Springboard Management

Mr. Kevin M. Flynn – Founder, Board Chair & Parent

Kevin is an Engineering and Business School graduate. He has built three successful companies and founded Springboard because of his concern our children will have to compete in a global market against better educated children. He is currently the Board Chair of Springboard Education in America, Springboard Schools and The Springboard Education Foundation. Kevin’s business experience has helped guide Springboard’s extensive growth and bring business efficiencies to Springboard’s programs and schools allowing more children after school access to professional teachers at lower costs for families.

Dr. Brett Prilik, PhD – Executive Officer & Parent

Dr. Prilik has a Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Colorado with emphasis in school administration and special education. He has a variety of both pedagogical and practical experience and has worked as a teacher, a district level administrator and a building administrator. Brett has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado in the School of Education. To date, he has participated in the development of six different school programs both in the public school and non-profit environment.

Ms. Sheryl Brown – Chief Financial Officer & Parent

Ms. Brown has her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics from Cornell University and her MBA in Finance from Boston University. She is a former financial analyst for Goldman-Sachs and Fidelity Investments. Ms Brown oversees Springboard’s organizations financial systems.

Ms. Becky Alarie – Controller & Parent

Ms. Alarie has her B.S. Accounting from the University of New Hampshire. She has 10 years experience as the lead accountant for a public accounting firm and was an accountant for RAM trust an Investment Banking firm.

Thurston J. (T.J.) Hartford – Community Liaison Director

Prior to joining Springboard, Thurston J. (T.J.) Hartford founded a risk management and recycling company in Rhode Island, developed it into a national service provider and later sold the enterprise to a publicly traded company in 2007. T.J. spent 9 years in education as a presenter on the “Value of Education” in secondary schools; served as an Admissions Officer and Director of Admissions at Katharine Gibbs Colleges and Lincoln Technical Institutes; and as a coach and consultant at Curry College, several High Schools in Massachusetts, and youth sports locally since 1997.
Thurston is a graduate of Boston University where he also was a standout scholarship student-athlete in football and was part of three conference championship teams, and participated in national 1-AA playoffs two years running. This combined experience has fueled an accomplished career both in business and in education. A self-proclaimed underachiever in school, it is T.J.’s mission today to make a difference in the lives of children and help them grow and develop their skills to be more confident and competitive people of substance.

Ms. Jill Ashley – Family Service Specialist & Parent

Ms. Ashley has a B.A in Economics from UC Santa Barbara and B.S in Nursing from Cal State Long Beach. Ms. Ashley and her staff oversee all parent and family questions concerning Springboard programs, services and Springboard’s on line ‘Parent Connect’ system.

Ms. Kathy Ventullo – Communications & Customer Service Specialist & Parent

Kathy heads up Springboard’s family service and help area. Kathy has over 15 years of Customer Service experience, which she uses to ensure that parents and families get any assistance they need in regards to Springboard’s Programs and Services. Kathy graduated with a nursing degree from Southwest Manchester College of Nursing in the United Kingdom.

Ms. Julissa Figueroa – Customer Service & Foreign Language Specialist & Parent

Julissa has over 8 years of Bi-lingual Customer Service experience and is a billing specialist. Julissa works extensively with our Area Directors in providing Springboard families with informational brochures and materials regarding upcoming events.

Springboard Early Childhood Schools

Ms. Marianne Racioppi – Founder, Education Director & Parent

Marianne has her Degree in Early Child Growth and Development. She has twenty-four years of experience in building and overseeing young children’s education and creating curricula to meet the changing understanding of early child education. She oversees operations of all early child development schools and programs.

Ms. Shelly Outwater – Teacher & Parent

Shelly holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and a bachelor’s degree in Advertising/Communications from Johnson & Wales University.  She is a Massachusetts certified teacher in early childhood (pre-K – 2).  She has taught children from preK – first grade, and implemented early literacy focused curriculum for preschool, pre-k and kindergarten classrooms as a curriculum director.  Currently, she teaches Springboard’s private kindergarten class in Westford, MA and helps to manage the day-to-day operations of programs.  Prior to her teaching career, she was a vice president at a high-tech public relations firm where she was responsible for developing and implementing communications programs for a wide range of technology clients.

Springboard’s National Music Program 

Mr. Donald Lemley – Director of Music and Art

Don received his Master of Music from university of Missouri and has degrees in Music Education and Music Performance. He is an accomplished brass musician and has taught and performed for numerous organizations such as Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Civic Opera, DGMC Brass ensemble, Brookside Brass and several Colorado metropolitan organizations. A certified teacher, he has created many ensembles and events including: concert band, marching band, jazz band, theatre orchestra pit ensemble for musicals, pep band, solo/ensemble contests/festivals, large group contests/festivals, marching band contests/festivals, and middle school contests/festivals.

Regional Directors

Mr. William Thompson – Regional Director

William received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Central Florida. He has spent ten years working as a teacher and administrator. William oversees Springboard programs in Southern Massachusetts.

Donna Harper – Regional Director and Parent

Donna has over 15 years of sales, management and leadership experience working in the education industry.  Prior to joining Springboard, she worked for 6 years as an Executive Director for a private education company.  She was overseeing principals of private preschool and elementary schools in Maryland, DC and Virginia.  She was responsible for ensuring high quality programs and continuous teacher training.  Prior to that, she spent six years as a District Manager for a large preschool chain overseeing centers in the Employer Partnership Division.  She worked with parent boards to set policies and implement curriculum in their schools. She held many roles early in her career to include teacher, camp director, guidance counselor, and lower school head.

Donna graduated from Columbia Union College with a Bachelor’s degree and has a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College.  In addition, she has some doctoral work in Educational Leadership from George Washington University.  She has served as a validator and member of the National Association for Young Children (NAEYC) since 2003.

Area Directors

Ms. Jamie Larson – Area Director, California

Committed to education from a young age, Jamie attended college full-time at the age of sixteen. She subsequently earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Fresno Pacific University. With over seven years of teaching experience, Jamie has an unwavering commitment to student success. Jamie oversees the operations of all Springboard sites in California.

Ms. Laura Kark – Area Director, Colorado

Laura received her bachelor’s degree in education from University of Denver and her Masters in Education with a specialization in Special Education. She worked in the Denver public schools and has also built and operated her own catering business.

Debra Knight has an extensive background in public and private education. She has more than 15 years of administration and supervision experience working to provide educational opportunities for inner city children and youth. She has consulted with numerous community and governmental organizations about the academic and social needs of economically disadvantaged students. She began her professional career as a teacher and guidance counselor in the public schools. She is a former principal of a charter school in Washington, DC and also served as the Founding Director of an after-school program for under-served children.Debra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of South Carolina, and a PhD in Education from American University in Washington, DC.

Meagan Berg – Area Director, Maryland and D.C

Meagan received her BA in English and Theater & Dance from Colby College in Maine. She has more than nine years of combined experience in the fields of education, camp administration, private tutoring and childcare. She comes to Springboard with a passion for children, community organizing and arts education.

Springboard Nutrition

Ms. Lisa M. Pearl – MS, LDN, EC & Parent

Nationally recognized expert in the field of pediatric health and nutrition. Author of health education curriculums and prevention programs. Executive coach for health care administrators. Currently developing a prevention program for families as well as a team communication model to improve medical care. Lisa maintains a multidisciplinary clinical practice in Lexington and Cambridge, MA and is a founding partner in the consulting group, GNP Team Builders. She helps create lunch and snack programs in applicable Springboard programs.