The Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) is proud to welcome four accomplished community leaders—Perchita Bhan, Trevor Willett, Manasi Sharma, and Lily Lawson—to its Board of Trustees. Each brings valuable expertise, passion, and a shared commitment to the Foundation’s mission to help every student in the Lake Washington School District thrive.
Perchita Bhan is a clinical research strategist with over 13 years of experience leading healthcare trials, patient-centered initiatives, and communications across academic, nonprofit, and industry sectors. As a parent in the Lake Washington School District, she has seen firsthand how LWSF programs uplift students and families.
“I’m honored to serve as a trustee with LWSF and look forward to helping advance programs that empower every student to reach their full potential—both inside and outside the classroom,” said Bhan.
Trevor Willett began his career working on political campaigns, leading communications for races from the local to the Presidential level. He currently works at Microsoft, where he focuses on education technology, crafting product strategies that empower students and educational institutions worldwide. Locally, he leads the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee, advocating for the passage of LWSD bonds and levies.
“I’m excited to join the Lake Washington Schools Foundation as a member of the Board of Trustees! LWSF does tremendous work providing students across Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, what they need to thrive, both now and in the future,” Willett shared. “Education is so critical to our community, and I’m looking forward to ensuring that LWSF continues to make a positive impact for decades to come.”
Manasi Sharma is a Principal Engineering Manager at Microsoft with more than a decade of experience building large-scale, AI-powered platforms used by millions worldwide. She earned her Master of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida and has led global engineering teams to deliver innovative, inclusive, and impactful technology solutions.
A longtime Eastside resident, Manasi is passionate about giving back to the community through mentorship, advocacy for diversity and inclusion, and initiatives that expand access to education. As a trustee, she is committed to supporting the Foundation’s mission to help every student thrive.
Lily Lawson brings a professional background in finance and technology, with experience leading projects to improve financial systems, streamline accounting processes, and strengthen organizational performance. As a Sammamish parent, she has witnessed the impact of LWSF’s programs in fostering student well-being, closing opportunity gaps, and supporting innovative learning initiatives.
“I’m honored to join the Lake Washington Schools Foundation Board of Trustees,” said Lawson. “As both a parent and a community member, I believe in the transformative power of education and the importance of giving every student the tools, emotional intelligence, and resilience they need to succeed in life. I look forward to working alongside fellow trustees to make a lasting impact in our schools.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Perchita, Trevor, Manasi, and Lily to our Board,” said Katy Philips, Executive Director of LWSF. “Their diverse expertise and shared dedication to student success will help us expand our programs and deepen our impact across the district.”
For more information about the Lake Washington Schools Foundation and its Board of Trustees, visit www.lwsf.org.
Picture below: Katy Philips, LWSF Executive Director; Irene Neumann, LWSF Board President, Perchita Bhan, Trevor Willett, and Manasi Sharma.
