Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides consultative support to the Pastor and Principal in achieving excellence in Catholic school education. Its main responsibilities include adopting and reviewing the school’s mission statement, developing a long-term strategic plan, and creating an Advancement plan in collaboration with the PTO. The Board also supports budget creation and promotes clear communication within the school community. Overall, it plays a vital role in guiding the school toward fulfilling its mission.
2025-2026 Advisory Board Members
Rev. Robert Capone
Rev. Robert Capone has been with St. Joachim Catholic School for one year and has served on the Advisory Board for seven months. He is the Parochial Administrator of St. Joachim Catholic Church and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest for the Diocese of Orange in the jubilee year 2000 after completing his seminary formation at Saint John in Camarillo, where he earned a Master’s degree in Theology. He graduated from the University of San Diego in 1991 with a degree in Business Economics and served as a chaplain there for six years before returning to parish ministry in 2023. In his role, he taught, presided at liturgies, and accompanied students on retreats. His primary responsibility on the Advisory Board is to facilitate the integration of the parish and school whenever possible.
Kelly Botto
Kelly Botto is the Principal of St. Joachim Catholic School and a dedicated Catholic educator with 20 years of experience serving in a variety of roles, including teacher, assistant principal, and principal across multiple schools in the Diocese of Orange, Chicago, and Oakland, CA. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University, Irvine, and a certificate in Catholic School Administration from Loyola Marymount University. Since joining St. Joachim in 2023, Ms. Botto has led strategic planning in partnership with the Advisory Board, guided curriculum updates, launched campus technology upgrades, and strengthened Catholic identity by aligning the school’s mission with that of the parish and the Department of Catholic Schools. A passionate advocate for faith-based learning and whole-child education, she also serves on diocesan committees focused on teacher evaluation and compensation, and is an active participant in the CSJ Educational Network and ministerial formation programs.
Erin Boyl
Erin Boyl has been a dedicated member of the St. Joachim community since 2017, when her oldest daughter joined the Transitional Kindergarten program. She currently has three daughters attending the school and has remained an active and engaged parent throughout the years. Erin joined the St. Joachim Advisory Board in 2020 and now serves as the current Chair. She is also an active parishioner and contributes her expertise as a member of the Parish Finance Council. Deeply committed to community involvement, Erin serves as Board Chair for Pretend City Children’s Museum and as Treasurer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire—organizations she has supported on the Board of Directors for over 16 years. A native of Orange County, Erin attended Our Lady Queen of Angels and Newport Harbor High School before earning her degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She returned to Orange County to pursue a career in commercial banking, where she has built a successful 20-year career. Erin currently works for BMO Bank, overseeing a portfolio of companies with revenues ranging from $50 million to $2 billion, with a focus on businesses based in Orange County. You can typically find her on a pool deck, softball field, or flag football field enjoying all the youth sports one can handle. She and her family also enjoy going to beach, playing card games, and watching movies together.
Drew Foster
Drew Foster has been part of the St Joachim parish and school community since his oldest son Grant started pre–K in 2014. He currently has a son in 3rd grade named Luke. In addition to previously serving on the SAB of another parochial school, Drew has led professional initiatives at public and private companies involving private placements, new venture formation, go-to-market strategies and restructurings. He has previously held General & Product Management roles at Walmart, Ticketmaster and Zenith Education Group. When he’s not busy traveling between professional activities and various youth school & sporting events, Drew enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family.
Ann Gahagan
Ann Gahagan has four children attending St. Joachim Catholic School and has been part of the community for eight years. Ashe has served on the Advisory Board for two years. Her family joined St. Joachim in 2016 when their first son began his journey in TK. Ann comes from a strong tradition of multi-generational support for Catholic schools. She attended Pepperdine University and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for the last 17 years, currently with Amgen in Thousand Oaks. What sets Catholic education apart is its foundation in faith. St. Joachim’s mission is to help students realize their God-given potential, which she believes is the most powerful gift parents can give their children. Ann feels grateful to be part of this community and often says, “We are small, but mighty!” GO SEA KINGS!
Ben Kobzeff
Ben Kobzeff has two children attending St. Joachim Catholic School, and his wife graduated from SJS in 1989. This is their seventh year at the school and his fourth year on the Advisory Board. Raised in Irvine, CA, he attended California State University at Fullerton before moving to Costa Mesa, further deepening his roots in the local community. With nearly three decades of experience as a technology consultant, he values his strong connection to St. Joachim School (SJS). His relationship with the parish was strengthened through the RCIA program in 2009. This connection holds sentimental value, as he and his wife, an SJS alumna from the Class of 1989 who completed her sacraments at the parish, were married there in 2011. As a member of the Advisory Board, he brings professional expertise and personal dedication to nurturing the school’s rich history and community while promoting innovative approaches that support the mission of integrating strong Catholic values into all aspects of school life.
Tom Leahy
Tom Leahy is a devoted parent with two children currently enrolled at St. Joachim School and a third who graduated in 2023. His family has been an active part of the St. Joachim Catholic School community for six years. In addition to his role on the Advisory Board, Tom serves as the chairperson of the Pastoral Council at St. Joachim Parish. As the Chief Compliance Officer at ONEHOPE Wine, he brings exceptional leadership skills and a strong dedication to both business and community. Tom is passionate about fostering meaningful growth and deeply values the importance of Catholic education in shaping the minds and futures of young people.
Kristin Martin
Kristin Martin has been part of the Saint Joachim parish and school community since her oldest son Will, started pre-K in 2016. Kristin, and her husband Bryan, have four sons, Will, Rob, Drew and Sam, all of whom attend Saint Joachim School. Kristin also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a specialization in Business Administration, from UCLA. As well as a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. Kristin worked full time as an attorney from 2004 until 2011 representing both plaintiffs and defendants in business, insurance, commercial, securities, and tax matters, in both state and federal court. Kristin affiliated with Montage Legal Group’s freelance attorney platform in 2011, and in 2021, Kristin joined Montage’s internal team as Montage’s Director of Project Coordination. Kristin now connects law firms and in-house legal departments with Montage’s freelance attorneys on a project basis, handles new contracts, and assists with other business tasks. In her free time Kristin enjoys spending time with family, and watching her four sons play in many youth sporting events.
Andrew Ross
Andy Ross is the father of 2 students at St. Joachim and has been part of the St. Joachim School community since 2021. He and his wife Lindsey have been part of the parish community since before their wedding at St. Joachim Church in 2015, and both of their children were later baptized at the church as well. Andy himself is a proud product of primary Catholic education, having attended Catholic schools for 13 years prior to earning his undergraduate degree in economics at Dartmouth College and later earning a Master of Business Administration at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Andy began his professional career in various roles within mortgage banking before moving to the investment management industry. He is a firm believer in the ability of Catholic schools to develop strong academic foundations and resilient value systems within its students.
Brooke Wilson
Brooke and her husband, Brad, have been part of the St. Joachim School community since 2017, when their son Colin started kindergarten. Now in 8th grade, Colin is joined by his sister Claire, who is in 5th grade. Brooke’s deep commitment to the school and its mission continues to grow as she and her family remain actively involved in school life. She is also a business owner and events professional with more than a decade of experience in management, operations, and community-focused event production. Brooke has built strong partnerships and created memorable events that bring people together. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences from Chapman University and is excited to share her leadership, creativity, and dedication as a member of the St. Joachim School Board.
