Our administrative team is passionate about delivering academic excellence while creating a supportive environment for the entire Presidio Knolls School community, including parents, students, teachers, and families.

Wendy Xa 佘琼馨, Executive Director

Wendy is one of the founders of Presidio Knolls School, and is actively involved in the school’s operation. Wendy’s vision was to send her daughter to a nurturing preschool that incorporated a quality multilingual curriculum. After much research, she was unable to find such a preschool that did not have a seemingly endless waitlist. Instead of giving up on her dream or moving to another city, Wendy decided to take matters into her own hands. As a graduate of Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, with a bachelors’ degree in Neuroscience, and a former Vice President of a large financial advising company, she was no stranger to taking on big projects. With the help of a group of similarly committed parents, the founding parents, Presidio Knolls School was created.

Simona Chongo, Preschool Director

Simona has been with Presidio Knolls School since it started and she has been instrumental to our growth and continued success. Her professionalism and dedication to our school’s mission and values have ensured through our growth that we continue to support our Mandarin Immersion goals and the Reggio principles of early childhood education. Simona leads our strong faculty in supporting the high quality and standards of our program, and she is passionate about children and supporting our parental community. Simona strongly supports the growth and development of each child, and works tirelessly with our parent association and committees to create a respectful, diverse and vibrant community. Simona has a BA in Languages and Literature with an emphasis in American Cultural Studies, as well as teaching credentials from Bucharest University in Bucharest, Romania. She is fluent in English, Romanian, and French and has an excellent command of Italian and Spanish. Simona is married and has two wonderful daughters who are being raised in English, Mandarin, and Romanian.

Anu Menon, Director of Operations

Anu ensures that school operations run efficiently and effectively to help children, parents and teachers have the best possible experience and environment at our school.  Anu came to PKS from San Francisco city government where she was the Associate Director of the Department on the Status of Women. She holds a BA from Stanford University, MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins and a JD from UC Berkeley. Her son is currently enrolled (and having a great time) at PKS and she thoroughly enjoys being part of the PKS community as both a parent and an administrator.

Songqiao Yao, Manager of Special Initiatives

Songqiao assists administrators and teachers by improving communication and feedback mechanisms. She has also streamlined PKS fundraising efforts by initiating grant applications, managing gift campaigns, and building relations with donors. Prior to joining the PKS team, Songqiao served as a China Program Assistant for International Rivers and an Asia Advisor for The Global Fund for Women. She received her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts (summa cum laude).