Advisory Team — BOOST by HINGE

ADVISORY TEAM MEMBERS

Michelle Smith Lank is the Owner and Director of Kids World Learning Center in Statesboro, Georgia. Michelle manages and oversees the daily operations involved with childcare services implementing quality experiences for the children, families, and community.

Kids World Learning Center was the first childcare center in the state of Georgia to become Quality Rated in 2012. Kids World Learning Center is also a Quality Rated Inclusion accredited site, a Language and Literacy Governor's Endorsed program, a Pre-K tour site, and is NAEYC nationally accredited. The program has completed its expansion of four adjoining properties reaching a family capacity of 197.

Zubeen Saeed started her work in early childhood as a part-time babysitter to help pay her way through college. But what started as a way to pay for school, soon became a passion she would pursue for the next two decades. Today, Zubeen operates multiple childcare centers and public school afterschool programs across Pennsylvania. She is the President and CEO of Building Blocks Learning Centers which serves more than 750 students and 100+ employees at 14 locations throughout Luzerne County. Zubeen is also a board member of the Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce and Wilkes Barre Center and Education Votech as well as a Circle 200 Women Leaders member.

James Emch was the CEO of Valley Child Care and Learning Centers in Greater Phoenix. Founded in 1967 by James’ grandfather Paul Emch, Valley Child Care and Learning Centers endured for more than 50 years across four generations. James joined in 1993 and worked alongside his brother Mike to learn absolutely everything he could about the business, eventually working his way up to CEO. He sold the business and retired in December 2023. James is also the President and Board Member of the Arizona Early Childhood Education Association (AECEA).

Thad Joiner founded his first company, TS Express, and bought his first restaurant at age 21. It quickly grew and he sold to partners after just one year. He went on to purchase his first Golden Corral franchise and became the youngest Golden Corral owner in company history. Since then, Thad has bought, grown and sold more than a dozen successful businesses within the service industry. In 2016, he founded Better Beans to address the need for a turn key provider of brand development, interior design and signage services to support restaurants, childcare and retail clients.

Vernon Mason is a bestselling author, humorist, inspiring keynote speaker and workshop trainer extraordinaire.He has been called the “trifecta of childcare.” Growing up in an in-home program, as his company grew, he has been the owner-director of small, medium, and large programs. After 28+ years, including a decade of multi-site ownership, he sold his schools to a large regional provider. Along the way, Vernon completed a Master's in Early Childhood, wrote a few books, and became a popular speaker. Today Vernon is Senior Vice President of Development for The Nest Schools.

Kristen Waterfield is the Founder and President of The Malvern School, a leading provider of child care and early childhood education with 27 schools throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and central New Jersey. With a philosophy to deliver a high-quality educational program for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 8 years, The Malvern School’s degreed teachers focus on the physical, emotional and cognitive growth of the child. Kristen is currently a member of the Board of Trustees at Valley Forge Educational Services and is actively involved in Unite for HER.

Whitney Carper is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has worked with National Healthcare Corporation (NHC) for the past 17 years. She has certifications in LSVT for assisting patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Whitney currently resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina where she is passionate about serving her community through her church, Meals on Wheels, and the Mentor Upstate program.

Kathy Ligon is the Founder & CEO of HINGE Advisors. Trained as a public accountant, Kathy has a unique 35+ year background in educational operations. Early on, she was named Financial Director for a growing educational organization and subsequently moved to COO, helping the company multiply from five to 125 sites operating in several different states. In 2003, Kathy started her own early education transaction advisory firm—providing unmatched support to the private early education sector by developing price analyses, negotiating strategies and matching buyers with sellers. Her unique understanding of the nuances of process development and company integration has led to the successful transactions of more than 300 early education businesses.

Aleta Mechtel has spent the past 20+ years wearing all the hats in early childhood education including Teacher, Director, Owner and Coach.

Despite the Great Recession, she grew a profitable childcare business, expanded it to 4 locations, and launched 2 other complementary businesses aimed at providing a solution for one of childcare’s biggest challenges — staffing. Now as a Leadership Coach, Aleta helps childcare business leaders identify, strategize and implement intentional plans through 1:1 Coaching, Mastermind Groups, Boot Camps, Substitute Teacher Operating System Products and Childcare Substitute Teacher Placement Services.

Nan Rikard has spent her entire 40+ year career in early childhood education. Starting as the Owner/Director of Gilbert Daycare and Learning Center in 1988, she went on to serve as the COO of The Sunshine House in 1997, and, in 2010, she founded Big Blue Marble Academy (BBMA)—now one of the nation's largest early education providers.

In 2018, Nan sold her ownership of BBMA with the help of HINGE Advisors. She continues to serve as an active board member for the brand.