Our Team
Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.
-Albert Einstein
Jamie Elzea
Interim Executive Director
Jamie@bsfdn.org
Jamie is a Nonprofit Consultant, Executive Director, and Board Advisor with over 15 years of leadership experience supporting mission-driven organizations through periods of transition, growth, and change. She specializes in reflective, values-driven guidance to strengthen governance and executive leadership; develop strategy and sustainability plans; and invest in healthy organizational culture.
Informed by her dual Masters in Public Health and Social Work from University of Michigan, Jamie has held key leadership roles for organizations focused on health, mental health, chronic illness, peer recovery support, and early childhood and family services. As Interim Executive Director, Jamie strives ensure alignment between mission, strategy, and resources — always centering community voice, equity, and impact.
Michael Smith
Development Director
Michael@bsfdn.org
Michael Smith joined Bellevue Schools Foundation in September 2021. A career educator, he brings a passion to provide the best opportunities and to pursue the best outcomes for all students.
Michael started his career in education serving as the director of fine arts programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level. His desire to provide the best opportunities for his students led him to fundraising, writing and managing successful industry grants. He also earned a Fulbright grant to teach and advise at the Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts in Jordan. Additionally, Michael served as the head of a private Pre-K to 12th grade school. He earned a doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA, where his dissertation examined the relationship between Black graduation rates and various institutional characteristics at colleges and universities. He is eager to collaborate with community partners in their philanthropic support of our students.
Mindy Richardson
Finance Director
Mindy@bsfdn.org
Mindy started her career in public accounting, doing both audit and tax work as a Certified Public Accountant. More recently, she transitioned to non-profit accounting and serves as the Finance and Operations Director for the Bellevue Schools Foundation.. She has also done some accounting and consulting for other local nonprofits.
Mindy grew up in Montana and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Carroll College, majoring in Accounting with minors in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Business Administration.
Radhika Penugonda
Development Manager
Radhika@bsfdn.org
Radhika has worked in both profit and non-profit organizations in the fields of administration and customer service. She is a recipient of the Golden Acorn Award for her contributions to the Cherry Crest PTSA and is also a BSF Ambassador at her daughter’s school.
She is a graduate in commerce and has a higher diploma in software engineering. She grew up in Chennai, in the southern part of India, and moved to the United States in 2006.
Mira Thai
Office Manager
Mira@bsfdn.org
Mira joined the Bellevue Schools Foundation in September 2025. As a product of Bellevue School District, she has experienced firsthand the impact of generous investments in top-notch educational opportunities for all BSD students. She is proud to return and support the community that raised her.
Mira graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2023 and majored in religion studies. Since graduating, she has journeyed back and forth between Washington and Vietnam, teaching English and facilitating cultural exchange programs.