Education

The Adventist network of schools is the largest Protestant educational system in the world and includes preschool, elementary, and secondary schools, along with college- and university-level education. Our schools boast high achievement scores and an array of extracurricular advantages, including a focus on service, leadership, and community engagement. We employ committed, credentialed, and award-winning teachers with a passionate desire to serve Jesus through helping each student find his or her God-given potential. Our colleges and universities produce an array of highly skilled professionals, equipped with critical-thinking skills, a firm sense of vocation and purpose, and a desire to serve their communities.

 

 

Leadership

 

Berit von Pohle

Vice President of Education

Berit von Pohle has served as director of education at the Pacific Union Conference since June 2011.

She previously worked as a teacher and academy principal in the Southeastern California Conference, an academy principal in the Oregon Conference, and superintendent in Northern California Conference.

She has a B.S. from Loma Linda University–La Sierra in business education, an M.A. in counseling and guidance from Loma Linda University–Riverside, an Ed.S. in educational administration from La Sierra University, and an Ed.D. in educational administration from La Sierra University.

Von Pohle is a native of Denmark. She has one daughter, who is a teacher in the Southeastern California Conference, a son-in-law, and two granddaughters.

 

 

Lynal Ingham

Associate Director Elementary Education

Lynal Ingham is new to the Pacific Union Conference team joining in July, 2022.

She previously worked as an elementary teacher, home school facilitator, associate professor at Pacific Union College, and spent 14 years as an associate superintendent in the Northern California conference Office of Education.

She holds a B.S. in liberal studies from Pacific Union College, an M.A. in elementary education, and reading specialist certifications.

Ingham is a California native married to Robert Ingham, also an educator. They have a daughter, who is a speech-language pathologist and a son who is a mechanical engineer.

 

 

Fernando Lista Oleynick

Associate Director Secondary Education

Fernando Lista Oleynick is one of the newest additions to the Pacific Union Conference team joining in July 2023.

He previously worked as an elementary and high school teacher, school principal, and spent the last 5 years as the superintendent of education in the Nevada-Utah Conference.

Oleynick holds a double B.A. in education and theology from River Plate Adventist University and a M.S.ed in administration and supervision of education from Southern Adventist Education. He also holds a Ph.D. in K-12 Administration from Andrews University and is an ordained minister.

He is native of Argentina and is married to Cristine. Together, they have two elementary school aged boys.

 

 

Julie Yamada

Associate Director Early Childhood Education

Julie Yamada has served as the early childhood associate director at the Pacific Union Conference since 2014.

She previously worked as the director of the Pacific Union College Discoveryland Children’s Center in St. Helena, California.

She has a master’s degree from Walden University in early childhood studies, with an emphasis in teaching adults in the early childhood field, and bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education and Spanish from Pacific Union College.

Yamada is a native of Lemoore, California, and is married to Gregory Yamada. They have two sons: Calvin, 14, and Logan, 10.