Meet the Trustees

Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., Board Chair

 Dr. Pickard is a consultant at WittKieffer, a global executive search firm that dedicates its services to mission-driven organizations predominantly in higher education and healthcare. Dr. Pickard brought her skills to WittKieffer after nearly two decades in higher education serving in academic and student affairs roles, first at Northwestern University and the University of Maryland and later at the University of Arizona. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University and her doctoral and master’s degrees, both in College Student Personnel, from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Pickard became an IST parent in 2017 when her daughter joined the preschool French program and joined the IST Board in January 2020.

Melissa Barnett

Dr. Barnett is an Associate Professor in Family Studies and Human Development at the University of Arizona. She is also the Director of the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families. She taught elementary school before earning her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on family resilience and young children’s social-emotional and cognitive development. She joined the IST Board in 2018.

Colleen Nichols

 Colleen Nichols is Tucson native and a retired educator with 30 years of experience, serving first as a teacher and then fifteen years as the principal of an award winning elementary school in the Catalina Foothills School District in Tucson. She earned her BA of Fine Arts in Art Education from the University of Arizona, and an M.Ed in Educational Leadership and was awarded her Administrative Certification at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.

 Colleen is currently the president of the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association, and serves on other boards and committees. She has two grown sons, a grandson and extended family with whom she enjoys spending time.

 She believes that each child should achieve academically, emotionally and socially, pursue lifelong learning, and become a globally responsible citizen. Learners need to be prepared to meet the many and varied challenges facing them as 21st century adults, and to learn to think critically and apply those skills. 

Sarah B. Burger, Ph.D.

Dr. Burger earned her bachelor’s degree in Intensive Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She went on to complete master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology, with identified specialty in Neuropsychology, at the University of Arizona. She completed her pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology and Adult Neuropsychology at the University of Arizona Medical Center, followed by a 2-year postdoctoral residency in Pediatric and Adult Neuropsychology through the Arizona Psychology Training Consortium. She has served in the past as adjunct faculty at both the University of Arizona and Pima Community College, and also as a part-time research associate at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Burger has been practicing as a licensed psychologist in Tucson since 2013. She founded her own company (A-Z Neuropsychology, LLC) in October of 2017, where she presently serves as the CEO and lead Clinical Neuropsychologist/Psychologist on staff. In addition to the provision of comprehensive assessment services to individuals of all ages, Dr. Burger supervises doctoral students and postdoctoral residents, carries a small therapy caseload, and dabbles in research as time permits.

In her free time, Dr. Burger enjoys spending time at home with her husband and two daughters and playing soccer in a local women’s league. Her oldest daughter attended IST (Spanish program) beginning at age 2, remaining until she completed the fifth grade. Her youngest daughter is currently a preschool student at IST (French program). 

Brandy Maben, MS

Brandy Maben graduated with a Master of Science from LSU and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Arizona.  She has completed the course work for her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) at Pepperdine University.  She is a Registered Investment Advisor with Levin Funding Group holding her Series 7 & 66 Security Licenses.

Brandy provides comprehensive & holistic financial planning and investment services to clients all throughout our local state of Arizona as well as the United States. She helps organize your current financial state as well as help your future financial goals. Balancing your investments, asset protection, legacy planning are all encompassed with her practice in the firm.

Brandy is a member of the Young Tax Professional Organization of Southern Arizona, International School Board, MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Committee, as well as Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council.

Brandy lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband, Philip Maben, daughter, Collins, and son, Miles. She is a member of the University of Arizona Athletics Hall of Fame, Captain of the 2008 National Championship Women’s Swim Team and a member the Sabino High School Hall of Fame.  Her outside interest includes hiking with her two dogs, yoga, tennis, golf and camping.

IST is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
EIN: 20-8882700
1701 East Seneca Street, Tucson AZ  85719 | Phone: (520) 406-0552
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