Great Hearts Academies Executive and Leadership Team

Jay Heiler, the Chief Executive Officer at Great Hearts Academies, directs the overarching vision and strategic trajectory of the organization. By overseeing the expansion of the K-12 charter network, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the delivery of a high-quality, humanities-based liberal arts education across the public sector. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to maintain academic standards and fiscal health. Jay Heiler manages the alignment of regional school operations with the core mission of cultivating virtuous citizens. Through the implementation of long-term growth initiatives, the Chief Executive Officer secures the sustainability of the educational model. By prioritizing student outcomes and institutional integrity, Heiler drives the organization toward achieving excellence in every classroom. This executive oversight remains vital for the continued success of the network as the institution scales its impact within the broader educational landscape.

Matthew Bushard, the Chief Financial Officer at Great Hearts Academies, manages the fiscal health and resource allocation for the entire K-12 charter network. Overseeing the budgeting process, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that every dollar supports the humanities-based liberal arts curriculum. This role involves complex financial planning to sustain tuition-free operations while maintaining high facility standards. Matthew Bushard coordinates with the executive team to optimize funding streams and grant management. By analyzing expenditure patterns, the Chief Financial Officer identifies opportunities for operational efficiency across all campuses. Bushard maintains rigorous compliance with state and federal financial regulations, protecting the long-term viability of the organization. Through precise fiscal stewardship, the Chief Financial Officer enables the expansion of educational access. Ultimately, Bushard secures the financial foundation necessary for the network to deliver a transformative academic experience to students throughout the region.

Persephone Lee, the Blue Crew - President at Great Hearts Academies, directs the specialized operational support teams that maintain the infrastructure of the K-12 charter network. Overseeing the logistics and service delivery models, the Blue Crew - President ensures that every campus environment facilitates a high-quality, humanities-based liberal arts education. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to address facility needs and operational challenges. Persephone Lee manages the deployment of resources to support the daily functioning of the schools. By optimizing service workflows, the Blue Crew - President enhances the overall experience for students and faculty alike. Lee collaborates with other executives to ensure that operational capacity matches the growth of the organization. Through this focused leadership, the Blue Crew - President drives efficiency and reliability across all regional operations. Ultimately, Lee secures the operational stability required for the network to fulfill the mission of providing tuition-free, public education.

Helen Baxendale, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Strategy & Analytics at Great Hearts Academies, architects the data-driven frameworks that guide organizational decision-making. Overseeing the integration of analytics into daily operations, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Strategy & Analytics ensures that academic performance metrics align with the mission of a liberal arts education. This role involves streamlining communication between departments to enhance institutional agility. Helen Baxendale evaluates strategic initiatives to determine the efficacy of current K-12 programs. By synthesizing complex data sets, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Strategy & Analytics provides actionable insights that support the executive team in refining school policies. Baxendale manages the flow of information to optimize internal processes and resource distribution. Through this analytical leadership, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, Strategy & Analytics drives continuous improvement across the entire network, ensuring that every strategic move strengthens the educational impact.

Jerilyn Olson, the Chief People Officer at Great Hearts Academies, directs the recruitment, development, and retention of the faculty and staff who deliver the humanities-based curriculum. Overseeing human capital initiatives, the Chief People Officer ensures that the organization attracts educators committed to the liberal arts philosophy. This role involves designing professional development programs that foster a culture of excellence and character formation. Jerilyn Olson manages talent acquisition strategies to support the growth of the K-12 network. By implementing performance management systems, the Chief People Officer aligns individual contributions with the broader mission of the institution. Olson coordinates with school leadership to maintain a supportive work environment that values academic rigor. Through the cultivation of a high-performing workforce, the Chief People Officer ensures that the organization remains a leader in public education. Ultimately, Olson secures the human resources necessary to sustain the long-term success of the charter network.