“Finding a community that understands the intersection of gifted education and immigrant experiences can be a game-changer. For me, that community was GEAC. Now, I’m eager to pay it forward by lending my expertise to help GEAC thrive and better serve families like mine.”

“I’m excited to serve as the Treasurer for the Gifted Education Advisory Committee (GEAC). As a parent in the Lake Washington School District, I’m passionate about supporting educational pathways that challenge and empower advanced learners. I believe every student deserves access to an environment where they can thrive, and I’m proud to contribute to that mission through GEAC.
In my professional life, I serve as a Senior Program Manager and am excited to apply my skills in support of GEAC’s mission.
As Treasurer, I’m committed to transparency, responsible budgeting, and maximizing our resources to support advocacy, outreach, and enrichment opportunities for gifted students. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute and collaborate with GEAC members, families, and district partners.”

“I’m Niha, a working mom and a Technical Program Manager at ServiceNow.
Brief Bio: I have two children. My elder child will be taking the HiCap test this year, and my younger one is three years old. I am eager to learn about the HiCap system and contribute in any way possible to support all the families involved. I view this program as an excellent opportunity for gifted children’s education. This is my first year on the board, and I look forward to working with all of you.
Fun fact: I enjoy CrossFit and Bollywood dance.”

“This is my second year as communications chair of GEAC and my fourth year on the board. I’m excited to continue our work this year by offering connection and support for our hicap families. My main motivator to give back to our community is our own family’s experience - with our gifted and twice-exceptional kids, we have seen all aspects of the hicap service models here in the district, from K5HC, to POQ, FTQ and Middle School Quest, to insufficient differentiation in the regular classroom. We have been lost, frustrated, disappointed, and impressed. My hope is to be able to spare you some of the frustrations and disappointments and help you navigate the LWSD hicap system and some parenting challenges through conversations, information, and events. If you have a question or a concern, please do reach out!”

“I’m Sridivya Bonam, and after two years serving as GEAC treasurer, I’m excited to take on a new role this year—coordinating Math Programs for the GEAC community. Last year, we had a strong season across the district with math enrichment programs like MOEMS and Noetic, thanks to the enthusiasm and support from families like yours. This year, we look forward to building on that momentum—with both returning favorites and new opportunities to challenge and inspire our highly capable students. I’m looking forward to connecting with many of you in the year ahead!”

“Sowmya brings extensive experience in technology, program management, and education advocacy, with leadership roles at Microsoft, Amazon AWS, and several startups. In her role at GEAC, she leads the grant strategy and fundraising initiatives to support enrichment programs and equitable access for gifted learners across the district. Sowmya is also a professional singer, and in her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the outdoors, cooking, and listening to a wide range of musical genres.”

“When we received qualification emails during last year’s HiCap testing, we noticed a few inconsistencies and missing pieces of information that directly impacted our outcome. We had to appeal twice before our child qualified for FTQ. As a result, I chose to share my experience and knowledge with other parents who might find themselves in the same situation, and I joined GEAC as Advocacy VP.”

“I am a small business owner with two children in LWSD. I’m excited to be a part of the GEAC community and help support fellow hicap families as we ourselves find our way through the LWSD hicap system.”