Paul Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
Paul Thompson is the Chief Executive Officer of KinderCare Learning Companies, responsible for all aspects of the company’s strategy, leadership, governance, and financial performance.
Since joining KLC in 2015, Paul held many roles including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President.
Before joining KinderCare, Paul was with Safeway from 2005-2015, starting as the VP of Finance. Over the next eight years, Paul held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including Group VP, Financial Planning and Analysis, and SVP, Finance, Pricing and Enterprise Systems. Prior to joining Safeway, Paul worked at Pillsbury for 13 years.
Since joining KLC in 2015, Paul held many roles including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President.
Before joining KinderCare, Paul was with Safeway from 2005-2015, starting as the VP of Finance. Over the next eight years, Paul held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including Group VP, Financial Planning and Analysis, and SVP, Finance, Pricing and Enterprise Systems. Prior to joining Safeway, Paul worked at Pillsbury for 13 years.
Dr. Marquita Davis, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Marquita Davis is the company’s Chief Academic Officer, overseeing the development of KinderCare’s high-quality educational programs, educator professional development, quality and accreditation initiatives, research and evaluation, inclusion services, and public policy.
Marquita has more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, non-profit leadership, government and philanthropy, including nearly six years as deputy director of Early Learning at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she led the foundation’s multi-state early learning strategy which aims to ensure all young children have access to high-quality, effective and affordable preschool. Marquita also served as the director of finance for the State of Alabama, commissioner for the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs, and Pre-K director for the state of Alabama.
Marquita has more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, non-profit leadership, government and philanthropy, including nearly six years as deputy director of Early Learning at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she led the foundation’s multi-state early learning strategy which aims to ensure all young children have access to high-quality, effective and affordable preschool. Marquita also served as the director of finance for the State of Alabama, commissioner for the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs, and Pre-K director for the state of Alabama.
Jessica Harrah
Chief People Officer
Jessica Harrah is the company’s Chief People Officer, overseeing human resources for the company’s 35,000 employees nationwide. She leads HR operations, talent acquisition, employee experience, employee relations, travel and meetings, and talent investment and culture. Since joining KinderCare in 2005, Jessica has held numerous roles within the company, including SVP of Human Resources, Senior Associate Council, and Staff Attorney.
Jessica’s commitment to improving access to childcare for working families and elevating teachers, many of whom are working moms, is what inspired her decision to work in early childhood education. She is a firm believer that engaged teams produce the best work and drive positives outcomes both for the company and for society. Jessica challenges her team to build an environment where people are proud to work and continually pushes for experiences that are authentic to KinderCare’s mission and culture.
Jessica’s commitment to improving access to childcare for working families and elevating teachers, many of whom are working moms, is what inspired her decision to work in early childhood education. She is a firm believer that engaged teams produce the best work and drive positives outcomes both for the company and for society. Jessica challenges her team to build an environment where people are proud to work and continually pushes for experiences that are authentic to KinderCare’s mission and culture.
Tony Amandi
Chief Financial Officer
Tony Amandi is the company’s Chief Financial Officer, leading the accounting, treasury, control, internal audit, tax and risk, external reporting, finance, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), facilities, real estate, information systems, litigation, and procurement functions. Tony previously served as the senior vice president of KinderCare’s FP&A organization and Corporate Controller.
Before joining KinderCare in 2009, Tony worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers for nearly 10 years in their Audit and Assurance practice. He also served as the project leader for a Fortune 100 company during the first year of 404 controls implementation and integrated audit approach and lead the audit and advisory engagements of public and non-public, multinational, and multilocation companies.
Before joining KinderCare in 2009, Tony worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers for nearly 10 years in their Audit and Assurance practice. He also served as the project leader for a Fortune 100 company during the first year of 404 controls implementation and integrated audit approach and lead the audit and advisory engagements of public and non-public, multinational, and multilocation companies.
Lindsay Sorhondo
Chief Innovation Officer
Lindsay Sorhondo is the company’s Chief Innovation Officer and oversees business and growth strategy, as well as family and center operations. She leads the company’s transformational work, turning it from vision to reality, as well as helping identify new avenues of growth, and expanding on a foundation of operational excellence.
Lindsay joined the company as Director of Employee and Family Experience in 2013. For the last eight years, she has helped the organization build stronger business and execution capability. Prior to joining KinderCare, Lindsay worked at ANN Inc. in New York City. She also served as a consultant for Gallup.
Lindsay joined the company as Director of Employee and Family Experience in 2013. For the last eight years, she has helped the organization build stronger business and execution capability. Prior to joining KinderCare, Lindsay worked at ANN Inc. in New York City. She also served as a consultant for Gallup.
Jeff Spiegel
Chief Brand Officer
Jeff Spiegel is the Chief Brand Officer for KinderCare Learning Companies. In his role, Jeff is responsible for the overall brand experience for KinderCare’s customers and leads all aspects of the company’s marketing and communications including brand marketing, content and creative development, digital products and marketing, and corporate communications. Jeff also oversees the organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts.
Before moving to his current role in 2017, Jeff served as Senior Vice President of Field HR & Recruiting for the company. Previously, Jeff served for nine years as the head of Corporate and Operational Communications and was a member of the HR Leadership Team at Old Navy. Prior to that, he served in various leadership roles an in communications, community relations, HR and marketing during his 13 years at Target Corporation. For 10 years, he was a member of the board of directors for Health Initiatives for Youth in San Francisco.
Before moving to his current role in 2017, Jeff served as Senior Vice President of Field HR & Recruiting for the company. Previously, Jeff served for nine years as the head of Corporate and Operational Communications and was a member of the HR Leadership Team at Old Navy. Prior to that, he served in various leadership roles an in communications, community relations, HR and marketing during his 13 years at Target Corporation. For 10 years, he was a member of the board of directors for Health Initiatives for Youth in San Francisco.
Dan Figurski
President, KLC for Employers & Champions
Dan Figurski is the President of KinderCare for Employers and Champions, bringing 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business management to his role at KinderCare Learning Companies. In his time with KinderCare, his leadership has accelerated the growth of Champions before- and after-school programs, allowing best-in-class programming to serve more children and families with the brand’s authentic engagement. Most recently, his role has extended to include KinderCare for Employers.
Prior to joining KinderCare, Dan worked in the K-12 educational software segment, where he helped create and lead the acceptance and growth of digital subscriptions for both schools and publishers. As a father of four, Dan is passionate about helping children learn.
Michael Canavin
President, Kindercare Learning Centers & Créme de la Créme Schools
Michael Canavin is the President of KinderCare Learning Centers and Créme de le Créme Schools. Since joining Kindercare Learning Company in 2015, Michael has help a number of roles including Regional Vice President and Senior Vice Presdeint for KinderCare Learning Centers before moving into his current role in 2022.
Before joining KinderCare, Michael was with Family Dollar Corporation for 10 years starting as Regional Vice President and advancing to Divisional Vice President. Prior to that Michael worked for Mervyn's Department Stores for 11 years and Jordan Marsh Department Stores for 8 years.
Before joining KinderCare, Michael was with Family Dollar Corporation for 10 years starting as Regional Vice President and advancing to Divisional Vice President. Prior to that Michael worked for Mervyn's Department Stores for 11 years and Jordan Marsh Department Stores for 8 years.
Abe Lietz
Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer
Prior to joining KinderCare, Abe was the CIO and Vice President of Customer Service Operations for Curves and Jenny Craig, where he led a complete transformation of the IT organization, as well as managing the service contact center for both brands to drive a best-in-class service experience for customers, franchise owners and corporate users. Prior to Curves and Jenny Craig, Abe was Chief Architect and Head of Divisional IT for Life Technologies (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), where he was responsible for driving technology strategy, new technology incubation, and overall technical architecture for the IT infrastructure and applications footprint, as well as all instrument and software system product lines.