NOVA Academy Children’s Foundation Advisory Board

Cyndi Boyce, Community Leader

Cyndi Boyce feels it is important to give back to the community, especially to children, as they are our future. She has lived this belief through volunteerism at her children’s schools and activities, as well as many charities, including Meals on Wheels, Working Wardrobes, and Friendly Center. In addition, Mrs. Boyce has served on the boards of Jack and Jill Guild for CHOC and National Charity League. As a member of the advisory board, she looks forward to helping shape the futures of the amazing students at NOVA Academy. Her dedication to children runs round the clock as a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years.

Todd Eklund, Orange Lutheran High School

Todd Eklund is passionate about investing into diverse platforms and innovative approaches that foster transformational partnership opportunities for school communities to grow through a unified purpose. This passion, along with an enthusiasm for community outreach, connections, and the NOVA approach is what inspired Mr. Eklund to first become involved as a volunteer panelist for Senior Exit Interviews in 2017. He believes students at NOVA Academy are flourishing and is humbled to be able to support their future endeavors. Mr. Eklund has served as principal of Orange Lutheran High School since 2005, and previously held administrative leadership positions in academics, student activities, athletics, and the arts.

Georgia Frousiakis, Electrical Engineer, IoT

Georgia Frousiakis chose to support NOVA Academy to make an impact on the next generation and help set the path for a better future. This commitment to extends to her professional life as an electrical engineer. For the majority or her career, Ms. Frousiakis has focused on the development of location technology products for vehicle, people, and asset tracking. She has managed the design, development, and implementation of modules for location technology (GPS/GNSS) and short range (WIFI and Bluetooth) solutions for IoT around the globe. Ms. Frousiakis has been recognized in GPS World Magazine as one of the 50+ Leaders to Watch.

Hugo Ibarra, SHPE-UCI

Hugo Ibarra supports NOVA Academy because it is difficult for him to see so few people from his community in successful STEM careers. Through his service on the advisory board, Mr. Ibarra hopes to help younger generations with the questions he once had. Mr. Ibarra also serves as Director of Outreach on the executive board of SHPE-UCI (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at UCI). As a cybersecurity enthusiast, he loves the idea of finding new bugs to break onto a system. Mr. Ibarra has a special place in his heart for students at NOVA Academy as an alumnus of the school, Class of 2015.

Dave Jewell, Yamaha Corporation of America

David Jewell joined the advisory board to support NOVA Academy’s vision of becoming a STEAM school, which integrates art into STEM programs. His passion for the arts is evident in his career and many causes. Mr. Jewell oversees Yamaha’s corporate partnerships and alliances, government relations, and Yamaha Cares—the philanthropic initiative for Yamaha Corporation of America. He serves on the Percussion Marketing Council and Anaheim Creative Council, volunteers for the Anaheim Hills Chamber of Commerce, and spearheads #KatrinaKures—a long-running CHOC fundraiser for Type 1 juvenile diabetes. For nearly a decade, Mr. Jewell has lobbied in Washington, D.C. for music education and also leads the NAMM team in Sacramento for music advocacy.

Dustin Lester, BOMANI Cold Buzz

Dustin Lester is incredibly grateful for his education growing up and supports NOVA Academy to help ensure students receive access to similar educational opportunities. Born in Orange County, Mr. Lester attended high school and college near his hometown. Upon graduation, he started a career in Finance/Accounting, making stops in San Francisco and New York along the way. While in New York, he dropped his existing career for the opportunity to help launch BOMANI Cold Buzz, a startup brand making alcohol-infused cold brew coffee. BOMANI has since graduated out of the old apartment Mr. Lester shared with his co-founders and is now based in Santa Monica.

Clayton Wellbank, Brewery X

Clayton Wellbank believes in the future, and the future of young people, which inspires his service on the advisory board. Originally from Chicago, Mr. Wellbank has lived in California for 20 years and opened Brewery X in Anaheim in 2018. Throughout his career, he has worked in sales, leadership, and entrepreneurial roles.