Collette Bowers Zinn
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Collette Bowers Zinn, J.D., M.Ed. is a fourth generation educator with 15 years of school administrative experience. She has also trained as a litigator, and ultimately chose to take the talents she developed in the courtroom into the education system. These two worlds, litigation and education, gave rise to her philosophy and the skill set she uses to help students reach their full potential. She is equally passionate about cultivating dynamic leaders among her fellow educators so that they are able to better connect with and inspire their students and school communities.
Collette founded Axis as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2020 to address the disparities that prevent underrepresented students and families of color from accessing and thriving in independent schools. As a Harvard-Westlake alum, former private school administrator for 15 years, and now a private school parent, Collette has firsthand experience and unique insight into the challenges and opportunities for genuine diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability in education. She believes deeply in diversity as a means to learn, grow, and become a true contributor to society.
Collette holds an M.Ed. from Pepperdine University, a J.D. from the University of Southern California, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling with her family, and working up a sweat in hot yoga.
Quote to live by: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” —Angela Davis
The Axis TEAM
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Patricia Gilles
CHIEF OF STAFF
Patricia is a business professional with over 12 years of experience in sales, operations leadership, and business development.
Quote to live by: “Do your best and take action because you love it, not because you expect a reward. When you take action without expecting a reward, you enjoy every action and you can receive greater rewards than you imagined.” -Don Miguel Ruiz
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Annika Ihnat
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Annika is a dynamic, multifaceted marketing communications specialist with over 10 years of experience working with education nonprofit organizations.
Quote to live by: “What we do is more important than what we say or what we say we believe.” –bell hooks
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Chuck Neddermeyer
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCOUNTABILITY
Chuck has worked in education spaces for 20+ years, uplifting equity-based practices as a teacher, administrator, and DEIA practitioner.
Quote to live by: “The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” –Mahatma Gandhi
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Kiki Walker
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Kiki is a skilled development professional with over 10 years of experience engaging communities and raising funds in the education sector. She is all things philanthropy and education.
Quote to live by: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” –Maya Angelou