Our Leadership

Geren Anderson

Geren Anderson, co-founder of The Pillars Christian Learning Center, oversees financial, marketing, sales, and strategic growth. With a BS from Texas A&M and an MBA from the University of Phoenix, his leadership has expanded the business from one location to several in San Antonio and Dallas/Ft. Worth since 2009. Geren enjoys golf, hunting, fishing, and Texas Aggie Football.

Danielle Millman

Danielle Millman is a dynamic executive leader with extensive experience in education, spanning ECE, K-12, and post-secondary. A passionate advocate for early childhood education, she specializes in leadership development, culture building, change management, and M&A. Danielle is dedicated to driving growth, building great teams, and delivering exceptional results in education.

Melissa Anderson

Melissa Anderson, in early childhood education since 2009, holds a BS from Texas A&M and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She believes childcare should be safe, loving, and academically enriching, with an emphasis on God’s love. Married to Geren since 1999, they have two children. Melissa enjoys reading, Pilates, camping, and exploring Texas Hill Country wineries.

Kellie Copeland

Kellie Copeland, VP of Finance and Administration at The Pillars since 2018, holds a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin. With a background in corporate finance and valuation consulting, she brings valuable expertise to her role. Married since 1999, she and her husband have two sons. Kellie enjoys lake time, traveling, and scuba diving with her family.

Nicole Patrone

Nicole Patrone brings over 30 years of leadership experience in Early Childhood Education to The Pillars, including roles as teacher, School Director, District Manager, and Regional Manager. She has successfully supported over 100 schools across seven states, demonstrating a deep passion for early education. In her free time, she enjoys live music, reading by the ocean, and visiting Texas Hill Country vineyards with her family.

Susan Harr

Susan Harr is the Vice President of Marketing Operations at The Pillars Christian Learning Center, overseeing internal and external communication, marketing, and sales activities. With extensive experience in all aspects of marketing and scaling for growth, she focuses on leading new initiatives to strengthen and expand The Pillars brand in both current and new markets.

Cara Bass

Cara Bass, Director of Human Resources at The Pillars, brings 16 years of diverse HR experience across healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, and education. Holding a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, she understands teachers’ perspectives and focuses on long-term solutions for the organization. Cara is dedicated to implementing innovative HR tools and benefits to ensure success.

Teddie Gamel

Teddie Gamel, The Pillars’ Regional Director for Dallas-Ft. Worth, has over 30 years of experience in early childcare education. A TLCCA board member and certified trainer, she is actively involved in her church and enjoys gardening, reading, and outdoor activities. Teddie and her husband cherish time with their three children and four grandchildren.

Laura Nelson

Laura graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, majoring in Early Childhood Education. Celebrating 20 years in education, she became the Director of the fifth Pillars Christian Learning Center in New Braunfels, which opened in January 2021.

Dawn Spainhower

Dawn Spainhower, with a degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University, has dedicated over four decades to teaching and children’s ministry. A Pillars team member since 2010, she nurtures children spiritually and empowers parents in their faith journey. Dawn enjoys quality time with her children and grandchildren in her free time.

Janet Delicia De Carrejo

Janet Delicia de Carrejo, The Pillars’ Regional Director for San Antonio, has over 30 years of experience in early childhood education. She plans to pursue a PhD in Educational Leadership. In her free time, Janet enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren, gardening, reading, and listening to music.

Ashely Lakey

Ashely Lakey, a certified childcare professional with over 16 years of experience, is The Pillars’ Director of Enrollment. She leads a team of Enrollment Specialists, assisting prospective families with enrollment and onboarding. A former regional director, Ashely excels in family relationship management and is committed to serving families in The Pillars community.

Aly Wehde

Aly began her ECE career as a Pre-K assistant teacher, quickly advancing to lead Toddlers and later becoming an AA, supporting the Admin team and teachers. After a brief break, she returned to her passion for working with children and mentoring teachers. Now, as Singing Hills Education Coordinator, Aly is eager to foster stronger relationships with teachers, children, and families at The Pillars: Singing Hills.

Christy Strawn

Christy Strawn, Director of The Pillars: Cibolo, has over 20 years of childcare experience as both a teacher and director. She resides near Canyon Lake, balancing city life during the week with Hill Country serenity on weekends. Married for two decades with one son, Christy is a dedicated dog lover, caring for their six Boston Terriers.

Stephanie Vasilio

Stephanie Vasilio, Director of The Pillars: Mountain Peak, has 25 years of childcare experience and finds true joy in working with children. In her spare time, she enjoys quality time with her family and spouse. Her favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.

Demi Walls

Demi Wall, Director of Walnut Grove, is a devoted servant leader with over 14 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds dual master’s degrees in Christian Leadership and Human Services and Family. Passionate about inspiring and empowering others, Demi enjoys nurturing creativity, leading an active lifestyle, supporting others, and spending quality time with her family.

Heather Hallenbeck

Heather Hallenbeck, Director of The Pillars – Bandera, has 7 years of experience in early childhood education, beginning as a toddler teacher and advancing to Director. A San Antonio native, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children outside of work.

Adriana Armstrong

Passionate about Early Childhood Education and devoted to Christ, Adriana is committed to creating a nurturing space for children to explore, learn, and grow spiritually and academically. In her free time, she enjoys moments with her two daughters, who also attend The Pillars.

Vivian Stoeckert

Vivian has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, administration, and leadership. She is committed to providing every child with a strong foundation rooted in both faith and education. In her free time, Vivian enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren, traveling, and shopping at local boutiques.

Britany Forrest

With over 15 years in early childcare education, Britany has advanced from a two’s teacher to her current role as Director. She is deeply committed to serving the children and families at her Colleyville school, believing the community offers something special for everyone. In her spare time, Britany enjoys spending time with her son Rylan, playing games, watching movies, and going to Monster Jam.

Tiffany Marie Edwards

Tiffany Marie Edwards, Director of The Pillars – Colleyville East, brings 24 years of diverse childcare experience. Her goal is to nurture a genuine love for learning and a strong connection with God among families. Tiffany is a mother of three children, aged 15, 11, and 4. In her spare time, she volunteers in her church’s children’s ministry, enjoys working on projects, and finds joy in singing.

Monica Behm

Monica brings 25 years of comprehensive experience in Early Childhood Education, having served in various roles across the childcare industry. She finds joy in witnessing children’s excitement when learning something new. Monica is dedicated to building strong spiritual and academic foundations in children, nurturing them to become their best selves.

Amber Mendoza

Amber Mendoza has over 12 years of experience in early childhood education, driven by her passion for teaching and helping children establish a solid educational foundation. She is committed to fostering collaborative and interactive learning experiences for every child at her school by working closely with families. Amber enjoys crafting, gardening, and spending quality time with her family, including her dog.

Jessica McKinley

Jessica McKinley brings 20+ years of experience in early childhood education, a CDA, Director’s Credential, and an associate degree in Criminal Justice. A devoted mother of three, Jessica is passionate about supporting children’s growth and partnering with families to nurture bright futures. Originally from Allen/McKinney, she is dedicated to shaping the next generation with care and commitment.