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Category: Acelero Learning

Henry Wilde

Henry leads Acelero, Inc.’s incredible team and network as CEO of Shine Early Learning and Acelero Learning, which he co-founded in 2001. Prior to serving as CEO, he was the Head Start Director for Acelero Learning. He was formerly the first Deputy Secretary of the Department of Children and Families for the State of Wisconsin, … Continued

Angela Briggs-Paige

Angela Briggs-Paige is the Chief People Officer for Acelero, Inc. She develops innovative people strategies that enrich employee experiences; amplify diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts; elevate people development; and facilitate sustained growth across our organization. Angela has more than 20 years of experience in human resources, most recently as Chief People and Culture Officer … Continued

Lydia Carlis, Ph.D.

Dr. Carlis leads the strategic vision for the design, implementation, and evaluation of Acelero, Inc.’s programs and services. Prior to joining Acelero, Inc., she was a teacher, instructional leader, and early childhood instructional model designer. Most recently, she served as principal consultant for eyemaginED, where she partnered with schools, nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations to advance … Continued

Barbara Montero

Barbara leads our Strategy and Growth department, charged with driving growth – in terms of revenue and breadth and depth of mission impact – for our Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning programs, including those of our Shine partners. Since joining Acelero Learning in 2006, Barbara has held various roles, including as a management consultant, … Continued

Melissa Polaner

Melissa has been with Acelero, Inc. since 2009 and serves as the chief legal affairs officer to Acelero Learning, its Head Start delegate agencies, and Shine Early Learning. In addition to her legal role, Melissa is the Vice President of Facilities and Support Center Operations and oversees all of the facilities construction projects for the … Continued

Katharine Hersh

Katharine Hersh is the Chief Financial Officer for Acelero, Inc. She brings 15 years’ experience across private equity, corporate finance, government contracting, audit, and compliance. Katharine was most recently a Partner with the Builders Fund, a leading growth stage private equity fund investing in purpose-driven businesses, and previously led finance and contract management for the … Continued

Linda Schwabenbauer

Linda is the Finance Senior Vice President. Prior to joining Acelero, she spent four years leading a team of 110 people responsible for Prudential Financial’s accounting operations across all US-based businesses. She joined Prudential after serving as an insurance company CFO for 10 years, a role she took after 10 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers. A licensed … Continued

Cicely Taylor

Cicely serves as Chief of Staff for the Office of the CEO, connecting internal and external stakeholders to influence outcomes and drive toward organizational goals. She has over 25 years of experience in the education and non-profit space. For the past 17 years, Cicely has served in various leadership roles at KIPP Texas Public Schools, … Continued

Victoria Ankrah

Victoria serves as Chief of Staff for Acelero Learning Head Start. She previously served as Vice President of Acelero Learning for our Camden Philadelphia delegate, where she grew from serving 90 infants and toddlers, operating out of a single facility in Camden, to a funded enrollment of over 1900 children between the ages of zero … Continued

Maria Begg-Roberson, Ed.D.

Dr. Begg-Roberson, Senior Vice President of Program Services and Innovation (PSI), develops and oversees a programmatic strategy and aligned services that enable the design, adoption, implementation and adaptation of Inc. created education, family engagement, health, and data analytic tools and resources. She formerly served as the Senior Executive Director of the Early Childhood Teaching and … Continued