Leadership

Dr. Fabby Williams

Dr. Fabby Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of KIPP North Carolina Public Schools, where he leads the organization’s vision, strategic priorities, and commitment to delivering excellent educational opportunities for students statewide.

Before joining KIPP NC, Dr. Williams spent the past five years serving as Deputy Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, where he oversaw instructional leadership, school improvement, and districtwide academic and operational systems that contributed to strong gains in reading, math, and graduation outcomes.

Dr. Williams began his career as a special education teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and went on to serve as a school counselor, assistant principal, and principal—including school leadership roles in both North Carolina and Chicago. He later spent nearly a decade in Guilford County Schools as a principal and principal supervisor, where the schools he led and supported were consistently recognized for achieving high academic growth for all students.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and master’s degrees in administration and supervision and school counseling from Winthrop University. Dr. Williams also earned a specialist degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a doctorate in educational leadership from Wingate University.

Stacy Johnson

Stacy Johnson has been a member of the KIPP Team and Family since 2006, beginning her KIPP journey as a middle school ELA teacher and principal in New York City before joining KIPP North Carolina, where she now serves as Chief of Staff.  Stacy earned her teaching certification and degree in English Literature from Middlebury College and discovered KIPP while pursuing her MA in Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to serving students, families, and staff and helping create schools where every student can thrive.  Outside of school, Stacy loves reading, animals, hiking, swimming, and cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers with her family. She lives on a small farm with horses, chickens, goats, and dogs.

Dr. Howard Harvey

Dr. Howard Harvey is a visionary, results-oriented educational leader with over 30 years of experience driving student achievement, leadership development, and systemic school transformation across diverse school communities. He recently served as the Senior Director of School Improvement and Policy at NC Cyber Academy, following impactful leadership roles including Area Superintendent for Guilford County Schools and District and School Transformation Coach for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Juontonio Pinickney

Juontonio Pinckney brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across K–12 education, nonprofit management, and corporate operations. He has led large-scale partnerships and education initiatives at organizations including Pearson, Levridge Resources, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, where he managed multimillion-dollar programs and cultivated national networks supporting students, educators, and industry partners.

Earlier in his career, Pinckney served as an assistant principal and school counselor, grounding his leadership in direct service to young people. As Chief Operating Officer at KIPP North Carolina, he oversees and strengthens the operational systems that ensure schools and staff have the resources and support they need to thrive. His leadership is instrumental in driving efficiency, aligning operations with academic priorities, and advancing KIPP NC’s mission to prepare students to lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Anthony Burrell

Anthony Burrell is the Chief Financial Officer of KIPP North Carolina, where he leads the organization’s financial strategy, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, compliance, and long-term financial planning. As a member of the executive leadership team, he partners with school and organizational leaders and the Board of Directors to strengthen financial sustainability, improve financial systems and processes, and support strategic decision-making across the network.

Prior to joining KIPP North Carolina, Anthony’s career included Big Four public accounting experience at EY, where his work spanned financial assurance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability services. He later transitioned into K–12 education as an Education Pioneers Fellow with KIPP Colorado Public Schools and went on to lead finance and accounting for the network. His experience in education has also extended beyond finance, including serving as the Founding Director of Community & Partner Engagement at New Harmony High School in New Orleans, where he led community engagement and career-connected learning initiatives designed to expand opportunities for students.

Anthony is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Master of Public Education Management from the Yale School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of New Orleans. He is based in Durham, North Carolina.

Tiffany Flowers

Tiffany Flowers has demonstrated a deep commitment to KIPP students, educators, and leaders throughout her career. Tiffany began her career as a teacher at KIPP Gaston College Preparatory before teaching and leading at KIPP in Houston. She went on to found and lead KIPP Academy Charlotte and become the founding Executive Director for the Charlotte region.  After serving in school and executive leadership roles, she has continued to develop leaders and strengthen schools through her work with KIPP NC and the KIPP Foundation and serves as the Managing Director of Academics for KIPP North Carolina. 

Tiffany is also a mother to her three wonderful children, Hannah, Jacob, and Ace. They are her “why” and the reason she feels this work is important. Every child should have access to the tools to create choice filled lives and every adult should  have the support and coaching they need to make this happen.

Tiffany Jarrett

Tiffany Jarrett joined KIPP NC in 2025 as Executive Assistant to the CEO. She earned her Bachelor of Music from Salem College and her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership for Organizations at the University of Dayton.

Originally relocating to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to pursue her undergraduate degree, Tiffany has made the area her home while building a career dedicated to education and organizational support. Her diverse professional experience includes serving as a substitute teacher, K–8 music teacher, Teacher Assistant at Salem College, COVID-19 Data Coordinator for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and Executive Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. 

Tiffany is passionate about educational equity and is actively involved in organizations within her community that reflect her commitment to ensuring all children have access to a high-quality education and to addressing the systemic inequities that impact students and communities. These principles have helped shape her philosophy of education and closely align with KIPP NC’s core values of pursuing excellence and fighting injustice. Tiffany believes these shared values distinguish KIPP NC as an organization committed not only to championing student success but also to creating meaningful and lasting change within the communities it serves.

Outside of her professional responsibilities and doctoral studies, Tiffany enjoys singing, playing the piano, crafting, and reading. She also values spending time with her family and friends, her dog, Blitzen, and her four cats—Venus, Panda, Orion, and Alice.

Luke Naegele

Luke Naegele is proud to serve as Head of Schools at KIPP North Carolina, where he supports principals across elementary, middle, and high schools. He began his career in education as a high school teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools as a Teach For America Corps Member.  He then joined the KIPP network as a math teacher at KIPP Gaston College Prep, now KIPP Pride Middle School. He later served as principal at two KIPP schools in New Orleans and spent four years as Director of School Leadership Development at the KIPP Foundation. Across these roles, his work has centered on developing new school leaders, strengthening instructional practice, and creating schools where students and adults can thrive. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership.

Monica Villafuerte

Monica Villafuerte is Head of Schools at KIPP NC, where she coaches principals and strengthens instruction across schools. She brings more than 20 years of experience in charter and district public education, including work as a teacher, founding school leader, and charter school founder. A proud Latina educator, Monica believes that developing strong school leaders expands opportunity for students and the communities they serve.

A.B. Brown

A.B. Brown is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, by way of St. Louis, and a graduate of the University of Missouri–Columbia with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She also holds a Master’s in Special Education and an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership from the University of Missouri–St. Louis along with her Missouri K-12 Principal Certification.

Ms. Brown began her career at KIPP St. Louis as the founding middle school Special Education teacher, later serving as Special Education Coordinator and 7th grade ELA teacher. She transitioned into school leadership as Director of Special Education at Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls, then served as Assistant Principal and Principal at KIPP St. Louis High School. Under her leadership, academic growth exceeded national KIPP averages and suspensions decreased by 12%.

In 2024, Ms. Brown relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she served as principal for a local charter elementary school for 1 year. She is committed to culturally relevant, data-driven instruction and believes that effective teaching is measured by student learning.

Outside of work, Ms. Brown enjoys hiking, reading memoirs, and spending time with her children, Samira and Tatum Brave.

Tyler Jones

Tyler Jones is a proud North Carolina native, born and raised in Rocky Mount. His passion for youth development and education was sparked early on while working with the Boys & Girls Club during high school—an experience that set the trajectory for his lifelong commitment to student success.

After graduating from North Carolina A&T State University in 2018, Tyler joined the Teach For America corps and began his career at KIPP Academy Charlotte (KAC) as a 6th-grade science teacher. His dedication to academic excellence and school culture quickly led to leadership roles within the KAC community:

2021: Promoted to Dean of Culture and Instruction
2022: Promoted to Assistant Principal
2025: Earned a Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), becoming a licensed North Carolina school administrator
2025: Selected for KIPP’s prestigious Principal in Residence program

Stepping into the role of Principal at KIPP Academy Charlotte fulfills a goal Tyler set at the very beginning of his educational journey. Driven by an unwavering belief in the potential of every student, he is dedicated to ensuring that the vision and mission of KIPP become a lived, everyday reality for every scholar who walks through the doors.

Alison Cumbley

A native of Southern California, Alison graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles where she studied Psychology and Socio-Cultural Anthropology. She also holds a Masters degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University. After college, Alison joined Teach for America, teaching fifth grade in New Orleans, LA, where she discovered her passion for education.

In 2006, Ms. Cumbley joined KIPP Houston, serving as a teacher, grade level chair, assistant principal, and school leader at KIPP 3D Academy. After seven years as school leader, Ms. Cumbley left KIPP 3D to found KIPP Journey Collegiate, the first 6th-12th grade KIPP school in the country. Shortly after leaving KIPP Journey in 2023, Ms. Cumbley came to KIPP North Carolina to serve as the Interim School Leader for KIPP Durham Middle School before transitioning to the Director of Turnaround Initiatives and Operations to support the refounding of KIPP Durham Middle. In 2026, KIPP Durham Elementary and KIPP Durham Middle combined to become one school and Ms. Cumbley returned to the school leader role to support KIPP Durham K-8 in its next stage of growth. What Alison has enjoyed most about her many years at KIPP has been the opportunity to see her former students return back home after college to teach and lead the next generation of KIPPsters.

In her spare time Ms. Cumbley enjoys taking trips with friends and loved ones, finding the newest brunch spots, taking pictures, and playing with every dog she sees. She loves the Lakers, all things blue and gold, and is proud to be a member of the KIPP Durham Pride Family.

Heather Acree

Heather Acree was born and raised in Roanoke Rapids, NC. She earned a BA in Psychology and K-6 Teaching License from Meredith College. She began her teaching career teaching first grade at Aurelian Springs Elementary School, and in 2008 she also earned National Board Certification. In 2012 she joined KIPP Gaston College Prep (now KIPP Pride) as the Founding Kindergarten Teacher followed by two years serving as Assistant Principal. She became School Leader of KIPP Pride Lower Elementary in 2016 as well as earned an MEd in Administration and Supervision. She has been leading the Lower Elementary school for the past 10 years.

She is dedicated to collaborating with families, coaching our teachers, and creating an environment where our young children are able to be enthusiastic, joyful learners who are growing the skills they will need to be successful in achieving their lifelong goals.

Shawna Mayo

Shawna Mayo is the Principal of KIPP Pride Middle School, where she is entering her sixth year of school leadership and her tenth year as an educator. A proud KIPP alumna, Shawna holds the distinction of being the first leader in the KIPP network to return to the school she attended as a student and serve as its principal; a journey that deeply informs her commitment to educational equity, transformational leadership, and creating opportunities for students to live lives of choice.

Shawna began her career as a middle school English Language Arts teacher, where she developed a reputation for instructional excellence and student-centered leadership. She subsequently served as a Grade Level Chair and Assistant Principal before stepping into the principalship. Across each role, she has remained deeply committed to developing people, strengthening instructional practice, building systems, and ensuring that students experience both academic rigor and a strong sense of belonging.

As principal, Shawna has demonstrated a sustained commitment to academic excellence, organizational stability, and student-centered school improvement. Under her leadership, KIPP Pride Middle School improved its North Carolina State Report Card by one letter grade to a “C” during the 2024–2025 school year and earned Academic Growth Exceeded recognition in both Math and Reading, placing the school among the top 5% statewide for academic growth. She has also cultivated a strong organizational culture, retaining 92% of instructional staff and 100% of the school-based leadership team during the 2024–2025 school year—the only KIPP North Carolina school without voluntary or involuntary departures that year. Her leadership has further contributed to instructional performance ranking in the top 10% of the KIPP network, a reduction of more than 25% in student out-of-school suspensions, and continued recognition for academic growth across multiple years. Most recently, she led the school through its first year of a merger during the 2025–2026 school year, maintaining a “C” performance grade, exceeding growth expectations across all tested areas, and positioning the school among the top 1% of schools statewide for academic growth.

Shawna approaches leadership through an equity-centered lens, advocating for equitable access to resources, rigorous and affirming instruction, meaningful professional learning, and strong support for multilingual learners and students receiving specialized services. Her leadership is grounded in KIPP Pride Middle School’s core values of Pride, Bravery, Self-Awareness, Urgency, Passion, and Integrity. She believes that effective leadership requires intentional preparation, authentic relationships, transparency, responsive use of data, continuous improvement, and a commitment to developing future leaders.

A graduate of Elon University, Shawna is passionate about cultivating thriving school communities where students, families, and educators are known, valued, challenged, and supported. She remains committed to expanding her impact beyond the schoolhouse by influencing the policies, systems, and structures that shape educational opportunity for students and communities.

Shenelle Spady

Ms. Shenelle T. Spady is a native of Hampton, Virginia, and a proud graduate of Morgan State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Virginia State University and a post-graduate degree in K–12 School Leadership from High Point University.

Ms. Spady began her career as an elementary school teacher, serving students in Petersburg Public Schools (Virginia), Prince George’s County Public Schools (Maryland), and Fulton County Schools (Georgia) before making North Carolina her permanent home. She spent 13 years with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, where she served as a teacher, curriculum facilitator, and program director, developing a strong foundation in instructional leadership, curriculum development, and advancing academic excellence for all students.

In the 2022–2023 school year, Ms. Spady joined KIPP North Carolina as Assistant Principal at KIPP Pride High School. During her four years at Pride High, she played an instrumental role in the school’s transformation, helping lead Pride High to become one of the top-performing high schools in the region. She is also a proud graduate of the KIPP NC Principal in Residence Program, a leadership development program designed to prepare exceptional school leaders to serve students and communities across the KIPP network.

As Principal of KIPP Pride High School & Early College, Ms. Spady believes that transformational leadership begins with authentic relationships, unwavering high expectations, and a deep belief in the limitless potential of every student. She is committed to ensuring that every student graduates prepared for success in college, career, and life while fostering a school community where excellence, belonging, and opportunity are at the center of every decision.

Shay Adams

A proud Charlotte native, Shay Adams serves as the Director of Development at KIPP North Carolina Public Schools, where she leads development and fundraising strategy. With 10 years of experience across the nonprofit and political sectors, her professional background encompasses grants management, consulting, and research.

Throughout her career, Shay has worked to strengthen organizational capacity and build meaningful relationships that support sustainable growth. She brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work, grounded in strategic thinking and a commitment to creating lasting community impact. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, History, & Society & Latino/a Studies from Vanderbilt University.

TaLisa Clark

TaLisa M. Clark is an educator, executive leader, author, and facilitator with more than 25 years of experience developing people, programs, and organizations. She is the Founder and Managing Director of KIPP North Carolina Teacher U, a state-authorized educator preparation program creating accessible, job-embedded pathways to teacher licensure.

Throughout her career, TaLisa has founded schools, developed educators and leaders, and facilitated learning across the United States and internationally. Her work centers leadership development, organizational culture, educator preparation, and building sustainable systems that expand opportunity and impact.

TaLisa is also the author of Whole! Without Proof: Notes on Healing Without Performance and an active elected leader in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, where she serves as International Graduate Director and a member of the International Board of Directors.

Across her professional and community leadership, TaLisa is committed to helping people grow, lead with purpose, and build organizations where both people and impact can thrive. She is the proud mother of one son, Roman, a KIPP alumnus.

Dr. Gernavia Leverette

Dr. Gernavia Leverette serves as Managing Director of Student Support Services for KIPP North Carolina Public Schools, where she provides strategic regional leadership across exceptional children (special education), multilingual learner services, Section 504, social work, McKinney-Vento, MTSS, and other systems that support student access and success.

Prior to her current role with KIPP NC, Dr. Leverette served as a special education teacher, reading specialist, special education program director, and middle school principal. She earned her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Education and holds licensure in Exceptional Children General Curriculum K-12, Reading Specialist K-12, EC Program Administration, and School Administration.

Throughout her career, Dr. Leverette has focused on strengthening systems, developing educators and leaders, and advancing inclusive practices that expand access to rigorous learning for all students. Beyond her work with KIPP NC, she is the founder and CEO of Instructional Impact, LLC and author of The Principal’s Special Education Playbook.

Natalie Williams

Natalie Williams serves as the State Director of Operations for KIPP North Carolina, bringing more than 20 years of experience in educational leadership, strategic management, and school operations. She leads systems and teams that support safe, effective, and welcoming learning environments across the network. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Strategic Management and a Master of Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration. Passionate about developing leaders and strengthening organizational systems, she is committed to operational excellence and ensuring schools have the resources and support needed for students and communities to thrive.

Stephanie Williams

Stephanie is a dynamic and results-driven enrollment strategist with over 15 years in leading recruitment and enrollment efforts within the higher education sector. As Director of Enrollment Strategy at KIPP North Carolina, Stephanie specializes in developing and executing innovative recruitment strategies to attract diverse and mission aligned populations to KIPP’s charter schools. With a strong background in data-driven decision-making, team leadership, and community engagement, Stephanie has a proven track record of driving enrollment growth and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Stephanie excels in utilizing data analytics to inform recruitment strategies, optimize resource allocation, and enhance student engagement throughout the enrollment process. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Stephanie is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and families. By building strong partnerships with internal teams, community partners, and external stakeholders, Stephanie  ensures KIPP’s recruitment efforts are aligned with the organization’s mission and values.

Key Areas of Expertise:

• Data-Driven Decision Making & Enrollment Analytics
• Community Engagement & Outreach
• Recruitment Program Management
• Budget Management & Resource Allocation
• CRM Systems (Salesforce, ACES2, Slate, Hubspot)
• Team Leadership & Professional Development
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Partnership Development

Education:

• Juris Doctorate, North Carolina Central University School of Law
• Master of Science in Business Education, University of North Carolina Greensboro
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Hampton University

Certifications & Memberships:

• NC State Bar, licensed to practice law
• Vice Chair, Consortium Board of Trustees
• Leadership Women Class of 2021
• Presenter at National Education Conferences