OUR TEAM

MEET THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Kathy Ligon
Founder

Kathy is the Founder of BOOST by HINGE, leveraging more than 40 years of experience in educational operations to champion the well-being of early childhood educators. Her unique position in the industry, speaking daily with early education business owners, gave her firsthand insight into the financial struggles faced by early childhood educators. Recognizing the need for support, Kathy founded BOOST in 2024 to offer a dedicated resource for educators facing hardships.

Kate Hubschman, Esq.
Executive Director

Kate leads BOOST’s mission to uplift and support early childhood teachers nationwide. A driving force behind BOOST since its inception, she has been instrumental in shaping its vision, growth and impact. With a background in law—practicing in child custody, neglect, and real estate—Kate transitioned to the nonprofit sector to create a broader, more positive impact. Her leadership ensures that BOOST remains a trusted resource to early educators, ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

Whitney Carper
Care Team

Whitney is the Director of Teacher Success and oversees the Care Team which provides a space for teachers to seek support and connects them to local resources when they are ineligible for BOOST grants. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has worked with National Healthcare Corporation (NHC) for 17+ years. Her passion for service extends beyond her professional work—she is deeply involved in her community in Simpsonville, South Carolina, where she actively serves through her church, Meals on Wheels, and the Mentor Upstate program.

Meredith Douglas
Communications

Meredith is the strategic voice behind BOOST, shaping how we connect with teachers, donors, and the ECE community to maximize our impact. With over a decade of experience in content marketing, she brings a well-rounded perspective from both agency and client-side roles, specializing in brand development and content strategy. At BOOST, Meredith leads our messaging across multiple channels, including our website, newsletters, social media, and events, ensuring our mission reaches and resonates with those we serve.

MEET THE ADVISORY TEAM

  • Michelle 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 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 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 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 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.

  • Aleta 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 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.

“Early learning teachers show up for children and families every day. This is an opportunity to show up for them when they need it most.”

— KATE HUBSCHMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR