With more than 20 years of experience in the after school field, Judy has served as President and CEO of the National AfterSchool Association, and she has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Leaders in After School. Her experience leading organizations, working with school districts, and developing exemplary programs has led AlphaBEST to become the premiere extended day program in the country. Focus on innovation, unique experiences for students, and quality care for families has placed AlphaBEST at the pinnacle of the industry.

For nearly 20 years, Dawn has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of delivering creativity-based, expanded learning opportunities to students in after school and summer programs. Dawn was once a VP at the National Inventors Hall of Fame’s “Camp Invention” program, and the love she developed for engaging, creative children’s programs is a perfect fit at AlphaBEST.

Torrie’s entire career has been focused on creating innovative education programs. She’s won awards for her work, including a Program Excellence Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Social Innovation fellowships from Stanford and Harvard. She’s an experienced executive, keynote speaker, and leadership coach. Torrie strives to lead with the creativity of Greta Gerwig, the business acumen of Taylor Swift, and the heart of Ted Lasso.

We feel very fortunate to have someone like Karen on the AlphaBEST team. Prior to helping us build and maintain a positive, engaging culture within our own walls, Karen used her talents for more than 20 years at Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC. When Karen isn’t busy implementing HR systems like talent acquisition, team performance, retention and more, she can be found serving and singing for her church.

Driven by a lifelong passion for education, Jennifer is dedicated to creating environments where both students and staff can thrive. She is grateful for the exceptional leaders who have shaped her journey and strives each day to pay it forward through her leadership and support. Jennifer brings a wealth of hands-on experience to AlphaBEST, grounded in years of fieldwork and a deep understanding of educational excellence. Outside of work, she enjoys quality time with her family.

With more than 25 years of experience in the education field, Jennifer is a dedicated leader driven by a deep belief in the power of high-quality out-of-school time programming. Her passion sparked when she worked working with special education students for her master’s program, where she saw firsthand how after school programs provided a welcoming space for them to build confidence, form meaningful connections, and experience success beyond the school day. Today, she leads support teams with a strong focus on consistency and quality, ensuring programs are thoughtfully structured and positioned for success while empowering staff to deliver impactful, student-centered experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys spending weekends with her family—either out on the boat or cheering on her son as he plays basketball.

Megan is an accomplished operations leader with over a decade of experience leading youth development, recreation, and educational programs nationwide. She has a proven track record in expanding program reach, building high-performing teams, and creating innovative, engaging experiences for children and families. Guided by her values of passion, integrity, benevolence, and fortitude, Megan is dedicated to fostering safe, inspiring environments where students and campers can thrive.

Anna has spent over two decades obsessed with how we learn and grow. As VP of Brand Strategy & Marketing at AlphaBEST, she brings a vibrant mix of expertise to our mission—from the “big picture” of brand storytelling to the fine details of preschool classroom supplies and educational publishing. Whether she’s dreaming up new ways to showcase our after-school enrichment programs or crafting a campaign that speaks to busy parents, Anna’s focus is always on making the AlphaBEST experience feel just as inspired as the students in our care. Part strategist, part creative powerhouse, she’s the driving force behind ensuring our brand shines as brightly as the kids we serve every day.

Kelley Magee has been leading afterschool programs for 14 years and brings a deep passion for working with children while creating high-quality experiences that support student growth and success. She is committed to providing a safe, engaging, and enriching environment beyond the school day. When she’s not at work, Kelley enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and daughter, and making the most of their time together.

David comes to AlphaBEST with more than 15 years’ worth of experience in the after school sector. Prior to joining our team, David was both program director and senior program director at the YMCA, then he quickly rose through the management ranks at AlphaBEST. When David isn’t busy ensuring children have high-quality, experiential learning environments, he can be found spending quality time with his family.

Mary brings over 20 years of experience in the out-of-school time field, with a strong passion for supporting children and families through high-quality programming and memorable camp experiences. She has led a variety of initiatives focused on creating engaging, safe, and enriching environments where youth can thrive. Mary is dedicated to helping kids grow beyond the classroom through programs that inspire learning and connection. Outside of work, she enjoys coaching youth soccer, hitting the ski slopes in winter, spending time with her family, and soaking up the sun on beach days.

Ever dependable, Jessica has 16 years of experience in childcare, and she’s held a wide variety of positions at AlphaBEST. These days, as our Regional Director, Jessica spends most of her time partnering with schools and families to ensure children’s minds are engaged, their horizons are expanded, and that parents get the sense of security they need. When the school year is over, there’s nothing Jessica likes more than spending her days at the beach.

Laura has a strong, multifaceted history in operational administration, including leadership practice in education, human resources, talent acquisition, curriculum development and more. She works diligently to meet and exceed contractual obligations, and she’s instrumental in initiating new education programs across AlphaBEST’s nationwide reach. In her free time, Laura can often be found enjoying the great outdoors.

With an education leadership career spanning the full spectrum of PK–12 education, Michael A. Wilson brings a deep and well-rounded perspective to his role as Regional Director. His experience working with students and educators across all grade levels has equipped him with a strong understanding of what it takes to create compelling, engaging, and inclusive learning environments. At AlphaBEST, Michael is committed to fostering programs that empower staff, support student growth, and uphold a standard of excellence across the region. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active, reading, and spending quality time with his family.

Laurence is a mission-driven youth development and operations leader with over 18 years of experience managing large-scale after-school, camp, recreation, and education programs. He has led multi-site operations supporting thousands of youths and built high-performing teams across diverse communities. In his free time, Laurence enjoys spending time with his family and staying active.

Alifonso is a dedicated after-school professional and Texas native with over 19 years of experience in the school-aged before and after-school market. His journey in the field began with hands-on program support, where he developed a deep appreciation for the impact of quality programming on children and families. Over the years, he advanced into leadership roles, gaining expertise in both program operations and talent acquisition. His experience on the front lines and in leadership has given him a well-rounded perspective on what it takes to build and sustain high-quality programs that truly make a difference.

Emily has spent the past 12+ years in the before- and after-school space, where she discovered a passion for creating meaningful experiences that support both students and their families. Having worked directly in the field, Emily has seen firsthand the lasting difference quality programs can make for students, families, and the broader community. She is especially passionate about building authentic relationships and ensuring that staff, students, families, and district partners feel seen, heard, and valued.

With a versatile background in education and organizational leadership, Lydia brings a well-rounded approach to providing growth-focused learning environments for students of all ages. Her work is motivated by igniting the love of learning and building meaningful relationships that expand access to innovative educational experiences. At AlphaBEST, Lydia has spent the past decade dedicated to connecting people, ideas, and systems to strengthen collaboration and enrich communities. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, spending time with loved ones, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.