Leading Executives in Child Care Centers
Stephen Kramer
Chief Executive Officer, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
CEO of the largest U.S. employer-sponsored child care provider; at Bright Horizons since 2006 and CEO since January 2018, he also serves on the Domino’s Pizza board.
Paul Thompson
Chief Executive Officer, KinderCare Learning Companies
Took the helm as CEO on June 1, 2024 after serving as President/COO/CFO; now leading the nation’s largest for‑profit child care provider’s next phase of growth.
John Bork
Chief Executive Officer, Learning Care Group (La Petite Academy, Tutor Time, Childtime, Everbrook, more)
Succeeded Mark Bierley as CEO on July 1, 2025 after serving as President & COO; now steering LCG’s 900+ schools and multi‑brand portfolio.
Jo Kirchner
Chief Executive Officer, Primrose Schools
CEO since 1999; scaled Primrose from four schools to 500+ and a national premium franchise leader; IFA Entrepreneur of the Year honoree.
Darin Harris
Chief Executive Officer, Goddard Systems (The Goddard School)
Appointed CEO effective March 31, 2025; former Jack in the Box CEO and past COO at Primrose, now leading the premium early‑education franchise system.
Richard Weissman
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, The Learning Experience
Co‑founder, Chairman & CEO; grew TLE to 420+ locations with a proprietary curriculum and franchise engine; IFA’s 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Leigh‑Ellen Louie
Chief Executive Officer, Cadence Education
CEO since 2022; former COO of Learning Care Group and Kaplan Test Prep President, leading a portfolio of ~300 U.S. preschools including multiple Montessori brands.
Gigi Schweikert
Chief Executive Officer, Lightbridge Academy
CEO guiding rapid franchise growth (160+ centers open/in development) and top kindergarten‑readiness outcomes across the system.
Casey Miller
Chief Executive Officer, Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Third‑generation leader named CEO January 1, 2025; oversees 340+ academies serving nearly 40,000 children across 40 states and D.C.
David Vinson
Chief Executive Officer, Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academies
Second‑generation CEO of a major early‑education franchise system, continuing U.S. expansion and international development.
Richard Huffman
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Celebree School
Founder & CEO; built a fast‑growing multi‑state franchise; 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Mid‑Atlantic award winner.
Ray Girn
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Higher Ground Education (Guidepost Montessori)
Founder & CEO; scaled a modern, tech‑enabled Montessori network (Guidepost Montessori) to 100+ schools worldwide.
Roberto G. Ortega
Chief Executive Officer, KLA Schools
CEO & co‑founder of a leading U.S. network of Reggio Emilia–inspired preschools operating across multiple states.
Peter Gowers
Group Chief Executive, Busy Bees (Global)
Named Group Chief Executive in July 2025; leads one of the world’s largest early‑years providers with nearly 1,000 centres across regions.
Mary Ann Curran
Chief Executive Officer, North America, Busy Bees North America (BrightPath Early Learning, The Malvern School, and more)
CEO for North America since 2012, leading expansion across U.S. and Canada; planned transition to Darla Kestle effective September 18, 2025.
Ricardo E. Campo
Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Endeavor Schools
Founder & CEO; built a multi‑brand platform of 90+ schools in 13 states serving children from infancy through middle school.
Ted Hockenberry
Chief Executive Officer, Children of America
CEO driving new school openings and acquisitions while standardizing COA’s proprietary early‑learning programs across multiple states.
Wes Wooten
President, The Sunshine House Early Learning Academy
Long‑time leader who serves as President, guiding 2,000+ team members who support over 12,000 families daily across the network.
Chad Dunkley
Chief Executive Officer, New Horizon Academy
CEO and national early‑education advocate (ECEC, NAEYC); leads one of the largest family‑owned U.S. providers with 100 schools.
Henry Wilde
Chief Executive Officer, Acelero Learning & Shine Early Learning
Co‑founder and CEO; a prominent Head Start operator and services partner impacting programs for 150k+ children across 28 states and territories.
Related Topics
Further Reading
Was this page helpful? We'd love your feedback — please email us at feedback@dealstream.com.