Staff & Board of Directors
Glenda Bernhardt
Chief Executive Officer
Glenda Bernhardt joined the Freedom School Partners team as Chief Executive Officer in January of 2020. In her role …
Glenda Bernhardt, Chief Executive Officer
Glenda Bernhardt joined the Freedom School Partners team as Chief Executive Officer in January of 2020. In her role, she leads the staff team and works in partnership with a dedicated Board of Directors to create the vision and long term strategy for Freedom School Partners. Glenda strives to establish and build relationships with community stakeholders in order to develop support for Freedom School’s mission. Glenda is passionate about delivering a high quality, equitable summer learning and enrichment experience that is accessible to children and families in our community.
Before joining Freedom School Partners, Glenda served as the Executive Director of Temple Israel in Charlotte, North Carolina for close to five years. Prior to becoming Executive Director at Temple Israel, Glenda was a non-profit development professional at Teen Health Connection and the Junior League of Charlotte, agencies dedicated to improving the health and lives of women, children and families in our community. Before this, she spent many years in Jewish communal service, working at multiple Jewish Federations and Hillels.
Glenda takes pride in being involved in the community and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community and Co-Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s Outshine Hate initiative. She previously served as a Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Levine Jewish Community Center and Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s Community Relations Council. Glenda was selected as one of Charlotte’s Forty Over 40 (Class of 2022) by The Charlotte Ledger and Forty Under 40 (Class of 2016) by the Charlotte Business Journal, in recognition of her professional and community leadership. She is currently a member of Class 21 of the American Leadership Forum and she was a member of Leadership Charlotte Class 43.
Glenda earned a Masters Degree in Social Work and Certificate in Jewish Communal Service and Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Her undergraduate degree is a BA in Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology from Ohio Wesleyan University. Glenda is married to Brian Bernhardt and has three children: Jake, Jonah and Sophia. Her favorite childhood book is The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur by Dr. Spencer Johnson.
Email: [email protected]
Mark Barrett
Donor Relations & Stewardship Manager
Mark was born and raised in Lancaster, SC. Mark attended the University of South Carolina and received a B.S. in Sport…
Mark Barrett, Donor Relations and Stewardship Manager
Mark was born and raised in Lancaster, SC. Mark attended the University of South Carolina and received a B.S. in Sports & Entertainment Management. Prior to joining Freedom School Partners, Mark worked for The Salvation Army in Columbia, SC as the Director of Development.
From 2012-2015, Mark lived and worked in Malawi and Uganda in East Africa with CURE International. He served as a storyteller and photographer at two children’s hospitals.
Upon returning to the U.S., he served as the High School Program leader at Campus By The Sea on Catalina Island in the summer of 2015. He also instructed high school students in a Broadcast Journalism class. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Theology at Columbia International University.
Mark and his wife Christy met at church as leaders of the student ministry program. They married in December 2019. His wife is the Care Management Coordinator at TranscendED and holds a master’s degree in Social Work from University of South Carolina. They have one daughter, Callum, and are expecting another child early 2023. In his free time, Mark enjoys cycling, listening to records, family time, and exploring the outdoors.
Mark’s favorite childhood book is Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.
Email: [email protected]
Leah Jones
Scholars & Families Manager
Leah Jones joined Freedom School Partners in January 2019 and currently serves as the Scholars & Families Manager.
Leah Jones, Scholars & Families Manager
Leah Jones joined Freedom School Partners in January 2019 and currently serves as the Scholars & Families Manager. In this role, she manages the functionality of Freedom School Partners’ scholar registration and strategy for family engagement. She is also responsible for supporting strategy development for high school students’ engagement, including, but not limited to the Freedom School Academy.
Leah is a servant leader passionate about promoting upward mobility and resource equity for our communities. She advocates for the youth, our future community leaders, and brings four years of experience in adolescence mentorship, academic coordinating, and educational nonprofit programming. She is proud to support the impact Freedom Schools are making on children.
Leah graduated with her bachelor degree in Psychology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and is now a candidate for master of Nonprofit Management and Leadership at Walden University. In her spare time, she enjoys bonding with family, cooking, reading and practicing art therapy. She is a proud mother to one daughter. Leah’s favorite childhood book is When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner.
Email: [email protected]
George Metz
Chief Strategy Officer
George Metz joined Freedom School Partners in June 2021 and serves as the Chief Strategy Officer.
George Metz, Chief Strategy Officer
George Metz joined Freedom School Partners in June 2021 and serves as the Chief Strategy Officer. He is a creative intrapreneur and entrepreneur who has provided a wide range of services to individuals and families and applied thought leadership to develop programming that aligns with strategic objectives for more than 10 years.
Prior to joining FSP, George began his career serving various organizations in Charlotte including the Genesis Project 1 and Easter Seals UCP as a Care Provider and an Individual Community Supports Supervisor. He then began his six-year tenure with Communities In Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg. As the Adjudicated Youth Reentry Coordinator at West Charlotte High School, he created partnerships with community groups and business owners to provide group mentorship opportunities for his students and decrease their recidivism rate. He also served as the Social Capital Team Lead, building and partnering to evolve the Social Capital platform.
Through his experience at Communities In Schools, George had the opportunity to be instrumental in social capital work within the Charlotte region and on a national scale, actively contributing to thought leadership on the subject alongside leaders from organizations such as Brookings Institution, the Urban Institute, Opportunity Insights and the Foundation for the Carolinas. He gained expertise in social connectedness and community cohesion, fueling his passion for supporting organizations, communities, and individuals as they strive to reach the goals that represent their full potential. This led him to found Synergy Emerge, LLC in 2020, which has allowed him to train equip, and build strategies for individuals and organizations as they seek to build and sustain diverse relationships.
George holds a B.A. in Psychology from NC Central University and a M.S. in Leadership from Northeastern University with a concentration in Human Resource Management.
George and his wife Maya have three daughters. He remains connected to the students of the Charlotte community and serves on the Wayfinders Board of Directors as the VP of Mentoring. His favorite childhood book is The Little Engine that Could. In his free time, he enjoys jogging, reading and spending time at the beach.
Email: [email protected]
Annalise Padgett
Marketing & Communications Manager
Annalise Padgett joined Freedom School Partners in February 2022 and serves as the Marketing and Communications Manager.
Annalise Padgett, Marketing and Communications Manager
Annalise Padgett joined Freedom School Partners in February 2022 and currently serves as the Marketing and Communications Manager. In her role, she stewards all marketing and internal or external communication efforts associated with Freedom School Partners.
Prior to joining Freedom School Partners, Annalise worked for Christian Services, a direct services agency located in Lancaster, SC for over two years. She also worked with Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri as a volunteer coordinator.
Annalise holds a BA in Communications from Loyola University and a MBA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Liberty University. Annalise is a native of Augusta, GA, and has lived in four additional states. Annalise has always held education equity as an integral part of her personal drive and continues to seek spaces to be a voice for those who need to be heard.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, traveling, hiking, reading, playing piano and spending time with her cat, Blue. Her favorite book is Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Email: [email protected]
Dynasty Rankin
Program Assistant
Dynasty Rankin joined Freedom School Partners in February 2023 and currently serves as the Program Assistant.
Dynasty Rankin, Program Assistant
Dynasty Rankin joined Freedom School Partners in February 2023 and currently serves as the Program Assistant. In this role, she is responsible for supporting the work of Freedom School programming and assisting with the success of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® programs in Charlotte, NC.
Dynasty graduated from Winston-Salem State University in Spring 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. Dynasty comes from a family of educators and became inspired to teach after graduating college. She has over 3 years of experience as an educator and also served as a Servant Leader Intern during Summer 2021. After experiencing the Freedom School summer as an SLI, Dynasty became even more inspired to work with scholars and families in order to bridge the education gap.
Since July 2022, Dynasty has been married to her husband, Devin, and they are proud parents to a beautiful baby girl, Milan. In her free time, Dynasty enjoys reading, developing her artistry in make-up, exploring new food spots, traveling, and spending time with family.
Her favorite thing about the Freedom School summer day is Harambee! and her favorite childhood book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Email: [email protected]
Jonathan Russell
Director of Development
Jonathan Russell joined Freedom School Partners as the Director of Development in December 2020. Jonathan was born…
Jonathan Russell, Director of Development
Jonathan Russell joined Freedom School Partners as the Director of Development in December 2020.
Jonathan was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. He graduated from Harding University High School and participated in the International Baccalaureate program. Jonathan received the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship, attended Appalachian State University and received a B.S. in History Secondary Education with a minor in Economics.
Prior to joining Freedom School Partners, Jonathan worked for various organizations in Charlotte. After college, he taught 10th grade Civics and Economics for one year at Bartlett-Yancey High School in Caswell County, and one year at West Mecklenburg High School in CMS.
Following teaching, Jonathan transitioned into development and worked for Mecklenburg County Council, Boy Scouts of America. During this time, he served as their Exploring Executive, facilitating their career education program, significantly growing their corporate partnerships, and making the Mecklenburg program the fastest growing program in the United States in 2012. Jonathan also served traditional Scouting programs, with responsibilities in volunteer management, fundraising, recruitment, and program. He also served as the Camp Director for the Boy Scouts, serving 1,600 youth and 400 adult volunteers, while managing a diverse staff of 60 seasonal employees.
Jonathan also served as the Relationship Manager for United Way of the Central Carolinas, managing the industry sectors of Accounting and Consulting, Manufacturing, and Utilities, where he served as the account manager for Duke Energy.
Jonathan and his wife Caitlin met in high school and have been married for nine years. His wife is an Academic Facilitator at Collinswood Language Academy and holds a master’s degree in Literacy Education from Queens University. They have twin six-year-old boys, Dylan and Parker, who are Second Graders at Collinswood. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his kids, reading history, and bowling.
Jonathan’s favorite childhood book is The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling.
Email: [email protected]
Sally Sacco
Chief Administrative Officer
Sally Sacco joined Freedom School Partners in February 2013 and currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer.
Sally Sacco, Chief Administrative Officer
Sally Sacco joined Freedom School Partners in February 2013 and currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer. In her role, she manages the financial, human resources and operations for Freedom School Partners.
Prior to joining Freedom School Partners, Sally worked for Carolinas Healthcare Systems (Atrium) as an accountant for five years before staying home with her children. During that time Sally served at her church as Chair of Vacation Bible School and Board Chair of the Weekday School. She also served as Chair of the Admissions committee for Providence Day School.
Sally graduated from Presbyterian College with a degree in Accounting and is a native of Charlotte. Sally is married to Brian and has two children, Carson and Connor, and a sweet dog, Hershey. In her free time she enjoys hiking and traveling with her family. Her favorite childhood book is Go Dog Go! By P.D. Eastman.
Email: [email protected]
Necole Watts
Year Round Engagement & Outreach Coordinator
For over 23 years, Necole Watts has been shaping the lives of children. Through her work as a group home counselor and an…
Necole Watts, Year Round Engagement & Outreach Coordinator
For over 23 years, Necole Watts has been shaping the lives of children. Through her work as a group home counselor and an advocate for children, there is no doubt that there are children who will become better adults as a result of their time spent with Ms. Watts.
As the third child of four, she is often described as a team player who loves being a part of the family whether at home or at work.
As school-year engagement coordinator, Necole continues to use her gifts to provide mentorship for children of all ages. She collaborates with community partners, supporting their involvement with scholars and their communities into the school year after Freedom School ends each summer.
Necole graduated from Pfeiffer University (formerly Pfeiffer College) with a degree in criminal justice and sociology. Her favorite childhood book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.
Email: [email protected]
Tiffany Williams
Senior Program Director
Tiffany Williams began her work at Freedom School Partners in the summer of 2007 as a Servant Leader Intern. Since then she…
Tiffany Williams, Senior Program Director
Tiffany Williams began her work at Freedom School Partners in the summer of 2007 as a Servant Leader Intern. Since then she has served as an intern at both the Highland Renaissance and Avondale Freedom School sites, as well as worked in the Freedom School Afterschool program at Sedgefield Elementary. Tiffany was able to continue her work with Freedom School Partners in 2011 when she joined the Program Team as Program Assistant. She is now the Senior Program Director, responsible for the comprehensive leadership for multiple Freedom School sites around the city of Charlotte. She also sets the strategy for scholar registration and parent engagement. Her sincere passion for community building and working with families drives her work to help Freedom School Partners in its vision for a “Freedom School for every child who needs one.”
Tiffany graduated from UNC-Greensboro with a degree in Spanish with a concentration in Education. She also has extensive training in Human Development and Family Studies. She is fluent in Spanish and plays three musical instruments. Her favorite childhood book is Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.
Email: [email protected]
Alexis Young
Volunteer Coordinator
Alexis Young joined Freedom School Partners in February 2016. As the Volunteer Coordinator, her main areas of…
Alexis Young, Volunteer Coordinator
Alexis Young joined Freedom School Partners in February 2016. As the Volunteer Coordinator, her main area of focus is volunteerism and ensuring that the community can connect with our scholars and staff in meaningful and intentional ways. Additionally, she works to secure volunteer support outside of the summer programming months to assist with preparation for the Freedom School program.
Alexis graduated from Davidson College in spring 2015 with a Hispanic studies degree. In college, her best friend exposed her to Freedom School and Alexis would visit almost every day and build relationships with the kids. She was then inspired to tutor at the local community center, Ada Jenkins, where she kept up the relationships between the kids she met over the summer and during the school year.
Since June 2018, Alexis has been married to her husband who is also a native Carolinian. They also have a cute Maltese dog named Milo. She is fluent in Spanish and English and loves to eat anything that is salty! Her favorite day of Freedom School is Jubilee and her favorite childhood book is a Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman.
Email: [email protected]
Mary Nell McPherson
Founding Executive Director
From January 2000 – December 2019, Mary Nell McPherson served as the founding executive director of Freedom School Partners…
Mary Nell McPherson, Founding Executive Director
From January 2000 – December 2019, Mary Nell McPherson served as the founding executive director of Freedom School Partners working toward their mission to engage, educate, and empower children to succeed in school and in life through quality, year-round educational enrichment programs.
McPherson has been a leader in Freedom School Partners’ growth from one site serving 100 children to seventeen sites serving 1,200 children.
McPherson has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years. Her substantial history in nonprofit management includes serving as the director of operations for Habitat for Humanity in Charlotte and support specialist for Crisis Assistance Ministry.
McPherson also served on the Friendship Trays Board of Directors and has remained a Meals on Wheels driver for the past 20 years. McPherson also served on the Johnson YMCA Advisory Board for a short time in the early 1990’s. In October 2009, McPherson received Mecklenburg Ministries’ honorable Community Leader Award for ten years of service in the Charlotte community.
Due to the success of Freedom Schools in Charlotte, McPherson was appointed to the national Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Advisory Board in 2011. An ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she believes that education and the knowledge of God’s love are the keys for children growing into their potential.
She graduated from Mary Baldwin College 1979 and moved to Charlotte, NC to work for then, Duke Power and made a move to the nonprofit sector in 1985 to work for Crisis Assistance Ministry. After 10 years she worked for Habitat for Humanity and was hired as the executive director of then, Seigle Avenue Partners in 1999.
Mary Nell is married to Kevin Strawn with whom she has two daughters, Mollie and Rosemarie. In her free time she enjoys practicing centering prayer and yoga. Her favorite childhood book is Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Covell Adams | The Structured Finance Association
Tara Agnew-Harris | E4E Relief
Ann Cho-Taggert | Community Volunteer
Hendrick Ellis | Bank of America
Kate Flynn (Chair) | Deloitte
Ben Garcia | Vanguard
Andy Habenicht (Vice Chair) | TIAA
Tara Patterson Hammons | Community Volunteer
Michelle Harley | Fifth Third Bank
Mary-Margaret Kantor | Smart Start of Mecklenburg County
David Lamothe | Wells Fargo
Janaka Bowman Lewis | UNC Charlotte
John Lipe | Baird Private Wealth Management
Anil Matai | Bank of America
William Maxwell | Colony Commercial
Kimberly McMillan | Canopy Realtor Association/Canopy MLS
Kimberly Moore-Wright | Truist
Katie Morgan | Community Volunteer
Dana Saxe | Deloitte
John Stevenson | Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Burnet Tucker | My Next Season
Jim Williams | Williams Management Co., LLC
Kevin Wright | Wells Fargo
Angela Yochem | Novant Health
Brandon Zeigler | Global Endowment Management, LP
Special thank you to Daniel Coston Photography for the images.