We’re passionate about using our years of experience to make an impact.
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CEO
Kerri Speck has twenty years of unmatched experience in the education field. Her career began as a U.S. teacher and has evolved through a series of influential roles, including membership and Chair of the PS1 Pluralistic School's Board of Directors. She also serves as a board member at the Marlborough School, which educates girls in grades 7-12. Additionally, Kerri has led multiple educational committees, managed a primary school's multi-million dollar real estate portfolio, and guided a primary school through two major Head of School candidate searches.
Kerri has been instrumental in fundraising efforts, including raising $6 million through a capital campaign to enhance school facilities, expand programs, and improve the educational environment. Her leadership of the Advancement Committee also resulted in $7 million raised in annual giving over twelve years, ensuring sustained financial support for the school's programs and initiatives.
Kerri's strategic acumen is reinforced by her impressive academic credentials: a Magna Cum Laude Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law, a Bachelor of Arts in History from USC, and advanced coursework from Point Loma Nazarene University. She also networks yearly at Association of Independent School conferences, further connecting with leaders in the field. Her deep understanding of educational systems, combined with her proven ability to drive academic excellence and innovation, makes her a distinguished leader and a valuable asset to this initiative.
Kerri is a licensed attorney and an active member of the State Bar of California.
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Founder, Partner
Edcon was founded by Yehudi “Gaf” Gaffen, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board at Gafcon. Gafcon is a leader in construction and program management, both in California and globally. Gaf’s leadership has been pivotal in major projects such as Seaport San Diego and the Zizhu Hi-Tech Development in Shanghai, China.
Gaf’s commitment to education is profound. Throughout his 40-year career, he has overseen several billion-dollar projects for numerous school districts, including but not limited to San Diego Unified, Carlsbad Unified, Grossmont Union, Rancho Santa Fe, and Orange Unified School District. Additionally, he has served as a Board Member for PS1 Pluralistic School.
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COO
Supporting Kerri is Shayna Gaffen Edcon’s COO. Her role for this project is to manage & execute operations & tasks, ensuring seamless execution and coordination. A UCLA graduate with high honors and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Shayna began her career immersed in Los Angeles' dynamic art scene. She advanced from an assistant to a director at several prestigious galleries. Following this, Shayna spent 13 years at Gafcon as a project coordinator for special projects, playing a key role in launching a $100 million contract with UCLA Housing.
After becoming a mother, Shayna shifted her focus to education, becoming actively involved in her child's school community. She is a licensed California Realtor and serves on the Board of Directors