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A Tamalpais Union High School District trustee has been named executive director of the Tam High Foundation.

Emily Uhlhorn of Mill Valley, a trustee for the last four years, will assume her new role in January. Her term expires in December, and she does not plan to seek re-election on Nov. 3.

“After eight years serving in governance roles as a trustee for the Mill Valley School District and Tamalpais Union High School District, I’m looking forward to moving into a role where I will get to collaborate more directly with the THF board, teachers, staff, students and the community as a whole,” Uhlhorn said in an email.

The Tam High Foundation, like many other foundations serving Marin public schools, raises money to support academic enrichment, arts and student wellness programs. The offerings include Bridge the Gap tutoring, Young Scholars Academy mentoring and specialized classroom equipment.

“Following a comprehensive search process, the foundation’s board of directors unanimously selected Uhlhorn to lead the organization’s next chapter of fundraising, community engagement and strategic growth,” said Michele Kuhns, chair of the Tam High Foundation board.

She said Uhlhorn’s record as “a longtime advocate for public education” was a key part of her selection.

Uhlhorn is the parent of four Tam High students, including two graduates and twins entering their senior year this fall.

“Emily’s extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of the Tam High community, community relationships and an unwavering commitment to public education made her an outstanding choice to lead the foundation,” Kuhns said.

Tamalpais High School principal Sam Pasarow also supported the pick.

“As the foundation enters its fourth decade, I look forward to partnering with Emily and the board to build on Tam’s core focus of academic achievement, belonging and collaboration, while expanding opportunities for our entire school community,” Pasarow said. “The Tam High Foundation is an essential partner in helping our students and teachers thrive.”

As executive director, Uhlhorn will oversee the foundation’s fundraising, donor stewardship, community partnerships, communications, grants program and strategic initiatives. She will take over duties from interim executive director Elizabeth Warner and interim development director Anne Nowlin.

For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the foundation had a total annual revenue budget of more than $1 million and expenses of $890,544, according to its Form 990 nonprofit fiscal reporting form.

Total net assets were more than $1.9 million, including an investment fund of approximately $1 million. The fund “has grown based on a sizable gift years ago, but it has holding requirements,” Kuhns said in an email.

The foundation’s suggested donation for the 2025-26 school year was $950 per student.