Education Committee Directors
Joelle Dumas, Chairperson
As founder and director of Ecole Claire Fontaine, Joelle Dumas is cultivating a place of magic for children where their expressions, voices and curiosity are honored, transforming them into richer human beings for the betterment of the world. In addition to introducing a visionary educational philosophy in the verdant gardens of two art and language school campuses, she is highly decorated by the French government as an exceptional educator and community leader. Her work moves forward creative, respectful teaching of children and the development of Abbot Kinney’s vision for Venice as a Mecca of art, culture and education.
While creating a cooperative relationship between the French and American communities, she was awarded the prestigious “Palmes Academiques,” and is Executive Director of Cultural Affairs for “Movement of French Abroad.” Fluent in French, English and Spanish, she has worked cooperatively with the French Consulate, Alliance Française, Los Angeles Accueil, the Venice Neighborhood Council, the Getty Museum, UCLA and Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales. Before moving to the U.S. 30 years ago, she earned a teaching degree from the University of Bordeaux and taught at the Chantemerle International Institution. In her position of Chair of the VCCEC, Mme. Dumas acts as an architect of bridges between business and education, furthering her commitment to ensuring that a meaningful education is available to all children.
While creating a cooperative relationship between the French and American communities, she was awarded the prestigious “Palmes Academiques,” and is Executive Director of Cultural Affairs for “Movement of French Abroad.” Fluent in French, English and Spanish, she has worked cooperatively with the French Consulate, Alliance Française, Los Angeles Accueil, the Venice Neighborhood Council, the Getty Museum, UCLA and Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales. Before moving to the U.S. 30 years ago, she earned a teaching degree from the University of Bordeaux and taught at the Chantemerle International Institution. In her position of Chair of the VCCEC, Mme. Dumas acts as an architect of bridges between business and education, furthering her commitment to ensuring that a meaningful education is available to all children.
Karen Berrien
Bilingual in English and French, Karen is a generous contributor to the community through her work at Ecole Claire Fontaine, and her contributions to Venice High School and the Venice Chamber of Commerce.
A strong defender of the public school system for all the good it brings our communities, she is devoted to the Education Committee. Travelling all over the world and seeing a variety of educational methods has given her a broad vision of the vast possibilities that come with an equal and inclusive education.
Devoted to the community, Karen can be seen riding her bike throughout Venice where she has lived for more than 30 years. Both of her children attended local public schools.
A strong defender of the public school system for all the good it brings our communities, she is devoted to the Education Committee. Travelling all over the world and seeing a variety of educational methods has given her a broad vision of the vast possibilities that come with an equal and inclusive education.
Devoted to the community, Karen can be seen riding her bike throughout Venice where she has lived for more than 30 years. Both of her children attended local public schools.
Chantel Hunter Mah Esq.
Chantel is a native Angelino from South L.A. who attended LAUSD K thru 12th grade. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley and subsequently a Doctorate degree in Jurisprudence from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She currently works as a Sole Practitioner in Family Law and Estate Planning in Venice.
As a parent of the LAUSD, she has been an active participant in school committees and booster clubs for the past nine years. This exposure served as a platform for her volunteerism on the Advisory Board of Oakwood Recreational Center, as a past member of the VNC Education Committee and as a current member of the VCC Education Committee. Her primary goal as a member of the VCC’s Education Committee is to provide much needed support to the academic performance, school programs, and extra-curricular activities of local Venice schools through the creation of a pipeline of communication in support of teachers, students and administrators.
As a parent of the LAUSD, she has been an active participant in school committees and booster clubs for the past nine years. This exposure served as a platform for her volunteerism on the Advisory Board of Oakwood Recreational Center, as a past member of the VNC Education Committee and as a current member of the VCC Education Committee. Her primary goal as a member of the VCC’s Education Committee is to provide much needed support to the academic performance, school programs, and extra-curricular activities of local Venice schools through the creation of a pipeline of communication in support of teachers, students and administrators.
Sharon Cooper
As a former college professor, Sharon is passionate about the importance of quality education in our community, country and the world. Having joined the education committee in 2016, she is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the VCC Education Committee.
Sharon is a financial planner with an office in Marina del Rey. A part of the local community she lives with her husband and nearby to her adult children.
As an outdoor and arts enthusiast, reader and runner, she considers herself a lifelong learner.
Sharon is a financial planner with an office in Marina del Rey. A part of the local community she lives with her husband and nearby to her adult children.
As an outdoor and arts enthusiast, reader and runner, she considers herself a lifelong learner.
Ruth L. Seroussi
Ms. Seroussi earned her J.D. at UCLA School of Law where she was editor of the Environmental Law Journal, and her B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. She is Of Counsel in the Firm’s Labor and Employment and Litigation Practice Groups in the Los Angeles Office. She represents clients in federal and state courts, and in the arbitral and administrative forums. During her 19 years of practice she has guided California and nationwide employers in all aspects of employee relations and defending employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Department of Labor, Department of Labor Standards and Enforcement and the Employment Development Department. Her Bar Association membership includes its Labor and Employment Section. She is an Advisory Board member for the Cornell Institute for Hospitality Labor & Employment Relations (CIHLER) and holds a Realtors' license.
Additionally, she is President of Venice Arts’ Board of Directors, Secretary of the Friends of Coeur D’Alene Elementary School’s Booster Club, a soccer coach, and a member of the Venice Neighborhood Council’s Education Committee.
Additionally, she is President of Venice Arts’ Board of Directors, Secretary of the Friends of Coeur D’Alene Elementary School’s Booster Club, a soccer coach, and a member of the Venice Neighborhood Council’s Education Committee.
Keli Gaines
As the owner of Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Westside, Keli Gaines works with the founding principle that no child should be denied the opportunity to achieve their full potential due to the limited capabilities of the current academic model in most schools. Ms. Gaines understands how a well-rounded educational experience that includes athletics and the arts is linked closely to academic achievement and social/emotional development.
Ms. Gaines has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and teaching credentials from California State University Northridge. Her professional experience in education, including High Ability GATE to Special Education, spans nearly two decades.
Ms. Gaines has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and teaching credentials from California State University Northridge. Her professional experience in education, including High Ability GATE to Special Education, spans nearly two decades.
