Vancouver Public Schools fills board vacancy

The board of directors at Vancouver Public Schools has selected Nada Wheelock to fill the board seat vacated by Mari Greves’ retirement.

Wheelock, 45, was one of five candidates who interviewed for the position at Wednesday’s special board meeting. A sixth candidate removed herself from consideration.

Wheelock will take the oath of office at the Feb. 10 board meeting.

Wheelock has volunteered in the school district and the community. Currently she serves on the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools’ board of directors. She also participates in district parent-teacher associations and booster clubs and serves as a Lunch Buddy.

Wheelock’s two children attend Jason Lee Middle School and Skyview High School in the district. Her family moved to Vancouver in 2008.

“I’m collaborative, a good listener and a researcher,” Wheelock said about her strengths. “I like to learn new things and collect data so I can have informed opinions.”

Wheelock said she decided to apply for the school board position when she met retiring board member Greves in December.

“Understanding what her role was within the district and the service she’s provided for 20 years was an eye-opener,” Wheelock said. “She said she was considering retiring, and she looked at me and said, ‘We need more people like you to step forward.’ “

Wheelock holds a master’s degree in business administration from Dartmouth College and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago. She has worked in marketing and consulting for EMC Corporation, Contact Networks and Fidelity Investments in Massachusetts. Wheelock co-founded the Tuck Nonprofit Fund at the Tuck School of Business, and she served as a consultant to the SPOON Foundation, a Portland organization that works to improve nutrition for orphaned, fostered and adopted children around the world.

“What I see as a great area of opportunity for the district is making information more accessible for everyone, whether it’s teachers, students, administrators, parents,” Wheelock said. “Getting the right information to the right people. If we can begin to help people tap into the resources that are available, I think that will be a huge win.”

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