Community-Driven PK-8 School in San Francisco Hires a DFO Right From The Neighborhood
The San Francisco School
For over 50 years, The San Francisco School (SFS) has been a vibrant and inclusive educational community in the diverse Portola neighborhood in the southern part of progressive San Francisco. Educating nearly 300 students in Preschool through 8th Grade is a collaborative effort at this independent school where all voices are heard and social justice has always been a top priority. Since 2017, the School’s strategic plan has laid out a commitment to humanitarian promise, prioritizing teaching and learning (Program), a diverse and inclusive community (People), and lasting connections to the surrounding neighborhood (Place).
SFS saught a director of finance and operations (DFO), who would get to start alongside the incoming head of school. The next head was announced in the fall of 2022 and began this summer following a successful, 15-year tenure of the outgoing head of school. When these two leaders arrived, they found dedicated and experienced senior administrative colleagues. The DFO works at a strategic level on multiyear financial planning and plant construction projects, while at the same time plays a critical role in day-to-day financial oversight and operations. SFS has an innovative and highly committed board, a passionate and mission-aligned staff, and a diverse and welcoming community of families – all of whom depend on the DFO to ensure the School has the financial resources and operational capacity to continue to live out its bold and ambitious mission.
SFS is pleased to announce the appointment of Farnaz Devitt as its next DFO.
Meet the new leader
Farnaz was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, she moved to California, where she completed additional coursework in managerial and financial accounting. She has over 20 years of experience in non-profit finance, working as the business manager at the Drew School and ODC Dance, as well as the senior accountant at Menlo School. As a Portola resident for the past 18 years, she is so excited to be a part of SFS and continue to give back to the neighborhood and city that she loves so much. In her free time, she is involved in humanitarian causes impacting her home country of Iran, helping the Portola Neighborhood Association, and relaxing at home with family.
