Meet Our Leadership Team

About:

Jack Safer joined Brightside Academy as the Chief Operations Officer in 2016 after working in the social services and healthcare sector for over a decade. After spending almost 5 years overseeing daily operations, Jack now work towards the development and expansion of ancillary support systems, which will complement our core ECE program. Through Jack’s commitment and dedication to our communities, he and the team plan to implement a number of initiatives which will include children and families of all backgrounds, a therapeutic nursery model, behavioral and mental health awareness, parent and family support groups, and educator career paths.

About:

Prior to joining Brightside, Toya Cornelious served as a healthcare operations executive for 16 years at CareOne LLC. As a Regional Director of Operations, she led operational goals for eight communities with over 800 total employees. Upon becoming CareOne’s Chief Clinical Officer, Toya oversaw all clinical and business operations, including specialized programming and strategic vision for 18,000 employees and 53 care centers. Toya has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, and a Masters of Business Administration with a focus in Project Management from Grantham University.

About:

With 32 years of experience serving children, youth, and families, Ladrina Powell is a dedicated leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and supervisory expertise to her role. She holds a Master of Science in Leadership, a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, and an Associate’s in Early Childhood Education, embodying a commitment to lifelong learning and servant leadership.

In her role at Brightside Academy, Ladrina is focused on building strong relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners. Driven by her values of accountability, inclusivity, and educational excellence, Ladrina’s vision is aligned with Brightside Academy’s reputation as a high-quality early childhood education provider in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

About:

Anthony Martrano joined Brightside Academy 15 years ago and now serves as the Vice President of Finance. Throughout his tenure, Anthony has displayed dedication, hard work, and the ability to navigate the complex financial landscapes of the childcare industry in his various roles. As Vice President of Finance, Anthony is eager to contribute to Brightside’s continued success in providing high-quality early education services to communities across Pennsylvania.

About:

Over the past 24 years, Stephanie Perry has had the privilege of working at Brightside Academy in the capacity of Group Supervisor, Assistant Director, Academy Director, Area Business Director, Field Manager, Field Director, Compliance Manager and Director of Compliance. Having experienced these various perspectives, she provides effective leadership and guidance to directors and leadership as Director of Compliance. In her current position, Stephanie executes our vision to provide quality child care in a safe and nurturing environment by helping the directors and leaders maintain compliance with federal, state, local, as well as Brightside Academy policies and regulations.

About:

Laura Oliver is an experienced leader, currently serving as Vice President of Human Resources at Brightside Academy. With a passion for cultivating thriving workplace cultures, Laura brings strategic vision and expertise to her role, driving employee engagement and organizational success. She is committed to fostering inclusivity, people operations, championing talent development, and ensuring Brightside Academy remains an employer of choice in the industry. Laura believes that the highest return on investment is the love and energy that we invest in children.

About:

Vanessa Kwaczala joined Brightside in 2010 while finishing up her Associate’s Degree. Since then, she has dedicated herself to improving personally and professionally, and earning a Master’s Degree with the ongoing support of Brightside Academy. Beginning her career as an assistant teacher, she has filled many other positions, such as Lead Teacher, Education Director, Acting Director, Quality Assurance Coach, and now, Regional Director. Vanessa is dedicated to providing high quality service to our families and community, and is committed to providing meaningful experiences to support our lifelong learners. She works hard to increase several location STAR levels\, as well as maintaining different accreditations in the region.

About:

Juana Ramos joined Brightside Academy in 2005 as a school-age teacher. She achieved her Early Childhood and Education Degree from Eastern University and has served in leadership in different capacities, as Assistant Director, Academy Director, and, currently, Field Director. Juana brings dedication and passion to her work as she focuses on supporting other leaders, families, and children in the communities.

About:

Nikia Ridley-Cuffy began her journey at Brightside Academy in 2008 as a preschool teacher. Her passion for education and dedication to the families in the communities Brightside drove Nikia’s success. She progressed to Academy Director and, most recently, her current position as Field Director. Nikia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Chestnut Hill College, and she has dedicated her career to building lasting relationships with families and aiding in the growth and development of all the children Brightside serves.

About:

As the Director of Facilities at Brightside Academy, Kevin Kilgore oversees the maintenance and custodial services of 32 Early Childhood Education centers in Pennsylvania. He has over 23 years of experience managing facilities in various sectors, including healthcare and hospitality. Kevin is highly skilled in operations, capital expenditures, and the hospitality industry, with core competencies including planning, budgeting, project management, mechanical trades, contracting, life safety, and quality assurance. Passionate about creating safe, comfortable, and efficient environments for children, staff, and families, he values collaboration, innovation, and excellence and strives to deliver the best possible outcomes for Brightside Academy.