum of Athena Academy.
