The Heart of CAIS Award was created to honor individuals who embody the spirit, values, and enduring impact of this community. It’s only fitting that the very first recipient is former Board Chair Mary Powell.
Since starting on the Board of Trustees in 2013, Mary Powell has been a guiding light at CAIS—a visionary leader, a steadfast supporter, and above all, a deeply generous human being. Mary led CAIS through two extraordinary moments in the school’s history—the pandemic and the purchase of our new campus on 19th Avenue.
She has given not only her resources, but her time, her wisdom, and her heart. Whether serving on the Board, mentoring new trustees, or showing up for fellow parents and friends, she has modeled what it means to lead with both purpose and compassion. We thank Mary Powell for all she has done—for her generosity of treasure and time, for her unwavering belief in this school, and for the legacy she has helped build. She truly embodies the best of being a Firedragon Forever!
Brief Bio for Former CAIS Board Chair Mary Powell
A native of Portland, Oregon, Mary Powell obtained a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University, a J.D. from Golden Gate University, and an LLM in taxation from Georgetown Law. She is a partner at Trucker Huss, an employee benefits law firm located in San Francisco. While on the Board, Mary served on the Executive Committee, the Committee on Trustees, the Facilities Committee, and the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Mary is also the mother of Sophia and Penny, alumnae in the Classes of 2019 and 2021, respectively. She and her husband Adam Messinger fell in love with CAIS even before they had children and they were excited about the idea of their children learning to speak Mandarin. They truly treasure the CAIS community.