Meet The Staff

Sincia Liu, Founder & Executive Director

For Sincia, Camp Tuku is more than a summer camp—it’s the realization of a lifelong dream. Her journey began at age 20, when she spent a transformative summer as a waterfront and bunk counselor at Trails End Camp while attending Rutgers University. That experience, filled with deep friendships, laughter, and meaningful connections, left a lasting imprint on her heart. She returned for two more summers, and during those unforgettable seasons, made herself a promise: one day, she would create a camp of her own.

After a thriving 25-year career as an executive in the staffing and consulting industry, Sincia decided it was time to pursue that dream. Her vision for Camp Tuku was clear: to build a space where children could grow in mind, body, and heart—surrounded by nature, supported by community, and grounded in mindfulness and joy. A lifelong believer in the power of meditation, movement, and healthy living, she designed Camp Tuku to integrate these practices into every part of the camper experience.

Under her leadership, Camp Tuku has become a haven for kids to unplug, recharge, and develop emotional resilience—all while having fun, making friends, and trying new things. From forest hikes to mindful moments, each activity is thoughtfully curated to nurture the whole child and spark a lifelong love for learning and self-discovery.

Sincia lives in Peoria, Arizona with her husband, Tim (a physician who shares her passion for health and adventure), their two children, Arwen and Anderson, their playful pups Shep and Mochi, and their cat, Puccini. Together, the family is proud to continue the Camp Tuku journey—creating magical summers that leave lasting impact.

Rachel Weir, Director of Operations

As the “OG” of Camp Tuku, Rachel is entering her sixth summer with a deep love for the camp’s mission and a track record of building experiences that are as smooth behind the scenes as they are magical for campers.

With a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, Rachel blends a strong academic foundation with a passion for peacebuilding through education.

Her journey in education began as a Teach for America Corps Member in rural North Carolina, where she taught high school English and Journalism. But it was while enduring -30°F winters as a Princeton in Asia Fellow in northeastern China that she discovered her calling at the intersection of education, cultural exchange, and peace. Since then, Rachel has managed after-school programs serving international and underserved youth and has led summer camp operations in Shanghai.

With a global outlook and a heart for service, Rachel brings invaluable expertise in leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and youth development to Camp Tuku. She believes deeply in the power of mindfulness, compassion, and community to shape a better world—starting with each camper.

In her downtime, Rachel is a savvy travel hacker always on the hunt for budget-friendly flights. She’s visited 43 countries so far, with her sights set on all 195 someday.

Heather Lisey, Director of Programming

Now entering her third summer at Camp Tuku, Heather brings boundless energy, creativity, and a deep passion for nurturing young hearts and minds.

Originally from Northeast Ohio, Heather has spent over two decades sparking curiosity and joy in the classroom, teaching Kindergarten in Ohio, Chicago, and now Arizona. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Muskingum College and a Master’s in Teacher Leadership and Special Education from Roosevelt University. Today, she shines as a Kindergarten Expert Teacher at BASIS Charter School, where she mentors fellow educators and designs imaginative, engaging curriculum.

Heather is also a proud single mom to three adventurous kiddos—Addison (13), and dynamic twin duo Dylan and Payton (11). When they’re not out hiking or exploring the beauty of the Southwest, you can find Heather running ultramarathons, paddleboarding, or planning her next nature-filled getaway. A true explorer at heart, she once backpacked solo through Europe, soaking up its art, culture, and history—an experience that continues to inspire her teaching and adventures today.

She’s built empowering programs at camp the past few years, and knows how to turn any activity into a meaningful memory. This summer, Heather is thrilled to once again weave her love for nature, mindfulness, and joyful learning into every magical moment at Camp Tuku!

Cyd Ponce, Director of Mindfulness

Cyd Ponce is a Educational Support Teacher at a Waldorf School in Southern Arizona. Her work centralizes around body and sensory integration as a means to deepen the capacities of her students. Cyd has always been drawn to working with children. It was through health, fitness, mindset practices and building a relationship with her own well being that she was inspired to peruse a path towards providing that opportunity for children. Cyd enjoys fitness so much that she is working on being a Group Fitness Instructor to work with adults as well.

Cyd is a wife and mom to their eight year old daughter, Liv. The three enjoy the local music scene in Tucson. Cyd’s husband is a drummer by profession. She is inspired by rhythm and percussion and although she doesn’t consider herself musical she has learned that rhythm supports life and breathing, the fundamentals of meditation. She includes some rhythm work into her own practices and teaching methods.

As Camp Tuku’s Mindfulness Director, Cyd is excited to experience a like-minded community and make memories; not just for the campers but herself as well.

Jess Leiter, Director of Innovations & Sustainability

A founding member of the Camp Tuku team, Jess Leiter has been helping to shape the camp experience since day one. With a background in education and a lifelong love of science and creativity, Jess brings both vision and heart to her role as Innovations & Sustainability Director.

Originally from North Dakota and raised in Northeast Ohio, Jess moved to Arizona after earning her degree in education. While in college, a volunteer role as a Youth for Christ counselor ignited her passion for mentoring young people—a calling that would guide her through 15 impactful years as an educator. Throughout her teaching career, Jess specialized in hands-on science instruction, where she empowered students to explore, experiment, and think critically.

Whether facilitating STEM labs, leading collaborative problem-solving activities, or coaching an Odyssey of the Mind team, Jess always fostered an environment where curiosity, resilience, and innovation could flourish. She also served as a camp director for her school’s annual Outdoor Education trip—an experience that blended her love for the outdoors with her belief in experiential learning. Watching students develop independence and confidence in real-world settings remains one of her greatest rewards as an educator.

Today, Jess lives in Peoria, Arizona, where she runs a small business and enjoys bike rides, Mexican food, and traveling with her husband and two daughters. At Camp Tuku, Jess is thrilled to continue inspiring campers to think outside the box, get their hands dirty, and discover how innovation and creativity go hand in hand. She can’t wait to see the imaginative ideas this summer will bring!

David Sussman, Director of Athletics

With over 15 years of experience as a Waldorf educator at Tucson Waldorf School, David brings a deep love for nature, movement, and holistic learning to Camp Tuku. As the Director of Athletics and Wilderness Exploration, he is excited to blend physical activity with mindful connection to the outdoors.

David holds a Master’s in Elementary Education from Antioch Graduate School and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Arizona. A lifelong learner and outdoor enthusiast, he spent childhood summers in a variety of different camp settings that sparked a lasting love for all that is camp life.

When not teaching, David enjoys time with his family: wife Bayla (Director of Culinary Arts), Jonah( new camper), and dogs Roxi and Kiki. He also enjoys reading, playing board games and roleplaying games, whittling, beginner bicycle maintenance and discovering new skills. Though this is his first summer at Camp Tuku, he can’t wait to become part of the Tuku family and help create meaningful, magical memories for campers.

Emma Maruska, Director of Arts & Crafts

Emma Maruska joins Camp Tuku for Summer 2022 bringing with her a courageous heart and steady hands. She has a breadth of knowledge regarding student enrichment programming and skill development through craft.

Emma has always been a maker. Working with her dad on creative projects as a child, she found a spark for thinking through her hands. Upon attaining her BFA in Craft from Oregon College of Art and Craft, she began to think about how she would share her love for materials and making with children.

As a Practical Arts Waldorf teacher, Emma guides students in grades 1-8 through the process of creating objects we so commonly purchase and consume. What does it feel like to make and use one’s own coffee cup, wooden spoon, washcloth? Using one’s hands to create beauty is perhaps one of humankind’s simplest and most soul-connected skills.

Bayla Sussman, Culinary Director

Bayla brings a joyful blend of creativity, community spirit, and hands-on experience to her role as Camp Tuku’s Culinary Director. Raised in Seattle amidst a vibrant circle of musicians and contra dancers, Bayla spent her summers immersed in multi-generational music and dance camps—experiences that sparked her lifelong love for working with children and creating meaningful, communal experiences.

For the past 12 years, Bayla has served as a dedicated classroom teacher at a Waldorf school in Southern Arizona, where she weaves artistry, storytelling, and hands-on learning into every part of her teaching. A true maker at heart, Bayla finds joy in knitting, making music, and—of course—cooking. She views the kitchen as both a creative playground and a cultural classroom, where food becomes a way to explore the richness and diversity of the world.

As a Waldorf educator, Bayla is continually learning and evolving, always guided by curiosity and a deep appreciation for nature and human connection. At Camp Tuku, she is excited to blend her love of culinary arts with mindful, joyful living—nourishing both the bodies and spirits of our campers through food that’s made with intention and heart.

Diana Bakosova, Camp Nurse

Diana is a registered nurse with 12 years of experience, specializing in mental health and substance abuse. After graduating from nursing school, she spent a year in Slovakia working as a nurse and teaching children English. Upon returning to Arizona, Diana discovered a passion for psychiatric nursing and the benefits of living a more balanced life. In recent years, Diana has shifted her focus to pediatric ages and works as a substitute school nurse while caring for her family and three children. She enjoys sharing her experiences to help children build self-awareness and teaches them techniques such as breathing exercises, cold/hot therapies, and grounding practices, all aimed at fostering a balanced, healthy life.

Diana is passionate about encouraging children to embrace positivity and better understand their emotions. In her free time, Diana loves spending time with her family and pets, including a dog, lovebird, rescue tortoise, and rescue parakeet. She stays busy supporting her children’s activities in hockey, flag football, swimming, and gymnastics. Diana also enjoys surfing, watching NFL football, and creating memorable moments with her family.

She can’t wait to bring her calm energy, kindness and love of teaching self confidence to camp this summer!

Timothy Rider, MD., Camp Physician

After earning his Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, Dr. Tim has been practicing family medicine for over 25 years. He is a board-certified physician in the State of Arizona, where he has been practicing at Abrazo Medical Group in Peoria since he and his family moved back to the Valley from New Jersey. Dr. Tim cares for patients of all ages, providing a range of primary healthcare services and treating a variety of conditions, from seasonal illnesses to chronic diseases.

Dr. Tim works closely with our Healthcare staff and the leadership team at Camp Tuku to develop health and safety protocols to ensure that our campers and staff stay safe and healthy before and during camp.

When he’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Tim enjoys traveling, biking, hiking, and paddle boarding with his family. He is passionate about healthy eating, and is naturally curious about space and science. On the weekends, you’ll often find him curled up enjoying sci-fi movies and documentaries with his children. Dr. Tim shares Sincia’s passion for camp and is excited to meet the campers!