Our Team

• Administration and Student Support
• Grade-Level Teaching Teams
• Exceptional Students Teaching Teams
• Connects (Enrichment) Teaching Team
• Board of Trustees

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Abigail Jennings
Co-founder, Chair of the Board of Trustees
AbigailJ@pioneersprings.org

Abigail is president of Lake Norman Realty, a full-service real estate firm with six offices serving the Lake Norman region.  Her innovative vision has allowed her to steadily grow her firm into one of the largest brokerage firms in the Charlotte region, maintaining the reputation for integrity and unparalleled service that has been a company hallmark since its formation in 1978. 
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The impact of Abigail’s leadership is felt in her community as well. In addition to being a co-founder of Pioneer Springs in 2012, she is also a founding director for blueharbor bank, a community bank based in Mooresville, NC serving the Lake Norman region. Abigail is also founder and president of the Lake Norman Lucky Cat Program, a non-profit dedicated to humanely managing the population of community cats through TNRM (trap-neuter-return-manage).  She also serves as vice-president of the non-profit economic development organization, SICDC (South Iredell County Development Corporation).

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Creative Arts, her love of nature and the arts were both inspirations as a co-founder of Pioneer Springs.  When free time is seized, she enjoys creating art and spending time in nature with her family.  She is married to co-founder Randolph Lewis and together they are Pioneer parents of Genevieve and Sophia.

Erik Giles
Co-founder, Vice-chair of the Board of Trustees, Chair of Governance Committee    
Erikg@pioneersprings.org

Erik is the Head of Data Management for Global Corporate Systems Technology at TIAA. Prior to working with TIAA, Erik was a Strategic Program Management consultant for Wells Fargo/RGP.  He also has been a consultant for Ally Financial Inc. and Bank of America, among other institutions. Erik is a difference maker with strong leadership skills and the ability to influence change.  He has served as a strategic consultant and program manager in companywide restructuring, system/process re-engineering, data management and other value add projects. Through effective thought leadership, executive communication, process improvement, analytical and software development, he has leveraged these skills to consistently improve the organization’s efficiency/productivity goals with a proven record of accomplishment for driving results.

Erik received his MBA and BSBA in Management Information Systems with honors from the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  He also attended the University of Maryland College Park.  Erik is a co-founder of Pioneer Springs, and is a Pioneer parent of Taylor and Harper.

Ananthanarayanan Nilakantan, MBA, PMP
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, Chair of Finance Committee
Ananthn@pioneersprings.org
 
Ananth is a versatile business leader with over two decades of expertise Ananth is a versatile business leader with over two decades of expertise in providing effective business and technology strategies to creates value and positive impact to organizations’ bottom-line, through understanding the culture, structures, process, and building relationships within and outside the organization. Ananth's areas of responsibility span product management, solution designing, relationship building, compliance, technology, Global Data governance and human resources. He earned his MBA from Wake Forest. , and is currently Business Initiatives Consultant for Wells Fargo.

Having worked in India, United Arab Emirates and Kenya, Ananth truly brings a global perspective.  He believes his education has been the building block for his success and growth; hence he believes in spreading a wealth of knowledge in his community to build a stronger community.

Ananth has lived in Charlotte since 2006, he got married to Janaki in 2007, and has lived in North Carolina for more than a decade. He was attracted to the area for its beautiful nature and a closely integrated community. Ananth plays Table Tennis, enjoys hikes in the NC Mountains, and an amateur gardener.

Kim Champion
Secretary of the Board Trustees
Kimc@pioneersprings.org
 
Kim is an educational professional currently working in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System as a Pre-Kindergarten Literacy Facilitator.  She received two Masters of Science from Johns Hopkins University as a Reading Specialist and in General Education, and her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Psychology from Vanderbilt University.  Kim is licensed by the State of NC as teacher for Birth through Kindergarten, Elementary Grades K-6, ESL K-12, and Reading K-12. In addition, she has received extensive professional development training, which includes completion of the comprehensive Orton-Gillingham program and the Teacher’s College Balanced Literacy Training.

​Kim has been an educator since 1998. Her extensive background in education includes notable roles such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress-Assessment Coordinator for Westat, where she managed NAEP assessment activities in twenty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.  She has also been a Reading and Literacy Specialist, Response to Intervention Coach, and classroom teacher within the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, and post graduate instructor for the University of Phoenix for reading education.   

Peter Blumenfeld
Board Trustee, Chair of Facilities Taskforce
Peterb@pioneersprings.org
 
Peter is a Senior Project Manager and the Multisite Practice lead for the Carolinas market for JLL.  He is an experienced project manager with a proven track record of adding value to an organization’s portfolio in architecture and construction. He has worked in architecture and construction for over 15 years.   He received his Bachelors of Architecture with a Minor in Business from the University of Miami. He has vast experience in planning and zoning, permitting, and historic preservation as well as commercial, healthcare and residential construction and design.  He is an associate member of AIA and the National Eagle Scout Association.  He held the role of Cub Master for Pack 13 (Hornets’ Nest District) for over 6 years and currently is an assistant scout Master with Troop 13.  He actively volunteers with the Mid Atlantic Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society (2010 – Present).  Peter is an Eagle Scout Award recipient, and has also received these notable awards: the Da Vinci Award (Innovation to the company), Carolinas Innovation Award (Innovation to the market), and the Spotlight Award Recipient (Catalyst award for being a role model).

Sandra Knox
Board Trustee
Sandrak@pioneersprings.org
 
Sandra Knox is owner of Sandra Knox, PC in Cornelius, NC, where she a practicing attorney.  She is a graduate of the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University where she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence. She received her AB in Political Science from Davidson College. Her practice areas include commercial and residential real estate, small business formation and planning, and estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney etc.  Sandra is a founding board member of Pioneer Springs Community School.  She also enjoys volunteering for Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas.

Jeanne Bryne
Board Trustee, Chair of Academic Excellence Committee
JeanneB@PioneerSprings.org

Jeanne’s education career spans 32 years as a K-12 Physical Education teacher, administrator and district coordinator/curriculum specialist.  She is National Board-Certified Teacher and a National Trainer with The First Tee National School Program.  She holds a Masters of Arts Degrees in Physical Education, School Administration and Curriculum Specialist.   During her career she was named Regional Teacher of the Year and served as a Professional Development Master Teacher during her tenure with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District.   Jeanne has taught and coached at all levels (K-12) throughout her 32-year career.  Jeanne enjoys officiating High School volleyball with the NCHSAA and has done for 24 years.   In her spare time she enjoys playing pickleball, reading and gardening.

Dr. Barbara Ann Temple
Board Trustee, Chair of Marketing Task Force
BarbaraA@pioneersprings.org
 
Barbara Ann has over thirty years of educational experience as an Arts Administrator, Professional Development Designer and Leader, Curriculum Developer, Filmmaker, Writer, English Educator, and Athletic Coach.  She is a results-oriented high achiever committed to exceeding all goals with a robust track record for developing comprehensive cultural education programming and professional development, building strategic partnerships for educational endeavors, and generating sustainable funding for programs. 

Currently, she is Vice-president of Education for the Arts and Science Council, where she has been tasked to develop advocacy films that promote the Arts, Sciences, History, and/or Heritage; implement Cultural Education Blueprint within partnership between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the Cultural Sector; model collaborative leadership with stakeholders within the Arts, Science, History, and Heritage Cultural Sectors; create professional development for principals and teachers; and work collaboratively with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the Cultural Sector in increasing access to and quality of cultural education learning experiences.

Barbara Ann directed, produced, and wrote Nature Matters, an advocacy film illustrating the importance of nature immersion and nature engagement, as well as produced, wrote, and secured distribution for Spiral Bound, an arts advocacy and student empowerment feature documentary.

She received her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with specialization in English-Literacy: Writing, and her M.Ed in Special Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte with specialization: Gifted and Talented.  Barbara Ann received her B.A. in English from Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Virginia. She maintains her North Carolina Teaching License, A Level: English 9-12.

​Dr. James T. Freeman
Board Trustee
jamesf@pioneersprings.org
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 Dr. James T. Freeman has dedicated a significant portion of his personal and professional life to his work in the nonprofit and community services. Much his efforts have been around working with African American families in support of enhancing their growth and development, to assist them with competent community services that reduce barriers, in a strategic effort to build strong families and safe communities. Among the values that he holds true are dignity, respect, spirituality, community and education. Dr. Freeman serves as an Assistant Professor for the MSW program at Johnson C Smith University. As a part of the inaugural graduate faculty for the graduate MSW program in the School of Social Work. Dr. Freeman has helped to create a MSW program with the mission and focus of preparing Culturally Competent Advance Generalist Graduate Social Work Practitioners.

​Dr. Freeman currently focuses his academic research and scholarship on the development of graduate African American social work students who are trained to work with and advocate for social, economic and political justice for marginalized African American families in impoverished urban communities. Dr. Freeman’s work in Human Services, Child Welfare in addition to his focus on Race and Culture in Social Work practice, has afforded the following professional partnerships. Dr. Freeman has consulted on a three-year project with the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) funded by the Kresge Foundation representing the Black Administrators in Child, which focused on the “Preservation of Culturally Specific Human Service Organizations.” Dr. Freeman continues to serve the National Association of Black Social Workers as the National Chair of Professional Development and Co Chair of Programs on the National Conference Committee.

​Dr. Freeman received his BA in Psychology with a minor in Religion from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington Pennsylvania, his MSW from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in Pittsburgh PA, the MBAe for Executive Leader from the Katz Business School at the University of Pittsburgh and his PhD from Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland. He is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) holding license in both Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Dr. Freeman’s love for education and the social work profession has afforded him the opportunity to serve the following universities in the capacity as Adjunct/Assistant Professor: the University of Pittsburgh, Morgan State University and Johnson C. Smith University.
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In addition to his academic and scholarship activities, Dr. Freeman’s community practice work has incorporated both clinical and administrative experiences. Dr. Freeman has served as the Associate Director for the NorthShore Community Alliance. In this role he oversees all programing and community work. Prior to joining the NorthShore Community Alliance, Dr. Freeman served as the Executive Vice President of A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI) the first holistic Kinship Foster Care organization in the United States, established by Dr. Sharon L. McDaniel in Pittsburgh PA, Allegheny County.
Dr. Freeman is a sought after lecturer and public speaking on Child Welfare and Human Service Organizational Leadership, Race and Cultural Identity, The African Centered Paradigm and Best Practice in Mental Health and Direct services with African American Families, presenting as several national and local conferences including The National Association of Black Social Worker, the Black Administrators in Child Welfare, Child Welfare League of America, One Church One Child Adoption Conference and National Black Child Development